Vermuyden Way Anytime Challenge Walk
The Vermuyden Way is a walk of around 20 miles along the dykes, footpaths and by-ways of the Isle of Axholme district of North Lincolnshire. Although in fairly flat and easy walking country it holds much of geographical and historical interest and wildlife is abundant for the keen eye. The first half of the walk is over what was, until the 17th century, marshland and fen. In 1626 Dutch drainage engineer Cornelius Vermuyden was commissioned to drain it by King Charles 1st and did so in spite of much local opposition. The second half of the walk is over the low hills of the Isle of Axholme which stood proud of the wetlands flooded by the rivers Trent, Idle, Torne and Don. The walk also passes Epworth Rectory, home of John Wesley and now a museum to his memory, and Epworth Church where his father Samuel Wesley was Rector and is buried. The walk starts at the picnic area and car park on the A161 between Belton and Epworth - about 2 miles south of its junction with the M180. Route descriptions can be obtained without charge: Sending either a SAE to Aaron Hookway 6B Plantation Rd Thorne Doncaster DN8 5EA or E-mail VermuydenLDWA@hotmail.com A badge and certificate is available for successful completions at £3.00 plus SAE.
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