In magnificent, Autumn sunshine, twenty VBR members turned out for today's 9-mile walk exploring the landscape and history of National Trust's Belton Park and The Woodland Trust's Londonthorpe Woods, guided by a volunteer from National Trust.The area has an interesting past which the guide John described: in August 1914, at the onset of WWI, the 3rd Earl Brownlow loaned Belton Park to Lord Kitchener as a training camp for the 11th (Northern) Division. The park hosted 13,000 volunteer soldiers initially in bell tents and later in purpose built huts.
The camp also had a narrow-gauge light railway which after the war was bought by farmers in Lincolnshire and the fens for use in their fields to transport their crops, potatoes in particular. One such system was the Nocton Estates Light Railway which we became aware of on a recent walk near Nocton.Then in 1942, the site became the HQ of the newly-formed RAF Regiment whose purpose was to defend airfields both at home and abroad.
The walk took us first to the wooded area next to the River Witham known as The Wilderness Garden containing some follies, a Gothic Garden and several water features. Passing through the children's play area, we walked along the River Witham to the Lion Gates before passing through the deer park, round the golf course and leaving the Park.
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| Our guide John briefs us at the start near Belton House |
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| Boathouse in the Wilderness Garden |
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| Water feature in The Wilderness |
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This water wheel was made for Earl Brownlow around 1820 to help supply water all over the estate including the fountain in the Italian Garden |
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| Looking up the River Witham |
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| Artificial beaver dam built to promote flooding and wetlands |
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| Group at the Lion Gates (actually snow leopards) |
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| Stag resting after the day's business |
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| Monument constructed to commemorate Viscount Alford, thought to date from about 1852 |
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| Belton Park Golf Club |
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| Grade II listed Well Head and Conduit House, dating from the early 19th century, providing water under gravity for Belton House |
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| First view of Belmount Tower |
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| Welcome coffee break before entering Londonthorpe Woods |
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| John leads the way |
After leaving the Belton Park and a taking a short walk along Five Gates Lane we entered Londonthorpe Woods. The Woodland Trust is working with the National Trust, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to link the woods and Belmount, the eastern part of the Belton House estate. There is a good path from here up to Belmount Tower which does not enter Belton Park - a possible stroll for the future.
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| The Brownlow family planted Alma Wood about 1856 to commemorate Captain Horace William Cust, nephew of the 1st Earl Brownlow, who fell at the Battle of Alma in 1854 |
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| View over Alma Park Industrial Estate of remaining WW2 brick buildings |
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| Remains of a firing range |
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| Fine stone building in Londonthorpe |
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| St John The Baptist's Church, Londonthorpe, dating back to the early 1200s, with Commonwealth War Graves in the churchyard and fine views over the Lincolnshire countryside |
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| Seventy two steps up the Belmount Tower |
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| Gathering halfway up the tower, bats preventing a further ascent |
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| Belmount Tower, overlooking Belton House and its surrounding park, was built 270 years ago built by John Brownlow to entertain guests and allow them to soak in the view |
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| Avenue of trees leading to Belton House |
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| Almost there - looking forward to tea and cakes |
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| Leaving the car park - fine view of Belton House in the sunshine |
In magnificent, Autumn sunshine, twenty VBR members turned out for today's 9-mile walk exploring the landscape and history of National Trust's Belton Park and The Woodland Trust's Londonthorpe Woods, guided by a volunteer from National Trust.
