Church architecture, remembrance and walking give Barnetby Le Wold three clearly distinct themes for planning a trip. The Church of St Mary includes parts dating from several centuries; the Barnetby Boys Memorial commemorates 30 local men who died in the First World War. For walking, a circular route with a named starting point and the course of the Viking Way offer different points of reference. This lets you choose whether to focus your stay on cultural history or outdoor activity.
Church architecture from several building phases
The Church of St Mary was designated a redundant parish church in 1972. Its parts belong to different building phases: the nave dates from the late 11th century, and the tower from the 11th to 12th century. The tower arch, north arcade and chancel are attributed to the 13th century. This sequence of dates makes the building interesting to travellers who want to consider architecture through individual features and when they were built. Older and newer elements can thus be understood as different layers of the same church.
The terminology also helps you read the architecture: the nave is the main part of the church interior, an arcade is a row of arches, and the chancel is the area used for worship. Another detail is a weathered lintel stone depicting a cat with a curled tail. A lintel stone forms the horizontal top of an opening. The cat motif draws the eye away from the larger architectural features to a small, specifically described detail. Those interested in churches will therefore find both different building phases and forms and decorations that vary in their details.
Remembrance and sacred art
Remembrance is at the heart of the Barnetby Boys Memorial. The memorial is listed as Grade II and takes the form of a Celtic cross. It was unveiled on 5 December 1920 and commemorates 30 local soldiers who died in the First World War. Its form, date and dedication give the memorial different defining features: the cross describes its shape, while the unveiling and dedication establish its historical context. This sets the memorial apart from the Church of St Mary, where the parts dating from several centuries and the lintel stone are the main features that catch the eye.
The cultural picture also includes the Romanesque Barnetby font. You can see it up close at the North Lincolnshire Museum. Check the museum’s current visitor information before you travel. The font offers a different thematic perspective from the architectural history of St Mary: here, the focus is on a single Romanesque object, while there it is on the variety of features in a church building.
Walking with different points of reference
The circular Barnetby-le-Wold walking route starts immediately south of Barnetby Railway Bridge, at DN38 6JD. This point helps you find the start; the circular shape describes the type of route. The Viking Way offers a second perspective on the landscape: beyond Barnetby le Wold, it follows the spring line of the north-western steep slope of the Wolds. On the circular route, the named starting point provides a practical reference; on the Viking Way, the focus is on its course along this landform.
When planning, you can therefore weigh up two different aspects: a clearly identified starting point for a circular walk, or the Viking Way’s connection with the landscape. Together with the themes of church architecture and remembrance, these offer a range of different focuses for your stay, without combining the locations and routes into a single outing.
Discover more destinations: Saleby, Rippingale, Kirkby on Bain, Saltfleet, Ingoldmells, Scredington, Ulceby, Marston.
For the wider travel overview: Lincolnshire.
