A circular walk through the low-lying Fens and a parish church with parts dating from several centuries show Friskney from two different perspectives: as an open landscape and as a place with a layered history. There are also medieval earthworks, paths with different route features and long-standing regional traditions.
Church History and Medieval Site
The Church of All Saints is a parish church with parts dating from the late 12th century, the late 13th century, the mid-14th century and the mid-15th century. W. Butterfield restored the church in 1879. The clerestory walls feature very faded early 14th-century wall paintings. The scenes include King David, the prophets, the Annunciation and the Nativity, as well as the Resurrection, Ascension and Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
The medieval moated site at Moat House lies 300 metres northeast of the Church of All Saints in Friskney. It is designated as a Scheduled Monument. Earthworks survive above ground, with further remains preserved underground. Waterlogged conditions at the site indicate a high level of preservation of organic remains. Friskney therefore has different traces of medieval history: a church with several building phases and a fortified site whose remains lie both above ground and beneath the soil.
Fens Landscape and Walking Trails
The Fens around Friskney are open and flat, with wide views and a vast sky shaping the landscape. Friskney Walk One is a circular walking route through the low-lying Fens around the village. Friskney Walk Two crosses a footbridge and then continues across fields beside a drain. Friskney Walk Three crosses the busy A52 twice. These crossings are practical route features to take into account when planning this walk.
Friskney Decoy Wood is also nearby: the woodland lies 0.9 miles north of the village. A former decoy pond and its associated drains survive there. The landscape also tells of past uses: the area around Friskney once specialised in catching wild geese using decoy ponds, for sale at the London market.
Regional Traditions and Coffee Morning
Cranberries are also part of the area’s traditional food culture. Large quantities of wild cranberries once grew there. They were picked and sold throughout the country for cranberry tarts. Together with the history of wild-goose catching, this look back offers insight into earlier ways of using the landscape and its natural produce.
A coffee morning is held at the Church of All Saints on the fourth Saturday of every month from 10 to 11 am. The proceeds go to a different charity each time. If the coffee morning fits into your monthly plans, check the specific date for your chosen month.
Discover more destinations: Norton Disney, North Somercotes, Wrawby, Revesby, North Kyme, Brigg, Kirkby on Bain, Hackthorn.
For the main travel guide: Lincolnshire.
