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The exterior of Monksthorpe Chapel on the Gunby Estate
Visit Monksthorpe Chapel on this tranquil walk | © National Trust Images
Nottinghamshire & Lincolnshire

Monksthorpe Chapel walk

Discover old churches and Monksthorpe Chapel on this picturesque walk around Gunby's estate, as well as plentiful birdlife and a disused railway line.

Visiting the chapel

If you want to have a look inside the chapel, you can pick up a key (£5 suggested donation) from the team in the Gunby car park during normal Gunby opening times.

Total steps: 12

Total steps: 12

Start point

Gunby Hall and Gardens, grid reference: TF466668

Step 1

Go through the white gate (next to the toilets) from the courtyard towards St. Peter's church, past the carp pond. Leave the gardens through a small gate and go through the gate on your left before the church.

Step 2

Go past St. Peter's church and bear right following the fenceline of the gardens. From time to time, the field will be home to the tenant farmer's herd of Lincoln Red cattle. Look to your left and you will see the remains of the deserted medieval village. Go through the wrought iron kissing gate and continue across the field to another kissing gate.

Remains of the deserted medieval village 'Gunnebi' in Lincolnshire
Remains of the deserted medieval village 'Gunnebi', Lincolnshire | © National Trust

Step 3

Cross Gunby Lane and continue straight on along the edge of the fields towards Candlesby. The path bears 90 degrees to the right. Continue downfield (main road ahead) then turn left over footbridge. Climb over the stile and you will come out behind Candlesby church.

Step 4

From Candlesby church, turn left and head down the hill towards the corral. Please close the gate carefully behind you. The path continues along the edges of the fields, bearing slightly to the left. The footpath is well marked with yellow arrows, until you come out at the concrete bridleway.

Step 5

When you reach the bridleway, turn right and continue straight on until you reach the road.

Step 6

At the road, walk straight on and follow it as it bears left. Turn left at the T-junction. You will see a poultry farm on your right, and a farm track signposted 'Monksthorpe' straight ahead. Follow the track until you arrive at Monksthorpe Chapel on your right.

Step 7

You have reached Monksthorpe Chapel. To return, retrace your steps to the bridleway.

Step 8

At the bridleway, you may return to Gunby the way you came, or, to make the route circular, walk straight on and continue as the bridleway turns into a green lane, until you reach Gunby Lane.

Step 9

Turn right onto Gunby Lane and follow the road as it bears left towards Bratoft.

Step 10

Turn left at the next T-junction.

Step 11

After passing a couple of cottages on your right, you will see the entrance to the old railway line on your left. Follow the old railway line for just under 1km, until it is crossed by the footpath. Along the railway you may see bullfinches, yellowhammers, long-tailed tits and, in summer, whitethroats.

Step 12

Turn left off the old railway line back onto the footpath and follow the green lanes, highlighted with yellow arrows, back up to Gunby Hall and Gardens. The footpath bears right and you enter the parkland over a stile, where St. Peter's church is visible.

End point

Gunby Hall and Gardens, grid reference: TF466668

Trail map

Map route for Gunby Monksthorpe Chapel walk
Map for Gunby Monksthorpe Chapel walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Gunby, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 5SS

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