UK Mega 2021: Lincolnshire
21 LM21: Belchford
The village's history dates back to the Romans and the Vikings. In 1536, during the Reformation, the vicar of Belchford was hanged, drawn and quartered for treason, after leading a rebellion against the crown.
Steep hills and deep valleys surround the village. Belchford lies in the Lincolnshire Wolds, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty running from Louth in the north, to Horncastle in the south. The village attracts ramblers, and hang-gliders who use the ridges from the Bluestone Heath Road to launch into the valley.
The Viking Way, a national long distance footpath, passes through Belchford by the Blue Bell Inn, on its way from the Humber in the north to Rutland in the south.
The Belchford Downhill Challenge is held every year in September, as a competition for gravity powered soapbox carts, sidecar outfits and bicycles that race down a half mile course on a steep closed public road at up to 50 mph. The event attracts approximately 50 competing teams from around the UK and is combined with a craft fair with other attractions for children. Spectator turnout for the event is generally about 3,000!
01: Sotby : Beesby 03: Laceby 04: Jerusalem 05: Pode Hole 06: Eagle 07: Mavis Enderby 08: Bitchfield 09: Oasby 10: New York 11: Boothby Graffoe 12: Tongue End 13: Cold Hanworth 14: Claypole 15: Dogdyke 16: Claxby Pluckacre 17: Spital-in-the-Street 18: Burton-le-Coggles 19: Wasps Nest 20: Twenty 21: Belchford 22: Skendleby Psalter 23: Saltfleetby 24: The Royalty 25: Croft 26: Potterhanworth 27: Gunness 28: Cowbit 29: Hop Pole 30: Cuckoo Bridge 31: Anton's Gowt 32: Holton-le-Clay 33: Scrane End 34: Brocklesby 35: Guy's Head 36: Rippingale 37: Bicker 38: Shepeau Stow