Park on Village Hall car park. Cross road to stile 100 metres on right and follow track behind houses along edge of parkland. Depending on the season you may see snowdrops, violets, aconites, daffodils, forget-me-nots, holly, owls, bats, woodpeckers, squirrels, yellow-hammers and greenfinches.
Cross farm track leading to Quarries Farm. On right is former Lincoln Co-operative Society egg packing station. Continue on patch past old orchard. At field turn left. Where hedge ends, walking straight on to stream.
Turn left onto bridleway and follow stream, which was under ground until 35-40 years ago.
Cross stepping-stones and follow path to road. Look for stream emerging from underground at first bend in path and views of Branston Hall through hedge.
Turn right onto Hall Lane - views of Lincoln Cathedral. Many wild flowers and butterflies along this stretch.
Where the road turns sharp right, walk straight on following field path: note interesting elm hedge on right. Follow path to Bloxholm Lane and site of former Potash farm, passing feeding boxes for pheasants, (yarrow, black horehound, skylarks). On a clear day you can see Wolds in distance. Turn left onto Bloxholm Lane, ancient route of drovers taking sheep to market. Beware traffic. On right is RAF Waddington, part of which is in Branston Parish - see AWACs lined up.
Hawthorn hedges here are tall so that pheasants have to rise high for guns at shoots. Verges are planted with ash and maple, and a variety of shrubs. (Burnet, saxifrage, wild mignonette).
On reaching farmyard buildings on right, turn left through gate onto footpath. At certain times of the year the Mere Hall can be seen on right through trees.
Walk on passing irrigation reservoirs. Just past pumping station look for footpath sign indicating footbridge on left. Walk carefully down steps which are rather overgrown - water figwort in stream. Turn right, round edge of Third Field Wood (rabbits, hares, scentless mayweed, persicaria). Pause and appreciate fine view of Branston Church and village.
As you reach road you are on site of Branston Hall Farm. fine stone residence opposite has been renovated from what remained of Branston Old Hall, main building of which was burnt down on night of Goose Dinner in 1903 whilst villagers were celebrating at new Hall.
Turn right and follow wall of Branston Park - 32 hectares of mature parkland, two lakes and a waterfall
Walk along Hall Lane notice plaque on wall of Bertie Arms. Turn left onto rectory Lane. Look down opening on left, to village well which can still be used by villagers. Beyond is site of Gas House which supplied power to Branston Hall and other properties. Cottages at end of Rectory Lane were built by Leslie Melville family of Branston for their workforce.
At Lincoln Road site of old sheepwash is to be found on left where stream goes under road. Look at Village Sign on opposite side of road.
Turn left and walk up Lincoln Road, passing old village pump. Continue up hill to Village Hall car park.
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