Lincolnshire Wolds - Geography

Geography

The Wolds comprise a series of low hills and steep valleys underlain by calcareous (chalk and limestone) and sandstone rock, laid down in the Cretaceous period. The characteristic open valleys of the Wolds were created during the last glacial period through the action of glaciation and meltwater.

Geographically, the Lincolnshire Wolds is a continuation of the Yorkshire Wolds which runs through the East Riding of Yorkshire; the point at which the ranges of hill crosses the Humber is known as the Humber Gap.

The Lincolnshire Wolds can be divided into four distinct areas:

1. the main area of chalk hills in the north,
2. the north west scarp,
3. an area of ridges and valleys in the south west,
4. the claylands in the south east.

The Red Hill nature reserve near the village of Goulceby is notable for the unusual red colour of its soil and underlying chalk.

Wolds Top is the highest point in the whole of Lincolnshire and is marked by a trig point just north of the village of Normanby-le-Wold, at approximately 168 metres (551 feet) above sea level (TF121964).

Other hills include:

• Castcliffe Hill - TF301735 - 139 metres (456 ft)
• Gaumer Hill - TF289778 - 129 metres (423 ft)
• Meagram Top - TF392789 - 58 metres (190 ft)
• Warden Hill - TF347737 - 113 metres (371 ft)
• Tetford Hill - TF326761 - 142 metres (466 ft)
• Hoe Hill - TF308731 - 127 metres (417 ft)

The Wolds provide views across the flat fens and salt marshes of Lindsey and Holland: it is possible, from various points on the Wolds, to see all of the larger structures in the north and east of the county: the Belmont mast, Boston Stump, Grimsby Dock Tower, the Humber Bridge, Lincoln Cathedral, St James' Church in Louth (known locally as 'The Cathedral of the Wolds', though it holds only parish church status), the radar station near Normanby, Tattershall Castle, and the wind turbines on the coast near Mablethorpe.