Walkers gravitate to Woolsthorpe

Walkers gathered for the Newton’s Heartland walk on October 31

Isaac Newton’s heartland drew 25 walkers to his birthplace on Saturday for the final local walk in the South Lincolnshire Walking Festival.

They enjoyed a free guided tour of the Woolsthorpe that a young Isaac would have known, from the stream where he made water clocks, past the site of the old village pond divided for use by people and horses and seeing the former grocery and bakery shop.

The group sampled history at every turn, imagining long gone cottages and seeing the site of the dower house that once stood next to the manor.

Notable buildings included  Newton’s grandfather’s house and the oldest cottage in the village containing the historic Chapel of Ease and the group spotted date plaques from the Turnor family, purchasers of the manor after Newton’s death.

The ‘Newton’s Heartland’ walk then followed a footpath to St John’s Church in Colsterworth to see a copy of his birth certificate, the sundial he drew on stone as a nine-year-old and the site of his parent’s burial.

The event was the final walk of 11 organised by South Kesteven District Council as its contribution to the festival.

More than 1,500 walkers have taken part in more than 70 walks held over five weeks across South and North Kesteven, South Holland and the Boston area.