The best MTB trails around Laughton

Lovely woodland, popular with dog walkers. 2 mile and 1 mile loops. Relatively well drained and rarely gets too boggy Hard surfaced car park.

Gainsborough Old Hall in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire is over five hundred years old and one of the best preserved medieval manor houses in England. The hall was built by Sir Thomas Burgh in 1460. The Burghs were rich, flamboyant and powerful. Gainsborough Old Hall was not only their home, but also a demonstration of their wealth and importance. Burgh was a benefactor to Newark Church and also the founder of the Chantry and Alms House at Gainsborough. In 1470, the manor was attacked by Sir Robert Welles over a clash about lands, status, and honour, but it was not severely damaged. In 1484 Thomas entertained King Richard III in his hall. Henry VIII visited Gainsborough twice: once in 1509, and again in 1541 with his fifth wife, Queen Catherine Howard. The Queen was accused of indiscretions both at Gainsborough and Lincoln, and she was later executed.

A Georgian style church with medieval tower and a magnificent interior, the altar piece is a copy of the Da Vinci painting of the Last Supper. The first reference to a church in Gainsborough was in 1180 when it was given by Roger de Talbot, Lord of the Manor of Gainsborough to the Knights Templar of Willoughton. However, by 1730 this church was considered 'too dark and mean and incommodious' to suit the town's growing population and the decision was made to build a new church. Only the 15th century tower remains from the original medieval church.

Owlet Wood car park - maintained by woodland trust. Nice small woodland area, doesn’t get too busy really boggy in areas however this can be avoided, most of the paths are clean and would be suitable for buggies etc.

Laughton Forest is a site which was created to meet the demand to restock a depleted timber supply after the First World War. It was planted in the late 1920s, and continues to be managed by the Forestry Commission today. Before this time, the area was mainly open heathland with ponds, small woodlands and shifting sand dunes.The forest still supports a wide range of these habitats, which include many locally and nationally rare plants, animals and birds, including nightjars. The only area where access is permitted is in Tuetoes Wood.

Thank you to the NHS.

Gainsborough Old Hall is something of a hidden gem, waiting to be discovered in Gainsborough. Built in 1460, it is one of the largest and best preserved medieval manor houses in the country. Famous guests included Richard III and Henry VIII. An on-site café serves freshly prepared food and you can enjoy a house tour and a stroll around the gardens and grounds.

Laughton Forest is a plantation that was created in the 1920's. It supports a diverse range of wildlife today.