facebooktwitterpinterest
mobil menu

Julian's Bower

  1. Scunthorpe
  2. Scunthorpe Theme Parks

Reviews, get directions and contact details for Julian's Bower

Julian's Bower
Address: Alkborough nr , Scunthorpe DN15 9AS, NLN, GB
State: NLN
City: Scunthorpe
Zip Code: DN15 9AS

Update Info

related searches: Julian's bower scunthorpe reviews, Julian's bower scunthorpe menu, Mizmaze, Things to do in Scunthorpe, Scunthorpe beach, Nice areas of Scunthorpe, Caerdroia
Reviews
A curious little site; quite well maintained with excellent views across the rivers. A good information board. However, more could be done to expand on the background and context of the labyrinth.Visited onPublic holidayWait time10–30 minReservation recommendedNo
Nice little spot to visit. It's well maintained and the walks around there are quite picturesque until you get onto Alkborough flats. This has to be the most boring, energy sapping, uninteresting place in the whole world second only to Gibraltar Point near Skegness. Please visit it so you too can endure the misery of this God foresaken place.
This hidden corner of Lincolnshire is a real find! The views across Trent, Ouse and Humber rivers are a treat, along with a few pretty villages. There are clearly marked country walks with interpretation info boards a plenty. Finding a place for refreshments is a case of Googling though. We 'discovered' the Alkborough nature reserve which is not signposted but once you get there the small car park is likely to be full. There are two well-presented hides, one overlooking a large area of water surrounded by reed beds. The second is situated on the East bank of the Trent/Ouse confluence, an easy walk but the track was flooded due to seasonal Spring tides. I decided to get wet feet as I was curious to see over the river bank!
Beautiful views over the humber bank and a fabulous quiet place to watch sunset, small layby and roadside parking only. A small walk along the top path to the left towards Burton Stather, leads along an ancient wall where Roman's may have stood watch. Through the opening in the trees on the left, about a quarter of a mile along not suitable for wheelchairs a information board gives details of an ancient village and of a hoard of gold coins found in the field. The maze is well kept and has an interesting tale. The 1/4 mile downward path to the flats, reed beds and bird hides, is across two fields, and not to be attempted lightly as it is far steeper than it looks, is often muddy, and a hard climb back up but if it's not too hot and your able and love nature it's well worth the walk. There is further access to the flats ect, further through the village and a small car park at the bottom for those not able.
Lovely walk. Can go right down to the flats. Lovely surrounding village too. Definitley worth a visit for a leisurely sunday stroll
I didn't even realise that one of the few remaining turf mazes in the country was so close. The maze itself isn't what I'd thought of a maze but is interesting. Better, though, was the viewpoint out to Trent Falls, where the Trent and Ouse meet to form the Humber.Visited onPublic holidayWait timeNo waitReservation recommendedNo
I visited this area for the first time. It has a very old maze and views for great photography. I enjoyed that the path through is filled with trees and as you walk down there’s a gate through. As you walk through the gate you enter another area with a bench which you can take in the fresh air and walk your dogs on leads. There’s no refreshments available or public toilets it’s just a nice walk but probably too difficult for wheelchair access.
If you ever find yourself in North Lincolnshire, a visit to the picturesque village of Alkborough is an absolute must. The views from the hillside are spectacular; out across the flood plain to the area known as Trent Falls which is where the Rivers Trent and Ouse converge to form the Humber, the famous Apex Lighthouse, and some huge sandbanks that change positions regularly dangerous for shipping, yet providing exciting instant scrambling courses for young tearaways piloting off-road trials bikes in the mid 1980s ahem... But by far the most incredible feature is a hidden gem, a turf maze known as a Julian's Bower, and the last so-named turf maze in existence. Apparently, going back a few hundred years, there were two other Julian Bower turf mazes in the county; one in Horncastle as referenced by William Stukeley, a historian writing in the 1700s, and Louth, with the slightly different spelling of "Gelyan Bower" referenced in the 1500s. The Scandinavian Connection Due to their distinctive layout, comparisons have been drawn to the labyrinths of Scandinavia, most notably at Grothornet, Vartdal in the Norwegian Sunnmore Province. Whilst again sharing a similar name of "Den Julianske Borg" or "Julian's Castle", a major departure in design is that these labyrinths have stones marking and lining the paths. Theories abound about the name "Julian or Julian's Bower". Many are obscure or lost to history, although there appears to be a tentative connection with Julus, son of Aeneas of Troy. The early North European mazes and labyrinths were commonly given names such as "Walls of Troy" or "Troy Town" after the legend that the city walls of Troy were a cunningly designed maze, permanently ensnaring anyone foolish enough to enter. As with the naming, no one seems to be able to agree on what purpose the turf mazes were built to serve. Some mazes were located near major christian churches or cathedrals, leading to speculation that sinners and penitents would complete the maze on hands and knees, or in some form of painful bondage to obtain forgiveness. However, yet more mazes were located on or near village greens and this has given rise to another school of thought and my own preferred explanation, that they were solely for entertainment. Utilising as they did the highest available technology, advanced planning, and design, they could be considered one of the earliest 3D strategy games! Indeed, such village green turf mazes were enjoyed by old and young alike on the rare "high days and holidays" where the precious free time wasn't being swallowed up by onerous church duties. The Alkborough maze was reportedly very popular during the May Eve holiday games. So now you know everything about the maze, all that's left is for you to visit Alkborough, locate the signposted Julian's Bower and enjoy the maze. It's great fun, and whilst by its very nature it's not exactly wheelchair friendly, those with limited mobility or use a walking aid should be able to complete it after a few tries. Unless you're really lucky and get it right first go! It's free, it's amazing, it's historical, and it's fun. And if in need of a little refreshment afterwards, then you're just round the corner from The Paddocks Tea Room, or there's a pub or two in the neighbourhood. I haven't visited these establishments, but after reading the Tea Room comments, it sounds like the very place for a brew and a scorecard comparison!
Walked from alkborough to Burton on stather and back again quite a feat for me
The maze was'nt much to look at, but the panoramic views were beautiful.
Comment on this business

Julian's Bower map

to add Julian's Bower map to your website;



Copyright 2024 | All rights reserved.

You can use our top contact for adding and editing your business's contact details.
0.0029 Loaded in seconds

We use cookies

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our website, to show you personalized content and targeted ads, to analyze our website traffic, and to understand where our visitors are coming from. Privacy Policy