The following trail description (and places of interest) was written by a village resident in the early 1980s. Many of the references to the older generation then living in the village have sadly passed. The guide was written for visitors to the village, and so includes some interesting information about historic properties in the village.

Aslackby is a pleasant scattered village on the banks of a rivulet. The village gained its name in the 9th and 10th century, when, during the Viking invasion, the Danish leader Aslakr made his encampment in the valley.

The advent of the Knights Templars who made their presence felt in Aslackby in the late 12th century, had a long and lasting influence in the parish until their disbandment in the early 14th century, when their property and land was handed to the Knights Hospitallers.

One and a half miles west of the village the road leads to Temple Wood where a now disused airfield was occupied by the American 52nd tactical air transport group during the Second World War. The group were involved in “D” day, Arnhem, and the crossing of the Rhine.

The Route

The Aslackby village trail is mainly country road and partly footpath, walking boots are recommended. The lack of footpaths necessitates care at all times. walk on the right of the road, to face any oncoming traffic.

Places of interest are highlighted in bold. These are spoken about as places of interest along the trail route, which has been indicated by a dotted line on the accompanying drawn map.

Start the walk from the top of Temple Road. 50 yds on the right is “Spring Cottage”. Adjacent to the footpath runs a natural spring. 50 yds further on right past “The Martins”, which was once a smithy’s yard. Immediately opposite is the remains of the village bakery, last used in 1962.

60 yds further on left is “Temple Farm” and is the site of the Preceptory which incorporated the church of the Knights Templars.

Opposite is Moorfield Farm, from which the Elizabethan structure Moorfield House takes its name.

About 50 yards further is the junction of Temple Road, Aveland Way and Kirkby Underwood Road, known only to the locals as “Bull Ring Corner”. No records as to the reason why; it is assumed that bull baiting once took place there.

Turn left into Kirkby Underwood Road. Cross the ford.

About 100 yds further up on the left is the Old School House.

Carry on past Laurel Farm. The road bears sharply left, and Monks Cottage is immediately on the left of the road.

200 yds further the road turns sharply right, and on the bend adjacent to the bungalow “South View” is a short track which is the access to the village pond.

Leave the pond and retrace along Kirkby Underwood Road down hill past “Highbury” and “Woodbine Cottage”, for about 150 yards.

On the left is the Blacksmith Yard, horses are still being shoed by the blacksmiths but the maintenance of farm machinery is the general trade undertaken today. (N.B. this was the case in the early 1980s – now two houses are here – notation from 2024)

Right of the blacksmiths take the public footpath over the ford which emerges in Aveland Way by the side of the old Methodist Chapel

Turn left into Aveland Way.

100 yards on the left is a short driveway that leads to “Bri Hill” and “Sunnybrook” cottages, once the site of the Parish Workhouse.

50 yards further on left is the village post office and general store, which supplies many needs of the village. (N.B. only remains are the name of the house built where the post office once stood – 2024)

Retrace our steps along Aveland Way, keeping to the left for about 200 yards is the village green. Take the footpath on the left of the green and pass the Manor House and immediately after pass The Vicarage.

Enter the gates of St James churchyard – turn left, proceed through churchyard to the north wall and overlook “Nic’s Close”, a large field where traces of a moat can be seen quite plainly. The moat is reputed to have surrounded a castle once inhabited by Hereward the Wake’s family.

Return through the churchyard and enter St. James Church.

Leave church. turn left into Temple Road. Back to your starting point – in time to treat yourself to some deserved refreshment at the Robin Hood and Little John.

Places Of Interest

Spring Cottage is built on the site of an old wheelwrights shop, that ceased business in the 1930’s, it has a natural spring, forming a small pond adjacent to pavement in Temple Road.

Farmers’ water carts were filled from the pond to supplement the water available from the village pumps.

The villagers were referred to as “men of iron”. The spring having a very high content of iron minerals. The flow is now being directed to the main drainage system.

Temple Farmhouse was built in part in the 12th century and is part of the original building occupied by the Knights Templars. At one time this site incorporated a round church and a square tower, built on the south of the existing building. The tower collapsed in 1892.

Coats of arms emblazoned on shields are still to be found on the roof bosses of the former Templar building.

Kirkby Underwood Road formerly this was named Sovereign Street, after a find of sovereigns when the road was being made to Kirkby Underwood to expedite the movement of the crusaders (according to legend). Local residents thought the name unfitting for the village, and had it changed. to its present name, as it would be more in keeping with the countryside.

The Ford the water flowing over Kirkby Underwood Road is the Ave. The rivulet rises in Aslackby Woods, about: 2 ½ / 3 miles west of the village and winds its way through the centre and out to the fens.

During heavy and sustained periods of rain, the water tends to rise to flooding proportions, so to assist the normal flow of traffic, an elevated road was built.

Ploughmen after a hard day’s work in the fields would bring their horses to the ford to wash off their legs.

The Old Schoolhouse – the lord of the manor made himself responsible for building the school in the middle of the 19th century. The venture proved to be very popular and the school was enlarged in 1870 to take the growing numbers of children.

The average attendance in the early 1900’s was 60 pupils, who were taught in just two classrooms. The numbers of pupils started to fall rapidly in later years and the school was finally closed in 1961.

There were records of evening classes for the continuation of further education for the older pupils, but due to agricultural demands, the attendance was very poor and the classes ceased to function after 1920.

Many of the present (in 1980) villagers were educated there, and tales of their exploits were many and varied, like the day when schoolmistress, Miss Bamber was being particularly fractious to the older boys found herself tied to the school railings after lessons, how long she stayed incumbent no one knows.

The same fate was attributed to the school “tell tale”, but this time tied to the road sign.

The Village Pond is reputed to be the remains of a mediaeval moat and part of defence works. It had been used as a rubbish tip, until a group of village enthusiasts restored the area to its present healthy condition. The pond is stocked with fish and permits are available to anybody with a rod and line. (Sadly no longer the case – 2024)

Methodist Chapel was opened in 1863 and had been regularly used for service until 1986, when it was unfortunately gutted by fire. Funds to restore the chapel to its former glory were insufficient. and so it had to be sold, and has now been converted to a family residence.

The Manor House is a 14th century building and is the next oldest house in the village. Many renowned families succeeded in ownership, including the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Lincoln.

The present owners purchased the manor, which then was in need of extensive renovation. All building work was carefully monitored and kept to original specifications. The manor house continues to characterise Aslackby’s interesting history.

The Vicarage is a building of great character, and until recently the residence of successive vicars of St James Church. It is now in private ownership.

St James Church is an embattled structure that proudly stands at the focal point of the village. Built in the early part of the 13th century, it is of early English architecture.

The large west window is emblazoned with the shields of the Knights Templars. Some walls and pillars show traces of red and blue paint that were used for murals during the decorative period.

The large square majestic tower houses 3 bells that are rung to call parishioners to a weekly service.