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River Welland
Little used by boats, the Welland is a wide, slow river that flows through the fertile fields of Lincolnshire.
The Welland cuts through almost completely flat Fenland crossed by drainage channels. The local area is known as 'South Holland' - full of bulb fields, it is said to be the richest, most fertile farmland in Britain.
Canoes can navigate the river downstream of Stamford. The canal that ran alongside the river for a while is long derelict, but motor boats start to be seen just after the Deepings, down to Fossdyke Bridge and into the Wash. It's tidal below Fulney Lock and at spring tides a small tidal bore may be experienced.
The Welland will form part of the Fens Waterways Link, a new boating route from Boston to Peterborough and Cambridge which is set to attract thousands more visitors to this hidden waterscape.
Walkers and cyclists can explore the whole of the wide Welland Valley, which is particularly delightful through Stamford, southern Rutland and Market Harborough. This truly undiscovered part of the countryside is dotted with fine market towns and charming villages.
