Along the Slea

1. Money's Mill

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Money's Mill, built in 1798, still stands at the edge of the canal, evidence of the vital industrial role once played by the Slea. Further towards the church on Carre Street, you will see a heavy stone portal with the inscription 'Navigation Wharf 1792' and once past the swimming pool, you can see the two branches of the Slea start to part company on their journey westward. The New slea, to the north, was widenened by the Slea Navigation Company in the 1790s to form a navigable waterway. The Old Slea, to the south, winds through the landscape in a more natural manner.

2. Cogglesford Mill

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This quaintly named mill was built in the late 18th century, however, evidence suggests that a mill has stood on the site since the Anglo-Saxon times. Cogglesford was also the first of seven locks, constructed between 1791 and 1793. Notice the grooves in the lock walls which indicate where the gates once hung. Continue along the towpath and look out for a 1960s housing development on your right hand side. This apparently unremarkable place marks the site of Old Sleaford - which has been inhabited since the Iron Age. A little further along you will come across a stretch of railway track, opened in 1882 to connect Sleaford with Ruskington.

3. Bone Mill Lock and the two mills

The next section of the towpath will take you past three historic sites: Bone Mill Lock (where animal bones were once crushed for use as fertiliser); Holdingham Mill (which stayed in operation until 1957) and Evedon Paper Mill (which once had seven sets of millstones). After the paper mill, cross the bridge and continue with the river on your right hand side.

4. White Cottage

A lock, swivel bridge and mill once stood here, although nothing remains to hint at the exact location. Look across the fields to your right and you will see Evedon Wood. The Haverholme country estate lies beyond.