The Viking Way is celebrating 50 years this year, so how better to celebrate this milestone than giant land art! The piece was created as part of a series with East Lindsey District Council for the Lloyds Tour of Britain Cycle Race Stage 2.
The Viking Way is one of England’s most celebrated long-distance walking trails, stretching 147 to 149 miles through North Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Rutland. Opened in 1976, the route reaches its 50th anniversary in 2026. It Begins at the banks of the Humber Estuary (Barton-upon-Humber) in North Lincolnshire and terminates in the market town of Oakham, Rutland. Marked along its entirety are iconic yellow discs featuring a dark Viking helmet symbol. The route was established to recognize the deep historical influence of the Norse invaders and Danelaw settlers in Eastern Britain during the 9th century.
Key parts of the route include Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape known for it’s rolling chalk hills and interlocking valleys. Lincoln City, the route passes Lincoln Cathedral and Castle via Steep Hill.
Lincolnshire Limewoods, an ancient woods featuring small-leaved lime trees. Also historic trackways, that incorporate sections of ancient routes such as the Roman Ermine Street, Sewstern Lane, and The Drift.
We created the 73×60 metre viking riding a bike at Stourton Estates on the days running up to the cycle race. A team of 7 people 1 day to create this intricate design. Using eco friendly pitch paint, the design is there for around a week before it starts to fade. Plenty of time for people to enjoy it, but leaving no trace to the environment. We create most of our designs in house, so Dan had a great time drawing this one, with its intricate armour. We think it looks very striking against the landscape with it’s scale, brilliant white colour and detail. By the time we started creating this piece we had got into a good stride with the team and streamlined our drawing days ready for a well deserved pint at the end of the day! Its lovely doing larger events when we can bring in team members who we work less frequently with, it feels like a big reunion! Everyone brings a particular strength to the process and teamwork really pulls everything together. Team members came from all over the UK including as far as Cornwall and Scotland.
Stage 2 of the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Men took place on Thursday, 3 September 2026. Covering 180.2 km across Lincolnshire from Boston to Skegness, it stood out as the flattest stage of the entire five-day race, making it a prime day for pure sprinters.
Starting in Historic Market Place, Boston and finishing at Grand Parade, Skegness, it’s key passages wound through Coningsby, Woodhall Spa, Horncastle, and Wragby before entering the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds. After leaving the Wolds, the race met the East Coast via Louth and Mablethorpe, hitting intermediate sprint markers at Saltfleetby and Sutton-on-Sea. The Stage took in some beautiful parts of the region and showcased the area on the world stage.
