WELCOME TO THE LINCOLNSHIRE WOLDS
Relax and unwind in this National Landscape, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a hidden gem holiday and leisure destination.
Within the Lincolnshire Wolds you will find charming market towns, fascinating heritage, fun family days out and above all, a landscape and countryside in which to immerse yourself in natural beauty and the distant horizons of rolling hills and big Lincolnshire skies.
The scenery which is so pleasing to visitors today was created by ice and water over limestone layers, leaving a series of unique chalk streams, rich agricultural land and havens for wildlife both inland and on the coast.
Whether you come for a short break or longer stay there is a wide choice of accommodation ready to offer a warm welcome. From boutique glamping, hotels or traditional bed and breakfasts, to touring sites and stylish self-catering cottages there is a perfect location for all tastes, occasions, and budgets.
Inside you will find a wealth of ideas to make the most of your visit and, if you have time, even parts of the county beyond.
For even more information, including events, accommodation, walking and cycling routes and more, please visit lovelincolnshirewolds.com
GREAT OUTDOORS
Space to breathe. Set your sights on new horizons under the glorious skies of the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Boots and Bikes
It’s time to relax and take in the wide landscapes of the Wolds. Whether you travel on foot or bike, there are routes which will take you off the beaten track and reveal views where the sky meets land, and dramatic sunrises and sunsets take your breath away.
Cycle routes for all abilities, beginner to more advanced, are available. They take in some of prettiest villages, quiet country lanes and dramatic ridgetops. If you wish to hire a bike rather than bring your own, contact one of the local cycle hire businesses who will deliver direct to your accommodation.
The Viking Way is a long distance path that starts on the banks of the Humber and crosses the length the Lincolnshire Wolds, finishing at Rutland Water. Recognised as a moderately easy route, sections can be completed in a day and there is a wide choice of accommodation close to the route which make excellent bases from which to explore further or as over-night stops.
The area is also rich with public footpaths and bridleways. Be sure to respect the Countryside Code and be considerate of the environment and everyone living and working on the land, including the livestock and wildlife.
Back to Nature
The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (LWT), manages a host of nature reserves across the county including Snipe Dales, near Spilsby. The area is half mixed woodland in the Country Park and half grassland and wet valleys in the reserve which gives a wide diversity of wildlife and plants. Dogs are welcome on leads and group visits can be arranged.
Red Hill, near Goulceby, is also a LWT site. The 27 hectare site sits on a steep chalk escarpment and includes a disused quarry rich in fossils. In the spring the grassland is rich in chalk plants and is often grazed by animals, therefore no dogs are allowed. The site was named as one of the 60 Coronation Meadows in 2013.
In the early 20th century the donation of Hubbard’s Hills to the people of Louth by a generous local benefactor, ensured that this area of exceptional beauty, with a landscape created by glacial ice, would be preserved. The park is in a picturesque valley of the River Lud and is popular as a picnic spot and for dog walking.
Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival
The Festival, which is held in May, is an ideal way to explore and appreciate all that the Wolds’ cherished landscape has to offer. Many of the 100 and more activities are free or at a reduced cost. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn interesting skills, make new friends and find some inner peace. From dancing in the woods and gliding to crafting skills and water sports – even axe throwing and bushcraft skills to learn – as well as spring being the perfect season to enjoy all the routes and pathways on the many guided walks.
woldsoutdoorfestival.com
HERITAGE
Connect with the past. Whether you are exploring on foot, on two wheels or by car, there is a wealth of heritage at every turn.
Get on the Trail
Walking and cycling routes are an easy way to discover the area. There are Heritage Trails for the market towns of Horncastle, Louth, Market Rasen and Caistor – revealing the fascinating stories of these communities. The Viking Way long-distance walk meanders through some of the Wolds’ most lush countryside and ancient landscapes before reaching its northmost roots close to the Humber Bridge.
Sacred Sites
Picturesque churches, some of whose foundations were laid by the Normans, and quaint chapels are celebrated each May and September during two popular Churches Festivals. This is the chance to visit more than 200 stunning sites, including All Saints, Walesby, known as the Ramblers’ Church which stands as a prominent landmark on the escarpment overlooking the village.
Famous Names
The Lincolnshire Wolds was a remote location in the past but world-famous names, who are still revered, were born here. Victorian Poet Laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson grew up in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds and inspired many of his poems. Sir Joseph Banks, the famous botanist who sailed with Cook on his expeditions to Australasia and New Zealand, inherited his family estate at Revesby. His life and legacy are celebrated at the Sir Joseph Banks Centre in Horncastle.
Visit Spilsby and the market square is dominated by a statue of Sir John Franklin, one of Britain’s most famous yet ultimately tragic explorers. History now recognises Captain John Smith as one of the first colonisers of America, for the establishment of Jamestown. Raised in Willoughby and educated in Alford and Louth, his name is also linked with the story of Pocahontas.
Castles, Manors and Monuments
The countryside is peppered with heritage buildings and sites, each with their own stories that bring to life the past wealth and influence of the area.
Parts of the preserved walls of Roman Horncastle can be seen on the route of the Heritage Trail. Thirteenth-century Bolingbroke Castle was the birthplace of King Henry IV and was besieged and taken by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War. Now a beautifully preserved ruin, the site has annual ‘Back in Time’ events which bring its history to life. Magnificent red brick Tattershall Castle dates from the 15th century. Visitors will see the guardhouse, moat walls, stables and kitchen ruins which all date from later periods.
Alford Manor House is reputedly the largest thatched building of its type in the UK. The distinctive ‘H’ footprint is typical of its early 17th century construction and is now home to local history exhibitions, events and a tearoom.
Life on an 18th century Lincolnshire country estate can be imagined at the National Trust’s Gunby Hall and Gardens. Once home to the Massingberd family, the beautifully preserved town house, interiors and estate were once described by Tennyson as a ‘haunt of ancient Peace’.
More recent heritage includes the remains of Nettleton ironstone mines which can be explored on a circular walk called ‘In Ore of Our Past’ and the large number of former World War II airfield sites across the area. Specific airfield trails are available to guide you across ‘Bomber County’, highlighting its memorials and museums. Finally, Louth Museum contains galleries dedicated to the fascinating history of this elegant Georgian town.
Gunby Hall
FOOD AND DRINK
Tastes of The Wolds. Lush pastures and fertile fields provide ingredients for delicious food and drink
Award Winners
We are lucky to have some of the best food and drink producers on our doorstep. From award winning Italian inspired gelato and cheesecakes made by Baci & Co based in Louth to Lincolnshire Free Range Pork, produced by Redhill Farm, available at our regular Farmers Markets. If you like a tipple, award winners include Louth Distillery, home of renowned Lincolnshire
brands Pin Gin and Rum Cat are open for experience bookings and South Ormsby Estate distillery, who produce a selection of fine gins offer regular tours. Bateman’s award winning ‘Good honest ales’ are brewed in their historic Wainfleet All Saints brewery and are much loved for their original flavour and character. Go behind the scenes on one of their tours and sample some of the delicious cask beers.
Experience
Delicious Flavours
For a real touch of tradition visit The Gas Lamp Lounge in Louth where brewed ales are served by gas light. The building was formerly the Louth Gas Company. Also in Louth, the Luda Brewing Company have a real passion for creating craft beer, their tap room is located in the heart of the town and they offer tours of the brewery for those wanting to know how the beer is made.
Special occasion dining can be found in fine dining hotels and restaurants across the area. Many pride themselves in offering menus which feature the best of local produce. The Priory Hotel offers a tasting menu, while Bar Castillejar offers a taste of the Mediterranean, or enjoy the surroundings of a sympathetically restored Grade II* building, The Mansion House. If you prefer to book a private dining chef, Rachel Green based at Tealby offers a great taste experience tailored to your occasion.
Redhill
The Mansion House
Baci & Co.
Luda Brewing Co
Get on the Food Trail
There are a host of excellent gastro pubs, takeaways, cafés, bars and tearooms across the Wolds. You will never be far from welcome refreshment and an introduction to some of the area’s speciality products.
Delicacies such as Lincoln Plum Bread, chine and Lincolnshire Sausages have their origins in the heritage of pig breeding and wholesome baking in the county. Most independent butchers and bakers still retain their greatly prized family recipes. Award winning plum breads include Myers moist and fruity Plum Loaf, Modens golden Plum Bread and Pocklington’s sweet dough Plumbread.
Celebrate!
To celebrate all the amazing producers in and around the Wolds, we have the annual Louth Food and Drink Festival, where you find over 70 stalls providing plenty of options to fuel up, along with demonstrations, live music and children’s entertainment. An event not to be missed!
Chine is a salted pork shoulder stuffed with a parsley and herbs, traditionally served sliced and cold with vinegar. You will find chine and haslet in artisan butchers and delis in the area. The dairy cattle of the Wolds produce excellent milk which is turned into delicious cheeses and ice creams. Visit a cheese shop or deli to purchase Lincolnshire Poacher or cheeses made by the Davenport family on Cote Hill Farm. You can buy raw milk and their award-winning products direct if you visit their Cheese Shed on the farm at Osgodby, near Market Rasen. There are some fabulous local Farm Shops which sell a wide selection of some of the best tastes from the area.
Louth Food and Drink Festival
SHOPPING
Love local. Discover high streets where businesses take pride in quality, service, choice and value.
Independent and Unique Shops
At the bustling heart of market towns in the Wolds is a wide variety of independent retailers and businesses, some of which have been serving their local communities for generations.
From everyday purchases to big ticket items; fashion to floristry, delicious treats to gifts galore, part of the pleasure is finding purchases which national names do not stock.
Louth’s elegant streets and cobbled lanes are home to some fabulous interior’s retailers, quirky speciality shops as well as a tempting food and drink establishments which you can find on the Louth map. Wander the Market Place on Wednesdays, Fridays or Saturdays to pick up a bargain from one of the many stall holders at the traditional openair market. The town can also boast the widest choice of country clothing, fashion and footwear shops in the area.
Horncastle has long been a destination for those hunting antiques, collectables and vintage. Many hours can be whiled away wandering the antique shops and centres but the town centre also boasts and excellent range of bakeries, boutique shops and specialist retailers. Market days are Thursday and Saturday.
Arts and crafts are prominent on the high street in Alford, reflecting the artisans and craftspeople who have been attracted to live and work in the area. Focussed around the charming Market Place, their enterprise compliments the other independent businesses of the town who serve the local community so effectively.
The pretty town of Spilsby has been largely unspoilt over the past century. Visitors are drawn to its fascinating history and quaint Market Place. On Mondays there is an outdoor market and auction which maintains a tradition dating back centuries. There is a good choice of independent retailers as well as businesses offering services such as home delivery and hair and beauty treatments to make your stay in the Wolds even more enjoyable.
On Tuesdays there is an auction under the Auction Shed in Market Rasen selling local produce, bric a brac and second-hand goods. Along the main high street you’ll find a variety of family run and long-established businesses including ironmongery, gifts, butchers and confectionery.
South Street Park, Caistor is the location of the Caistor Street Food Market, bringing street foods of the world to the Lincolnshire Wolds, as well as live music and selected local artisan foods and crafts. The market is usually held on the first Wednesday of the month between April and December. A real foodies delight, stalls and trucks prepare Asian cuisine, BBQ, crepes, sweet treats and more. Traditional markets are held in the Market Square on Saturdays.
Shopping in these safe and welcoming high streets is a pleasure for the whole family so pay a visit, love the experience and come back soon.
Green Life Pantry – Market Rasen
Alford Craft Market Shop
Horncastle Market
Beaumonts – Louth
GREAT DAYS OUT
Pack your bag for some family fun. Swimming costume, sturdy footwear and sense of adventure should cover it.
Fabulous Fresh Air
The Lincolnshire Wolds offers opportunities for kids to dive in, explore and enjoy themselves in the wide-open spaces of countryside, nature reserves and coastline. Follow walking trails to spot rare wildlife, star gaze under light pollution free skies or paddle in clear waters.
When the sun is shining, Jubilee Park, Woodhall Spa is perfect with 10 glorious acres of gardens, children’s play area, a cricket pitch, tennis courts, a café and its fabulous, heated lido.
Get back to nature at Ocean Walker Academy, near Wragby. This water sports, fitness and wellbeing centre offers open water swimming, kayaking and paddle-boarding in its 7-acre lake. They also run a programme of events and workshops throughout the year in their Wellbeing Barn, Crystal Lake and grounds including yoga and retreat days. Challenging and exciting activities for all
the whole family, high in the treetops, can be found at Wild Pines Ropes Course and Activity Centre. Try your archery skills, learn bushcraft and race down the zip lines.
Enjoy the show
Centre stage for performances within the area are the Riverhead Theatre and Playhouse Cinema in Louth. See online listings for their programmes which include children’s matinee shows and the newest releases.
The quirky Kinema in the Woods, Woodhall Spa combines the latest digitally projected blockbusters with nostalgia for the cinema experience of the past.
The pretty village of Wickenby boasts its own Lindsey Rural Players based at The Broadbent Theatre. The name gives a clue to the venue’s connection to Jim Broadbent and his parents, the story of which is told in the foyer.
Ocean Walker Academy
Animal fun
Family friendly attractions are close by wherever you are based in the Wolds.
Claythorpe Watermill near Alford is the perfect place to stop for coffee and cake, or take your time with breakfast or lunch by the river. Their outside area is dog friendly and there’s indoor seating too. Hall Farm Park, South Kelsey is a working farm which has opened its gates to welcome visitors to a rural, family experience. Climb on board for a tractor ride, meet lots of friendly animals in the paddocks and barn or go indoors for play barn fun.
Meet the animals up close at Rand Farm Park near Wragby. Many live in cosy undercover pens and love to be stroked. In spring there are new-born lambs, piglets, kids and calves. Rand
Farm is home to a handsome herd of Lincoln Red cattle as well as alpacas, horses and donkeys. The indoor play area is popular with younger children but the outdoor trampolines, adventure playground and Skyrider appeals to those seeking greater challenges.
Horncastle is the home of Wolds Wildlife Park and their collection of animals come in all shapes and sizes. Most live in enclosures which have been designed to best suit the needs of the animals including lions, camels and bears to smaller domesticated animals and birds.
At the southern edge of the Wolds, Ark Wildlife and Dinosaur Park is a rescue sanctuary for exotic animals. There is a wide variety of captivating mammals as well as farmyard favourites and play areas, indoor and outdoor.
Claythorpe Watermill
Wolds Wildlife Park
Rand Farm Park
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Celebrating the best of the Wolds. Find the freedom to follow your tribe at a host of festivals and events.
Arts and Culture
High summer and Louth lets its hair down at Zero Degrees, the town’s arts festival. This celebration of arts, dance, music and comedy is held over 2 weeks each June. Shows, performances and workshops take over various locations across this delightful town, filling the streets with music and laughter.
The historic streetscape of Spilsby is lit during Light Night when a range of projections, illuminations and performances take place, with things to do as well as things to capture the imagination.
Alford Craft Market have built a dedicated following with visitors from around the country, browsing and meeting the makers of unique craft items. Markets are held at Whitsun and August Bank Holidays as well as in the run up to Christmas, where quirky and individual gift ideas will make your shopping a breeze.
Petrol Heads
Open roads and glorious scenery has made the Wolds a magnet for those driving out on 2 or 4 wheels. Lincolnshire Bike Nights are organised throughout the year at a wideranging choice of venues from large meets at visitor attractions like the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby to evening ride-outs to cafés and pubs.
Cadwell Park is one of the longest established motor racing circuits in the UK dating back to the 1930s. Its undulating track, set against a wooded backdrop, is the hidden gem of motor sport, hosting part of the British Superbike series and club car racing.
Great Outdoors
The headlining celebration of all things Wolds each year is the Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival which takes places across a multitude of locations. Many events are free or at reduced prices to encourage participants to try out and enjoy as many activities as possible. With so many options there is something for every member of the family to enjoy.
Market Rasen Racecourse is Lincolnshire’s only racecourse and stages over 20 jump racing fixtures each year. This Jockey Club course also hosts family fun days as well as live music events and has welcomed the likes of Jess Glynne, Madness, Olly Murs, Kaiser Chiefs and Craig David.
Architectural Splendour
Each year many churches across the Wolds open their doors to let the public see their wealth of architectural splendour and hidden curiosities. The Lincolnshire Wolds and Coast Churches Festival is held in September. Just West of the Wolds, the West Lindsey Churches Festival takes place every May giving visitors not one, but two opportunities to explore these amazing buildings.
Cheers!
Finally, the festival season would not be complete without an event celebrating all the wonderful food and drink producers in the Wolds and surrounding areas, and this is exactly what the annual Louth Food and Drink Festival is all about. Taking place each Autumn, you will find over 60 stalls selling hot and cold food, drinks and gifts, as well as demonstrations from local makers and venues, a kid’s corner and live music!
Cadwell Park
Wolds Outdoor Festival
Louth Food & Drink Festival
SO Festival
EVENINGS OUT
Entertainment in the spotlight. It might be music to get your toes tapping or fine dining in a romantic setting – find perfect ways to spend your evenings.
On stage
The smaller, intimate theatres of the Wolds make for some memorable experiences. Horncastle’s Lion Theatre in The Red Lion yard seats 100 and is the home of Horncastle Theatre Company. They stage productions throughout the season including a Christmas pantomime.
Spilsby’s Sessions House Theatre is located in the former courthouse and police station. The grand building is partially used for a varied programme of events while restoration work is undertaken on the main fabric.
Louth’s Riverhead Theatre has one of the widest programmes in the area and is renowned for its friendly welcome. Owned by Louth Playgoers Society as a community-based venue, shows range from
touring productions, concerts and recitals to a series of afternoon tea concerts and regular mother and toddler groups.
Jim Broadbent took his first steps on the stage near Wickenby. His parents were amongst a group of conscientious objectors who settled and farmed near the village during WWII. The Holton Players performed in a converted Nissen hut where Jim made his first appearances. The hut burnt down in the 1960s and the company moved to its present home in a former Methodist chapel, the Broadbent Theatre, named in tribute to Roy Broadbent, Jim’s father. Shows include touring productions, tribute acts and of course plays performed by members of the Lindsey Rural players. The history of this charming theatre is told in its foyer and on the auditorium walls.
On the Screen
Current blockbusters as well as special themed showings draw crowds to Woodhall Spa’s Kinema in the Woods. The Kinema is a nostalgic reminder of the days of picture houses and intermission entertainment. At some screenings, the majestic Compton with Alan Underwood at the keyboard, will rise from the stage of the main cinema with music from a bygone era.
Behind the Art Deco façade of Louth’s Parkway Cinema, the three screens show the very best of current releases as well as some arthouse
films. There is also a regular programme of Event Cinema bringing the best in live opera, ballet and theatre from the UK and the world to the big screen.
Keep a look out for pop-up cinema events during the summer months.
Kinema in the Woods
Alive After Five
There has always been a lively music scene in pubs and clubs across the area and perhaps New Orleans (Louth) Club is the last remaining not-for-profit members club devoted to New Orleans Jazz and Dixieland. Touring bands feature every Saturday and from time to time more mainstream and modern jazz is played.
Alford Corn Exchange is a versatile venue which is used for community events such as indoor bowling by day, tea dance entertainment in the afternoon and tribute shows in the evening.
Finally, the exceptional produce of the Wolds is showcased in many pubs and restaurants. Whatever your taste – modern European, Thai, Italian, Indian or more traditional favourites – there are menus and of course local beers, cocktails and wines to suit all tastes and occasions.
Via Italia - Louth
New Orleans Club
Side by Side - Caistor
Broadbent Theatre
AVIATION HERITAGE
Wings over the Wolds. The prominent landscape and close proximity by flight to Europe made the area a natural choice for the location of airfields during the Second World War.
RAF Coningsby –Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
RAF Coningsby was opened in 1940 as a Bomber station with hard runways being laid in 1943 in order to prepare for heavy planes to be stationed there during the Second World War. From August 1943 to January 1944, the 617 Squadron, the Dambusters, flew Lancasters from the airfield. In 1986, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Visitor Centre was opened allowing visitors to view the historic aircrafts up close. The BBMF includes the country’s only fully working Lancaster Bomber and its historic planes perform flypasts and displays when weather permits.
The Petwood – Woodhall Spa
One of the most distinctive and memorable hotels in the area, The Petwood, changed from an elegant country home to the headquarters of 617 Squadron in the 1940s. It retains close ties to the RAF bases currently operational here and is a firm favourite with touring aviation heritage enthusiasts.
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre –RAF East Kirkby
RAF East Kirkby is a former Royal Air Force Station, built in August 1943 as a Bomber Command Station. The Aviation Heritage Centre on the site was opened to the public in 1988 by Fred and Harold Panton as a tribute to their elder brother, Christopher Whitton Panton, a Bomber Command airman who was shot down and killed over Nuremburg in November 1944. Fred and Harold Panton acquired an Avro Lancaster ‘Just Jane’ in the 1970s and it is the centrepiece of their museum. The museum also contains an original Barnes Wallis Bouncing Bomb and the original Control Tower has been restored to show what life was like for those who were involved in the various missions at East Kirkby. The ambition is to return Lancaster NX611 to flight but meanwhile visitors can book a taxy run experience. They have a large programme of seasonal events including an annual Air Show and Firework Night.
Lancaster
Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre
The Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre at Tattershall Thorpe tells the story of the airfield and what life in Lincolnshire was like during the Second World War. It was built in 1940 as part of the No.1 Communal Site and had a planned lifespan of only ten years. The war time buildings have been restored and provide visitors with an insight into the lives of civilians during the war. The site also contains exhibits about the aircrafts and squadrons that were positioned at the camp, models of the various aircrafts including the Vulcan and a training aid is displayed which was used in the war to teach cadets about flying a spitfire.
RAF Ingham
RAF Ingham is home to a globally unique Heritage Centre dedicated to remembering and celebrating the remarkable men and women of the Polish Air Force Bomber Squadrons.
its dedicated team of volunteers have designed and created the Heritage Centre Site as you see it today; with its stunning Memorials and Airmen Silhouettes, set in beautiful and tranquil Memorial Gardens. A new heritage centre and café is due to open in early 2024.
Wickenby Air Museum
A short drive from Market Rasen will bring you to Wickenby Aerodrome, the former site of RAF Wickenby. It opened in 1942 and rapid expansion saw the aerodrome become the first station in One Group, Bomber Command, to be equipped with the new Lancaster. November 1945 saw the last service flying from RAF Wickenby, and up until the 1950s it was used for explosive storage and demolition. Today it is a very active airfield and home to Wickenby Air Museum. Located on the first floor of the watch office, they commemorate all who served at RAF Wickenby; especially
‘Just Jane’
ALFORD
From milling to pottery. The creative community of Alford has built a strong following for their Craft Markets and entrepreneurial spirit.
Choice and Variety
The Market Place is the hub of the town and the location of the weekly market. It is bordered by independent retailers and eateries which reflect the large number of creative minds which have been drawn to the town over several decades. Alford Corn Exchange is an elegant venue which hosts private events as well as a programme of regular shows and community activities.
Occupying a large space on the corner of the Market Place is Alford Craft Market Shop, open throughout the year to promote the products made by exhibitors who sell their arts and crafts at the outdoor Alford Craft Markets during the summer. The centre also runs craft and pottery classes.
Alford Pottery
One of the businesses which was foremost in establishing the thriving artistic reputation of the town was Alford Pottery owned by Heather and Michel Ducos. After more than
50 years of making pots their output is still formidable, although they focus on smaller orders and batches now. The pottery is open Monday to Friday but call before you visit.
Traditional Thatch
The pretty streets of this charming market town retain many examples of traditional thatched cottages, some of which are still residential properties, while others are now commercial premises. The most impressive and reportedly one of the largest thatched buildings of its type in the country is Alford Manor House which dates from 1611.
Visitors can relax in the Manor House café and take tours around the building. Operating in the same complex is The Museum of Rural Life formerly known as Hackett’s Barn Museum with over 300 years’ worth of the town’s historic artefacts. The exhibits give a glimpse of life from past eras with many of Alford’s former trades and businesses represented, including a boot maker and blacksmith shops.
Alford Windmill
Alford’s iconic 5 sailed windmill has recently reopened as a café and tea shop. Funding has been secured to restore the mill and surrounding buildings, where visitors can follow the story of the project, which is expected to take two years. Meanwhile, there is homemade produce to enjoy when you call in.
Best of Both
Enjoy the best of the countryside and coastline. Alford is only 7 miles from Mablethorpe and some of the best stretches of beach on the east coast. Handy for the Lincolnshire Coastal County Park, there are wild, unspoilt dunes and saltwater marshes making it a birdwatcher’s paradise as well as a sandcastle makers dream.
Alford Manor House Tea Room
Alford Market
CAISTOR
Walkers welcome. From fortified Roman camp to location for huge sheep fairs and now attractive market town, Caistor has many facets to reveal.
Natural Springs
The ready supply of fresh water from natural springs attracted the first settlers to this northern edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. The most visible today is Syfer Spring on Fountain Street which lies within the town’s Conservation Area. The narrow, undulating streets around the Market Place still follow the footprint of a Roman camp, with some remains of the fortified walls still visible at the Heritage and Arts Centre. The Caistor Walkabout is just over half a mile long and is designed to take you around the local sites of most interest.
Viking Way
Caistor is on the route of the Viking Way and makes an excellent choice for an overnight stop or longer break for ramblers. The town offers a warm welcome to walkers after many miles on the route. For those who prefer a gentler stroll, there is a series of shorter distance routes, one of which is to Nettleton.
Local Heritage
The site is peaceful now but Nettleton, up to the late 1960s, was an important ironstone mining area. The ore was supplied to the steelworks at Scunthorpe. The bricked mine entrances remain but the site was planted with trees and is managed by the Woodland Trust.
Caistor Arts and Heritage Centre is located downhill from the Market Place and occupies a former Methodist Chapel. Visitors can enjoy some delicious home-made cakes, lunches and afternoon teas in the stylish café or in warmer weather on the terrace outside. Upstairs there are displays of local history and an exhibitions gallery which includes Roman artefacts. The Centre is also home to the town’s public library.
Gone fishing
A stay in the countryside does not mean you have to compromise on comfort. Caistor Lakes Leisure Park offers 5 star luxury with a simple connection to the countryside around. Their fishing lakes are well stocked and the resort is pet friendly so your best friend can enjoy the fresh air and fun too.
Wolds View Touring Park has an eco-friendly approach and offers tranquil touring and luxurious glamping. This is a 5 star, adults only park, with an on-site shop and café so you can put your feet up and relax.
Old Fire Station
Caistor Lakes © Jigsaw Photography
HORNCASTLE
Friendly market town. Known as the Gateway to the Wolds, many visitors pass through Horncastle by car – but be sure to stop off and visit. There is plenty to discover and enjoy.
Antiques and Collectables
Horncastle is often a stop-off for touring TV antiques experts, searching for a bargain in the many shops and centres. Whether your interest is retro clothing or a stunning piece for your home, leave yourself plenty of time to wander the collections. Horncastle Antiques Centre is home to more than 40 dealers over three floors while Robert Bell & Sons holds bi-monthly auctions of furniture and antiques. Don’t miss out on a bargain, pick up a copy of the Horncastle Antiques, Collectables and Vintage Trail leaflet to help you navigate your way around the town.
Tempting treats
The high street contains a comprehensive and vibrant choice of independent retail shops offering great choice and value in
fashion, homewares, gifts and interiors. Thursdays and Saturdays are market days with a Farmers’ Market each month.
Myers family-owned bakery, café and delicatessen offers a welcoming range of breakfasts, light bites and refreshments when you need to relax and re-energise. Tuck into their traditional Lincolnshire Plum Bread, baked to a secret recipe by the fourth generation of these local bakers – better still, take some home to remind you of your visit.
Searching for authentic Italian coffee culture?
Bar Unico serves fresh homemade pizza, pastries and cakes as well as Italian cocktails and gelato. Fine dining is high on the menu at Magpies and Shakesby’s but you will find the town has something to suit all tastes, from fish and chips to Asian cuisine.
Horncastle Market
Hidden gems
Horncastle is a town rich in traditional red brick architecture, but this disguises a history dating from Roman times. You can see the remains of part of the old Roman Wall on display in the Library and ‘Banovallum’ (which translates as ‘the wall on the river Bain’) is a name adopted by a local school and several businesses.
Horncastle was the home of Sir Joseph Banks, the renowned naturalist and explorer, whose family owned the nearby Revesby estate. Banks catalogued thousands of plants and animals when he accompanied Captain Cook on his discovery of Australasia. The Joseph Banks Centre is home to the society which safeguards Banks’s collections and promotes natural history scientific research. A small museum and the Sir Joseph Banks Tribute Garden are open to the public on selected days of the week and weekends.
The Horncastle Heritage Trail leaflet, a walking route around the town, provides a great insight into the fascinating history and heritage of this wonderful town.
Finally, a short drive out will take you to the enchanting village of Somersby and the birthplace of Victorian Poet Laureate, Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Horncastle Theatre
St Marys
King’s Head
St James’ Church
Hubbard’s Hills
LOUTH
Capital of The Wolds. The elegant Georgian town is located at the heart of outstanding natural beauty which makes it the perfect base from which to explore.
Spoilt for Choice
The streets of Louth are blessed with plenty of independent retailers, including country clothing specialists Lucks of Louth, Orchid Boutique and Daniella’s Shoes. Whether you are shopping for interiors, gifts or just window browsing, Louth has retained the variety and choice to brighten your day.
A Food Mecca
The rich pastures and fields of the Wolds produce a fine harvest of food and drink which are sold in shops, cafés and restaurants around the town. Louth is known as a real foodie hotspot – proclaimed as a ‘food mecca’ by The Hairy Bikers themselves. The awardwinning Cheese Shop stocks delicious cheeses such as Cote Hill Blue or Lincolnshire Poacher as well as those from around the UK and Europe. Louth is home to Lincolnshire’s last Cattle Market and quality locally reared meat travels only a few miles to reach the table. Local butchers and bakers such as Lakings of Louth and Woolliss & Son offer extensive choices of cooked as well as fresh meat and of course their own recipe Lincolnshire Sausages. The Louth Food Map is an excellent way of exploring the wide variety of food retailers in the town as well as cafés, restaurants, pubs and hospitality accommodation who feature quality local produce.
Landmark
St James’ Church has the tallest medieval spire in the UK and is a landmark which towers above the magnificent Georgian and Victorian houses which make up so much of the historic centre of Louth. This streetscape inspired the 19th century Louth Panorama, which can be viewed by appointment at Louth Sessions House on East Street giving a 360-degree perspective of Victorian Louth.
Treasures and trails
Louth Museum houses a wide variety of collections including artefacts reflecting 200,000 years of local archaeology, exhibits from local industries such as carpet making, printing and brickmaking. It also exhibits Thomas Wallis woodcarving and images from Louth’s disastrous floods of May 1920. You can discover more about the history of Louth with the Louth Heritage Trail leaflet, a selfguided walk around the town. Another way of exploring the town is on the Louth Art Trail, which celebrates culture and landscape through public art. Wandering the ‘Round Louth Walk’ is a good way to explore at any time of the year. To the west of the town is Hubbard’s Hills, an area of tranquil beauty bequeathed to Louth and an ideal spot for a picnic.
Louth Market Place
MARKET RASEN
On course for visitors. The town is famous for its racecourse which is in a picturesque setting just north of the town – but there is plenty more to see on your visit.
Inspired
The town centre is compact with a traditional, cobbled Market Place and a host of local shops which offer all you may require from local produce to confectionery and gifts. There is a wide choice of places to enjoy light refreshments such as the March Hare Kitchen or The Bistro Bar and Kitchen, or a more extensive meal at The Advocate Arms.
There must be something about Market Rasen which particularly inspires wordsmiths though, as both Rod Temperton, hit songwriter for Michael Jackson, and Elton John’s lyricist Bernie Taupin both have connections to Market Rasen. It is believed that weekend visits to the premises that is now The Aston Arms inspired the words for ‘Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting’.
Market Rasen Heritage Tour
The town has prominent landmarks which tell interesting stories from the area’s past. The Market Rasen Heritage Tour guides you, online or on foot, to these buildings including the 19th century Corn Exchange, where farmers traded their grain to merchants; St Thomas’ Church which dates from the 14th century (although there may have been a religious building on the site for even longer) and the Magistrates’ Court and Police Station.
Market Rasen Racecourse
Family Fun
There are thrills and adventure for all the family high in the beautiful woodland canopy at Wild Pines Park rope course and activity centre. Head out to South Kelsey and Hall Farm Park for a fun day for the whole family. This small family-run park offers indoor and outdoor activities, so whatever the weather there is plenty to keep the children entertained. For those with a sweet tooth, a must for all chocoholics is a visit to the Chocolate Drop who make their own artisan chocolate treats. Wrights of Willingham Ice Cream Parlour also handcraft their own gelato on site using fresh milk and the finest Italian flavourings.
Glorious Countryside
Market Rasen is surrounded by beautiful countryside and a wealth of attractive villages considered some of the most sought-after property locations in Lincolnshire. The area is ideal for leisurely cycling and woodland walking. Tealby is on the route of the Viking Way, making it a magnet for ramblers and cyclists. The Kings Head is thought to be Lincolnshire’s oldest thatched roofed pub and is also dog friendly.
Willingham Woods is criss-crossed by numerous trails and paths that are suitable for all ages and abilities, or wander through ancient Lincolnshire Limewoods and be captivated by butterflies in the wildflower meadows at Forestry England’s Chambers Farm Wood Nature Reserve.
Willingham Woods
Hall Farm Park
SPILSBY
In the heart of a rural settlement. Surrounded by productive agricultural land, Spilsby was inhabited even before the Roman period.
Fresh Produce
The weekly Market is held on Mondays and attracts stalls selling a good choice of fresh produce grown in the local area as well as meat and general provisions. The 19th century character of the town has been well preserved and retail outlets in the square include a lively mix of small supermarkets, butchers, beauty and hair salons as well as estate agents, cafés, public houses and fast-food outlets. In the centre of the Market Place is a building which was once the local corn exchange. At the time it was open on the ground level to give shelter to the merchants and market stallholders. There is ample parking handy for all amenities.
Birthplace
Lincolnshire has been the birthplace of many great adventurers and Spilsby proudly celebrates the life of Sir John Franklin, the early Victorian explorer, with his statue in the Market Place. He made his first sea voyage aged only 12 and later achieved fame as the discoverer of the Northwest Passage. His sister was the mother of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s wife, Emily. Franklin’s life was to end in disaster however, when the boats of his third Arctic expedition became trapped in ice and Franklin and his crew succumbed to starvation and illness.
Spilsby Sessions House
The Grade II listed building is instantly recognisable by its towering front portico columns. It was built as a courthouse and police station but although parts of the building remain in use and are open to the public for events, the remainder of the building is in poor condition. It is registered as a
heritage site at risk and a large-scale programme of repair is being undertaken to bring it back to full working order as a community asset.
Out and About
Within short driving distances of Spilsby are exceptional nature reserves, heritage sites and attractions. Northcote Heavy Horse Centre is a small sanctuary with a big heart, committed to the care of all equines, big or small. The unique mixture of wet valleys, grassland and scrub of Snipe Dales Country Park and Nature Reserve are crossed by a series of trails and walks, allowing walkers wonderful views across the southern Wolds.
The National Trusts Gunby Hall and Gardens is a must for any history enthusiast, this stunning country house dates to 1700 and is set in impressive Victorian walled gardens.
The one-time power and influence of the county is well illustrated by the remains of 13th century Bolingbroke Castle which lies to the west of Spilsby. The hexagonal castle was the birthplace of Henry IV in 1367 but was besieged and taken by Cromwell’s army in 1643 during the English Civil War. There are no facilities at the castle but this atmospheric setting is the venue for an annual ‘Bolingbroke Back In Time’ event.
Sir John Franklin
St James
Light Night
CONINGSBY AND TATTERSHALL
While these two communities are adjoined, they are separated by the River Bain and their unique cultures.
Coningsby
Fast jets based at RAF Coningsby are in the frontline of the air defence of the UK which attracts many aircraft enthusiasts. These 21st century machines are sharp contrast to the aircraft of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which are flown from the airfield too.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre allows visitors to see the aircraft, including the country’s only fully operational Lancaster Bomber, at close quarters and learn more about the role they played in securing
Conningsby Church
Tattershall
The red brick of Tattershall Castle was a fashionable building material when the Grand Tower was built in 1434 by Ralph de Cromwell – Henry VI’s Lord High Treasurer. Built more as a country mansion than the fortress appearance suggests, it replaced a 13th century stone castle. Immense Gothic fireplaces on each of the six floors heated the central chambers which would have been richly decorated with tapestries. Now in the care of the National Trust, there is a year-round programme of events hosted by knowledgeable tour guides bringing history to life.
The ruins of Tattershall College, once a school for the choristers of the beautiful Holy Trinity Collegiate Church remain while the house reputed to have belonged to Tom Thumb, believed to have been 47cms tall, can be seen on the roof of a larger house in the Market Place. Tom Thumb’s tombstone, dated 1620, is in the church.
Alongside the Castle grounds is Tattershall Lakes Country Park, a resort which offers a variety of accommodation as well as an array of facilities and activities, including an adventure golf course, splash zone, spa, a lake for jet-skiing, another for water-skiing and two lakes for fishing.
Tattershall Castle
WOODHALL SPA
A quintessential village. Woodhall Spa retains the elegance and tranquillity of the Edwardian era when visitors first came to enjoy the therapeutic spring waters. The source has been capped for many years but the listed bath house is being renovated and the water may flow in the future.
Close to Nature
The village is set amongst magnificent pinewoods, beyond which lie picturesque countryside and waterways. Local nature reserves include Ostlers Plantation and those under the stewardship of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust including Woodhall Spa Airfield Nature Reserve, Roughton Moor Wood and Kirkby Gravel Pits.
Attractions
The village appeals year-round to visitors with its charming avenue of independent shops, Jubliee Park open-air heated swimming pool, two world class golf courses at the home of England Golf and heritage sites associated with 617 Squadron – the Dambusters.
The Cottage Museum contains many fascinating artefacts relating to the history of Woodhall Spa, while you can immerse yourself in comfort and the past with a visit to The Petwood Hotel. The hotel was once home to 617 Squadron, and has welcomed many famous names including royalty. It is set within the lavish gardens designed by Harold Peto for Lady Grace Weigall.
The Kinema in the Woods has been showing the latest blockbuster films for over 100 years, its charm lies in the nostalgia of the setting, with Compton organ interval entertainment and cinema memorabilia.
Woodhall Spa Golf Club
Kinema in the Woods
Jubilee Park Swimming Pool
BOSTON
Take a fresh look. The town has a rich past and lively story to tell today. The surrounding countryside is dominated by the tower of St Botolph’s Church, known locally as The Stump. Visitors who are fit enough can climb the narrow spiral staircase to enjoy stunning views across the rooftops and landscape beyond.
Fydell House
Famous Fathers
America has connections to the town which are rooted in the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims, with even the place name exported to the ‘New World’. Boston’s Guildhall Museum is the site of the cells in which the group were held following their first attempt to flee by boat to Holland. A later group, which included a former Vicar of St Botolph’s, the Reverend John Cotton, renamed their settlement in Massachusetts after their home town. There is a Pilgrim’s Trail walk which begins in the town centre and visits the local sites associated with the Separatists’ story.
From field to fork
Boston is the hub of a food industry which supplies the UK with fresh vegetables to year-round soft fruit. There is a wide choice of local Farm Shops and markets from which to get a taste of fantastic local produce.
Charming Lanes
The Market Place, home to Boston’s weekly markets, has been restored with many shopfronts and buildings restored to their original architecture. A network of charming lanes, including Dolphin Lane, Wormgate and Emery Lane, is home to a host of independent shops and cafés which reflect the diverse and vibrant community of the town today. The lane names provide the clue to their medieval streetscape origins when the wealth of Boston was based on the wool trade through the port.
Guildhall Cells that held the Mayflower Pilgrims
Maud Foster Mill
GAINSBOROUGH
Gainsborough’s
industrial
past has
been re-engineered
to bring a new energy to the heart of the town.
Marshall’s Yard
This inland port of the River Trent was home to Marshall’s Britannia Iron Works, which built and exported portable steam engines, threshing machines and agricultural equipment all over the world.
Marshall’s Yard is today a attracts visitors from across the region. There are more than 25 national and independent retail brands, restaurants and a health club.
The central plaza is the venue for a wide variety of events throughout the year.
Traditional weekly markets are still held in the Market Place and streets close by are home to a further choice of independent stores offering antiques, hospitality and clothing. Their monthly Farmers’ and Craft Market take place on the second Saturday of the month and showcases local produce as well as handcrafted gifts and homeware.
Gainsborough Old Hall
Culture and Entertainment
Trinity Arts Centre is housed in a former church. This impressive Grade II listed building is home to a unique picture house and theatre, with performances and shows including screening, live music and shows. Gainsborough Heritage Centre is located on North Street and holds unique local archives and a tearoom. They also have an exhibition space and a replica of a period street scene and post office.
The exceptional Manor House, Gainsborough Old Hall, is one of the best-preserved timberframed medieval manor houses in the UK. The Hall was thought to be involved in Separatist movements which led to the creation of Mayflower Pilgrims. There is a beautiful Great Hall and the medieval kitchen, which served banquets for the Burgh family, still survives.
An uninterrupted 1.7-mile, self-guided walking route runs from the historic Trent Bridge to the village of Morton passing heritage sites of interest. Much of the former warehousing on the wharf has been redeveloped into housing. The route also passes at least two pubs – always welcome when you need to take a break.
discovergainsborough.com
Riverside Walk
Riverside Walk
Trinity Arts Centre
LINCOLN
A city of contrasts. Lincoln’s magnificent heritage, especially in the uphill Cathedral quarter, compliments the city’s lively 21st century attractions with culture and entertainment for all ages.
Cathedral Connected
The Cathedral has dominated the skyline of the city for centuries and its spires were once the tallest on earth. Visitors are still drawn in their tens of thousands every year to this medieval architectural wonder. The Lincoln Cathedral Connected project saw painstaking renovation and restoration which has opened new vistas, especially on the north side of the building, created a stunning new space – the Dean’s Garden – and a new visitor experience with café, gift shop, education and exhibition areas. When you visit to the Cathedral don’t forget to look out (and up) for the Lincoln Imp. This symbol of the city is shrouded in myth. Legend has it that the Devil sent the imp to Lincoln to cause trouble, only for an angel to turn it to stone.
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Castle
This Norman castle, built by William the Conqueror, is on a prominent escarpment recognised by the Romans as a vantage point from which to defend the city with sweeping views across the terrain below. The Castle is now a worldclass visitor attraction whose Medieval Wall Walk offers similar vistas. There are ideal photo opportunities of the Cathedral to the east and across the Witham and Fossedyke to the south and west.
Through the centuries the Castle has been a centre of power, law and punishment, the location of a now restored Victorian Prison and still home to the city’s Crown Court.
Visitors can view Lincoln Cathedral’s original copy of the Magna Carta and The Charter of the Forest housed in the David PJ Ross Magna Carta Vault. Film footage displayed in the underground cinema explains the history of these iconic documents.
Lincoln Castle hosts a wide schedule of events in its grounds including concerts, outdoor cinema, dog friendly days and picnics.
Cultural discoveries
The city’s Usher Gallery was a bequest from local jeweller and philanthropist James Ward Usher. James donated the gallery to the city to house his collection of clocks, watches, porcelain and paintings. The gallery is now part of the Lincoln Museum where archaeology, art and culture meet.
The Museum of Lincolnshire Life holds exhibits which illustrate the agricultural, industrial and domestic past of the county. There are also galleries relating to The Lincolnshire Regiment. There are fun activities for families as well as lectures, films and exhibitions at these venues, so whatever the weather, there is plenty to capture the imagination.
A 21st century city
Lincoln is vibrant by day and night with a wide choice of bars, cafés, concerts and theatre. You may prefer a Ghost or Bus Tour to an Escape Room or relaxing pubs and fine dining to a quick bite but whatever your taste, Lincoln gives you the choice.
Many tea and coffee shops, gastro pubs and fine dining restaurants promote delicious Lincolnshire produce as part of their menus. Watch out for popup restaurants, comedy evenings and Street Food Markets as well as the regular Farmer’s Markets.
COAST
Bright lights and breathtaking beauty. The Lincolnshire coastline offers stunning skylines to bustling resorts; exhilarating thrills to unspoilt nature.
A Natural Coastline
The Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park extends from Sandilands down to Chapel St Leonards and inland incorporates the villages of Huttoft, Mumby and Hogsthorpe. The coastal trail is part of the King Charles III England Coast Path giving walkers and bird watchers the chance to explore the wild natural beauty and wildlife of the salt marshes, dunes and sea.
Only a few miles from Skegness, Anderby Creek is often cited as one of the top ten Undiscovered Beaches in Britain.
Go slightly further inland and escape to the wild expanses of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes around Burgh le Marsh and Saltfleetby. This diverse area supports abundant wildlife and ancient folklore as well as its present-day farming community.
Sunset at Skegness
Mablethorpe North End
Anderby Creek
Skegness
North Sea Observatory
The purpose-built marine observatory at Chapel Point, Chapel St Leonards is an iconic addition to the beach front with panoramic windows commanding a 180-degree view along the coastline and out to sea. There are excellent all year-round facilities, including a welcoming café for families and those enjoying a quiet winter walk along the beach.
Family Days Out
Seaside towns like Skegness, Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea are magnets for families with excellent sands and clean waters ideal for a traditional bucket and spade holiday. Why not enjoy some traditional attractions including a donkey ride on Skegness seafront, the thrill of the roller coasters at Fantasy Island, Ingoldmells or a more relaxing jaunt on the Sand Train which travels along Mablethorpe’s magnificent shoreline
Reserves and Wild Spaces
The Lincolnshire coastline is one of the focal points of the migration of thousands of birds from Iceland, the Arctic, Siberia and North and South America in spring, autumn and early winter. Explore wildlife reserves just a short drive from the promenades and crowds. The RSPB operates the sites Frampton Marsh and Frieston Shore.
The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust manages nearly 100 reserves and wild spaces in the county encompassing habitats such as grazing marshes, ancient woodlands, reeds and meadows. Along the Lincolnshire coast you will find, Saltfleetby – Theddlethorpe Dunes National Nature Reserve, with its tidal sand and mudflats, marshes and dunes. It is the first in the new King’s Series of National Nature Reserves committed to enhancing biodiversity and nature recovery while connecting people with nature.
Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve is an unspoilt stretch of coastline which impresses for its large scale views and diversity of wildlife. The Visitor Centre has been designed to overlook this unique landscape which is of international importance.
Donna Nook is a sanctuary for a colony of grey seals that come ashore to give birth during late autumn; a spectacular wildlife scene which attracts thousands of onlookers each year.
The National Trust has recently acquired their first coastal land in the Midlands. The former golf course at Sandilands is now a nature reserve forming part of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park, where they will both protect wildlife and create an all-yearround nature experience to be enjoyed.
MAP
By Road
Those travelling by car can easily access the Lincolnshire Wolds by the A1 or M1. Motorists travelling from Yorkshire and the North can also access the region via the Humber Bridge.
By Rail
Regular railway services from Lincoln and Market Rasen with East Midlands Trains
National Rail nationalrail.co.uk
By Coach
Contact National Express for more information on how to get to the Wolds
National Express nationalexpress.com or 08717 818181
Alternatively Stagecoach runs many bus services across Lincolnshire.
Stagecoach stagecoachbus.com
By Air
The closest airports are:
Humberside Airport humbersideairport.com
Nottingham East Midlands Eastmidlandsairport.com
Lincolnshire Wolds
MARKET DAYS
Market Days
Monday Spilsby
Tuesday Alford, Market Rasen (Auction)
Wednesday Louth
Thursday Horncastle
Friday Alford, Louth
Saturday Caistor, Horncastle, Louth
Farmers Markets
Louth 4th
Wednesday each month
Wednesday
Caistor Street Food Market 1st Wednesday each Month (April-Dec)
Thursday Horncastle 2nd Thursday each month
Friday
Louth Food Friday 2nd Friday each month
Disclaimer: This publication has been produced by East Lindsey District Council and West Lindsey District Council and all the information was correct at the time of printing. ELDC/WLDC do not accept responsibility for errors or omissions, nor does inclusion imply recommendation. Please check website for latest news, updates, and events.
© East Lindsey District Council and West Lindsey District Council 2024.