Heritage at its heart

A small market town with a relaxed pace, Horncastle offers a pleasant experience for those interested in history, antiques and shopping local. By Glynis Fox.

On the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds and surrounded by the farming community, Horncastle has a very interesting past and for many years was well connected by the railway, the use of horsepower and the canal.

Down the decades much has changed – the town no longer has a railway station, there are not many horses and carts about, or boats traversing the waterways. However, the town is blessed with plenty of modern-day facilities and boasts a wide range of shops and service providers, and inspires special events and commemorative days.

Today’s fast-changing environment has seen business premises changing hands as shopkeepers come and go, but there is still plenty in the town to encourage visitors to park up and go exploring.

RICH HISTORY
However, first of all, you might like to know more about the town’s history and the popularity of the Horncastle History and Heritage Society, which hosts talks, lectures and produces books and leaflets to ensure as many people as possible know about Horncastle’s “priceless heritage”.

In 2021, the Society launched a virtual exhibition to mark 50 years since the former branch line to Horncastle finally closed on 5th April 1971, alongside a physical exhibition at the Joseph Banks Centre. It was attended by more than 2,000 people, all eager to view the photographs, plans and objects – many of which had never been seen before.

Horncastle has links with many distinguished people and there are 18 blue plaques scattered around the town. These include those for well-known county hangman William Marwood – on his former workshop at 6 Church Lane.

Another commemorates the portrait artist Thomas Sully – who was born in Horncastle and went on to become a celebrated painter in America, while artist Annie Dixon is remembered by a plaque at 40 East Street.

An HH&HS spokesman said: “We erected a new plaque in Sully’s honour in autumn 2020. This can be found in Dog Kennel Yard on the brick wall facing the Co-op food store.”

An area known as The Wong, adjacent to the Old Drill Hall, was once the site of the Pig Market and it still contains the old weighing machine. The area has fallen into disrepair on the Boston Road entry into the town. However, the Society is looking at installing some sculpture befitting the space, although that project is currently on hold. If it goes ahead, planning permission will be needed as this is in the conservation area and funding would also need to be sought.

The Great August Horse Fair in Horncastle was a nationally important event which ran for some 300 years. Last staged in 1948, it ran for two weeks at its height with dealers travelling to the town from all over the world.

This year marked the third year running that the amazing fair was celebrated with a community arts event, which included performances, workshops and a special parade.

In 2024, the HH&HS unveiled a new plaque commemorating the Fair on the wall of Kennedy’s shop in the Bull Ring.

One of the society’s books is entitled Horncastle at War and it was published to mark VE80 and HH&HS’s exhibition about VE Day in Horncastle.

Society chairman, Adam Cartwright said that on 15th October member Dr Ian Marshman will be giving a talk based on the organisation’s exhibition to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. It will take place in the Horncastle Community Centre in Manor House Street.

It will focus on life during wartime, from the experience of local men fighting overseas to soldiers stationed in the town. The talk will also explore stories from the home front in Horncastle focusing on evacuees, air raids and rationing.

Admission for members is £2 and for non-members £5. Refreshments are available for a donation.
“We are always keen to attract new members, but non-members can come to our walks and talks too (it’s cheaper for members!). Membership details can be found at: www.horncastlehistory.co.uk/about/membership,” said Mr Cartwright.

“The museum we run in Horncastle is a shared facility with the Joseph Banks Society, at the Joseph Banks Centre in Bridge Street. The Horncastle town archive, which HH&HS administers, is based there, as well as the Joseph Banks centre’s scientific collections and archives, and a rare plants garden. It’s well worth a visit,” he added.

Refreshment and retail
Horncastle is well known as a destination for antiques hunters, but it also has a good mix of shops, selling womenswear, shoes, trendy items for the home, colourful accessories, furniture and more.
There’s also a selection of hotels, eateries and cafes to suit all tastes.

If you love Italian, why not pop into Bar Unico, located behind St Mary’s Church in Church Lane. It is owned and operated by Gio (Giovanni Carchedi) and his mother Diana and offers lunch and dinner in a relaxed atmosphere, as well as catering for private parties and events.

You can enjoy home-made Italian favourites such as pizza, pasta and risotto dishes at Montebello Restaurant in North Street, which also offers local deliveries.

The pedestrianisation of Lawrence Street, off the Market Place, has proved to be a good move for the owner of Tanya’s, a popular traditional tea room, because it means that people can now safely sit and relax in the fresh air, with tables and chairs placed outside.

Meanwhile the town has welcomed news that 23-year-old Shannon Wood, who has been running Shimmer Bakes since early 2023 – and who was home-based before renting space in shop premises in North Street – has made a move to bigger premises on Bridge Street.

Shannon is hoping her eye-catching pink-painted shop, offering sweet treats, ice cream, milkshakes, hot drinks and more, will prove irresistible to both local shoppers and visitors to the town.

Entertainment and days out
If you are a fairly regular visitor to the town, it is worth finding out what the Horncastle Theatre Company, which puts on six shows a year, is up to. The company takes to the stage at The Lion Theatre in Red Lion Yard.

The company also runs two Youth Groups. Young Stagers is for children aged 7-11, which meets on Saturday mornings, and Up Stagers (14-18) which meets from 4pm until 6pm on Friday evenings.
Whilst Horncastle is an ideal place to take a break if you taking the family to the coast, there are other places worth a mention in the area.

Stourton Woods at Baumber, four miles from the town, is a traditional family farm in an historic parkland setting. Owned by the Strawson family since 1951, there are lakes and trails to explore and, although it is mainly an arable farm, the owners introduced Red Deer in 2012.

A mini Farmers’ Market is held in the roundhouse in the woods – with all producers being based less than 10 miles from the farm gates. The next event takes place on 5th October.

You might also like to celebrate Halloween in a different way! The Ocean Walker Academy at Langton by Wragby – nine miles from Horncastle, is staging a Spooked Swim on 31st October.

Imagine a night-time swim which turns into a scary experience, and a sprinkling of humour, under the light of the moon. The business’ purpose-built lake is away from any noise or light pollution and people will be provided with a light-up tow float for a truly magical swim!

Finally, Horncastle’s annual Standard Bearers Competition is taking place in Stanhope Hall on 11th October.

Find out more by visiting www.support.britishlegion.org.uk

CELEBRATING LINCOLNSHIRE THROUGH TIME
For the second year running, Horncastle welcomes a special art exhibition marking Lincolnshire at various times throughout its history with prints from artists of the past displayed alongside works by contemporary Lincolnshire artists.

Conceived and curated by Susan Buckley and Penny Roberts, Celebrating Lincolnshire Through Time, which is hosted by The Joseph Banks Centre, runs from Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th December, Thursday 11th to Saturday 13th December, as well as Sunday 7th December during the Christmas Market (10am to 4pm)

The exhibition – which has been aided by funds from the East Lindsey District Council Councillors’ Community Grants Scheme and Arts Council England – is free to visit.

It aims to show how many artists have found the county an inspiring and historically important place to paint and also raise the profile of local artists. 

The organisers say: “We also aim to show how art in other forms has changed over time with Roman pottery on display, alongside pottery by John Odgaard and Roman jewellery alongside pieces by Andrew Poole, who will also be demonstrating jewellery making techniques on 7th December.

“There are 29 artists taking part, a mix of amateurs and professionals, including Fraser Scarfe and Ash Buckingham. There is also a ‘Faces of Lincolnshire’ wall, with portraits of Lincolnshire people, so there will be plenty to see!”

ENJOY RURAL RELAXATION AT ASHBY PARK
Situated in 70 acres of unspoilt Lincolnshire countryside in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds, Ashby Park is a friendly and informal setting offering tranquillity and excellent country walks, plus a diversity of wildlife.

This peaceful and well-run holiday retreat, which was awarded the David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award 20 years ago, offers a warm welcome to holidaymakers who can enjoy truly relaxing days away from the crowd, with many local amenities and coastal resorts nearby.

Ashby Park features seven attractive fishing lakes and a series of clearings occupied by privately owned caravan holiday homes, seasonal caravans and 127 touring pitches with access to electricity, hardstanding, water and drainage. New luxury holiday homes are also on sale.

Popular with fishing enthusiasts, the variety of fishing lakes are well stocked with healthy carp, pike, perch, tench, bream and roach.

“We are focussed on providing a relaxed environment for our residents and touring guests,” explains owner Robin Francis.

For more information visit www.ashbypark.co.uk

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR SHINE
Shine is a charity dedicated to improving mental health and wellbeing across the county and beyond. In Horncastle, this mission comes alive at Bert House, a warm and welcoming hub where people can enjoy groups, activities, guidance, and a friendly face. It’s a safe space for connection, support, and community belonging.

Shine’s impact doesn’t stop at Bert House. Across Lincolnshire and beyond, it delivers vital mental health, suicide and physical first aid training, provides peer support, and strengthens the community infrastructure that helps grassroots support to thrive.

By building these foundations, Shine empowers people and communities to support one another in meaningful, lasting ways.

“Everything we do is funded through grants and donations, and local support is essential. Even small contributions make a huge difference, just £5 can fund 100 hot drinks at Bert House, keeping the kettle on and conversations flowing.”

For more information visit www.shinelincolnshire.com

Photographs: Mick Fox

We Recommend

Heritage at its heart

Star

All about Alford

Fresh look for Sleaford

Town in the spotlight

Ladies who lunch

View all