A tour around Sleaford

Located in the heart of the county, Sleaford offers visitors a blend of historical landmarks, natural scenery and cultural experiences.

Known for its attractive surrounding countryside, heritage sites, and choice of outdoor activities, this small market town has plenty to offer visitors of all ages.

Whether exploring iconic windmills, wandering along riverside paths, or discovering scenic spots and traditional markets, Sleaford provides the ideal base for several days exploring Lincolnshire or a day trip destination.

The town is dominated by St Denys’ Church, which stands in the attractive market place. It features a 144ft stone spire and beautiful traceried windows, described as “works of infinite complexity” and there is also the site of a ruined medieval castle.

The town was formed around the River Slea and by the 11th century it supported a dozen watermills. Today, Cogglesford Mill is run by volunteers and continues to attract much interest with regular open days throughout the year.

Visitors can tour the windmill, which dates back to the medieval era, to witness traditional milling techniques and learn about rural life in Lincolnshire. The mill’s inner workings and picturesque setting provide a glimpse into traditional milling and historic water management.

NATURE WATCH
Take a stroll along the peaceful riverfront of the River Slea which provides scenic walking routes where visitors can enjoy birdwatching, photography, and quiet picnics.

Within easy reach of the town there is also plenty of woodland and unspoilt countryside to explore.
If wildlife is your thing, the surrounding fenlands are home to diverse flora and fauna, making it a delightful spot for nature-lovers.

Nearby is the Lollycocks Field Nature Reserve, which provides wildflower and wetland habitats alongside Eastgate. As a designated wildlife site, it provides important standing water and wetland habitat.

In order to ensure these sites keep supporting Sleaford’s native species, as well as attracting new ones, works have focused on maintaining and enhancing the current habitat. Not only has this improved the ecological value of the site, but also its aesthetic value.

A hedgerow has been planted on the boundary between Lollycocks Field and Eastgate Road to provide this habitat for local species and to act as a corridor for wildlife to travel, linking small woodland areas.

Meanwhile, marginal works around the pond edge in Lollycocks Field have been undertaken to create better access for wildlife and will manage invasive plant species outcompeting local fauna.

More recently an amazing kingfisher nesting bank has been created in Lollycocks Field to provide essential habitat for these species, hopefully leading to some more sightings in the local area.

Also worth a visit is Ewerby Pond, a tranquil spot perfect for fishing, walking and relaxing in nature.

LOCAL HERITAGE
Just a short distance away at North Rauceby, the Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum has since 1992 welcomed visitors to discover the history of RAF Cranwell, from its early days as a Royal Naval Air Service base to the current day.

The museum is currently closed for maintenance work and a planned refresh, with the expectation that visitors will once again be able to explore the heritage on offer in March 2026. Anyone wishing to make a private booking or arrange a school visit can email CranwellAviation@n-kesteven.gov.uk and updates on the reopening will be shared on CAHM’s Facebook page.

In the town centre off Carre Street, Navigation House is a refurbished original canal company office dating back to 1838 which serves as a visitor centre dedicated to the history of the Sleaford Navigation and the local waterways.

This Grade-II listed building stands in the old public wharf area, now known as Navigation Yard, and is thought to be the only one of its kind still in existence.

The centre offers informative exhibits and displays that showcase the importance of the navigation system in the region’s development. Visitors can learn about the historical significance of the site, explore various artefacts, and enjoy scenic views of the surrounding waterways. It’s an excellent stop for those interested in the cultural and historical aspects of Sleaford.

A welcome attraction for families to enjoy together, Navigation House offers free children’s resources including an activity book, crafting, historically themed dressing up costumes, interactive features and various themed events run throughout the year. Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from10am to 2pm, admission free.

Another important part of the town’s heritage worth visiting is Sleaford Castle grounds, a popular public open space and now the subject of a major research project coordinated by the Sleaford Castle Heritage Group. Archaeological and historical research is expected to continue for several years.

Sleaford Castle was built by the Bishop of Lincoln, Alexander de Blois between 1123 and 1139 and held by the Church for more than 400 years.

The castle fell out of use in the mid-1500s and into disrepair. It was substantially demolished in the following century. Little remains to be seen today apart from earthworks and a small remnant of a tower in the north-eastern corner of the riverside castle site.

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
Home to Sleaford Little Theatre Amateur Dramatic Society, Sleaford Playhouse Theatre in Westgate was built in 1825 and enjoyed some success until it closed in 1856 and was converted into a school.

The following years saw the building – which is one of only two Georgian theatres with a small, rectangular auditorium in Britain – used in other ways but it was restored and reopened in 2000.

The Grade II listed building was originally built for Joseph Smedley, a bookbinder, printer and comedian who owned several theatres and ran a small touring theatre company which toured around the Lincolnshire and Norfolk area.

In January 1841, after a relatively quiet time with poor attendances at the theatre, Smedley sold the Playhouse to John Hyde (watchmaker) of Sleaford. Hyde managed the Playhouse and succeeded in attracting a variety of acts to Sleaford, including magicians, comic singers and touring theatre companies.

Hyde died in June 1853, but by then he had sold the Playhouse to Jane Hill of Sleaford and William Pidd-Fischer (Miller at Money’s Mill).

After a short closure, they reopened the theatre in 1855 under the management of Mr RA Douglas.

Attendances, however, were miserably small. The taste for drama had all but disappeared in Sleaford and closure loomed again.

The executors of Hill and Fisher sold the Playhouse, including fixtures and fittings, in August 1856 to Thomas Parry for the bargain price of £380.

In 1857, the building was bought by the Church of England, who elected Parry, together with his business partner William Kirk, to convert it into a school at the cost of £1,085 paid for by subscription and, the Playhouse became Sleaford’s first infant school.

Subsequently, the Playhouse has served as a library, an emergency shelter during both World Wars and a government benefits office.

The Playhouse was restored to a working theatre in 2000 and has had a varied history, but is now once more being used for its original purpose.

Since reopening the Playhouse, Sleaford Little Theatre, the owner, has entertained audiences with a wide variety of productions: classics such as JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls, Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca and Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield; comedies such as Lloyd & Croft’s hit ’Allo ’Allo and Alan Ayckbourn’s Communicating Doors, plus many more.

The Playhouse continues to be a favourite venue for a wide variety of other entertainment too, from local bands and solo artists to professional touring theatre companies and musicians.

The aim is to continue to provide an attractive range of events at the Playhouse to appeal to a wide variety of tastes, attracting new audiences as well as satisfying existing patrons.

The next event at the Playhouse – Shania Live, a premier Shania Twain tribute show – is on 6th February at 7.30pm.

For more information visit the website www.sleafordplayhouse.co.uk

FIRST-CLASS INSTRUMENTS FOR LEARNERS AND PROFESSIONALS
Based in a converted Victorian Baptist Chapel, White & Sentance is one of the few traditional piano shops in the East Midlands, and the longest established in Lincolnshire, being proudly family-run since 1867.

The shop deals exclusively in both new and used acoustic pianos from leading brands such as Kawai, Yamaha and Steinway – selling, tuning and restoring instruments to the highest standards, guaranteeing excellent value and reliability. Monthly hire services and finance options are also available, to make piano playing accessible to all.

Whether you’re just starting out or a concert-level performer, looking to buy, upgrade, or seek advice on bringing an old piano to new life, Chris and Luke are on hand to help. Their expertise builds on that of five generations, and they continue to receive glowing reviews for their honest, knowledgeable and unbiased advice.

To book an in-store appointment, call 01529 302037. To learn more about the services offered, visit White & Sentance online at www.wspianos.co.uk

White & Sentance, The Temple, East Gate, Sleaford NG34 7DR

THE HUB SPOTLIGHTS DESIGN-NATION
To mark 25 years of supporting British craft and design, Design-Nation, the leading membership portfolio for contemporary craft and design in the UK is presenting a new exhibition exploring memory, material, and meaning at The Hub.

Beneath the Surface: Material and Memory brings together selected works by 26 leading UK artists and makers selected from Design-Nation.

Their diverse practices span ceramics, textiles, glass, wood, metal, and more, offering a rich cross-section of contemporary craft.

Each artist explores personal and shared narratives of identity, memory, migration, transformation, and resilience. The artworks encourage us to slow down and look closer, revealing vulnerability beneath their surface and uncovering deeper stories through material, technique, and process.

The exhibition also celebrates the enduring mission of Design-Nation to create opportunities for some of the country’s most talented and innovative designers and craftspeople.

Beneath the Surface: Material and Memory runs until 15th March.

The Hub, Navigation Wharf, Carre Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 7TW, hub-sleaford.org.uk

HERITAGE SITES OFFER HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES
Discover two of Sleaford’s most charming heritage attractions – Cogglesford Watermill and Navigation House – where local history comes to life in beautifully preserved settings.

At Cogglesford Watermill, step inside one of the UK’s only working Sheriff’s watermills and experience the sights, sounds, and traditions of milling that have shaped the area for centuries. Watch the historic machinery in action, explore hands-on displays, and take home freshly milled wholemeal flour, produced using time-honoured techniques. Set beside the River Slea, the mill’s tranquil surroundings make it a perfect stop for families, walkers, and history lovers.

Just a short stroll away, Navigation House – a Grade II listed 1830s canal company office – unveils the fascinating story of the Sleaford Navigation waterway. Interactive exhibits, films, and historic artefacts reveal how river trade once powered the town’s growth.

With free entry, friendly volunteers, and engaging events throughout the year, both sites offer an enriching day out celebrating Sleaford’s unique heritage.

For more information visit heartoflincs.com

Photographs: Mick Fox

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