Take a tour around Bourne
Located on the eastern side of South Kesteven, Bourne is a charming market town offering a range of independent shops, eateries,
historic buildings and attractive green spaces.
Intimate and friendly, Bourne in South Lincolnshire is a delightful town to walk around or a place to enjoy a coffee stop on the way to Stamford, the Georgian town eight miles away.
Alternatively, you may decide to jump back in your car and drive off to discover the villages of the Deepings, which are literally on Bourne’s doorstep.
Bourne is fairly easy to find your way around with North, South and West Streets, as well as Abbey Road, all radiating from the centre of the town.
Bourne hosts a real mix of home-grown small businesses and larger firms, many of which are well-known outside the local area.
Angel Precinct runs alongside Bourne’s Angel Hotel and is an open-air courtyard which is well worth exploring. Look out for Buckles & Bows, a popular shop which sells women’s fashions, footwear and jewellery.
Nearby is the Wild Heart Café, Unique and Chic, a shop packed with antiques and collectables, and the Sweet Stop, so pop in for some of your favourites!
Stephanie’s Flowers and Gifts in Crown Walk offers blooms and plants, as well as special presents.
If it’s time to get your pet spruced up, why not book an appointment at The Dog Club, which is just around the corner from Stephanie’s.
Another niche area, which also lies off North Street, is The Burghley Centre, which is home to Bourne Toys, health food shop Spice of Life, and more. The centre leads through to Yorkshire Trading, Marks & Spencer and has a large car park.
There is a wide range of retailers and other businesses in North Street, including the hardware store Harrison & Dunn, jewellery business Hoppers, Bourne Books, North Shoes and Nettl Web Studio/Design.
TOWN HERITAGE
Off South Street you will find the picturesque Wellhead Gardens, the ideal space to take a break, read a book or maybe meet friends for a picnic.
The gardens are made up of 21 acres of parkland in the town centre and this is also the site of St Peter’s Pool – an ancient pond filled by seven underground springs.
A little further along South Street, you will find the memorial stone for Raymond Mays (1899-1980) – the famous pre- and post-war racing driver and entrepreneur.
Raymond Mays was born at Eastgate House, Bourne on 1st August 1899. He had a successful career as a racing driver spanning 30 years and became the driving force behind English Racing Automobiles (ERA) and British Racing Motors (BRM).
Hill climbs and speed trials started Raymond’s racing career in 1931. He was mostly associated with two Bugattis (Type 13 Brescia), known as Cordon Bleu (after a brandy) and Cordon Rouge (after GH Mumm Champagne).
In 1962, Graham Hill won the world championship in a BRM, one of 17 Grand Prix won by the team.
Raymond spent his entire life in Bourne, where the workshops for both ERA and BRM were based. After retiring from active driving in 1950, he successfully produced and marketed tuning equipment for British Ford engines. In 1978, his contributions to the sport were officially recognised when he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
The town’s Heritage Centre is located in Baldock’s Mill – a Grade II listed building over 200 years old.
The centre is managed by the Bourne Civic Society and has three major displays: a gallery of Bourne’s history; the Charles Worth Gallery, commemorating the 19th-century fashion designer who was born in Bourne; and the Raymond Mays exhibition.
Displays include a photographic exhibition of Raymond’s sporting life, from the Hillman that he raced in 1920 to the 1934 prototype ERA and the V16 BRM shown under test in 1949 at the former RAF base at Folkingham.
Artefacts and trophies won by BRM are also on display at the centre, along with photographs and a catalogue illustrating the Raymond Mays – Raymond’s own car, produced between 1938 and 1939.
GRAND DAYS OUT
Close to Bourne is Grimsthorpe Castle, a grand stately home made from golden limestone from local quarries, which was the final masterpiece of Sir John Vanbrugh, architect of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard.
Each side of the castle looks different; reflecting architectural styles since building began in the 13th century. Henry VIII came to visit in the 16th century prompting a flurry of building, much of it so hasty it had to be redone. Inside, there is a collection of paintings, furniture and tapestries, while the picturesque parkland consists mainly of oak trees planted in the 17th century, their predecessors having been felled during the Tudor period for shipbuilding.
Today, the castle is open to the public to explore the interiors and browse the rich collections, and the estate grounds are accessible to walkers and cyclists.
Visitors are invited to discover the elegant formal gardens and various types of wild deer roaming the 3,000 acres.
There is also a series of special events held throughout the summer, including In The Mood ’40s Concert on Saturday 8th August.
Enjoy a perfect summer afternoon of nostalgia and timeless entertainment with vocalist Lissie Allsopp as she presents an uplifting afternoon of 1940s songs, from stirring wartime classics, to toe-tapping swing numbers, capturing the spirit of a golden era in music.
If stepping back even further in time is your thing, then you’ll enjoy the castle’s Living History: Tudor Day on 9th August, which includes a Meet & Greet with King Henry VIII, Catherine Parr and Elizabeth I.
Grimsthorpe Castle is open from Sunday to Thursday, 11am-4pm (last entry 3.15pm) until 30th September.
For more information visit www.grimsthorpe.co.uk
EVERYTHING FOR YOUR NEEDLECRAFTING NEEDS
The beautiful shop window displays and the clever artwork from Philippa Dixon-Warren’s Craft Centre Bourne invite you to sample a spectacular selection of wool and needlecraft items.
Philippa stocks a wonderful range of pure wool yarns which have been produced in the UK, including popular brands, such as John Arbon and World of Wool.
Snuggled alongside these yarns is a wide selection of cross-stitch and embroidery kits, DMC threads, patterns and books, as well as trusted favourites from Stylecraft and King Cole. And for spinners, there are Ashford spinning wheels and looms.
Philippa’s knowledge and experience in knitting, spinning and all things wool enables informed and friendly advice for shoppers – and if she cannot help, she usually knows someone who can!
With its motto, “Wool – the Way to Wellbeing”, the Craft Centre Bourne is truly a “must visit” destination for knitters, spinners, weavers and stitchers alike.
For more information visit www.thecraftcentrebourne.com
RESTORATION OF HISTORIC TOWN HALL ON TRACK
The Old Town Hall in the centre of Bourne is benefitting from a compete renovation thanks to Probus Construction, a highly regarded local contractor.
Originally built in 1821, the scheme includes the full restoration of the building, the reconstruction of the clock tower and the recommissioning of the original 200-year-old clock.
Internally, the spaces will be restored to their former glory, with the addition of lifts and facilities to make the building accessible to all.
The new designs aim for maximum sustainability, and include improved insulation, solar panels and heat pump technology, bringing the building up to date.
The project is the vision of the Bourne Town Hall Trust, a volunteer-led charity set up in 2017 with the ambition of restoring this striking classical Georgian Grade II listed building, which has stood empty since 2014, into a vibrant centre of heritage and culture.
Last year, the charity was awarded a £3.3 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Since then, trustees and volunteers have worked tirelessly to develop the plans, working with the community and a wider professional team. Completion and re-opening of the building is planned for 2027.
Steven Ellis, managing director of Probus Construction, said: “As a Bourne-based construction company, we are hugely excited to be able to work on this project as it enables us to give back to the Bourne community. We are honoured to be able to contribute to the preservation of such an important historic building, allowing its long and complex history to endure.
“As a contractor with experience in the preservation of historic buildings we are confident that we can restore the town hall so that it can be once again used by the community.”
For more information visit www.probusconstruction.co.uk and www.bournetownhall.org.uk
CELEBRATE SUMMER AT ELSEA PARK
This August, Elsea Park will be transformed into a vibrant coastal escape as the Elsea Park Community Trust unveils Urban Beach ’26 — a three-week pop-up beach experience bringing the spirit of the seaside into the heart of the community.
Running from 4th to 24th August, residents can enjoy a 15m x 9m inland beach on Cookes Field, complete with soft golden sand, colourful deckchairs, and a relaxed holiday atmosphere.
With a bright seaside vibe and a varied programme of entertainment, including circus workshops, live music, and the much-loved Punch and Judy show running five days a week, this initiative is designed to give residents a place to relax, play, and enjoy the summer without travelling far.
The project is proudly supported by Bellway Homes and Barratt David Wilson Homes, whose sponsorship helps bring individual event days to life.
Free to attend and open to all, Urban Beach ’26 promises a welcoming space to relax, connect, and enjoy the best of summer.
For more information visit www.elseapark.com/urban-beach-26
ALL ABOARD FOR STRESS-FREE TRAVEL
One of England’s oldest independent bus operators, Delaine Buses in Bourne is a family-owned business where tradition meets modernity, with its first horse-drawn operations beginning in 1890, followed by motorbus services in 1919.
Operating a robust network of commercial, school, and trunk routes, Delaine Buses provide crucial transport connecting Bourne to major hubs such as Peterborough, Stamford and Spalding.
The familiar blue and cream buses have earned an enviable reputation based on the ethos of quality, continuity, reliability and cleanliness which is just as important to the Delaine brand today as it’s always been.
Now run by the fifth and sixth generations of the Delaine-Smith family, the core business is still based around some of the original services and today’s modern fleet of 33 buses operates a network of commercial services serving four south Lincolnshire market towns, together with a network of school day services.
In 2015, the family founded the Delaine Heritage Trust and established the Delaine Bus Museum, which houses the extensive Delaine Archive and the seven members of the Delaine Heritage Fleet.
Visit www.delainebuses.com and www.delaineheritagetrust.org
FIRST CHOICE FOR MOBILITY SOLUTIONS
With more than 20 years’ experience, the specialist team at Cherry Holt Mobility offer mobility solutions and advice for every need.
Located at Holt House Business Centre, this well established family-run business is a comprehensive one-stop shop for mobility scooters, wheelchairs, recliner chairs and stairlifts, as well as walking and living aids designed to make daily life easier and more comfortable.
“We don’t just sell equipment, we provide full support throughout your ownership. From expert servicing in our dedicated workshop to emergency breakdown assistance, we’re here to keep you moving safely.
“We also offer a free breakdown service in Bourne for mobility scooters purchased through us and provide private hire of mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
“Our friendly team is here to help you find the perfect solution. Give us a call or visit our showroom for a pressure-free chat.”
The Cherry Holt Mobility showroom is open from Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and Saturday from 10am-12.30pm.
For more information visit www.cherryholtmobility.co.uk
Photographs: Mick Fox
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