Bustling Brigg

The historic market town of Brigg in North Lincolnshire is known for its cobbled streets, Georgian architecture and a variety of unique boutiques, antique shops and specialist stores.

With its compact layout and plenty of cafés, pubs and tearooms to enjoy taking a pause, this popular market town is ideal for leisurely exploration.

Having visited the town’s plentiful attractions, you can then take a scenic riverside walk along the Ancholme Valley Way, which begins in the town and stretches to South Ferriby.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS
North Lincolnshire Council has granted planning approval for the construction of 112 homes in the town. The development by Gleeson Homes will be on nine acres of arable land off Grammar School Lane and to the immediate south of the M180, and will comprise 16 two-bed detached bungalows and semi-detached homes, 70 three-bed and 26 four-bed homes. A total of 224 car parking spaces will be created, and there will be landscape buffering, particularly on the northern side that is adjacent to the M180.

A submitted planning document estimates the scheme would support the employment of 334 people, including three apprenticeships, and bring in £1.3 million in annual tax revenue.

HERITAGE AT ITS HEART
Brigg Heritage Centre is situated in the heart of the town within the iconic and historic Angel building. The centre is a museum showcasing the town’s rich history and heritage.

Its star exhibit is the Bronze Age Raft (known as the ‘Brigg Raft’), which dates to 800BC, and which was excavated from the River Ancholme.

It sets the scene for a fascinating journey, charting the rise of Brigg as an important and influential marketplace, through to the picturesque town we know today.

With local artefacts and interactive displays that bring the past to life, the centre offers an engaging experience for visitors of all ages, celebrating the town’s maritime and trading history, and is open from 10am to 2pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

COME DINE WITH ME
Brigg town centre offers a vibrant mix of dining options, ranging from Mediterranean meals and hearty Italian food to cosy cafés and traditional British pubs.

The Atrium is a popular eatery set in stunning surroundings within the striking glass-roofed Angel building on Market Place, with palm trees and chandeliers and seating in Lloyd Loom chairs, renowned for their smooth finish, durability and casual elegance.
Meals are freshly prepared using locally sourced produce. The Atrium is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3.30pm, Saturday from 9.30am to 3pm, and every other Saturday night through the month.

The Loft is a beautifully refurbished restaurant located in Wrawby Street, blending modern style with comfortable, homely charm.

Set across two floors, the space provides a bright and airy upstairs dining area alongside a flexible lower level where guests can enjoy anything from relaxed meals to private gatherings. With a menu featuring a wide selection of breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes, diners can look forward to high-quality, home-cooked food, prepared using fresh, flavourful ingredients. The Loft is also passionate about great coffee, offering a wide range of beverages from smooth lattes to rich espressos. Opening times are Mondays to Saturdays, 9am to 3pm.

CLASSIC EVENT
If you happen to own a classic car, or have an interest in vintage vehicles, then mark 20th September in your diary, as that is the day for the Brigg 1940s Vintage Fair and Classic Cars event.

Organised by Brigg Town Council, vehicles will be displayed along Wrawby Street, and it is hoped this will be the first of many autumn fairs combined with a show of classic cars from all ages, and will take place around the Market Place, featuring music, food, stalls and entertainment.

Classic cars should arrive by 11.30am, with the event starting at noon when the Market Place and Wrawby Street will be closed to traffic.

MILITARY MIGHT
The Brigg Poppy 10k and Military Challenge begin and end in Brigg Market Place on Sunday 25th October. It features a standard 10k race and a separate Military Challenge, with the latter starting 15 minutes after the 10k, with runners departing from the town centre on to closed country roads.

The course is flat and fast, thereby being suitable for club runners aiming for a personal best, as well as those who prefer to jog or walk the route. Entry is limited to 1,200 participants, and a virtual race option is also available.

The Military Challenge covers the same 10km distance but presents a different task: competitors must wear boots and carry a loaded backpack, weighing 36lb for men and 24lb for women. Running is not mandatory in this category; walking or tabbing is permitted, making it more of a loaded endurance test than a typical road race.

Whilst the event supports the Poppy Appeal, the organisers request that participants in the Military Challenge category raise funds for the Royal British Legion.

Optional event T-shirts contribute to the fundraising. All finishers receive a medal and cake.

SET SAIL IN WRAWBY
Located two miles east of Brigg, standing on a ridge at the edge of Wrawby village and overlooking the Ancholme Valley, you will discover one of the last workable postmills in the East Midlands.

An example of an early type of windmill that was once common across the UK, there are now less than 45 surviving examples, with even fewer being fully operational. The mill was built between1760 and 1790 and worked until the 1940s when damage to one of the sails made it unusable and it was left derelict, until the Wrawby Windmill Preservation Society formed in the 1960s and the mill was fully restored to its former glory and opened to the public in 1965.

The body of the mill is supported on, and revolves around, a large central upright post. This is turned by pushing the tailpin, with the sails then facing in the direction of the wind.

The roundhouse at the bottom of the mill functions as the reception area which includes a small shop and also a video detailing the workings of the mill. Visitors can climb the external stairs to the meal floor and then up a steep ladder to reach the stone floor above. The mill retains two sets of millstones and the shaft turning the gear wheel can be seen along with the grain hopper, chutes and other features.

The Postmill is free to visit and is open to the public on bank holidays between April and August, as well as the last Sunday in July.

SETTING THE STALL OUT
Offering a lively and colourful experience every Thursday and Saturday, Brigg’s Thursday market is the larger of the two, filling the Market Place and spilling into Wrawby Street with stalls selling everything from fresh produce and flowers to clothing, household goods and artisan crafts.

The atmosphere is friendly and traditional, drawing shoppers from across the county who appreciate the personal service and unique finds that are often missing from modern high streets.

A particular highlight is the award-winning Brigg Farmers’ Market, held on the fourth Saturday of each month. Launched in 2000, it quickly gained national recognition and was named the UK’s Best Rural Farmers’ Market by FARMA in 2009.

The market showcases the best of Lincolnshire’s local produce, including meats, cheeses, baked goods, preserves, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. It’s also a great place to meet the producers and learn more about the region’s rich agricultural heritage.

The market is set against the backdrop of Brigg’s historic architecture, including the Buttercross and the Angel building, which now houses the town council and local services. These landmarks, along with the pedestrian-friendly layout and charming independent shops, give Brigg a distinctive character that blends heritage with a strong sense of community.

Pop along and enjoy a warm and authentic Lincolnshire experience. The Street Market runs from 9am on Thursdays; the Farmers’ Market is on the fourth Saturday of every month, with arts and crafts on the second Saturday; and an Indie market on the third Saturday.

CREATING A BEAUTIFUL HOME WITH LEYA BUSTER INTERIORS
With timeless interiors, carefully curated accessories, ultimate garden statement pieces, gorgeous gifts and beautiful home fragrances, Leya Buster Interiors prides itself on helping customers create a home that feels elegant, atmospheric, and truly personal.

Situated at 28 Market Place, Brigg, this exceptional family-run home and lifestyle boutique is a unique treasure trove for faux florals, lighting, furniture, mirrors, decorative accessories and special finishing touches for the home and garden.

Leya Buster Interiors is also home to its own in-house brand, LE|BU Fine Home Fragrance. Formerly known as Leya Buster Candles, the hand poured collection has evolved into a refined product range, including candles, diffusers and home fragrances designed to bring warmth, luxury, and a sense of comfort into the home.

Owner Benjamin Jerrard says: “At Leya Buster, we know how important it is for home to feel like home. Creating a real atmosphere and story is a true art form. The real magic happens in the creativity, imagination and late nights spent obsessing over every single detail to make Leya Buster Interiors the destination it is today.”

Leya Buster Interiors is open Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am-3pm, and Thursday to Saturday, 10am-4pm.

For more information, visit www.leyabusterinteriors.com

SHOP FOR COUNTRY CLASSICS
If you’re looking for quality shooting clothing, stylish and warm country casuals, or elegant formal wear, Wallhead’s Outfitters in Wrawby Street stocks everything you need to enjoy the best of rural life.

Established in 1897 by James Blackburn Wallhead, this welcoming family-run store, which is run by owner Richard Wallhead, is committed to providing five-star customer service.

The shop specialises in men’s and ladies’ clothing from well-known brands such as Barbour, Brook Taverner, Le Chameau, Aigle, Viyella, Peter England, Gurteen and Farah, Hawick knitwear and Failsworth hats and caps.

Also popular is the range of shooting wear from leading German brand Schöffel, including tweed breeks and waistcoats with caps to match. Choose from a selection of popular Gore-Tex and Venturi shooting coats, all fully waterproof and machine washable too!

For more information contact Wallhead’s tel: 01652 652356

PLAN YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY
Dreaming of your next getaway? Whether it’s a relaxing beach escape, an unforgettable cruise or the adventure of a lifetime, you can find all the inspiration you need at the Althams Travel Holiday & Cruise Show, held at Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort, Brigg on Sunday 6th September.

Meet more than 15 leading tour operators and the Althams Travel experts, and gain inside knowledge on exciting destinations across the globe.

Enter free on the day competitions to be in with a chance of winning fantastic prizes, plus enjoy show-only offers available throughout the event.

Organised by Altham’s Travel, an award-winning travel agent established in 1874, the event, which is free to enter and offers refreshments on arrival, takes place between 10.30am and 2.30pm.

Tickets are limited so early booking is advised.

For more information, contact your local Althams Travel or visit althams.co.uk

HIGH HONOURS FOR LEADING LOCAL OPTICIAN
O’Brien’s Opticians’ Dr Sheeraz Janjua’s reputation for excellence in eye care continues to grow as he is inducted as Fellow of the College of Optometrists.

Established in 1979, O’Briens Opticians in Brigg has built an unrivalled reputation for leading the way in clinical excellence and patient care.

The professional standing of Dr S. A. Janjua BSc (Hons) MBCLA MCOptom DOptom continues to expand with clients now coming from all parts of the UK, to regularly take up appointments.

Expert advice and knowledge form a most impressive part of any meeting with Dr Sheeraz Janjua, director, who attained a Doctor of Optometry and completed his MSc in Clinical Optometry at Cardiff University in 2025. At a ceremony held in Westminster Hall, London, last year, Dr Janjua was formally inducted as Fellow of the College of Optometrists.

The honour recognises achievements in the workplace and is awarded for outstanding and significant contributions to furthering excellence in the practice of Optometry.

Dr Janjua had demonstrated to the College how his accomplishments, including examination successes, have not only benefitted his practice but have also advanced the profession of optometry.

The citation for Dr Janjua’s Fellowship read: “Sheeraz exemplifies clinical excellence, academic achievement, and entrepreneurial innovation in Optometry. His enduring commitment to a patient-centred practice, lifelong learning, and community-focused innovation embodies the highest standards of the College of Optometrists Fellowship.”

Patient feedback
Dr Janjua was also named as a finalist in the 2025 Optician Awards for Optometrist of the Year, with countless testimonials and recent patient feedback underlining his dedication to professional expert care: “I had occasion to visit Dr Sheeraz Janjua again recently and found the expertise, knowledge and service to be quite exceptional and outstanding. Indeed, as it was in 2023.

“It is my pleasure to make known, the remarkable service that Dr Sheeraz Janjua and O’Brien’s Opticians provides.”

O’Brien’s in Wrawby Street, Brigg welcomes the registration of new patients and is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 4pm.

Call 01652 653595 to make an appointment with Dr Janjua for an advanced eye examination.

For more information contact  Dr S. A. Janjua, O’Brien’s Opticians, 43/44 Wrawby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8BS. Tel: 01652 653595, email: enquiries@obriensopticians.co.uk or visit www.obriensopticians.co.uk

Photographs: Mick Fox

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