Celebrating Horncastle’s past, present and future

With its rich heritage and fascinating history, this popular East Lindsey market town is a favourite destination for those seeking a quieter escape.

The district in general has seen significant growth, with its visitor economy rising, supported by the Wolds and coast, with a focus on extending the tourism season. 

Horncastle’s longstanding associations with antiques, bookshops, independent boutiques, family-run eateries and weekly markets have helped to create a friendly and inclusive small-town atmosphere.

With its compact town centre, shopping in this traditional Wolds town is about more than purchases; it’s a stroll through history with a side of modern local produce and crafts.

It is thought there has been a settlement here since the Iron Age and this later developed into a bustling Roman town.

The Joseph Banks Centre in Bridge Street acts as a central hub for local heritage, being home to the Sir Joseph Banks Society, as well as the Horncastle History & Heritage Society.

Visitors to the Centre can enjoy a community-run museum that highlights Horncastle’s rich history, tracing its roots from Roman times to its significance in the horse-trading industry.

The museum features natural history collections, including the Lincolnshire Herbarium, developed in partnership with the Natural History Museum.

The Centre also boasts a peaceful courtyard garden dedicated to Sir Joseph Banks, the famous botanist who travelled with Captain Cook. This garden showcases exotic plants that he introduced to Britain, providing a tranquil space for relaxation.

The History & Heritage Society is also responsible for the selection and production of the Blue Plaques in the town, with funding assistance from the Town Council. Together they have devised the Horncastle Town Walk leaflet which takes visitors on a fascinating historical journey through the town, including the remains of the Roman Wall on the end of the Community Centre in Manor House Street, the shop of Crown Executioner William Marwood in Church Lane, and the work of Annie Dixon, one of the most famous miniature portrait artists of the Victorian period, at 40 East Street, as well as a plaque in the Co-op car park off Conging Street marking Thomas Sully, a famous artist in America who painted portraits of several US Presidents.

MODERN DEVELOPMENTS
Today Horncastle features diverse businesses with many long established local companies, while a new business park expansion heralds investor interest signalling strong demand for commercial space.

The £1.9 million project, jointly funded by Lincolnshire County Council and East Lindsey District Council, has transformed four acres at the Boston Road Industrial Estate into the new Hornbeam Business Park.
The investment includes £1.5 million from the county council and £400,000 from the district council to create fully serviced development plots.

The business park is expected to accommodate around 65 jobs and contribute approximately £2.4 million annually to the local economy.

The development forms part of a wider county initiative to expand business and industrial parks, supporting key growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing, defence, and agri-food.

Cllr Adam Grist, East Lindsey District Council portfolio holder for market towns and the rural economy, said: “I’m delighted to see the swift uptake of land at the new Hornbeam Business Park, which is a clear demonstration of how East Lindsey’s economy can continue to grow and buck the national trend, bringing exciting new investment and opportunities into Horncastle and our other towns and villages.

“By working in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council to fund this development, we have helped create a quality and attractive space for local businesses that meets the needs of new and growing enterprises and can help support the long-term prosperity of the district.”

CREATIVE GARDENS
Horncastle is also part of the National Garden Scheme which gives visitors unique access to two of the best private gardens in the locality.

These include Mr and Mrs Chapman’s pretty plot at 23 Accommodation Road, a medium sized garden designed to have small ‘rooms’ to relax in, featuring a range of tall and dwarf bearded iris as well as fruit trees and bushes.

This year the garden is open on 26th April and 3rd May from 11am to 4pm.

A little further out of town is Oxcombe Manor, which lies in a secluded picturesque valley of the Lincolnshire Wolds, with a manor house, traditional farmstead and parish church among a kitchen garden, orchard, lawns, woodland and flower beds.

Established in 2014 by Susanna and Edward Gorst, Oxcombe Pottery is a creative hub offering a tranquil retreat for developing potters and artists with a range of other workshops and events taking place all year round, while also offering plenty of space for conferences, team building, exhibitions and open days.

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT!
Would-be thespians and theatre lovers are always welcome at the Lion Theatre, a charity committed to delivering captivating performances that connect and inspire the local community through shared stories and creative expression.

Situated at the head of the yard of the Red Lion Hotel in Horncastle’s Bull Ring, the Lion Theatre seats nearly 100 people in its comfortably furnished auditorium in the centre of town.

The shell of the theatre and the stage was provided by the Benson family, who in 1988 financed and carried out the conversion and reconstruction of the various outbuildings.

The internal work was a massive DIY job by members of the Company and friends, financed by a fundraising campaign generously supported by local people and organisations.

One major fund activity was the sponsorship of a seat or plaque on the wall for £25. The main red velvet curtains were contributed by Mantles fish and chip shop.

The theatre was refurbished in 2016 thanks to the generosity of members and the community, with a complete overhaul of seats and curtains. In 2025 the dressing room was decorated and re-carpeted as well as making the space more functional.

The theatre group, which stages six or more productions a year, is always looking for front of house volunteers, as well as new members to tread the boards and help out backstage.

Tuesday evenings are considered ‘club nights’ and new members are welcomed. Informal play readings and workshops take place regularly and are a good opportunity to meet some of the members and have a look around the theatre.

“Auditions at the theatre are open to anyone, and we never discount anyone based on experience. Some of our best actors had never set foot on stage or learned a script before joining the company. Check out our calendar of events and look out for any auditions coming up.”

The next production to be staged at the Red Lion from Thursday 14th to Saturday 16th May is Peter Pan – The Musical – based on the classic story by JM Barrie.

Presented by Horncastle Young Stagers and performed by kind permission of Out of the Ark, this musical adaptation features original songs by Mark, Helen and Naomi Johnson together with a sparkling, humorous script by Sue Langwade. Tickets £8 and £7.

Bookings from 1st March. For more information visit www.horncastletheatre.co.uk

SIR JOSEPH BANKS SOCIETY WINS MIDLANDS MUSEUM AWARD
Sir Joseph Banks Society is proud to announce that it has won the Judges’ Choice Award at the Midlands Museum Awards 2025.

The award was presented at Thinktank Birmingham as part of Museum Development Midlands’ Power of Place: Celebrating Midlands Museums event in November, and recognises the museum’s bold approach to innovation and its commitment to evolving visitor engagement.

“Judges were impressed by the fact that we used open spaces, our riverscape work, and partnerships with other organisations to enhance our education, visitor and volunteer experiences, demonstrating that small museums can still make a big impact.

“We opened our natural history museum after Covid, and after a relatively short period of time we have acquired significant botany and insect collections. Our ambition is to mirror the collections of Sir Joseph Banks.”

About the award
The Judges’ Choice Award is given to a project or team that made a particularly strong impression on the judging panel, standing out for its creativity, impact, or ambition.

Museum Development Midlands
Museum Development Midlands (MDM) delivers great opportunities for development, training and grants to museums and heritage organisations across the Midlands. The aim is to empower them to thrive through a varied programme of support informed by the Arts Council England (ACE) Let’s Create Strategy and the Accreditation Standard.

MDM is funded by Arts Council England and delivered in partnership by Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and Leicestershire County Council.

For more information visit www.joseph-banks.org.uk

BRING YOUR MEDIA COLLECTION TO LIFE
Based at Moorby Yard on the Revesby Estate, the expert team at Expressive Audio offers bespoke design and installation services for home cinemas and media rooms, with a range of high-spec hi-fi systems also available at fantastic prices.

A big screen at home is one of the most luxurious ways to experience not only movies, but your favourite must-see series and sports too! An increasingly popular option is a media wall, designed to house a television, conceal wiring and equipment, and often incorporates a fireplace or shelving. 

In addition to a setup for indoors, if you want to make the most of your outdoor space, why not upgrade your music system with specially designed weather-resistant speakers that bring high-quality sound to gardens. The team at Expressive Audio can help find the perfect fit for you in time for the warmer months.

Don’t miss their special Bring Your Own Music Night at The Red Lion, Revesby, on Sunday 1st March, from 7pm, where you are invited you bring along some of your favourite music to share with fellow audiophiles on a chosen system for the night.

For more info tel 01507 499047, or visit www.expressiveaudio.com

ENJOY A DELICIOUS DATE AT MYERS
Established more than 50 years ago, the popular family run Myers Bakery is well known for providing one of the largest selections of freshly baked breads in the county.

“We are a small team of passionate individuals who love to craft new and exciting recipes. Each and every day we work hard to produce some of the finest baked goods in Lincolnshire.”

Using traditional techniques and only the finest ingredients, Myers’ selection of breads includes classics such as wholemeal, white and granary, alongside deliciously different lines like low GI, sourdough and corn bread.

The bakery’s new handmade savoury pie range has quickly become a customer favourite, and it’s easy to see why. Crafted with buttery, flaky pastry and generously filled using quality ingredients, each pie is made with the same care and attention that defines everything they do. With three delicious and comforting flavours to choose from, including steak and ale, chicken, ham and leek, and minted lamb and mushy peas – there’s something for all tastes.

The bakery also supplies its welcoming next door café, which serves breakfast, brunch and lunches, plus afternoon teas.

For more information visit www.myersbakery.co.uk

BEST OF BRITISH FROM ASKEWS FURNITURE
Established in 1992, Askews Furniture has been serving Lincolnshire for more than 34 years from its three unique Lincolnshire locations – Alford, Horncastle and Mablethorpe – and championing some of the best British manufacturers.

“The ‘A team’ at Askews would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the people of Horncastle and beyond for their custom and support since we opened our newest store in the town in late 2022.

“At our North Street showroom you can find a wide selection of sofas, beds, living, dining and bedroom furniture, as well as a varied array of accessories, rugs, mirrors and decorative items. We remain 100% committed to selling quality, reasonably priced furniture with as much from British manufacturers as possible.

“We have just welcomed to the store a beautiful new collection of oak living, dining and bedroom furniture called the Laceby, which is available in oak all over or painted with oak tops.

“Our customers come back to us not just for our array of beautiful furniture but for our easygoing, no pressure sales atmosphere with helpful, knowledgeable staff on hand only when you need us. Don’t just take our word for it – check out our 5* reviews for yourselves!”

For more information visit www.askewsfurniture.co.uk

Photographs: Mick Fox

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