Take a trip around Caistor

Whether you are an outdoor adventurer or a serial relaxer, this vibrant market town has something for everyone to enjoy, says Mike Cowton.

Like many of the towns in the Lincolnshire Wolds, Caistor harbours a wealth of history. It is thought that there have been inhabitants here for at least 7,000 years, with the area becoming a fortified town during the Roman era.

Caistor sits at almost the highest point in Lincolnshire on the north-west edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape. The town is popular with walkers with the Viking Way, a 149-mile walking route, running through its centre. The long-distance path celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. There are also several self-guided walks in and through the town, including a heritage walk and a tree trail.

Spend time exploring the town centre and you will find some lovely shops, selling everything from antiques to specialist wine. With so many local independents, Caistor is a great place to pick up a gift, unique to the area.

HERITAGE MEETS INNOVATION
Caistor and District Community Trust (CDCT) is currently redeveloping a prominent building in the Market Place. Formerly a Co-op, the complex, a set of five interlinked listed buildings set over three floors, is being transformed into a vibrant mixed-use development that the entire community can embrace.

Having originally secured funding for the highly anticipated project, CDCT, alongside all funders involved, saw this as a key milestone in a journey that would see this historic Wolds-edge market town and wonderful collection of formerly ‘at risk’ buildings revitalised. The ground floor provides a multi-purpose space with a mixture of retail, leisure, catering and workshops, opening out into a stunning courtyard.

The first floor provides holiday lets and bookable community space, all accessible via a lift. The second floor is a continuation of the holiday lets, with stunning views over the Market Place and across to Nettleton top.

Find out more by visiting the website www.caistorcommunitytrust.org

WALK THIS WAY
Caistor Walkabout leads visitors around the town, with various places to stop off and eat, or just to sit down and enjoy the surroundings. The walk normally commences in the Market Place where there is ample parking. In the centre of the Market Place is the town pump, which was set up in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Caistor House, to the left of NatWest Bank, is one of the more imposing buildings here. It was built in 1682, in the classical style, with washed stucco walls and a hipped roof of Welsh slate. The front was added a century later and bears the coat of arms of the Wickham and Walpole families. Later, the house became home to members of the Tennyson family, the lion being part of their coat of arms.
For further information and a detailed route, check out www.west-lindsey.gov.uk

WOLDS-EYE VIEW
The Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival is an annual event which takes place in and around the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape, showcasing what the Wolds and its surrounding market towns have to offer.

This year’s festival will take place from 16th-31st May. During the two-week festival, there will be more than 100 events and activities taking place across a multitude of locations, with many of the activities free of charge, or at a reduced cost.

The event encourages locals and visitors alike to get outdoors and explore the stunning scenery around the Wolds, and is a fantastic opportunity to learn interesting skills, make new friends and find some inner peace.

Find out more online at www.woldsoutdoorfestival.com

ARTY CRAFTS AND CAFÉ CHIT-CHAT
A stunning conversion of a former Methodist chapel, Caistor Arts & Heritage Centre on Plough Hill hosts regular activities including Monday’s Caffeine Club.

The weekly social event runs from 10am to noon and is designed as a relaxed gathering where people can drop in for a chat and a coffee. The centre’s café also participates in the ‘Chatty Café’ scheme, Mondays to Fridays from 2pm to 4pm, dedicating Table 3 for people who want to socialise and are happy to chat with others. 

Other activities include creative workshops, monthly community drop-ins (such as IT support and Neighbourhood Policing teams), and seasonal/themed events, including live music nights and meet the artists. The centre also hosts the local library, as well as providing leaflets with local visitor information.

WRITE UP YOUR STREET
Caistor boasts an events programme that includes the Lions Bonfire and Fireworks Display, Proms in the Park, Summer Party in the Park, a Victorian Christmas Market, a Vintage Car Show and the Caistor Sting, a challenging 10k race.

Locals and visitors alike can look forward to these events and more such as the Creative Writing Workshops with author Gillian Poucher, with dates running throughout the year. Gillian is the author of three novels: After the Funeral, A Question of Loyalty and Vision of Light.

Her writing is partly inspired by Lincolnshire and its history. Held in the Arts & Heritage Centre, the workshops cover a range of topics such as character creation, plot, structure and pacing. On 20th March the audience will be able to explore plot, structure and pacing, and the secrets of writing page-turners.

The programme is designed for both beginners and more advanced writers, for those who enjoy writing as a hobby, and those who hope to be published. All workshops are standalone so you can attend as many as you like.

If reading is your preference, then why not visit the independent bookshop in Caistor, Little Owls, which is dedicated to bringing colourful, inclusive and diverse literature to everyone.

Little Owls specialises in children’s books, as well as stocking books about nature for all the family.

LAKESIDE LEISURE
If outdoor pursuits are more your thing, then as well as all the walking and beauty of the Wolds, why not visit multi award-winning Caistor Lakes Leisure Park.

This seven-acre park boasts three well-stocked fishing lakes, and a choice of beautiful high-quality lodges set around the lakes along with 28 hard-standing touring pitches each with electric hook-up.

Central to the Lincolnshire Wolds, this is the perfect base to enjoy some peace, quiet and a relaxing holiday. The park is open all-year round to welcome caravans, motorhomes and campervans.

The onsite restaurant, ‘The Ugly Duckling’, is open to non-residents and serves breakfast, lunch and evening meals seven days a week. A large dining area can cater for small and large parties, and there is a soft seating area perfect for guests to relax and enjoy a cocktail or two, coffee with friends, or a lite bite. A pet-friendly area including soft seating and dining section is also offered.
Find out more at www.caistorlakes.co.uk

FLOWER POWER
For a small town, Caistor is certainly extremely vibrant. The weekly Saturday morning market always has a fruit and veg trader and a butcher, and local crafts/antique stalls. This is complemented by a monthly outdoor food fayre at the South Street Park from April to October.

Caistor’s Market Place and surrounding streets offer a wealth of options for eating and shopping with a wide range of independent stores including a bakery, upholsterers, wine merchant, gift store, bridal boutique, traditional sweet store and bookshop, along with several charming cafés including Helz Kitchen and Ted’s.

Visit in spring and summer, and you will be stunned by the amazing Caistor in Bloom displays. Although not a single, scheduled event or a large-scale flower show like the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, this annual community effort focuses on making the town look colourful and welcoming.

For more information about Caistor, visit www.lovelincolnshirewolds.com/caistor

Photographs: Mick Fox

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