Take a trip to Fenland towns

Situated in the south east region of the county, Boston and Spalding are historic market towns which were once part of a single county division called Parts of Holland.

A combined visit to Boston and Spalding provides the ideal location for those in search of history and heritage, as well as nature and horticulture, travelling through the changing landscapes and fertile farmland that features in this region.

Linked via the A16, the two towns lie just 15 miles apart making it easy to explore both during a single trip.

Whether you’re interested in exploring heritage and architecture, indulging in local cuisine, or enjoying the distinctive Fens countryside, these towns provide an inviting and authentic Lincolnshire experience.

Boston is a historic market town famous for its association with the Mayflower pilgrims, where sightseers can visit the Boston Stump, the towering spire of St Botolph’s Church that dominates the town’s skyline.

This iconic 14th-century parish church boasts the tallest medieval tower in England, standing 272 feet (83 metres) tall. Known locally as ‘The Stump’, it dominates the town skyline and serves as a beacon for visitors.

Climb the tower for panoramic views of the town and surrounding fenlands and explore the beautiful interiors featuring intricate stained glass, monuments, and a remarkable organ.

Boston is famously linked to the Pilgrim Fathers, who sailed to America aboard the Mayflower in 1620. The town retains this legacy through museums, memorials, and heritage trails, including the Pilgrim Fathers Memorial and Custom House, which offer insights into this significant chapter of bygone days.

Also worth a visit is The Guildhall, an elegant 18th-century building hosting civic events and occasional exhibitions, and the Maud Foster Windmill, one of England’s largest working windmills, which offers guided tours that delve into traditional milling processes and the area’s agricultural history.

After exploring the town’s rich heritage, you can sample some of its local specialities, such as the famous Boston Sausage, at one of its many traditional pubs and cafés.

This year, Boston is embracing the Christmas season with a rich calendar of events held throughout December. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the town’s festive activities offer something for everyone – from enchanting performances and markets, to family-friendly shows and community celebrations.

The Boston Christmas Festival, which takes place from 29th to 30th November in the town centre, features a new ice sculpture experience with ‘The Frozen Five’, created by award-winning Glacial Art ice sculptures, plus seasonal shopping in the festive market, as well as entertainment.

Take a stroll around the Boston Christmas Tree Festival at St Botolph’s Church (28th November-5th December) where local community groups, schools, businesses, and organisations have got together for a display of creative Christmas trees, or why not try your hand at a wreath making workshop on 4th December at Downtown Superstore, which will also help to get you in the festive spirit.

SHOWCASING HORTICULTURE
Known as the ‘Heart of the Fens’, Spalding is famous for its horticultural industry, especially bulb and vegetable growing. Historically known as the Flower Town, Spalding is celebrated for its beautifully preserved gardens, heritage and markets, as well as its annual Flower Parade.

The history of the Spalding Flower Parade stretches back nearly a century, with its roots planted in the 1920s. The event gained prominence in 1935 when the tulip crop coincided with the Jubilee celebrations of King George V and Queen Mary, drawing massive crowds and transforming the occasion into a major spectacle.

Originally running from 1959 through to 2013, hundreds of thousands of visitors lined the streets of the town to watch the bespoke floats decorated in fresh tulip heads.

After a 10-year hiatus, the Flower Parade returned in 2023, reigniting community pride and introducing a new generation to the tradition. Spearheaded by local resident Steve Timewell, the revival was a grassroots effort supported by hundreds of volunteers and over £80,000 in private funding, while also modernising traditions with the role of ‘South Holland Ambassador’ replacing the Flower Queen.

As a not-for-profit event, the parade exists to benefit the Spalding and South Holland communities, with support from local individuals, businesses and organisations through donations and sponsorships.

The 2026 parade is scheduled for Saturday 9th May with the theme ‘Countries of the World’ and will begin and end at Springfields Event Centre, setting off from 11am.

SPALDING FESTIVITIES AND SHOPPING
Like neighbouring Boston, Spalding has also lined up a variety of festive events in December – from charming craft fairs to lively Christmas parties, the town embraces the holiday season with activities that bring together locals and visitors alike.

On Saturday 13th December from 10am to 3pm, the Sessions House in Sheep Market is hosting the Christmas Craft and Gift Fair, showcasing handmade crafts, unique gifts, festive decorations, and seasonal treats. It’s a perfect opportunity to purchase bespoke Christmas presents and support local artisans.

At Springfields Outlet, you will find a mix of retail, gardens, and eateries, ideal for shopping and relaxation. The outlet is offering extended shopping hours and festive decorations throughout December.

Springfields is home to many favourite brands across fashion, homeware, cosmetics, food, drink and more. Don’t miss big name stores including Levi’s, M&S Outlet, Joules, Cadbury, Jack Wills, Next Outlet and more.

And when you’ve had enough of shopping, take a wander through Springfields Festival Gardens, which comprise 15 acres of beautifully crafted landscapes, featuring Chelsea-style celebrity showcase gardens, artwork and wildlife.

Open all year round with free admission (except during fundraising events), Springfields Festival Gardens first opened in 1966, acting as a shop window for the flower bulb industry, introducing the public, amateur gardeners and enthusiasts to a wide range of horticultural experiences in South Holland.

The Gardens at Springfields were completely redeveloped in 2004, in conjunction with Springfields Horticultural Society, a charity dedicated to the improvement and growth of horticulture and floral design in the Spalding region.

The renovated Festival Gardens welcomed some new additions, as innovative designer Stephen Newby unveiled a collection of his spectacular stainless steel sculptures throughout the landscaped gardens.

The ‘blown’ steel sculptures are largely based around a water theme, featuring a water pyramid fountain, pillow planters and the specially commissioned 15-foot Kaleidoscope Wheel, situated in the Dutch-style canal.

From Thursday 13th November to Tuesday 30th December, you can take family and friends for a unique journey of shimmering lights through the beautiful gardens on the Winter Wonderland Walk. This includes new zones and the return of popular favourites inspired by the magic of winter and the festive season.

Tickets must be booked in advance online, visit www.springfieldsoutlet.co.uk/events/winterwonderlandwalk/

SPRINGFIELDS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
This autumn, Springfields Horticultural Society hailed its most successful bulb giveaway to date following the event at Springfields Festival Gardens on 11th October.

More than 150 bags of bulbs were distributed to local gardeners, with the event proving so popular that supplies were completely exhausted by the end of the first day – leaving nothing available for the following day’s planned distribution.

Adrian Jansen, chair of Trustees for Springfields Horticultural Society, said: “The response to this year’s giveaway has been truly heartwarming. We hope that those who received bulbs will nurture them into beautiful spring displays, and we’d love to see many of you showcase your efforts at our Daffodil Show on 11th April next year. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our shared passion for gardening.”

Over the autumn months, the gardeners at Springfields Festival Gardens have been busy planting bulbs to create spectacular displays ready to celebrate the society’s 60th anniversary in 2026.

CELEBRATING A VINYL REVOLUTION AT UPTOWN
When it comes to the love of vinyl, Alan Barnsdale, owner of Uptown Vinyl Records, takes pride in sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm on everything from rock and reggae, to country and western, and classical.

Based at Baytree Garden Centre, Uptown Vinyl – which Alan believes is the largest independent vinyl shop in the UK – has maintained the look of a traditional record shop with wooden racks that invite hours of enjoyment.

The business, which celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this year, continues to welcome visitors and music devotees from near and far – with a recent customer even travelling from China!

Since relocating to the garden centre, Alan has been delighted with the volume of customers taking time out to search through the racks and leaving with new sounds to listen to at home.

The shop, which has also featured on BBC TV’s Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, is open Tuesday to Sunday, stocking more than 250,000 LPs and around 60,000 CDs across four rooms.

Focusing on genuine vintage records, Alan is always on the lookout to buy collections, finding that demand is as high as it has ever been and trends continuing to develop.

For more information visit www.uptownvinylrecords.co.uk

VINE HOUSE FARM SHOP & CAFÉ
Vine House Farm is a conservation award-winning arable farm near Spalding which sells a wide range of home-grown organic produce directly from the family farm, including free range eggs, dairy, meat and poultry, homemade cakes and chutneys, pies and frozen food, as well as seasonal veg boxes. The Vine House Farm kitchen is a hive of activity, baking cakes, scones and other goodies for the farm shop, with fresh bread delivered daily from Pacey’s Bakery in Spalding.

The farm shop also sells a range of premium bird food and seed mixes, feeders, nest boxes plus wildlife products and supports the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) in its continued backing of UK wildlife conservation.

Vine House Farm Shop was voted one of the top three Best Independent Farm or Local Shop of the Year in the Lincolnshire Life Taste of Excellence Awards 2025. This category is sponsored by Dexter & Sharpe and recognises Farm Shops which offer a great selection of high quality local produce and products, good value for money and exceptional service.

For more information visit www.vinehousefarmshopcafe.co.uk

RINGROSE LAW – SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 100 YEARS
For more than a century, Ringrose Law has been part of the fabric of Boston life – helping local people and businesses with their legal needs, big and small.

“We’re proud to be a trusted name in the town we call home, and our philosophy, ‘Where Individuals Count’, truly reflects who we are. Whether you’re buying your first home, making a Will, or need advice through a difficult time, our friendly team is here to help.

“We believe everyone deserves peace of mind when instructing a solicitor – knowing they’ll be listened to, understood, and supported every step of the way. You can pop into our Boston office at Endeavour House, give us a call, or drop us an email. We even offer free initial consultations, so you can chat with one of our team and find out how we can help.”

Call Ringrose Law Boston on 01205 311511 or visit ringroselaw.co.uk

ENJOY A SUSTAINABLE CHRISTMAS — THE EVOLVE WAY
With the festive season fast approaching, Evolve Flowers owner Helen Chambers says: “Christmas has always arrived early in my world. For years, I worked behind the scenes preparing festive flower and plant ranges for supermarkets – planning began 18 months ahead! I’ll never forget pinning mistletoe on Heston Blumenthal at a Waitrose press event on a sweltering June day.

“These days at Evolve Flowers, which is based in Spalding, my focus has shifted from commercial sparkle to sustainable sparkle. As a consultant advisor to BioGlitter – the world’s first biodegradable glitter – we certainly do still have sparkle! Christmas now means celebrating what grows close to home – foliage is sourced from Lincolnshire, Cornwall and Norfolk, British berries, and hand-crafted wreaths made with care and conscience.

“We use natural textures, reusable bases, and seasonal materials that tell a story of place and purpose. A bit like indoor forest bathing too, with nine tonnes of Forestry Commission licensed sustainable moss!

“At Evolve’s Festive Workshops, guests experience a slower, more mindful Christmas – gathering, creating, and laughing together. Each wreath or table design becomes a reflection of the maker – perfectly imperfect, uniquely theirs, and made with heart to celebrate the season.

“For me, Christmas isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection – to people, to nature, and to the joy of creating something beautiful that treads lightly on the earth.”

Visit www.evolveflowers.com – naturally festive, proudly British

WILDVINE CLOTHING LAUNCHES WITH TOP BRANDS
John and Sarah Anderson are excited to announce the opening of their stylish new fashion store, Wildvine Clothing, designed to appeal to both men and women, as well as trendy teenagers.

This family-run business (which has taken over the premises of the former JF Inkley menswear store in Vine Street and has been fully refurbished) will be stocking favourite ‘middle/premium’ brands including Fynch-Hatton and Lyle & Scott, as well as Alice Collins, Lighthouse, Jackdaw menswear and Pinns womenswear.

The couple, who also own another independent business, Click Flowers on Herring Lane, which they have run for more than 14 years, say this has given them experience of retail sales, as well as helping to establish good relations with locals.

“After reviewing the news of the previous business closing in town, we realised that there would be less choice for clothing, so we took the decision to keep the original Inkley menswear shop as a clothes shop.

“Our son, Joshua, chose the name Wildvine Clothing Co as we wanted the name to link not only to the location Vine Street, but appeal to ladies and men, as well as the younger generation.”

With more recognised brands scheduled to arrive over the changing seasons and months ahead, the couple say they are looking forward to an exciting future as this independent clothing store continues to attract customers old and new who want to stand out from the crowd.

For opening times and more information visit www.wildvineclothing.co.uk

UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL WITHIN YOUR TREASURES
JH Auctions Ltd in Spalding are more than just auctioneers, they are passionate facilitators of discovery, transformation and community. Hidden gems find new life, homes are decluttered with care, and memories are respectfully passed on during their popular weekly auctions.

The business has been running for over five years and their aim is to cut out the middle men, who take large chunks of commission at a time where every penny counts. With an auction site located on Burr Lane in Spalding, the team can move large volumes of stock for both traders and the public, and always work to reflect their core values of transparency, fairness and clear communication.

Free consultations are offered to provide accurate assessments and guidance on the best options for selling. The company can also expertly handle the removal, valuation, and sale of items from your home or estate, alleviating stress and maximising value.

For further information call 01775 562800 or visit www.jhauctionsltd.co.uk

FIRST-CLASS SOLUTIONS FOR SPAS, POOLS AND HOT TUBS
Based in Pinchbeck, Smalley Hot Tub Services Ltd is a well established family-run one-stop shop for all things hot tubs, spas and swimming pools.

Launched in 2020 and run by husband and wife team Justine and Chris Smalley, the company prides itself on reliable and excellent customer service, offering professional advice, servicing and repairs, as well as sales.

This well respected company, which is Trading Standards approved, is also a Lincolnshire authorised dealer for Niveko Pools and Alukov enclosures, as well as FGAS certified for heat pump installation and maintenance.

“As the UK’s leading inflatable hot tub repair service and the only manufacturer endorsed repairer for a vast majority of the acrylic tubs both past and present, we’re here to help and offer service with a smile,” says Chris, a Royal Navy and British Army veteran, who has 17 years’ experience as a military electronics engineer.

“Our shop caters for all chemical and hot tub needs which are always evolving, and as an approved retailer we can help you select the best product to suit your requirements.

Choose from our wide range of Lay Z Spa and Reef and Vita Spa hot tubs and swimspas and we’re also CosySpa’s warranty repair team, so will always try and find the best and most effective solution.

“We pride ourselves on high standards, good quality workmanship, and honesty. We put our customers first above everything else and do our best to help in every way we can.
“Give us a call, we’re always here to help!”

Visit Smalley Hot Tub Services at Unit 6, The Flaxmill, Flaxmill Lane, Pinchbeck PE11 3YP. Tel: 07743 392299. Open Tuesday and Wednesday 10am-2.30pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am-2pm.

For more information visit www.smalleyhottubservices.co.uk

DISCOVER ONE OF BOSTON’S BEST CULTURAL SECRETS
Tucked away in the heart of the town, Blackfriars Theatre is one of Boston’s best-kept cultural secrets. Housed in a stunning 13th-century friary, it’s the oldest building in the UK currently housing a working theatre – a venue steeped in history, creativity and community.

Each season brings an exciting mix of entertainment and culture to the stage: thought-provoking drama, original productions, acclaimed tribute acts, family shows and big-name performers.

From Shakespeare to showstoppers, there’s something for every audience. The newly revamped foyer bar adds to the welcoming atmosphere – perfect for a drink before curtain up – and the theatre has a reputation for warm customer service and unforgettable nights out.

Whether you’re a regular theatregoer or looking for something new, Blackfriars offers a special experience in a one-of-a-kind venue.

For more information about what’s on and to book tickets visit www.blackfriarstheatre.co.uk

Photographs: Mick Fox

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