Take time out in Brigg

The vibrant market town has become a desirable destination, thanks to its fascinating heritage links and shopping and leisure offer.

Founded during the Roman era, Brigg is steeped in history. Originally a trading post, it evolved over the centuries into a bustling market town. Key landmarks include the 18th-century Brigg Grammar School and the impressive St John’s Church, known for its magnificent tower and intricate stained glass windows, showcasing stunning Gothic architecture that reflects the town’s heritage.

A great place to get a historical feel for the town is the charity-run Brigg Heritage Centre, which is situated on the first floor of the iconic Angel building.

Education is at the heart of what the team offer here with children’s craft workshops, pop-up exhibitions, talks and other events taking place throughout the year, with meeting rooms also available for hire.

Its star exhibit in Gallery 1, the Bronze Age Raft (known as the ‘Brigg Raft’, which dates back to 800BC), was excavated from the River Ancholme and sets the scene for a fascinating journey, charting the rise of Brigg as an important and influential market place, through to the picturesque town we know today.

Another permanent collection in Gallery 2 covers the Tudor period to the 20th century. It begins with King Henry VIII’s visit with Catherine Howard to nearby Kettleby Hall in 1541, and offers visitors the chance to see how Brigg, the Ancholme Valley and its people progressed through the centuries to the modern day.

The exhibition offers snapshots of momentous events in local history such as the draining of the Ancholme Valley, the coming of the railways, local businesses, the part played locally during the World Wars and local schools in days gone by. There is something for everyone, and it makes a great day out for the family.

The centre, which also houses BHC’s ‘Little Shop’, sells products from around the county, and is open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 2pm, although opening times may vary according to the seasons.

SHOPPING AROUND
Always a popular draw, the Brigg Farmers’ Market takes place on the fourth Saturday of each month and runs from 9am to 3pm.

The market attracts visitors from far and wide who come to sample and buy local produce and goods, including locally reared meats, Lincolnshire cheeses, jams, chutneys, cakes and confectionery.

Brigg’s traditional street market takes place every Thursday. Here you will find fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, plants and fish, while the Arts and Crafts market is held every second Saturday of the month in the Market Place offering an array of beautiful handmade items, from furniture and jewellery, to décor and artworks.

For gardeners and homemakers, Brigg Garden Centre is a one-stop shop for design and inspiration, stocking a selection of plants, homeware, gifts, bird care and aquarium products, clothing, toys, garden tools, furniture, and much more.

There’s also a park and soft play area, as well as a café/restaurant which serves snacks, light bites, sweet treats and afternoon tea, along with daily specials and a carvery.

Whether you are just getting started on your first garden project or are a seasoned gardener, this dog-friendly flagship centre of the British Garden Centre Group is one of the largest garden centres in the UK. It joined the family-owned group in 2000 and has seen ongoing developments and improvements over the years.

Brigg Garden Centre is open seven days a week, from Monday to Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.

INDEPENDENT STORES
When it comes to shopping for something special, Brigg has plenty to offer with popular independent retail stores around Wrawby Street, Princes Street and the Market Place.

If you’re looking to freshen up your interior, Leya Buster is a family-run home and lifestyle shop which stocks an eclectic and carefully selected range of quality home items such as soft furnishings, vases, silk flowers, home accessories, lighting, gifts and decorations. It also stocks its own range of Leya Buster Candles and home fragrance products.

From stunning mother of the bride dresses to elegant holiday clothes, stylish outfits for Ladies’ Days at the races and cruise wear, Molly Brown’s designer store prides itself on offering exceptional customer care.

With boutiques also in York and Beverley, Molly Brown stocks a selection of acclaimed designers including John Charles, Joseph Ribkoff, Veni Infantino, Mori Lee Prom, and Couture Club.

Also on the Market Place is Brigg Wool Shop, a friendly family-run store stocking everything you need for knitting, crochet and felting, as well as hosting craft classes and groups. Owned and run by mother and daughter team Pam and Sian, the shop stocks brands such as DMC, King Cole, James C Brett, Wendy, Emu, Rico, West Yorkshire Spinners, Knit Pro, Clover, Creative World of Crafts, Regia and Opal. It’s also home to Craft & Chat, a popular social group throughout the week, which is a relaxed get-together where you can bring your own project to work on and enjoy good company from like-minded people.

For avid bookworms, the popular independent bookshop The Rabbit Hole is a well established store with a fabulous selection of titles displayed across three floors together with a large children’s section.

Owned and run by Mel and Nick Webb, The Rabbit Hole opened in 2017 and strives to bring creativity to the local community, while also supporting locally based authors, poets, musicians and creatives, hosting author talks and other special events.

OUT AND ABOUT
Brigg is ideally located close to several natural attractions that offer opportunities for outdoor activities.
The nearby Ancholme River provides scenic walking routes and is popular for fishing and boating.

Wrawby Windmill is just a short drive from Brigg, this iconic structure is one of the few working windmills in the area and offers guided tours.

The Postmill is 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.

As the name suggests, the Postmill is balanced upon a post that runs up through the centre of the structure. Unlike later mills which can have their sails turned to the wind, the whole body of Wrawby Postmill has to be rotated to turn the sails to face the changing winds. The Postmill is turned by a miller pushing the tailpole.

The Postmill was built in the late 18th century and operational until the 1940s. It was used for grinding wheat for human consumption as well as barley and oats for animal feed.

The mill fell into disrepair and sat 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.

Don’t miss their free open day on Monday 25th August, 1pm-5pm, or go along and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the mill opening to the public on Sunday 14th September, 10am-3pm.

The Lincolnshire Wolds designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is great for walking, with many routes around Brigg, where you can enjoy picturesque landscapes. The Viking Way is a long-distance path that passes through the Wolds, and there are also shorter circular walks available.

NORMANBY HALL
If you want to delve deeper into local history then a visit to the award-winning Normanby Hall is a must.

This Regency mansion, which was built in 1825, is set in 300 acres of parkland, and is one of North Lincolnshire’s premier tourist attractions. Designed by Sir Robert Smirke, it was previously home to the Sheffield family, former Dukes of Buckingham and Normanby.

The ground floor of Normanby Hall has been refurbished and re-displayed to better reflect the use of the rooms during the late Regency era, when the Hall was first built. Use the touchscreens in the rooms to discover more about Regency life, as well as more about the objects in the rooms.

After the Victorian Walled Garden was built in 1817, Sir Robert Sheffield employed the architect Robert Smirke to design the Stable Yard. By the 1920s, only the west range was in use as a stable. With the introduction of motor cars early in the 1900s, the carriage house on the north side of the courtyard was adapted to house up to six motor vehicles.

On display in The Stables are the Horse and Rider sculptures by the artist Harold Gosney. The pieces were made in 2011 and donated by the artist in 2015.

The Coach House was used to house the family’s carriages. Amongst other objects, the Coach House now houses a miniature farm wagon, made for the Sheffield children by the Normanby village’s wheelwright.

Here visitors will also find a collection of firefighting equipment. One of the fire engines, a 1900s horse drawn steamer, was bought by Sir Berkeley Sheffield in order to set up the Normanby Park Fire Brigade in around 1915.

The Stable Yard café is open daily and serves a range of tempting treats, delicious hot and cold food and speciality drinks.

Normanby Hall Country Park is open daily throughout the year, offering various attractions with different opening times. Explore 300 acres of land with beautiful ancient woodland, walled gardens and children’s outdoor play areas, including a Go Ape. The park grounds are open from 9am to 9pm, while the Hall itself is open from 10am to 4pm from March to October.

For more information visit the website www.normanbyhall.co.uk

CRAFT AND CHAT AT BRIGG WOOL SHOP
Run throughout the week, Craft & Chat is a welcoming social group which brings like-minded people together to share their passion for crafting.

Based at Brigg Wool Shop – the popular one-stop friendly store with everything you need for knitting, crochet and felting – these relaxed get-togethers invite everyone to bring their own project to work on while enjoying good company and a friendly atmosphere. There is no need to book, just turn up and have fun!

There are four Craft & Chat groups held each week: Monday 1pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm, Thursday 10am-12noon and Friday 10am-12noon. The cost per session is £3.50, which includes refreshments and nibbles.

All Craft & Chat sessions can cater for any dietary requirements and most access requirements.

To check space availability call 01652 408632 and for more information visit the website: www.briggwoolshop.co.uk

PERSONALISED FLOORING SOLUTIONS
As the largest stockists of carpets and vinyls in the area, Dean Wray Carpets & Vinyls in Bridge Street offer a wide range of quality flooring to suit all tastes and budgets.

Visit the extensive well-stocked showroom where you can meet and discuss your needs with the expert team, who can also advise you on suitability and provide insurance quotes plus a home sampling service.

“You can trust our friendly, expert fitting team to provide a quality service. With our years of experience, we make sure your carpets and vinyls are carefully fitted to the highest standards. We offer a no-obligation measuring and quoting service for supplying and fitting carpets, vinyls and flooring.

“On request, we can also remove your old carpets and underlay and dispose of them properly and responsibly.”

The showroom is open from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-1pm. For more information visit www.deanwraycarpets.co.uk

COUNTRY CLASSICS AT WALLHEAD’S
Established in 1897 by James Blackburn Wallhead, this highly regarded family-run store in Wrawby Street stocks everything you need to enjoy the great outdoors.

Whether you’re looking for quality shooting clothing, stylish and warm casuals, or formal wear, owner Richard Wallhead is committed to providing a five-star customer service.

Customers travel from far and wide to shop here, including many regular clients from New Zealand and the USA, enjoying exceptional personal attention from the friendly and experienced team.

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 on 01652 652356.

ALL WELCOME AT ELSHAM GOLF CLUB
Recognised as one of the premier golf courses in Lincolnshire, Elsham Golf Club in Wrawby has been hailed as an outstanding club with excellent greens, a beautiful woodland course and friendly members.

Situated just five minutes off the M180 at Junction 5, the course, which counts Open Championship winner Tony Jacklin CBE among its members, also hosted the English Seniors Men’s Open Amateur Championship in 2019, and has become a renowned venue on the local and national playing circuit.

“Built on free draining sand, we pride ourselves on being open all year round, save for ‘exceptional’ weather conditions. It’s an easy walking course and looks straightforward, but beware, it will test your accuracy and ability to think your way around.

“Our members come from all walks of life – be you a novice, beginner, improver or an experienced golfer, applications for membership are welcomed from all.”

For more information visit www.elshamgolfclub.co.uk

Photographs: Mick Fox

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