Bourne

Discover Bourne

The delightful market town of Bourne sits on the eastern side of the South Kesteven district, bordering the Fens. The town dates from Anglo Saxon times and was built around a series of natural springs in what is now the Wellhead Gardens.

In the centre of the town in the beautiful setting of green open space stands the Wellhead and Bourne Memorial Gardens, on the site of Bourne Castle. The gardens are open daily for visitors to enjoy.

A racing heritage

Bourne has a unique motor racing heritage having been home to no fewer than two of Britain’s greatest racing car builders - English Racing Automobiles and British Racing Motors - who are celebrated in the town’s heritage centre, Baldock's Mill. Sir Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill both drove for British Racing Motors in the 1960s. One of the town’s other famous sons, also celebrated in Baldock's Mill, was Charles Fredrick Worth. Born in the town in 1825, Charles revolutionised French fashion.

Bourne Abbey is one of a number of important heritage buildings in Bourne, along with the Red Hall, the old railway station, The Angel Hotel, Baldock's Mill and the old Town Hall. The town boasts over 70 other listed buildings.
Bourne has a busy former Corn Exchange hosting a varied programme of music, theatre and events, and is also home to information on local festivals and places to visit.

Discover the great outdoors

On the outskirts of the town sits Bourne Woods, offering miles of walking on accessible, well-marked tracks, a large picnic area and a sculpture trail.
Ten minutes on from Bourne Woods on the A151 is Grimsthorpe Castle with magnificent state rooms, acres of gardens, parkland walks, an adventure playground and special events all through the summer including carriage rides. Bring your bikes to enjoy the lakeside cycle trails.
Visit one of the UK’s oldest trees - The Bowthorpe Oak - at nearby Manthorpe, which is also a working farm offering visitors the chance to see lambs and sheep shearing.

Bourne is a great base for a Lincolnshire holiday. Discover things to do, enjoy locally sourced food and drink and seek out a superb range of visitor attractions across South Kesteven.

Discover more of South Kesteven

And while you’re here, visit our other historic market towns of Stamford, Grantham and Market Deeping.

Explore our beautiful locations in Bourne