Visit
OUR WONDERFUL DISTRICT
The picturesque Lincolnshire market towns of Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and Market Deeping are the historic beacons of South Kesteven. The wider district encompasses 365 square miles of beautiful countryside and more than 80 rural villages – all waiting to be explored – and our many hotels, homely B&Bs, historic attractions, family entertainment and delicious places to eat are ready to welcome visitors from near and far.
Few places in Lincolnshire offer such an exciting variety of things to do and see. From bustling street markets, boutique shopping and amazing festivals to Burghley Landrover International Horse Trials, South Kesteven has it all. And with adventure playgrounds, alpaca farms and a busy arts and theatre programme, our family-friendly visitor attractions are perfectly placed to keep children entertained at the weekend and during school holidays.
Bourne
Grantham
Stamford
Bourne
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.
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.
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 had massive influence over the high society fashion of Europe and America, inventing the concept of a ‘Fashion House’ and is considered the father of ‘Haute Couture’.
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.
Bourne Markets
There is also a smaller market on a Saturday.
10+ traders
8.30am-3pm
Tourist information
Tourist information in Bourne can be found at the following address:
Bourne Heritage Centre
Baldocks Mill
21 South Street Bourne
Lincolnshire
Telephone: 01778 422775
The Deepings
The Deepings is the collective name given to a group of historic communities in South Kesteven comprising the town of Market Deeping and the surrounding villages of Deeping St James, Deeping Gate, West Deeping and Deeping St Nicholas.
With a history dating back beyond the Bronze Age, the charming town of Market Deeping stands proudly on the River Welland, to the east of Stamford.
Today the town is thriving with regular markets, a varied and busy high street in an attractive historic setting and is home to the ever-growing bi-annual Deepings Literary Festival which attracts many of the greats from the literary world.
Discover the great outdoors
Water remains the attraction at Deepings Lakes, a 160-acre Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve near Deeping St James - a perfect spot for walking and bird watching.
And with animals in mind, visitors can enjoy the lakeside setting which is Misty Meadows Alpacas, offering the opportunity to meet and walk with alpacas.
In the meantime, there is much event fun to be had in the river. The annual Raft Race in August and Duck Race in September give the river a new lease of life with the community coming together to celebrate these popular annual events.
Places to eat and shop
There’s also an award-winning fish and chip shop, restaurants, charming tea rooms and cafes. And for the shoppers, there’s a selection of boutiques and independent shops to entertain, including the irresistible Market Deeping Antiques and Craft Centre.
A rich heritage
A walk down the glorious Georgian "Church Street" is a must, stopping off at the 13th Century St Guthlac’s church, which was built in the 12th century on the site of an earlier Saxon chapel. Anglo Saxon masonry was discovered on site, including a decorated grave cover, which can be found on display in the church.
Like most historic Churches it has had many phases of construction and development. Most of the building seen today dates from the 15th century, when the church underwent significant alterations which were funded by Margaret Beaufort and her son Henry VII. The Beaufort family crest (a portcullis) can be seen at the top of the church tower.
Among the other gems to be found in the Deepings is the magnificent Priory Church in Deeping St James, originally a Benedictine priory which dates back to 1139. And just around the corner is the tiny market cross lock up of 1819, capable of housing three criminals.
The Deepings Markets
In addition to the SKDC-run events, Market Deeping hosts a weekly street market every Wednesday, 8am-1pm.
This is trader-run market located at the Deepings Centre car park, off Godsey Lane.
For more information, please contact discover@southkesteven.gov.uk
Tourist information
Grantham
St Wulfram’s Church towers over the historic town and was described by Simon Jenkins as ‘the finest steeple in England’. The Angel and Royal Hotel located on the High Street dates back to the 15th century, with 18th and 19th century additions, and is one of the oldest coaching inns in the country. The charming property has hosted no less than seven Kings and Queens over the centuries.
Discover the great outdoors
If you fancy moving out of the town, visit nearby Belton House (National Trust) which was used in Pride and Prejudice, The Da Vinci Code and The Young Victoria or enjoy a narrowboat trip on the Grantham Canal at Woolsthorpe by Belvoir.
The adventures don’t stop there, take a tour of Belvoir Castle which has been used for the filming of The Crown and Victoria and Abdul, set in beautiful landscapes with heaps of history to absorb and reflect upon.
If you’re a keen gardening enthusiast, Easton Walled Gardens is a restored gem with twelve acres of land to enjoy. In the village of Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, you can visit Woolsthorpe Manor which was the family home of Sir Isaac Newton.
The origin of many
With its intriguing story of American airborne forces from World War Two, Grantham Museum is a wonderful place to visit. It features permanent exhibitions detailing the lives of Margaret Thatcher and Sir Isaac Newton and admission is free. Notable former residents can be traced with the assistance of the town’s Blue Plaque Guide. Listing the homes, work places and schools of many, including Edith Smith, who was Britain’s first female police officer with the power to arrest. Also details about Captain Albert Ball, who was recognised as the United Kingdom’s flying ace with 44 victories during World War One.
Grantham Markets
There is also a farmers’ market that stands every second Saturday of the month on Butcher’s Row.
30+ traders
8.30am-3pm
As well as the regular street markets and farmers’ markets, there is also a variety of specialist events across the district each year. These include events within Wyndham Park, Grantham, and Christmas Markets each November/December.
Tourist information
Guildhall Arts Centre
St Peter's Hill
Grantham
NG31 6PZ
Telephone: 01476 406158
Stamford
Proclaimed by Sir Walter Scott as “the finest stone town in England”, it was declared a conservation area in 1967 and has over 600 listed buildings of mellow limestone including five medieval churches.
Discover the great outdoors
Rutland Water to the west of South Kesteven, is one of Europe’s largest reservoirs and now a haven for fishing, cycling, sailing and wildlife, and rolling countryside with picturesque villages all round.
Places to visit
You must not miss the Arts Centre; built in 1768 it is one of the oldest provincial theatres in England, which holds many events throughout the year. The Steam Brewery, Browne’s Hospital’s and the 12th century ruins of St Leonard’s Priory are all worth a look. You may well find an event going on in the town or on the riverside Meadows, in this ‘town of festivals’.
Stamford Markets
A smaller market is held every Saturday in Red Lion Square and High Street.
There is also a farmers’ market that stands every Friday on the High Street.
Friday – 75+ traders & Saturday – 18+ traders.
8.30am – 3pm.
Tourist information
Tourist information in Stamford can be found at the following addresses:
Stamford Arts Centre
27 St Mary's St
Stamford
PE9 2DL
Telephone: 01780 763203
Stamford Corn Exchange
Broad Street
Stamford
PE9 1PX
Telephone: 01780 766455
