Spalding and Surfleet Seas End
Some views from Lincolnshire, where the Midlands begins.
(Photos: July 2004, words: Sept 2006, ©urban75)

We were invited to spend a weekend in Lincolnshire, enjoying some fine walks around Surfleet Seas End followed by an evening's hearty quaffing in the market town of Spalding.

SPALDING, LINCOLNSHIRE

Famous for its annual Flower Parade, Spalding is a small market town (pop around 22,000) situated on the cusp of the north/south England divide.

For this reason, the town is often considered to be England's southernmost 'Northern' town, although we didn't hear much evidence of a Midlands accent going down.

It's not an unattractive town, although the pedestrianised centre seemed to have lost much of its character.

Spalding's history dates back over a thousand years, although its Norman castle has long since vanished.



Spalding's history dates back over a thousand years, although its Norman castle has long since vanished.

In the 16th century it was described by the historian, James Camden, as a 'most handsome town' and mcuh Georgian architecture remains.


Ye Olde White Horse pub on the corner of Church Gate and Church Street, Spalding.


The River Welland flows north through Spalding and out to the Wash, bisecting Spalding from east to west and offering some attractive views.






The fabulously preserved 'Man's Shop' on Vine Street, complete with Edwardian canvas covers.


Three views from the rather soulless centre of town.







URBAN75 BLOG

While I was staying in Lincolnshire, I used my Sony Clie TH55 to post up some comments in my blog:

Saturday, July 24, 2004 - Greetings from Spalding!

Hanging out in the Fens...

Hit the town of Spalding yesterday and was a little under-whelmed - although there's some nice architecture, the market town has been blighted by some horrendous modern development - and the pubs look a bit crap too. Surfleet Seas End.

But we're staying in a beatiful location, right next to a quiet river stuffed full of swans ("they caaaaan break a maaaan's back in 'aaaalf"), ducks and other cute paddling creatures.

In the evening we checked out The Ship Inn in Surfleet Seas End. Mellow is the best way of describing the experience. Happily, we were already pissed.

Bigger excitement was in store today when we hit the 137th Heckington Show - a sort of Lambeth country show on steroids (without the spliffs)

It was a hoot - there was camel racing, donkey trap racing and show jumping on offer, as well as a tent full of the cuddliest rabbits you've ever seen.

On the way back we checked out the Heckington Windmill - the only eight sail working windmill left in the land! Photos were naturally taken, but I can't be arsed to post 'em up now as a curry and pub beckons!



SURFLEET-SEAS-END, LINCOLNSHIRE

Surfleet Seas End is a small village situated between the River Welland and the smaller River Glen which connects with the larger river to the east via a large sluice.


View of the tidal River Welland.








The River Glen is populated with small cottages along its length (we stayed in one!).