Haxey offers two distinct travel interests: the annual Haxey Hood and walks through a landscape shaped by peat extraction. There is also a medieval cross base, known locally as “Lady Mowbray” and “Hood Stone”. If you are looking for accommodation in Haxey, these cultural and landscape features can help you decide what brings you to the area.
The Haxey Hood and its rituals
The Haxey Hood takes place every year. On the morning of 6 January, the game officials prepare. At around 2:30 p.m., the procession reaches St Nicholas’ Church. There, the Fool delivers a welcoming speech; the “Smoking the Fool” ritual also takes place. These times give the event a clear progression, from its morning start to an important point in the afternoon.
The Haxey Hood also involves people from Haxey and Westwoodside in North Lincolnshire pushing a leather tube towards their preferred local pub. Alongside the procession, speech and ritual, the participating village communities and the event’s destination are also central. Those interested in local customs will find a clearly defined occasion around which to plan their visit.
Cultural and historical traces
Another cultural landmark is the medieval cross base. Locally, it is also known by the names “Lady Mowbray” and “Hood Stone”. Both names refer to the same cross base; its medieval origins make it a different aspect of local history from the annual Haxey Hood. Haxey can thus be explored not only through a recurring event, but also through a historic monument.
Moorland and walks
Haxey Turbary, a remnant of moorland, lies near Haxey. The area was extensively exploited for peat extraction and later colonised by birch trees. Its history therefore connects the landscape’s earlier use with the subsequent spread of birch. A public footpath runs along the main route through Haxey Turbary.
The Haxey Trail leads into a wooded area called Haxey Turbary. Another landscape feature can be found along the Haxey Turbary route: it passes fields where rare breeds of sheep are occasionally seen. Moorland, woodland and fields offer different landscape-related themes for a stay; however, the rare breeds of sheep are only seen occasionally.
One specific circular walk is the Haxey Circular: this 2.6-mile hilly route starts at Haxey Church. It passes through a cutting where the Axholme Joint Railway once ran. Its length, terrain and starting point give this loop a different character from the route information for Haxey Turbary. The cutting also adds a connection to the former railway.
If you want to experience the Haxey Hood, you can take the annual occasion and the events described into account when planning your dates. If you are more interested in the landscape and walks, Haxey Turbary and the Haxey Circular offer different specific themes to consider when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Hemswell, Leadenham, North Kyme, Timberland, Appleby, Martin, Langworth, Woodhall Spa.
For the wider travel overview: Lincolnshire.
