Metheringham brings together various traces of its history: the 12th-century Church of St Wilfrid, medieval village crosses and an original Dakota aircraft from the Second World War at the Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre. There are also trails that place the village within a wider arts and cultural trail. For your planning, it is useful to distinguish between these topics: churches and monuments tell the story of the village, while the trail and the Visitor Centre offer their own points of interest for a visit.
Churches and architectural history
The present-day Church of St Wilfrid was built in the 12th century and is listed Grade II*. Its history also includes a significant turning point: after a fire in 1599, the nave was restored in 1601. The two dates mark distinct stages in the building’s history—the fire and the subsequent restoration. The Methodist Church and Hall is also a listed building, at Grade II.
Those interested in historic buildings will find more than a single church here. St Wilfrid combines a medieval origin with a later restoration, while the Methodist Church and Hall is another listed building. The specific dates for St Wilfrid make its architectural history especially tangible, while its story extends beyond the period when it was first built.
Village crosses and remembrance
Metheringham’s stone Market Cross dates from the 14th century. Its octagonal stepped base supports an equally octagonal, heavily weathered shaft. A village cross has stood on Cross Hill since the 14th century. The present cross was restored to reflect its appearance in 1911. This brings two different time references together: the medieval origins of the village cross and the later decision to follow a particular historic version.
Another perspective on history is offered by the Metheringham War Memorial. The 1919 Portland stone statue depicts an infantryman with his head bowed and stands on a polished granite plinth. The material, pose and plinth define the monument’s physical form. Together with the crosses, it adds an early 20th-century memorial to the area’s architectural history.
The Airfield Visitor Centre and the Dakota
The Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre is just off the B1189, near the village of Martin. Admission includes access to an original Dakota aircraft from the Second World War. Visiting the aircraft is therefore included with admission to the Visitor Centre. If you are particularly interested in aviation history, this is a clearly defined activity alongside the churches and monuments in the village.
Walks and the Spires and Steeples Trail
The Metheringham Village Trail is a walking route within the Spires and Steeples Arts and Heritage Trail. The longer trail runs from Lincoln Cathedral to St Deny’s Church in Sleaford and is divided into twelve shorter walks. Metheringham is at the centre of this trail network. You can consider the Village Trail as a point of interest in its own right, while the twelve shorter walks describe the route’s broader structure. Route details may be revised, so check the current route before planning your visit.
Getting there and events
Metheringham railway station has free parking and a cycle parking facility. These facilities may change, so it is worth checking before you travel. Trains from Metheringham run between Doncaster and Peterborough and offer connections to Lincoln Central and Sleaford. As timetables may change, check the service for your travel date if you are planning to travel by train.
In October, Metheringham’s annual Feast and Fayre takes place on the High Street, with stalls and entertainment. If the festival falls during your trip, it adds an event to your exploration of local architectural and memorial history. The exact dates and programme may change; check both before planning your visit around them.
Discover more destinations: Langworth, Spalding, Sutton Bridge, Scredington, Leverton, Wrangle, Broughton, Hackthorn.
For the main travel overview: Lincolnshire.
