Explore Spilsby through its market history and traces of past places: three market squares, listed buildings and historic circular walks offer different perspectives. There are also attractions in the surrounding area that extend your stay beyond the town’s history.
Monuments and Historic Traces
The Church of St James in Spilsby is a Grade I listed building. It contains a monument to Sir John Franklin; the Willoughby Chapel at St James commemorates generations of the Willoughby family. The statue of Sir John Franklin also links a monument to a specific life story: it was created in 1861 by C. Bacon of London. Its inscription records that Franklin was born in Spilsby in April 1786.
The Buttercross, a 15th-century market cross and a Grade II listed monument, stands on the Market Place. Spilsby also has numerous Georgian buildings. Notable structures include the former courthouse and prison, with its massive Greek Doric columns. Spilsby Theatre is a Grade II listed building.
A different kind of historic landscape can be found at Old Spilsby. The site is designated a Scheduled Monument and preserves the earthworks of an abandoned medieval village. The surviving landscape includes settlement plots, a broad hollow way and surrounding strips of farmland with ridge-and-furrow features. The focus is therefore not only on individual earthworks, but also on the plots, track and farmland.
There is an important visitor consideration for Spilsby Theatre: it has been closed since 2015 because of its structural condition. Check the venue’s latest information before visiting. At Spilsby Sessions House, there are plans to return the original courtroom and prison cells to modern uses while preserving the building’s historic and architectural integrity. As restoration plans may change over the course of the project, this should be understood as a proposal.
Markets and Trails Around Spilsby
Spilsby has three market squares: East, Middle and West. The market is held on Mondays; check the latest information about market day before travelling. The traditional auction at the Monday market is called “the stones”. The three square names and the traditional name of the auction give market history its own place alongside the architectural and landscape monuments.
Two historic circular walks are named for walkers. The Franklin Way is 3.5 miles long, signposted and connects Spilsby with the village of Hundleby. The Sir John Franklin Trail is a historic circular walk through Spilsby. The routes therefore differ both in course and in the length given: the Franklin Way’s length and connection to Hundleby are specified, while the Sir John Franklin Trail passes through the town. Check the latest route information before setting out.
There is also a described option for a cycling trip: the route from Spilsby to Wainfleet All Saints follows relatively flat, quiet country roads. This offers a connection between two places alongside a choice of circular walks on foot.
An Attraction in the Surrounding Area
In the surrounding area of Spilsby, the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby Airfield offers pleasure flights, indoor tours, outdoor tours and photography experiences. This adds a distinct visitor attraction to the themes of market history and heritage. Check the latest information about the offerings and operations before travelling. This will help you choose between historic traces in the town, walking trails and the nearby aviation attraction based on the subjects that interest you most during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Hackthorn, Gainsborough, Grasby, Norton Disney, South Hykeham, Tealby, Lissington, Alford.
For the main travel overview: Lincolnshire.
