Spalding

Spalding is described as a market town with a population of 28,722 based on the 2011 census. It is located on the Welland River in the South Holland district of Lincolnshire, England. Spalding is famous for the annual Flower Parade which attracts regular visitors and tourists from different parts of the globe. Well-attended events such as the Flower Festival, Pumpkin Fair, South Holland Food Fiesta, as well as traditional and farmers’ markets are held in the largest town in the district.

This quiet town is home to a modern shopping hub and busy bazaars as well as the Place and Sheep marketplace. It is where most of England’s tulip bulbs are cultivated and you can see these turn into flowers during spring. The most prominent structure in this township is the Ayscough Hall. It used to be a 15the century dwelling which now serves as a museum and tourist information facility. The hall is surrounded by magnificent walled gardens, tennis courts, bowling and putting green, children’s playground, café and souvenir shop.

Places to Visit

Local charms in Spalding consist of the Pinchbeck Engine Museum which is north of the town proper, Springfields Shopping Outlet and Gardens, Bulb Museum and Gordon Boswell Romany Museum. The town is known for its old churches. The blueprint for St Paul’s at Fulney was conceived by Sir George Gilbert Scott who also happened to design St Pancras Station in London. The Gordon Boswell Romany Museum has a distinctive anthology of the long-established Romany horse-drawn farm carts and caravans. It also has the biggest compilation of Romany photographs and drawings during the last 150 years. You can experience the traditional Romany day out in a horse-drawn Romany Vardo while sitting around the stick fire in the countryside. Moulton Windmill is located in the Lincolnshire Village of Moulton which is flanked by Spalding and Holbeach. It is a renovated windmill which is said to be the highest tower mill in the U.K and one of the tallest buildings in the whole world.

Places to Stay

• Red Lion Hotel is a reconditioned 18th century family-managed hotel situated in the central part of Spalding. The bedrooms have been fitted with coloured television, direct dial telephones, Wi-Fi, and full tea and coffee making facilities.
• The Mansion House was constructed in 1581 although the style resembles a Queen Anne period house (1702-1714). It is the birthplace of Norman Angell Lane (Nobel peace prize winner of 1933) in 1872. This historic building was restored in 2005 as a hotel. It has excellent accommodations, food, service and wide selection of beverages.
• The Ship Inn is a family-operated business with a fabulous 40-seat restaurant and porch which overlooks the river Welland. It has four comfortable suite bedrooms and superior amenities.
• The Riverside Hotel used to be part of the railway station until it became a public house in the 1950’s. It has a separate bar and dining area including a conservatory. The pub has a function room for private parties and corporate meetings.