Local Area - Information from Highfields Country Retreat

Local Area

Highfields is only a 2-minute drive from the A52 & A15 trunk roads which offer great access into and around Lincolnshire. Customers can enjoy a speedy passage to Lincoln, Grantham, Newark, Sleaford and the East Coast, all of where there are many things to do and see.

Highfields itself is located next to an old Roman road called Mareham Lane and in an area steeped in local history. Roman coins have been found near to our neighbouring hamlet Spanby and ½ mile to the South is the village of Threekingham where a battle was fought in 869/870 between the Saxons and invading Danes.

Three Kings Inn

Three Kings Inn

Three Kings Inn

In 1737, Dick Turpin’s mother-in-law, Mrs Berrys, ran the Three Kings Inn at Threekingham, and he frequently visited her to feed his horse before he set out to rob travellers on Saltersway! King Henry also passed through the village on 8th August 1654 and three centuries earlier, an ailing King John stayed at the Inn during October 1216. Nowadays, the Three Kings Inn offers a warm welcome and great food

Billingborough is the closest large village (2 miles away) with a selection of shops, Co-op, Post Office and a nice local pub called the Fortesque Arms.

Sleaford

St. Denys Church

St. Denys Church

The closest large town to Highfields is Sleaford (7 miles North) offering shops, pubs, restaurants, a weekly market, supermarkets, take-aways & the all important fishing tackle shop!

Long the capital of Kesteven, Sleaford can trace its history back to Iron Age times. The earliest settlement was at Old Sleaford, between the Boston Road and the River Slea.

During Saxon times, the focus of settlement shifted to New Sleaford, the site of the present town, and by the time of the Norman Conquest it was an established administrative centre for the region. In 1087, the River Slea provided the power for 18 water mills, most of them in Sleaford itself. Cogglesford Mill is the only surviving watermill in Sleaford today. It was probably built around 1750 and the mill itself is now restored to full working order and is open to the public.

Down the years, the town grew as a market and business centre for the surrounding countryside. Today Sleaford is a bustling market town and a great place for the visiting Tourist, with plenty of history, places to eat and things to do.

Dave’s Peg Fishing Tackle Shop can be found at Sleaford, supplying all the leading brands of tackle and bait – Tel. 01529 415896

Lincoln

Lincoln Cathedral

Lincoln Cathedral

Lincoln Cathedral

The City of Lincoln (27 miles) contains many features that attract tourists from far & wide, including a beautiful uphill area with quaint cafes, superb a la carte restaurants and plenty of shops to explore. The beautiful Castle and Cathedral complete a historical side to Lincoln. Many activities are held in the castle grounds including medieval jousts and the famous Christmas Market, which is one not to be missed!

Lincoln town centre has a Shopping Precinct and many branded high street shops. Lincoln is a popular area for nightlife with many themed pubs and clubs based in and around the town centre.

Other local attractions/activities are listed below:

    • Cranwell Aviation Centre
    • Bubble Car Museum
    • Lots of local village pubs offering good food & drink
    • Sleaford Leisure Centre (new 25m pool & Gym)
    • Four Season’s Garden Centre
    • Birdies Golf Driving Range
    • Riding Stables/Lessons @ Swaton/Quarrington
    • Scalextric Centre
Heckington Windmill

Heckington Windmill

  • Heckington Windmill (only remaining 8 sail windmill in the country)
  • Railway Station Museum
  • Heckington & District Bowls Club
  • Heckington Car Boot at Showground
  • The Annual Heckington Show (‘probably the largest village show in England’)
  • Walking
  • Cycling
  • Mareham pastures nature reserve @ Sleaford
  • Threekingham Beer Festival
  • Lincoln Xmas Market
  • Lincolnshire Show
  • Navigation House @ Sleaford (History of the Slea)
  • Cogglesford Mill
  • The HUB @ Sleaford – Arts & Crafts
  • Sleaford Golf Club
  • St. Deny’s Church @ Sleaford
  • Sleaford Theatre

Touring Caravans

Whilst we do not have the facilities for touring caravans at Highfields, we can recommend an excellent CL touring site 200yds along Mareham Lane. Tom Smith and his family run the site at Monks Wood Farm. Tom can be contacted on Tel: 01529 240800