Top Things to do in Spalding
- 1. Ayscoughfee Hall Museum
- 2. Baytree Owl and Wildlife Centre
- 3. Moulton Windmill
- 4. Springfields Outlet Shopping
- 5. Chain Bridge Forge a Living Blacksmith Museum
- 6. Unique Cottage Studios
- 7. Pinchbeck Engine Museum
- 8. Gordon Boswell Romany Museum
- 9. Museum of Technology the History of Gadgets & Gizmos
- 10. St Mary & St Nicolas Church
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10 Things to Do in Spalding That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Spalding, United Kingdom (UK) including Ayscoughfee Hall Museum, Baytree Owl and Wildlife Centre, Moulton Windmill, Springfields Outlet Shopping, Chain Bridge Forge a Living Blacksmith Museum, Unique Cottage Studios, Pinchbeck Engine Museum, Gordon Boswell Romany Museum, Museum of Technology the History of Gadgets & Gizmos, St Mary & St Nicolas Church.
Restaurants in Spalding
1. Ayscoughfee Hall Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 147 reviews
A family home built in the 1450s, Ayscoughfee Hall stands in 5 acres of Gardens. The Hall tells the story of the people who lived here, as well as local history, and the Gardens are full of interesting features including an ice house and War Memorial designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Ayscoughfee Café is open year round and is a great place for drinks and light refreshments.
Reviewed By onholidayalways - King's Lynn, United Kingdom
An interesting museum giving information of the town and surrounding area. Gives detailed information of the agricultural history of the surrounding area and fens. Gardens well kept. A small cafe is available. Aviary and childrens play area. Located near the church just a short walk...MoreThank you!
2. Baytree Owl and Wildlife Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By Longbottomlegs - Peterborough, United Kingdom
We took the grandchildren here for a couple of hours and were really impressed with the number of different birds, there were some animals, including an impressive pair of foxes. The greeter pointed us to a display of field mice, the children were enthralled with their speed and how small they were. Out in the main cage area there were different areas with enclosures containing birds, many in pairs, all had information outside so we were able to tell the children what they were. There were a lot of different owls along with other species of birds, all had names and my young grandson was delighted that one had the same name as him. It was a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.
3. Moulton Windmill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By Linnet50 - kings lynn
Looked online for something to do and found this little gem. We did the full guided tour, which, surprisingly was included in the entrance fee. Our guide Kerry certainly knew his stuff. Interesting information on all five floors, including the history of the mill to...MoreMany thanks for your review. I know that Kerry checks out the comments on trip advisor so he will be very pleased to see your comments. Hope to see you again Best wishes Janet
4. Springfields Outlet Shopping
Overall Ratings
4 based on 604 reviews
Reviewed By Shirley and Pau... D - March, United Kingdom
We were amazed at the range of outlets here. Some high end brand names and some lesser known. Ample parking spaces and at a very reasonable charge. We came away with loads of bargain purchases. Prices that seem to be way, way lower than anywhere else. You will be here for a least 2 - 3 hours. There are several places to eat as well.
5. Chain Bridge Forge a Living Blacksmith Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By Ken C - Boston, United Kingdom
This is a working Forge and open on just a couple of days a week. There is little roadside parking nearby, but it is possible to find a space if you're lucky.
Being a working forge, it is quite dark inside, but my eyes soon adjusted. Work was going on and some window fitments were being made. It was fascinating to see how metal bar was heated up and then hammered to shape and checked against a sample.
In years past there were no DIY stores and many fittings had to be specially hand made by craftsmen in places such as Chain Bridge Forge.
There are examples of their craft and some video displays too. There are also a number of 'interpretation boards' about not just about the forge and its work but also Spalding and the chain bridge from which the forge gets its name.
Outside there displays about wheel manufacture as well as the mother of all circular saws.
It was a short but very interesting visit and good to see what often only appears in period dramas on TV.
6. Unique Cottage Studios
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Unique Cottage Studios is an arts & crafts facility and cafe, set in beautifuly converted farm buildings just outside Spalding. Visitors can enjoy work created by a wide variety of artists and craftspeople in one space and also sample the delights of our cafe and gallery. A wide variety of workshops and courses are available from our resident artists. These are complemented by courses run by our associate artists giving even more choice - something for everyone.
Reviewed By Jane D - Spalding, United Kingdom
Meet here every six weeks with former work colleagues. Always clean and inviting. Excellent service. A varied menu offering jacket potatoes, paninis, salads. Also serve breakfasts up to 11.30am. Also a specials board.
Set on the outskirts of Spalding and gives the country feel with the sheep that are kept there.
7. Pinchbeck Engine Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Ken C - Boston, United Kingdom
At the time of writing, the listing location WRONG. I have tried to correct it, and perhaps it get amended. However, until then, please not that the museum is NOT in Boston, it is on West Marsh Road, just east of the A16 at Pinchbeck PE11 3UW.
There is easy vehicle access but West Marsh Road is single track with passing places.
Presently the museum is open Wed-Fri only. There is a knowledgeable guide on site and on the day I visited, I was lucky enough to have his undivided attention.
The museum was once a working pumping station used in the time of flood or the risk of flood. It was replaced by modern machinery in recent years but fortunately retained as museum. It is an integral part of the history of Lincolnshire and the drainage of the Fens.
The building dates from 1833, and consists of several rooms and different levels, Sadly, it is not suitable for wheelchair access.
There are numerous information boards about the draining of the Fens, floods and the development of drainage. These are supported by a variety of interesting artefacts, both indoors and outside. A video is shown and the large pump can be demonstrated. The boiler is no longer fired. Demonstrations are powered by electric motor. Which is just as well because used a ton of coal a day and took 24 hours to be fully working. The operator had to stay on site all the time it was pumping! He had just a small bench near the boiler to rest on.
Outside was I surprised to find a small piece of narrow gauge railway track, a wagon chassis and a rail bending tool (a 'Jim Crow'). Such things would have been a familiar sight in bye-gone Lincolnshire on the 'Potato Railways', as well as is later years on various major construction works where temporary light Railways were used.
This is an excellent place to visit and I spent well over an hour without really scratching the surface. I intend coming back. It's free, but donations welcome.
8. Gordon Boswell Romany Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Ken C - Boston, United Kingdom
I'm a great fan of museums and especially those which are independent and perhaps house someone's collection of something out of the ordinary or unique. The Gordon Boswell Romany Museum is exactly that. In fact I think it is much more.
Gordon Boswell (who sadly passed away in the late summer of 2016) started this museum with his wife Margaret in 1995. If I understood correctly, it was in memory of his father Silvester.
The museum is probably unique. Although I have sometimes seen a single caravan – in reality known as a vardo – in a museum about rural life, I would have never expected to see so many and not a single one the same as another.
The museum itself is down a semi-rural road and looks nothing much more than a storage unit. However, NEVER judge a book by it's cover! To go inside is to be transported to another life in another world. The museum doesn't have flashy multi-media displays or the like but they wouldn't be appropriate for this museum brings things to life in an altogether different, and quite relevant way.
There is one concession and that is a film presentation made by Gordon Boswell himself which plays in the small cinema. It is an informative programme in which Gordon introduces and narrates the story of Romany life – into which he born in the early 20th century - and the life of the travelling community. Each vardo has a tale to tell and Gordon shares it. One is said to have a ghost, another two were discovered on trips to other parts of the country and subsequently acquired. Most have travelled hundreds of miles during their working life.
The exhibits also cover the motor age with three examples of modern caravans. Modern starting with a 1930 trailer caravan and also including two caravans of more recent times. The latter are open to visitors to look around. The older exhibits are more fragile and not open to internal inspection, though visitors can get close enough to see in from vardo doorways. There are few barriers otherwise.
I would have to write many, many words to do credit to the museum and the work that has gone in to creating it. The best way to find out is to go and visit. The museum closes over winter in the period between the clocks going back in October to them going forward again in the spring.
Margaret Boswell will be on hand to talk to you about the exhibits. There is also a small cafe, proceeds from which support the museum. Donations are welcome too.
This museum a fitting memorial to Gordon Boswell, but also to a way of life that has now almost gone.
9. Museum of Technology the History of Gadgets & Gizmos
Overall Ratings
5 based on 19 reviews
Museum of Technology The History of Gadgets and Gizmos Our museum offers you a chance to step back in time. Remember "A & B" Public Telephones, Batteries you had to fill up, Crystal Sets, Gas Masks, Morse Keys, and Frame Aerials? then you will want to see our collection of early technology. As well as all that our collection of war memorabilia has artefacts from the Somme and a range of items from the Second World War.
Reviewed By landlubber66 - Lincoln, United Kingdom
Made to feel very welcome and interesting and informative talk before tour. Not too large and a wonderful building
Sadly I remembered using lots of the kitchen equipment when I was younger. If I had adverse comment it would be from a women's angle I would have liked to see a few more feminine displays
The men in the group loved all of it..
I admire the vision and commitment of the owners to build a lovely area from a old barn.
The tea/coffee cakes were great.
10. St Mary & St Nicolas Church
Overall Ratings
5 based on 21 reviews
St Mary and St Nicolas is the historic parish church of Spalding built in 1284. It is open every day for visitors. There are five Sunday services - at 11am and 6.30Pm a choir of boys and men lead the singing.
Reviewed By Douglas G
The church is a real focus for the Spalding community. It is also a beautiful accessible church architecturally. It's location next to Ayscoughfee Hall and the Riverside, it may get overlooked but together they really do set the heart of the town off. It is open and welcomes visitors as a successful thriving church. Well worth your time if in Spalding.
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