Market Towns and Market Days

Lincolnshire has a great variety of market towns, each with its own unique character and attractions, but the following few are all within easy travelling distance of Greetham Retreat.

• The nearby market town of Horncastle, less than 3 miles away from Greetham Retreat, has many classic Georgian or Victorian historical buildings and is renowned for its many antique collectors’ shops. Horncastle often hosts the various visiting antique experts ‘off the telly’ when filming for their programmes.  It has a good choice of independently owned shops including some great coffee shops, butchers, and bakers. Horncastle won the Pride in your Place award at the Destination Lincolnshire Tourism awards on Friday 28 February 2025!  Horncastle has worked extremely hard over the last few years to elevate itself as a top tourist destination and one that attracts people relocating here to from all over the UKand beyond. It has capitalised on its reputation as an ‘antiques town’ but with East Lindsay District Council input, has promoted its significant cultural and heritage offerings.Organisations such as Horncastle Together help to promote a sense of community by linking up various groups and individuals who are working for the benefit of the town such as The Market Towns Officer, St Mary’s Church, the Horncastle Education Trust, Horncastle Town Council, the Horncastle History & Heritage Society, Joseph Banks Centre, The Horncastle Larder, River Care, U3A and East Mercia Rivers Trust.The judges said: “The commitment and passion of each place was clearly demonstrated, and the judges were blown away when they visited the picturesque Horncastle”. Our place officer Kate Giffen submitted the application and hosted the judges visit, involving many partners, and showed off the town back in January.
• Louth, about 8 miles away, is known as the capital of the Wolds and is an attractive Georgian market town. It has plenty of character and offers many independent and unique shops and cafes including a fantastic cheese shop and several outstanding butchers.
• Boston, where visitors can immerse themselves in history, heritage and culture including the town’s famous large traditional markets, established for more than 450 years. The marketplace has recently been enhanced and is a bright, airy open space great for pedestrians, the markets themselves and other activities such as craft fairs. It is surrounded by a medieval network of lanes with many independent shops, cafes and eateries and many national retailers in the more prominent shopping areas such as Pescod Square. Visit the Boston ‘Stump’, the lantern shaped tower of St Botolph’s church which is visible for miles around. The Pilgrim Fathers were famously imprisoned at the Guildhall, now a visitor attraction, and made their first attempt to escape from England from nearby Fishtoft.

MARKET DAYS

Why not visit on a market day to sample local produce and really take in the atmosphere of these charming towns:

• Horncastle: Thursdays and Saturdays (Farmer’s Market every 2nd Thursday of the month).
• Louth: Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays (Farmer’s Market every 2nd Friday and 4th Wednesday of the month).
• Spilsby: Mondays.
• Alford: Tuesday, Friday (Craft Markets: Tuesday, Friday July to Sept).
• Boston: Wednesdays and Saturdays (Farmer’s Market every Wednesday).
• Skegness: Monday to Saturday (Summer), Friday, Saturday (Winter).
• Mablethorpe: Monday (Summer), Thursday.
• Lincoln: Monday to Saturday (Farmer’s Markets on every Friday, 1st Friday in month at City Square, 2nd Friday in month at Cornhill, 3rd Saturday in month at Castle Hill and 4th Friday in month at St. Mark’s Centre.