Discover hidden stories at Wolds and Coast Festival

A beautiful collection of churches and chapel, all with a story to tell, will open next month as part of the Lincolnshire Wolds and Coast Churches Festival.
The colourful interior of Waithe, St Martin has elaborately patterned Minton tiles . Image: Push CreativityThe colourful interior of Waithe, St Martin has elaborately patterned Minton tiles . Image: Push Creativity
The colourful interior of Waithe, St Martin has elaborately patterned Minton tiles . Image: Push Creativity

In all, 140 buildings will be welcoming visitors over two weekends – September 3 and 4, September 10 and 11.

Fran Bell, chairman of the festival team said: “There is something for everyone – rich architecture and heritage, beautiful tranquillity and spirituality, vibrant exhibitions and music.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Numerous, exciting activities are being staged to whet your appetites, from flower and art displays to exhibitions and guided tours.

The unique Queen Anne church at Stainfield. Image: Push CreativityThe unique Queen Anne church at Stainfield. Image: Push Creativity
The unique Queen Anne church at Stainfield. Image: Push Creativity

“Alternatively, if all you want is a bit of time to yourself, to relax in the quiet of a beautiful spiritual building, then make sure you choose one of the self-nominated ‘quiet’ churches.”

Many churches will be serving refreshments from tea, coffee and biscuits, to lunches and local Lincolnshire treats.

The first weekend of the festival - Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4 – will focus on Horncastle, Spilsby and the surrounding villages.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Among the highlights for visitors to discover is the birthplace of the architect of the Magna Carta, the oldest Methodist church in Lincolnshire, the scene of a dramatic tower collapse and connections with Alfred Lord Tennyson.

There is plenty to discover in churches. Image: explorechurches.orgThere is plenty to discover in churches. Image: explorechurches.org
There is plenty to discover in churches. Image: explorechurches.org

Festival committee member Linda Patrick, who was one of the main organisers behind the initial festival in 2019 and who continues to add her expertise, said: “Our churches really are magnificent story tellers.

“Monuments, glass, graves, artefacts and the buildings themselves contain a wealth of secrets just waiting to be told.

“Some of our churches are connected by a myriad of footpaths, including the Viking Way which takes you through the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The focus of the second weekend of the festival – Saturday September 10 and Sunday September 11 – turns north and out to the coast, featuring Louth, Alford, Skegness and surrounding villages.

Tattershall, Holy Trinity. Image: explorechurches.orgTattershall, Holy Trinity. Image: explorechurches.org
Tattershall, Holy Trinity. Image: explorechurches.org

Highlights include Lincolnshire’s only thatched church, the birthplace of Captain John Smith, who played a vital role in establishing the first permanent English settlement in America, angel roofs adorned with green men and winged angels and tower climbs revealing spectacular views across the Wash.

Linda said: “There are monuments, hatchments, carvings and fabulous architecture in abundance in our churches.

“Discover for yourself the rich treasures within these living museums.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The majority of churches are open from 10am to 4pm, with adjustments made on Sundays for church services to go ahead, while some are open dawn to dusk.

The sparsely but beautifully furnished Saltfleetby, All Saints. Image: Push CreativityThe sparsely but beautifully furnished Saltfleetby, All Saints. Image: Push Creativity
The sparsely but beautifully furnished Saltfleetby, All Saints. Image: Push Creativity

Full details can be found in the festival brochure, which is available at participating churches and other outlets, or can be downloaded from www.lincswoldsandcoastchurches.org/

Fran added: “We thank everyone involved and visiting for supporting our church heritage, ensuring the success of what we believe is perhaps the biggest churches festival in the UK.”

Related topics: