destinations
Sleaford
charming market town with a rich history
Sleaford is a charming town nestled in the heart of Lincolnshire. It is a hidden gem that promises a delightful experience for visitors of all ages. With its rich history, bustling market, eclectic shops, and array of local attractions there's plenty to see and do. The town is dominated by St Denys’ church which stands in the attractive market place. It has a 144’ stone spire and beautiful traceried windows, described as works of infinite complexity. There is also the site of a ruined medieval castle.
The town formed around the River Slea and by the 11th century it supported a dozen watermills; Cogglesford Mill is the only working corn mill left and is run by volunteers. Nearby is the delightfully named Lollycocks Field Nature Reserve which provides wildflower and wetland habitats alongside Eastgate.
There is also plenty of woodland and unspoilt countryside to explore and the nearby villages Ruskington and Heckington are worth the visit for picturesque walking routes and Heckington Windmill - the world's only 8 sail windmill.
Sleaford has a lot to offer visitors of all ages despite being a small market town. The Hub, a national centre for craft and design is a particularly popular attraction as it is the UK’s largest exhibition space dedicated to craft and design. For aviation enthusiasts, there’s Cranwell Aviation Centre and RAF Digby Ops Room offering great insight into local and British aviation history.
SPECIAL TO Sleaford
- St Denys Church - spectacular architecture
- RAF Cranwell
- Slea Navigation and Navigation Warehouse
The Hub – National Centre for Craft and Design
Sleaford Market - dating back to the 12th century
Don't miss the bustling Sleaford Market, where you can explore stalls offering fresh produce, artisan crafts, and more. It's a must-visit for a taste of local life.
Sleaford Town Council currently operates a market on a Monday, Friday and Saturday. On the first Saturday in every month it is the Lincolnshire Farmers' Market. Experience the flavours of Lincolnshire with locally sourced produce, perfect for foodies.
Agne Kucerenkaite at The Hub
museums & galleries
The Hub
The National Centre for Craft and Design, also known as The Hub, is on Navigation Wharf and sits right beside the River Slea. It delivers an inspiring programme of contemporary craft, design, dance and creative arts. There are talks, workshops and exhibitions that showcase makers from around the world. Access is free, there is a popular CafeBar and the shop stocks an everchanging collection of craft objects.
heritage days out in and around the Sleaford area
There are many heritage filled attractions near to Sleaford and the town itself boasts a number of attractions including: Cogglesford Mill and Navigation House. Located on the banks of the River Slea, these historic buildings are unique sites well worth a visit.
nearby
Heckington
The nearby pretty village of Heckington has an outstanding church in St Andrew’s. The windows are superb, and there is a wealth of stone carvings: monsters leap from foliage, angels jostle peasants and many of the gargoyle faces appear true to life. There are scenes from village life including a woman with a squirrel, a boy feeding a bird and someone trying to resolve a domestic quarrel. Heckington’s other claim to fame is also a dominant feature in the landscape. Heckington Mill is a working mill, recently restored by its volunteers and features eight sails – the only mill to do so. It also has a small brewery. Heckington Show is a delightful small agricultural two day show held at the end of July each year – old fashioned but in a good way.
Heckington windmill
centuries of history
Uncover the history, stories and people connected with Heckington Windmill over the centuries. At the heart of the local community, the dedicated team of volunteers keep the heritage maintained.
more activities & attractions close by
Find plenty more to do in the surrounding area from aviation heritage attractions to adventure and play parks.
nearby
Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum
Nearby RAF College, Cranwell opened in 1920 as the world’s first air academy, it continues to train the next generation of RAF officers.
Why not take a trip to the Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum? You can discover the history of RAF Cranwell from its early days as a Royal Naval Air Service base to the current day.
Sleaford food & drink highlights
Sleaford has some delicious food and drink spots as well as an award-winning distillery and brewery.
accommodation highlights in the Sleaford area
With bed and breakfast accommodation, self catered cottages and hotels in Sleaford. There are plenty of options to find your ideal place to stay in the area.
did you know?
The River Slea was converted into use as a canal with the Sleaford Navigation being opened in 1794. It was used for exporting farm produce and importing coal and the Sleaford Navigation Company constructed wharves and offices along Carre Street. Navigation House still exists and was restored in 2005. The coming of the railway led to the decline of the canal. The tireless volunteers of the Sleaford Navigation Trust are working to restore the Navigation from the River Witham at Chapel Hill through to Sleaford. So far they have achieved 8 of the 13 miles. The Trust will very soon be launching a new trip boat on the water in Sleaford and there are some lovely walks beside the Navigation.
tourist information centre
Navigation House
Navigation House Visitor Centre is Sleaford's tourist information centre. The staff are on hand with a wide range of leaflets and are knowledgeable about what’s on, accommodation and public transport in the area.
more about the Heart of Lincolnshire
Discover more information about things to do, food and drink and places to stay in the area.
