Market Deeping & The Deepings

The Deepings is the collective name given to a delightful group of historic villages in South Kesteven comprising Market Deeping, Deeping St James, Deeping Gate, West Deeping and Deeping St Nicholas.

With a history dating back beyond the Bronze Age, the charming town of Market Deeping stands proudly on the River Welland, to the east of Stamford.

Today the town is thriving with regular markets, a varied and busy high street in an attractive historic setting and is home to the ever-growing bi-annual Deepings Literary Festival which attracts many of the greats from the literary world.

The Deepings owes its architecture and character to the merchant wealth flowing from the ancient River Welland and the former Deepings to Stamford canal, with its towpath perfect for walking and cycling. A walk down the glorious Georgian Church Street is a must, stopping off at the 13th Century St Guthlac’s church built by Margaret Beaufort - the mother of Henry VII - which retains many Anglo Saxon features and has two sun dials.

Among the other gems to be found in the Deepings is the magnificent Priory Church in Deeping St James, originally a Benedictine priory which dates back to 1139. And just around the corner is the tiny market cross lock up of 1819, capable of housing three criminals.