destinations
Woodhall Spa
bustling, picturesque former spa town in the heart of rural Lincolnshire
This Edwardian Spa resort has space and elegance with its wide tree-lined avenues. Woodhall Spa came about by accident in 1811 when John Parkinson made several failed attempts to find coal. The enterprise was abandoned after the 1000-foot-deep shaft filled with spring water. It was then discovered that the iodine-rich water had healing benefits. Spa Baths were built so that visitors could ‘take the waters’, and hotels followed.
The Spa Baths may now be in disuse, but the Kinema in the Woods is still going strong. Housed in a former cricket pavilion, it opened in 1922 as one of the first cinemas in Britain. It is the last cinema in the country to use back projection. And yes Kinema is pronounced with a hard K, no-one is sure why!
Regarded as one of Lincolnshire's most attractive villages, Woodhall Spa is famous for its peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, and with many fine hotels and guest houses it is the perfect location for a short break or holiday.
SPECIAL TO Woodhall Spa
Golf - home of the National Golf Centre with two magnificent courses: the Hotchkin and the Bracken. The Hotchkin is currently ranked 58th best in the world.
- Dambuster’s Memorial
Nearby Coningsby and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre
Nearby Tattershall Castle
entertainment
Kinema in the Woods
Experience cinema like in the old days at the Kinema in the Woods. Discover this old-fashioned cinema tucked away in woodland. Filled with retro decor, live organ performances and ice cream in the interval. Showing new releases and cult classics.
things to do in the area
aviation heritage
did you know?
The Dam Busters raid was flown from RAF Scampton during World War II. The 617 Squadron were a top-secret squadron, with men from Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, tasked with crippling three key German dams. The officers of 617 Squadron were based at the Petwood Hotel and today the Squadron Bar hosts much memorabilia. Considered an “almost impossible” task – flying low at night over enemy territory to drop a new, untested bomb. The bravery of 617 Squadron and the ingenuity of aircraft designer Barnes Wallis and his revolutionary bouncing bomb is commemorated with a memorial at Woodhall Spa. The squadron were also responsible for the sinking of the German warship Tirpitz which had been concealed in the Norwegian fjords.
During World War II Lincolnshire was known as ‘Bomber County’ for the sheer number of RAF bases. There are still operational bases and in Lincolnshire skies look out for the Red Arrows practicing a new formation or the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) returning from an airshow. Visit BBMF at nearby RAF Coningsby and see them in their own hangar as engineers work on these elderly aircraft. Apart from Spitfires, Hurricane and Dakota, there is the only Lancaster in Europe still flying.
walking
Spa Trail
Spa Trail is a former railway line that now forms a path for walkers and cyclists. It connects Woodhall Spa and Horncastle and for some of its length is beside the Horncastle Canal.
places to stay in the area
tourist information centres
Cottage Museum
Woodhall Spa Tourist Information Centre aims to help you find popular tourist attractions and places of interest around Woodhall Spa and beyond.
They have many guides for tourists visiting the area, packed full of information along with local walks, walking in the Wolds, cycling routes, coastal and local attractions to visit for all ages.
food & drink picks nearby
Nearby
Tattershall Castle
Nearby Tattershall Castle is magnificent and dominates the landscape. As the National Trust say ‘this is what wealth and power looks like’. It’s one of the most important surviving brick castles from the 15th century.
more about the Heart of Lincolnshire
Discover more information about things to do, food and drink and places to stay in the area.
