BOSTON TOWN WALK

PERMANENT TRAIL NUMBER 139

12KM

ORGANISED BY
LINCOLNSHIRE VIKINGS WALKING CLUB
BWF CLUB 89

START VENUE
BURTON HOUSE, BOSTON

Route Description Updated 4 May 2008.  Please check you are using the latest version if you printed this off a while ago.

Boston in Lincolnshire is a market town dating back to Roman times and has many places of historic interest. In the middle ages Boston was one of the main trade centres of the country transporting produce both inland and for export to Europe, the port being second only to London in paying tax dues. Unfortunately access to the dock area is now restricted.  Lying in the "flatlands" of the county the walker will experience no hills, in fact the hardest slopes to be found are the footbridges crossing the rivers. The walker will see a small part of the vast area of fenland which was drained in the 15^th and 16^th centuries to make more arable land available, walk through pleasant residential areas and alongside natural and man made waterways, along medieval cobbled streets and see buildings dating back to the 13^th century. The modern shopping precinct which has recently been renovated retains the Olde Worlde theme.   The Pilgrim Fathers Monument  is not included on the route as it is about 3 miles from the town, it may be visited on completion of the walk by driving towards the town and following road signs to Fishtoft and then the signs to the monument.

Start Venue & Directions

The route description starts at Burton House, but can also be joined by walkers arriving in Boston by Train or Bus/Coach. 

By Road: Burton House is situated on the A52 Skegness Road about 100 metres from the junction with the A16 (Grid Ref: 342452).   Being a member of the Brewers Fayre Group the Burton House is a children friendly establishment, so our younger walkers will be welcomed and well catered for with an adventure playground and special young person’s menu. Adult patrons can still enjoy a quiet drink or a meal.  The comprehensive Brewers Fayre menu is available together with house specialities.  Opening Times: Mon-Sat: 11.00am - 11.00pm; Sunday: 12 midday - 10.30pm (Food served: Mon - Sat: 11.30am - 10.00pm; Sunday: 12 midday - 10.00pm).   A large car park is available for patrons and walkers on the Boston Town Walk.

By Train:  Leave the main entrance of the station and walk straight forward into Station Road to join the Route Description at POINT A.

By Bus/Coach: Go to the area near the Public Toilets in the corner of the Bus Station and join the Route Description at POINT B.

THE ORGANISERS ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ACCIDENTS, THEFTS AND/OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE BY THE ORGANISERS TO MAKE THIS A SAFE, ENJOYABLE AND MEMORABLE EVENT.

Route Description

Leave Burton House and cross the road to turn right along the Wainfleet Road. Just past the Ball House Pub on your right turn right into Rochford Tower Lane.   Just after the Tower turn right onto the footpath between the fields [After heavy rainfall the part of the route between Rochford Tower and Hardiway, which is the footpath between the fields, may become slippery. If this is so the detour below may be made at the walkers discretion] . On reaching the T-junction turn left and then right across the first wooden bridge to continue on the footpath between fields. On reaching the road turn left and then first right into Hardiway.

DETOUR ROUTE - At Rochford Tower, instead of turning right onto the footpath between fields, "continue straight on to the end of Rochford Tower Road, turn right onto Eastwood Road and turn right onto Lindis Road. Take the first left into Hardiway" to rejoin the route description at * (below).

* At the end of Hardiway, turn right and immediately left on footpath by the "Colindale" sign. Continue straight on across the road and towards the footpath with the lamp post at the entrance.

Question 1: Including the lamp post at the entrance to the footpath, how many lamp posts are there along the path?

The footpath passes between fences to emerge at Vauxhall Court & Villas. Cross the road with care, turn right and continue on the main road with the "The Wellington" on your right. On reaching the bridge turn left onto the footpath with the water (Maud Foster Drain) on your right.

Question 2: What is the name of the Childrens Play Area? (the name is on the coloured sign on the railings)

Continue, passing the footbridge on your right and on reaching the road (Fishtoft Road - not signed), turn right over the bridge (Mount Bridge) and continue along the pavement to Boston College Rochford Campus. At the end of the campus car park and immediately after Little Acorns Day Nursery, Turn Right through the gate and along the gravel path to Hussey Tower, one of Lincolnshire’s oldest brick buildings, circa 1460.

Question 3: In what year was the Lincolnshire Rising? (The answer is on the Hussey Tower Information Board).

Retrace your steps along the gravel path and Turn Right along the pavement to the junction.   Turn Right and on reaching the traffic lights turn left, using the pedestrian crossing, onto Bridge Road to cross the bridge.  At the next lights turn right to cross the dual carriageway turning right and left into High Street (signposted Town Centre).  Turn left into Emery Lane, a small pedestrian way which is the last turning before reaching the Town Bridge.

At the end of the lane turn right and continue along West Street, passing the Municipal Buildings on your left, until you reach the mini roundabout. Continue, to turn right immediately before the level crossing into Station Approach. Turn right into Station Street (POINT A) and continue past Trinity Street to Leicester Square (the car park).  Cross the car park diagonally to emerge to the right of the public toilets. (POINT B)

Proceed along the paved walkway with the Bus Station and then Supermarket car park on your right. Take the paved footpath diagonally to your left and Turn Immediately Left at the footbridge (do not cross the footbridge which goes across the River Witham), Continue along Irby Place (not signed until end!) with a brick wall on your right and ahead into Haven Bank. Continue straight ahead on the footpath to reach Fydell Street. (Looking ahead over the sluice will give a view of Boston Marina). Turn right crossing The Grand Sluice.  The Grand Sluice was built in 1766 to control the flow of water from the extensive network of dykes and drains into the River Witham thus improving the use of the river for trade.

At the end of the bridge over the sluice, turn right again to enter Tattershall Road then straight forward into Witham Place and bear right into Wormgate, continue along the cobbled road to reach Blenkin Memorial Hall on your left.

Question 4: What year is on the Blenkin Memorial Hall sign?

Continue to St Botolphs Church opposite.  St Botolph’s Church is open to the public every day 9am - 4.30pm, Tower closed on Sundays.  The foundations date back to 1309 but the church was built mainly in the 15^th century being finished in 1460.   Affectionately known as "Boston Stump" St Botolph’s is well worth a visit being the largest Parish Church in England. In addition to the normal beauty of a large church visitors may view the 62 misericords which were carved in the 14^th century and by climbing the Tower on a clear day are rewarded by a magnificent view over Lincolnshire and the Wash.

Circumnavigate the church in a clockwise direction to enter Church Close.  Continue and turn left into Church Street  - continue along Church Street - Public Toilets adjacent to the Tourist Information Centre and ahead and keeping to the right of the Market Place.  Cross the pedestrian crossing at the foot of the bridge.

Market days are every Wednesday and Saturday. On Wednesday traders and auctioneers also set up on "The Green" on Wide Bargate selling a variety of goods. Buildings of interest in the Market Place include:  The Assembly Rooms built in 1822, Corporation Building built in 1772, The Stump and Candle, the birthplace of John Foxe the 16^th century writer.  In 1545 Henry VIII granted a Charter to Boston which allowed the town to hold an annual fair. The Market Place is still the venue for a week long fun fair in May.

Continue following the pavement around to the right into South Street crossing the road to Shodfriar’s Hall (the Tudor style building).  Shodfriars Hall takes its name from the old friary the present hall was restored and enlarged in 1874 on the site of two much earlier buildings and is an excellent copy of a 15^th century half timbered building with overhanging gables and elaborately carved plaster work.

Turn right and continue along South Street passing the Customs House on your left, and:

The Sam Newsom Music Centre on your right, formerly Lincoln’s Seed Warehouse one of the many warehouses that lined the banks of the Haven. Now the music department of Boston College.

The Guildhall Museum and Fydell House on your left.   The Guildhall Museum was built in 1450 is best known for being the place where the Pilgrim Fathers were imprisoned in 1607 and put on trial.  Open to the public:  Mon-Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 1.30pm - 5pm (Apr - Sept).   Fydell House was built in the early 18^th century as the home of an influential Boston family, the building is now part of Pilgrim College, an adult education centre.

Proceed to the traffic lights and turn left into John Adams way.  Just after "Ridlingtons Cellars" turn left opposite the safety barrier and down the steps onto a tarmac footpath alongside terraces houses .   Go up the steps and turn left to the end of National Terrace, emerging in Pump Square (and a car park). 

Question 5:  What year is on the plaque for the United Methodist Free Church Sunday School? (This is the red-brick building on the left as you enter Pump Square).

Turn right along the side of the Square and right into Main Ridge West (not marked). After about 25 metres you can view the Egyptian frontage of the Masonic Hall on your right, retrace your footsteps back to Pump Square and Turn Right to enter Dolphin Lane (a narrow paved lane).   On reaching the Market Place turn right and continue round the Market Place to exit by Strait Bargate and onto Wide Bargate until you reach the Post Office. Turn left to enter Central Park (public toilets here - park is locked at sunset) keeping the park on your left, pass the aviary and follow the path to leave the park by the gate (house no 11 opposite).  Turn Left into Tawney Street then first right into Hartley Street. At the T-junction turn right and proceed to and cross the pedestrian crossing before the roundabout. Walk straight on and then turn left to cross the bridge and left again into Willoughby Road to the Maud Foster Windmill.  The Maud Foster Windmill was built in 1819 and is the tallest working windmill in England having seven floors. Restored in 1988 and works daily when the wind blows producing stoneground organic flour which can be purchased when the windmill is open to the public. Wednesday 10am - 5pm, Saturday 11am - 5pm, Sunday 12 noon - 5pm.  Thursdays and Fridays in July and Bank Holidays 11am - 5pm.  Telephone: 01205 352188.

Continue past the windmill to the row of 10 Alms Houses.

Question 6: Above Alms Houses No 34/35, what year is on the "In Memorium" plaque?

Turn right in to Hospital Lane, left at T-junction into Spilsby Road (A16). Keep to the left of the road, cross at the pedestrian crossing and continue in the same direction.  Just before the roundabout, by the FISHTOFT sign, Turn Right on the path, continue ahead along short stretch of road and rejoin path bearing left to road.  Turn right along verge to return to Burton House.