West Ashby, All Saints

West Ashby All Saints *

Oscar Wilde came to the church whilst visiting his uncle, the vicar, but Oscar soon fell out with his relative over theology and quickly escaped back to London on the train!

Opening Times: 5-6th September

Saturday 10am–4pm
Sunday 10am–4pm

Postcode: LN9 5PU

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*Photo by Ashley Taylor at Push Creativity

Thornton, St Wilfrid

Thornton, St Wilfrid*

ADDITIONAL TO THE BROCHURE: FIRST WEEKEND

This church has been omitted from the brochure, but is taking part in the festival on the first weekend. Please support them with a visit. 

St Wilfrid’s Church in Thornton, near Horncastle, is a small, 15th-century Grade II listed church, Constructed from greenstone, the church underwent significant restoration in 1890 by architect Ewan Christian, who added a north aisle, vestry, and raised the tower. 

The church houses a unique, historically significant organ, believed to be one of the oldest in Britain, possibly dating from the 1680’s and once in Magdalen College, Oxford, and features a hand-pumped lever, mahogany casing, and rare pipework.

Hot dogs with cold and hot drinks provided 12 – 2pm on Saturday; donations welcome.

Opening times 5th-6th September

Saturday 10am – 4pm

Sunday 10am – 4pm

Postcode: LN9 5JX

*Photo Copyright Dave Hitchborne CC BY-SA 2.0

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Thimbleby, St Margaret

Thimbleby St Margaret (church's own photo),

Detailed exhibition from14th century; photograph of 18th century church; details of reconstruction of beautiful new spire and tower, completed in 2018. Exhibition also describes faulty construction of church plus descriptions of thatched 16th century cottages linked to Jamestown, Virginia, USA. Chalice used at monthly service dates c1550 and thought to have been given by Queen Mary (1553-1558) who had living of Thimbleby within her gift. When St Margarets was rebuilt in 1879 it contained no stained glass. Beautiful memorial windows were constructed in 1920, 1973 and 1975. Reredos depicts Last Supper. Hand-sewn quilt presented to church by lady in Nebraska USA.

Opening Times: 5-6th September

Saturday 9am–5pm
Sunday 9am–5pm

Postcode: LN9 5RE

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Minting, St Andrew

Minting appears in the Domesday book and is the site of a priory linked to the French Abbey of St Benedict on Loire. The church was rebuilt in 1863, although the chancel is mainly original. It contains the remains of two naively carved stone slabs found in the churchyard and are believed to date to the 13th century. Minting is a ‘thankful village’ and we have commemorative plaques remembering all those who safely returned from WW1. St Andrew’s continues to be a place of worship with one service per month, as well as annual Harvest and Christmas services. Displays of local history and live music played during the festival. Postcode LN9 5RS

Opening Times: 7-8th September
Saturday 10am-3pm
Sunday 10am-3pm

Postcode: LN9 5RS

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Picture Credit Push Creativity

Mareham on the Hill, All Saints

Mareham on the Hill, All Saints (photo by Philip Stainton)

Interesting exhibition of the History of the Church and surrounding villages over time, containing stories and pictures. The church has recently undergone renovation to the internal East Wall, along with the replacement of all three windows, completed during the summer of 2023. 

Mareham on the Hill (photo by David Montague)

Opening Times: 5-6th September

Saturday 9am–5pm
Sunday 9am–5pm

Postcode: LN9 6PQ

Photo: exterior image by church (Philip Stainton) 

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Horncastle, St Mary

Horncastle St Mary's (photo Ashley Taylor for ExploreChurches)

St Mary’s is a large town centre church with a well-documented history, historical scythes possibly from the Lincolnshire Rising, Civil War History, connections with the local Dymoke Family who serve as the King’s Champion. 

There are beautiful stained glass windows, carved angels and 100 embroidered kneelers.

There is a thriving bookstall and light refreshments will be available. 

On Saturday, there is a town market and local shops open. Parking is available at local supermarkets and The Wong.

The Lady Chapel

The gilded angels in the nave roof

Families welcome

Opening Times: 5-6th September

Saturday 10am–4pm
Sunday 12noon–4pm

Postcode: LN9 5HW

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photo by Ashley Taylor of Push Creativity for the National Churches Trust - Explore Churches website

High Toynton, St John the Baptist

High Toynton, St John the Baptist (early June 2025)

We are a Doubly Thankful Village: one of 15 churches in England and Wales where all soldiers returned home in both wars. An I POINT has been recently installed. Use the QR Code or tablet device in church to gain access to a wealth of fascinating facts. Learn about our social history, about the soldiers who fought, about wildlife in the graveyard and what happened after the tower collapsed 6 years ago, as well as related games and quizzes.

Opening Times: 5-6th September

Saturday 9.30am–4pm
Sunday 9.40am–4pm

Postcode: LN9 6NN

Photo supplied by church. 

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Hameringham, All Saints

Dating from 1200, although, after the nave collapsed in 1893, heavily restored by Hodgson Fowler, a local Victorian architect. Walls are of sandstone; pews and altar are Victorian. 

15th century octagonal font is of particular interest, having cusped panels containing shields and a pedestal with traceried panels and figures. Pulpit features original hour glass in its stand. To the east of the doorway is a pointed piscina believed to be 12th century. 

Various marks on the walls are attributed to sword sharpening and musket fire dating from the Battle of Winceby; the site of the battlefield is close by. West window features a stained-glass tribute to 2nd Lieutenant John Kenneth Brice Smith, who died on September 11th 1915 of wounds received at the Bluff.

Opening Times: 5-6th September
Saturday 10am–4pm
Sunday 10am-4pm

Postcode: LN9 6PE

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Photographs by David Montague

Greetham, All Saints

Greetham, All Saints*

Set on one of the highest points of the Lincolnshire Wolds, All Saint’s Church Greetham is built of greenstone with original Norman stonework. the Tower and bell-cote were restored in 1863. The charming gate leads through a short avenue of trees to the porch entrance. The stained glass windows are beautiful and the church has retained its wooden pews. This is a small church with impressive proportions. In 1901, the church was extensively restored and rebuilt by kind generosity of the Dennis family.

Opening times 5-6th September
Saturday 10am–4pm
Sunday 10am–4pm

Postcode: 
LN9 6NT

Greetham, All Saints*

Greetham, All Saints*

Greetham, All Saints*

Greetham, All Saints, reredos*

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*photo by Ashley Taylor of Push Creativity for the National Churches Trust - Explore Churches website

Fulletby - St Andrew

Fulletby St Andrew*

Nestled in the centre of the village, St Andrew’s dates back to at least the 14th Century, was rebuilt in 1705 and restored c.1857 by Maughan and Fowler and is now Grade II listed. 

The church is constructed of local Spilsby sandstone, with roofs of natural slate and contains a 12th century stone sedilia. Fulletby’s famous son Henry Winn, Victorian poet and historian, is celebrated with an information board in the church.

Fulletby St Andrew*

Fulletby St Andrew*

Opening times  5-6th September

Saturday dawn–dusk
Sunday dawn–dusk

Postcode: 

LN9 6JY

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*photo by Ashley Taylor of Push Creativity for the National Churches Trust.

Belchford - St Peter & St Paul

Belchford, St Peter & St Paul*

Although most of the present church only dates from the 19th century, there is positive evidence of a church in the village since the 12th century. When entering the church through the 18th century semi-circular headed west doorway, the colour of the east window casts a pale blue hue across the chancel and nave. Of particular note are: - the ornate 19th century altar and reredos with painted panels depicting the virgin and child and apostles - The pulpit with panelled sides, one containing a relief of Magi, with virgin and child - Decorated organ - Painted chancel roof.

Belchford, St Peter & St Paul*

Opening Times: 5-6th September

Saturday 9am–5pm
Sunday 9am–5pm

Postcode: LN9 6LQ

Photo: Ashley Taylor of Push Creativity for the National Churches Trust.

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Ashby Puerorum, St Andrew

St Andrew, Ashby Puerorum by Dave Hitchborne

Delightful Grade II listed church with outstanding views of the Lincolnshire Wolds. It houses a 3cwt tenor bell from around 1150, believed to be the oldest in England. Historic links to Bishop Oliver Sutton (1280-1299), when the living was appropriated to provide an endowment for the boy choristers of Lincoln Cathedral, hence the name Ashby Puerorum (Ashby of the boys). The church was restored in 1850-1878 by Ewan Christian, and the windows are from that time. Mounted on the south side are several 16th century brasses to members of the Littlebury family Stainsby.

Opening Times: 5-6th September

Saturday dawn-dusk
Sunday dawn-dusk

Postcode: LN9 6QU

Photo: Dave Hitchborne cc-by-sa/2.0

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Hemingby, St Margaret

Hemingby, St Margaret*

Friendliness is our key – drop in for lunch or a cuppa and see our exhibition: Hemingby – A Farming Village. 

Historical items, bottle tombola, filled rolls, cake. 

Our clock and organ are of historical interest, and our bell ringers will ring.

Opening Times: 5-6th September

Saturday 10am–4pm

Sunday 10am–4pm

Postcode: 

LN9 5QF

Hemingby, St Margaret*

Hemingby, St Margaret*

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*photo by Ashley Taylor of Push Creativity for the National Churches Trust - Explore Churches website