Old Bolingbroke, St Peter & St Paul

Old Bolingbroke St Peter & St Paul.
Drone image by Ashley Taylor for the National Churches Trust

The National Churches Trust winner in two categories (England & Overall UK) for community-led volunteer initiatives. Heritage Lottery fabric restorations. Lying directly opposite Bolingbroke Castle, birthplace of Henry IV. Medieval graffiti, relics of original paintwork, working belltower, grave of Susannah Flinders, Henry lV & Civil War exhibitions. 

See & hear our now fully restored 1910 historic pipe organ, complete with hand pump mechanisms. 

Visit the restored former Gas House, now a heritage exhibition centre, telling Old Bolingbroke’s stories and watch the video around the rescue of our historic church. Short guided tours available.

Opening Times: 5-6th September

Saturday 10am-4.30pm

Sunday 10am-4.30pm

Postcode: PE23 4HH

Drone photo by Ashley Taylor for the National Churches Trust. 

ADDITIONAL TO THE BROCHURE

HARPIST EIRA LYNN JONES with
ORGANIST STEVE JONES
performs 2pm-3:30pm
on both festival days (5-6th September)
A fantastic opportunity to hear Eria play for free

"Eira Lynn Jones is a renowned Welsh harpist, teacher, and composer based in the UK. 

She has gained critical acclaim for her work as a performer, teacher, and composer, showcasing her imaginative programming on both pedal and lever harp. 

Eira is a founding member of The Juniper Project and has released two solo albums that have received positive reviews. 

She has performed at various prestigious venues, including the Edinburgh International Harp Festival and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Eira is also recognized as one of the UK's leading harp teachers and has been a guest performer with numerous orchestras and choirs."

2026 Poster

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

All other photos provided by the church. 

Bell ropes

Medieval graffiti on the font

Tower at Old Bolingbroke.

Stained glass at Old Bolingbroke

The churchyard at Old Bolingbroke

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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Trusthorpe, St Peter

Trusthorpe, St Peter

The original Saxon church was destroyed by encroaching sea. This re-built church, constructed of red brick, has a Medieval font. The porch has an inverted stone, carved with shield, cross and Gothic inscription. The Tower dates back to 1606 with re-built Nave in 1842. It has beautiful stained-glass windows and holds 2+ regular services every week. A well-maintained churchyard, gardens, paddock and car-park. St Peters gained a silver award for Eco-church in 2026 plus East Midlands ’In Bloom’ and ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ awards in 2025. Active campanologists ring on Sundays and for national ringing events.

Opening Times 12-13th September

Saturday 10am-4pm
Sunday 10am-4pm 

Postcode: LN12 2PH

Photo: D Povey

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Addlethorpe, St Nicholas

Addlethorpe, St Nicholas*

15th century ‘Cathedral of the Marsh’ completed around 1423. The church retains most of the original features in a good state of preservation: six carved oak screens, south porch notable for the level of fine detail, both inside and out, with an inscription recording the original benefactor. Medieval ‘angel roof’ adorned with winged angels, green men and other curious carvings. Information display boards around the church. The belfry and tower will be open to visitors, accessed by spiral stair. The tower contains six bells cast in 1770 by Henry Harrison, bellfounder of Barrow on Humber. The bells will be rung throughout both days.

Postcode: PE24 4TA

Photo: T Barker

Opening times 12-13th September

Saturday 10am-5pm 
Sunday 10am-4.30pm

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North Thoresby, St Helen

North Thoresby, St Helen

Fragment of original Saxon cross used for open air worship before the church was built. 400-year-old Tudor bench ends. Norman stone font with unfinished carving. East window memorial for both World Wars (details in frames on nearby window sills). Display by The North Thoresby History Group. 

Communion service 10am Sunday; all welcome.

Opening times 12-13th September

Saturday 10am-4pm

Sunday 11am-4pm

Postcode: DN36 5QG

Photo: Jack1956 CC BY-SA 2.0

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North Somercotes, St Mary

North Somercotes, St Mary*

Paper angels on display. Craft activities and displays on the theme of ‘Crosses’. Work from schools and community. St Mary’s rabbit trail. Sunday service 11am, Holy Communion. Theme: Crosses and Holy Cross Day

Opening times 12-13th September:
Saturday 12noon-4pm
Sunday 12noon-4pm

Postcode: LN11 7PZ

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*© Copyright J Holmes

Marshchapel, St Mary

Marshchapel, St Mary

A Grade I listed building with magnificent perpendicular architecture and a leaning bell tower. Six bells have recently been installed. The original bells were hung in 1420. The showy reredos may have been rescued. In the Victorian era the chancel was enhanced by angels and each of the pews were carved with their own individual poppy head. There is a face to find and green men bosses in the south aisle roof. There is another green man which can be found following the churchyard trail. Visitors can be sustained by tea and cake.

Opening times 12-13th September:

Saturday 10am-5pm

Sunday 10am-5pm

Postcode: DN36 5TW

Photo: J Hannah-Briggs 

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Grimoldby, St Edith

Grimoldby, St Edith

Historic displays. Display of Lincolnshire’s oldest-known surviving and conserved oak carved roof angels. Local arts and crafts. Wool spinning display. Children and adult games.

Opening times 12-13th September:

Saturday 10am-4pm
Sunday 12noon-4pm

Postcode: LN11 8SW

Photo: D Hitchborne

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Belleau, St John the Baptist

Belleau, St John the Baptist*

The Church and Belleau are a beautiful spot to visit and rich in history. Sir Henry Vane and his wife Frances preferring to live here than at their properties at both Barnard and Raby Castle. Frances cried when forced to leave Belleau for the part played by Sir Henry during the Civil War. The Church is much loved by visitors who sit quietly inside and enjoy the peace and bird song. Perhaps Henry Vane thought of this as he knelt to be beheaded at Tower Hill, asking his executioner wryly “to take care not to burst the blister on his neck” before the axe fell!

Opening times 12-13th September

Saturday 7am-7pm
Sunday 7am-7pm 

Postcode: LN13 0BW

Photo: R Croft

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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