Bringing rivers back to life for nature and communities
Discover Horncastle’s Hidden Gems
Embark on a scenic 1.6-mile (2.6km) walk through the historic market town of Horncastle, exploring its riverscapes, wildlife and heritage.
With 15 stopping points, this circular route takes around 1 hour to complete.
Waymarkers & QR Codes
Way markers are being installed along the route, each featuring a QR code. Scanning the QR codes will take you to a digital version of the leaflet, allowing you to access route information and historical insights on the go.
📜 Prefer a physical leaflet? Printed copies are available to pick up from the Sir Joseph Banks Centre in Horncastle.
What You’ll See
- Historic landmarks such as the Watermill, Horse Cart and Market Place
- Stunning wildlife, including Kingfishers, Trout, Herons and Dragonflies
- Beautiful green spaces, like Millennium Wood and Prospect Park
- Hidden history, including the Lost River Temsworth and Horncastle’s tanning trade heritage
Key Information
📍 Walk Length: 1.6 miles / 2.6 km
⏳ Time: Approximately 1 hour
🚻 Public Toilets: Available on Lawrence Street
🗺 OS Map: Explorer 273 (Lincolnshire Wolds South, Horncastle & Woodhall Spa)
Points of Interest
- Duck Steps – Start or finish your walk here
- Tesco Seating Area – Perfect picnic spot with wildlife views
- Watermill & Weir – Learn about Horncastle’s milling history
- Millennium Wood – Tranquil woodland planted in 2000
- Prospect Park – Green space with hidden heritage
- Lost River – The forgotten River Temsworth
- Tanning Wool & Warehouses – The town’s leather-making past
- Horse Cart – A tribute to Horncastle’s heritage
- Station Yard Heritage Board – Insights into the town’s railway history
- Confluence – Where the Rivers Bain & Waring meet
- Cagthorpe Heritage Board – More local history uncovered
- Wharf Road & Canal Basin – The heart of Horncastle’s old canal
- Flood Plaque – Marking the historic 1960 flood level
- Market Place – The town’s bustling historic centre
- St Lawrence Street / Pudding Lane – Learn why this street was once named after something quite different!
Join the Journey
- Look out for wildlife sculptures along the route!
- Scan the QR codes on waymarkers for a digital version of the leaflet
- Pick up a physical leaflet from the Sir Joseph Banks Centre
- Help protect our rivers – join volunteer events like Balsam Bashing
Project, Partnerships & Funding
This initiative is part of the Horncastle Riverscape Enhancement Project, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Anglian Water’s Get River Positive Fund. The project aims to restore and celebrate Horncastle’s rivers for both the community and local wildlife.
The project has been made possible through partnership working with Horncastle Together, the Horncastle History and Heritage Society, Horncastle in Bloom, Horncastle Town council and the Sir Joseph Banks Society, ensuring the town’s history, green spaces and botanical legacy are celebrated and maintained.[PD1]
For more details, visit www.eastmercia.org or follow us on social media:
📸 @eastmerciart | @EastMerciaRT
[PD1]Add Horncastle Together and Horncastle Town Council.