Washingborough

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Washingborough
Lincolnshire

Washingborough Hall
Location
Grid reference: TF019706
Location: 53°13’24"N, 0°28’28"W
Data
Population: 3,356  (2001[1])
Post town: Lincoln
Postcode: LN4
Dialling code: 01522
Local Government
Council: North Kesteven
Parliamentary
constituency:
Sleaford and
North Hykeham

Washingborough is a village and parish in Lincolnshire, three miles east from Lincoln city centre, in the Parts of Kesteven. The population at the census 2001 was 3,356, increasing to 3,482 at the 2011 census.[2] It is situated on the lower slopes of Lincoln Cliff limestone escarpment where the River Witham breaks through the Lincoln Edge.

Geography

Washingborough is the point on the River Witham at which the Lincolnshire Fens begin. The Fens were first drained by the Romans and the Roman Car Dyke ran from Washingborough to the River Nene, near Peterborough.

History

A dig involving Channel 4's archaeological television programme Time Team, on a site adjacent to the modern canalised course of the River Witham, found evidence of an important late Iron Age settlement of around 1000 BC. At this time the river was tidal and the evidence suggests a trading and metal working centre with trading connections to northern Europe. Copper ore and ingots were found as well as evidence of smelting in crucibles. The settlement lost importance as water levels rose and the site became unsuitable. Much of the settlement site was destroyed when the river was canalised in the 18th century as part of the effort to drain the Fens.

The parish church is dedicated to St John the Evangelist. St John's Church has a Norman tower, and inside the church is a Norman font. Church windows depict a Zeppelin raid on the village in 1916. An Iron Age shield was discovered near here in 1826. It is called the Witham Shield and is now in the British Museum.[3]

Amenities

The village has the prestigious AA 4 Star Washingborough Hall Hotel and Dining Room restaurant, two public houses, the Ferryboat on High Street and the Hunters Leap on Oak Hill,[4] a Chinese and an Indian takeaway, a pizza house, fish and chip shop, supermarket, cafe, newsagent and post office with chemists. The village has a scout troop. The Peterborough to Lincoln railway line passes through the south-west corner of the village.

References

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Washingborough)