Marston on the River Witham

Location and orientation

Marston lies on the River Witham and less than two miles from the A1. This gives you two specific reference points for locating the village: its position on the river and its distance from the A1. If you are looking for a hotel in Marston, you can consider the focus of your trip. Marston Hall and St Mary's Church offer historical points of interest; the walking trails mentioned here add an outdoor activity. Which of these appeals to you depends on what you would like to do during your stay.

Marston Hall and its history

Marston Hall is a Grade II* listed building. The Hall preserves the central hall of the original Elizabethan house, which had an E-shaped plan. The building's history also has a clearly dated turning point: Marston Hall was attacked by Cromwell's troops in 1643. The architecture and the event offer different ways to explore the building's history: the surviving hall points to the original house, while 1643 marks a specific episode. The two details can be considered separately: the plan describes the shape of the house, while the surviving hall is part of its original layout.

St Mary's Church and churchyard

St Mary's Church has a distinctive broach spire, an early form of church spire; such spires were already being built in the 13th century. The churchyard contains a 17th-century sundial. The cross there is a fine example of a medieval standing cross with a stepped base. The churchyard is also home to a laburnum tree, reputed to be the largest and oldest in England. The church building and churchyard can be distinguished: the broach spire belongs to the building, while the sundial, cross and laburnum tree are features of the churchyard.

Walking trails with different points of interest

A leaflet published in October 2009 describes three circular Marston & Hougham walks, measuring 4, 8 and 11 kilometres. The distances allow a direct comparison of the route lengths: 4 kilometres is the shortest, 11 kilometres the longest, and the 8-kilometre route lies between them. The stated distances therefore make it easy to distinguish the routes when planning your day. Check local path conditions before setting out. Other routes each have a different point of interest: The Beanholme is a footpath linking Hougham and Marston; the Viking Way enters Marston via Stonepit Lane. When comparing the routes, you can use distance, the connection between two villages and the route into the village as distinct points of reference.

Other historical points of reference

Another point of reference is Marston's village school, founded by Dame Margaret Thorold in 1760. The dates form a timeline of their own: broach spires were being built as early as the 13th century, the sundial dates from the 17th century, Marston Hall was attacked in 1643, and the school was founded in 1760. This allows you to organise the village's history by period and place its various architectural and commemorative features in chronological context.

Discover more destinations: Swineshead, Healing, Brigg, Sandtoft, Tattershall, Greatford, Sutton On Sea, North Somercotes.

For the broader travel overview: Lincolnshire.