Somersby: Tennyson and Historic Buildings

Somersby can be explored through three distinct themes: its literary connection to Alfred Lord Tennyson, the architecture of historic buildings and a circular walk through fields. Two separate connections to Tennyson are associated with Somersby House and St Margaret: the house was the poet’s birthplace; the church contains a bust created by Thomas Woolner. The history of Somersby Grange and the features of St Margaret add specific architectural and historical details to this literary connection. The cultural themes and the walking route represent different ways of engaging with Somersby.

Tennyson connection and Somersby House

Somersby House was the birthplace of Alfred Lord Tennyson. The building was originally a mid-18th-century rectory and is now a private residence. It is a Grade II* listed building. Its role as a birthplace, its former function as a rectory and its current private use mark different periods in its history. The building history and architectural details described at Somersby Grange offer another perspective on the village’s historic buildings.

St Margaret: building history and features

St Margaret is a 15th-century parish church, restored in 1865. Its architectural style is classified as Early Perpendicular; the building is Grade II listed. The style name refers to an architectural classification, while the dates relate to different aspects of the church’s history: the 15th century refers to the church, and 1865 to its restoration.

The features include a plain octagonal font made of freestone and a brass memorial to George Littlebury dating from 1612. Octagonal means that the font has eight sides; freestone is worked stone. St Margaret also contains a bust of Alfred Lord Tennyson created by Thomas Woolner. The same church thus brings together its building history, an older memorial and a work of art directly connected with the poet.

Somersby Grange and its architectural forms

Somersby Grange was built in 1722 for Robert Burton and is a Grade I listed building. Four corner towers are joined by a parapet featuring battlements and machicolations. The parapet forms an upper edge; battlements and machicolations are names for distinctive forms of this architectural feature. In comparison with St Margaret, the focus here is on towers and the parapet, whereas at the church, individual features such as the font, brass memorial and bust are also significant alongside the architecture.

Circular walk through Somersby

The “Bag Enderby In The Footsteps Of Tennyson Short Walk” circular walking route is two miles long and passes through Somersby. It goes through fields and over several stiles. The distance describes the length of the circuit; the fields and stiles provide specific details about the route. If you plan to take the walk, include both aspects in your route planning. This clearly distinguishes the route from the cultural themes: it offers a described trail, while the historic buildings are presented in terms of construction dates, listed status and features.

Discover more destinations: Surfleet, Swinderby, Grantham, Sutton On Sea, Sutton Bridge, North Somercotes, Keelby, Barnetby Le Wold

For the wider travel overview: Lincolnshire.