When visiting Spilsby you will find a small rural market town in the heart of agricultural Lincolnshire which hasn’t really changed much in 200 years, retaining as it does, much of its Victorian charm and appeal.

The town centre is very pleasingly traditional, and has a good range of small supermarkets, newsagents, bakers, butchers and clothing stores. There are also, in relation to the size of the town, several cafes and ethnic food establishments.

Market day, held in the open square in the centre of town, is Monday, where locally grown vegetables and locally raised meat predominate. The four main town streets radiate from the square.

Visiting Spilsby Show is something not to be missed and is extremely popular. Taking place every July on the town playing fields on Ancaster Avenue off Boston Road. Proceeds from the event go towards providing much needed funds for several local charities.

The town has probably become best known for its RAF heritage. In particular, the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre is located in the town at East Kirkby, on the site of RAF East Kirkby. The museum is open daily (except Sundays), and is a lasting monument to the RAF's presence in Lincolnshire during World War II. The museum houses one of the world's three remaining, and most famous of all wartime bombers, the Lancaster. Although still capable of flying, the high cost of an airworthiness certificate (said to be in the region of £2m) has proven too prohibitive thus far. However, the museum is in the process of trying to raise the funds to obtain the certificate for this most iconic RAF aeroplane.

There is also The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, based at nearby RAF Coningsby. Here, there is an altogether historic collection comprising of a Lancaster bomber, five Spitfire and two Hurricane fighters, plus a DC47 Dakota transport and two Chipmunk trainers.

There are some other great heritage sites in and around when visiting Spilsby that are very worthy of a visit. Although now a ruin, Bolingbroke Castle, the birthplace of Henry IV and which dates back to 13th century, is a particularly excellent example of early castle architecture. Also worth considering are Gunby Hall house and garden, the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre, Stockwith Mill, the Snipedales Nature Reserve and Country Park (located next to the historic Civil War battlefield at nearby Winceby) and the Buttercross monument.


Candlesby Herbs are also based in the town.