LOUTH

An architectural gem - that's lovely Louth.

This thriving market town truly lives up to its claim as the “capital of the Lincolnshire Wolds” for here are buildings which present the best in English design from the 17th and 18th Centuries, red brick tributes to bygone ages which bring character and style to its town centre.

Louth’s skyline and that of the surrounding countryside, is dominated by the spire of its church, a spacious and elegant building dedicated to St James and in the Perpendicular style of architecture.

With a height of 295 ft the spire makes this reputedly the tallest parish church in the United Kingdom and second only to Salisbury Cathedral in terms of spire height.

Building began in 1501 and took 15 years to complete and has been described as being in “a marvellous state of perfection.”

As is the Northern Lincolnshire holiday resort of Cleethorpes, Louth is located in the Greenwich meridian the point at which the time line crosses Eastgate being marked with a plaque on the north side of the street, close to the junction with Northgate.

One of the town’s main attractions is Hubbards Hills, which opened to the public in 1907. The park is a glacial valley through which the River Lud passes, with steep, wooded slopes on either side.

Around Louth are several places of particular interest, not least the Cadwell Park motor racing circuit four miles south of the town between the villages of Scamblesby and Tathwell.



The tallest structure in the European Union, the Belmont television and radio mast, is situated in the nearby village of Donington on Bain, five miles west of the town. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays are market days, with a farmers' market on the fourth Wednesday of each month. A cattle market is held each Thursday at the Louth Livestock Centre on Newmarket.

Linked to Louth:

• Michael Foale, the first British-born astronaut, was born at the Crowtree Lane Hospital (now the sixth-form and IT block of King Edward VI Grammar School) in the town (his father was stationed at the nearby Royal Air Force base at Manby)


• Alfred, Lord Tennyson was born in Somersby, between Louth and Horncastle, and was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School.


• Corinne Drewery, lead singer of the band Swing Out Sister, attended schools in the town whilst growing up in the village of Authorpe, between Louth and Alford


• Jeffrey Archer was elected the town’s Member of Parliament in a by-election in 1969. He stood down at the October 1974 general election


• Jim Broadbent, Actor, lives in a small village just outside Louth. Graham Fellows, also known as John Shuttleworth and Jilted John


• Sir John Franklin FRGS, (April 15, 1786 - June 11, 1847), English sea captain and Arctic explorer, was also educated at King Edward VI Grammar School.*Singer and actress Barbara Dickson lives in the area


• Patrick Mower, currently seen in TV soap-opera Emmerdale lives in the area

Our recommended links...

http://www.louth.org

http://www.louthuk.com