Activities in Boston

Few locals will ever refer to by its proper name, as this iconic church is known almost universally as Boston Stump - its lack of a pointy spire the most likely origin of the nickname.

Dating back to the early 14th-century, when Boston was a thriving port and one of the most important settlements in the kingdom after London, the Stump is one of the largest parish churches in England. Its impressive 272ft tower became a landmark during the Second World War, helping to guide Allied bomber pilots back to base after raids on Germany. For a small fee, you can climb the tower (although not right to the top) and on a clear day you can see for miles across the flat fields of the South Lincolnshire Fens.

The fascinating story of the Pilgrim Fathers, who sailed across the Atlantic for the New World in 1620, is told in the museum housed in the medieval Boston Guildhall. They were imprisoned here 13 years earlier after being captured trying to flee to Holland in search of religious freedom.

There’s nowhere better than Boston for enjoying wide open spaces because the spaces are, well, so wide and open. So for a breath of fresh air, why not pop down to Witham Way Country Park? Set in 38 acres of land which was once used as allotments, it's a great place for walking, horse riding, fishing and picnics. There's also a cycle path along the banks of the River Witham which follows the route of the old Boston to Lincoln railway line.

The park is a nature reserve, providing habitats for many types of woodland and grassland wildlife, as well as a wildflower meadow and a bug park. The array of birds, including Owls that have nested in bird boxes, make this a popular spot for bird watchers.

For real bird watching enthusiasts, though, RSPB Frampton Marsh is the place to head for. This wonderful nature reserve gives you the chance to get up close and personal with the abundant birdlife of The Wash, including avocets, redshanks and skylarks. It’s only six miles from our Boston hotel and there are 3km of footpaths to explore as well as a visitor centre where you can hire binoculars.

For an even more bracing day out, you could consider a sea trip on the passenger boat Boston Belle. As well as cruises out to The Wash, where you can see colonies of seals, there are river trips on the tranquil River Witham.

Windmills are a common sight in this part of the world but the Maud Foster stands out as something special. Built in 1819, the seven-storey mill has the unusual distinction of having five sails. Restored to a working mill in the late 1980s it’s now open to visitors and has a shop where you can buy organic flour and porridge oats.

One of the country’s most unusual visitor attractions is the Bubblecar Museum at Langrick, just outside Boston. Travel back in time and see an intriguing collection of these microcars, which were powered by engines of less than 700cc and were briefly a popular alternative to full-sized cars.