Washingborough

Washingborough
Washingborough
 Washingborough shown within Lincolnshire
Population 3,356 (2001 Census)[1]
OS grid referenceTF019706
    London 115 mi (185 km)  S
DistrictNorth Kesteven
Shire countyLincolnshire
RegionEast Midlands
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post town LINCOLN
Postcode district LN4
Dialling code 01522
Police Lincolnshire
Fire Lincolnshire
Ambulance East Midlands
EU Parliament East Midlands
UK ParliamentSleaford and North Hykeham
List of places
UK
England
Lincolnshire

Coordinates: 53°13′24″N 0°28′28″W / 53.22326°N 0.47444°W / 53.22326; -0.47444

Washingborough is a village 3 miles (5 km) east from Lincoln city centre, in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England. The population at the census 2001 was 3,356, increasing to 3,482 at the 2011 census.[2] It is situated on the lower slopes of Lincoln Cliff limestone escarpment where the River Witham breaks through the Lincoln Edge.

Geography

Washingborough signpost

Washingborough is the point on the River Witham at which the Lincolnshire Fens begin. The Fens were first drained by the Romans and the Roman Car Dyke ran from Washingborough to the River Nene, near Peterborough.

History

A dig involving Channel 4's archaeological television programme Time Team, on a site adjacent to the modern canalised course of the River Witham, found evidence of an important late Iron Age settlement of around 1000 BC. At this time the river was tidal and the evidence suggests a trading and metal working centre with trading connections to northern Europe. Copper ore and ingots were found as well as evidence of smelting in crucibles. The settlement lost importance as water levels rose and the site became unsuitable. Much of the settlement site was destroyed when the river was canalised in the 18th century as part of the effort to drain the Fens.

The parish church is dedicated to St John the Evangelist. St John's Church has a Norman tower, and inside the church is a Norman font. Church windows depict a Zeppelin raid on the village in 1916. An Iron Age shield was discovered near here in 1826. It is called the Witham Shield and is now in the British Museum.[3]

Amenities

The village has two public houses, the Ferryboat on High Street and the Hunters Leap on Oak Hill,[4] a Chinese and an Indian takeaway, a pizza house, fish and chip shop, supermarket, cafe, newsagent and post office with chemists. The village has a scout troop. The Peterborough to Lincoln Line passes through the south-west corner of the village.

Education

The village has a primary school, which gained a good ofsted report in the 2009 inspection.

Twin village

References

  1. "2001 Census: Key Statistics: Parish Headcounts: Area: Washingborough CP (Parish)". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  2. "Civil Parish population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  3. Witham Shield, accessed August 2010
  4. Hunters Leap
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