For two weekends this May, lovers of heritage and history can take their pick from 119 Lincolnshire churches and chapels, as the West Lindsey Churches Festival celebrates its 30th year and sees a record number of buildings taking part in the event.
The first weekend (9th and 10th May) will see 58 churches in the east of the area take part, with 61 churches opening for the second weekend (16th and 17th May) to the west. All buildings are free to enter.
In recent years, the festival map has expanded and has started to include churches in neighbouring districts, helping to make this festival one of the biggest open churches festivals in Europe.
Find out more at www.churchesfestival.info.
Here are some of our local churches taking part:
St Andrew’s Church, Kirton in Lindsey
Open 10.00am to 4.30pm on Saturday 16th and 12.30pm to 4.00pm on Sunday 17th May
As well as displays on the theme ‘Time Travelling’ by the Brownies and local groups, there will be materials from The Kirton in Lindsey Society archives, Tower Tours and organ recitals. Home-made soup and bread rolls will be served at lunchtime and light refreshments at other times.
St Radegund Church, Grayingham
Open 9.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday 16th and 10.00am to 4.00pm on Sunday 17th May
There will be refreshments available, lunches and a wedding dress display.
St Paul’s Church, Morton
Open 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May
View its collection of 10 windows designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, who worked on them with William Morris, a William Morris carpet, a font of Frosterley marble, surmounted by a fine carved oak canopy and the Augustus Gern organ built in 1891. The theme for the displays in the church is English Country Garden. Refreshments will be available.
St Mary’s Church, Knaith
Open 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May
St Mary’s Church has many hidden secrets. It is located out of sight behind the curved brick wall on the busy A156 but can be easily found down the tree-lined drive with glimpses of the River Trent. Described as ‘a little gem’, St Mary’s has an eyebrow raising history and breath-taking artefacts of historical interest, and also a storyteller who is available throughout the weekend to reveal the church’s secrets. Enjoy homemade cakes and wander outside.
St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Cross Street, Gainsborough
Open 9.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday 16th and 10.30am to 5.00pm on Sunday 17th May
The church, built in 1866 and decorated in Pugin style, is only a five-minute walk from Marshall’s Yard. There will be a themed display of ‘Weddings Old and New’. Tea, coffee and cake available.
St Peter’s Church, Scotter
Open 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday 16th and 11.30am to 4.00pm on Sunday 17th May
The Bell Ringers will be in attendance and the local art group will be displaying their work. A mini cake stall and refreshments will be served.
Gainsborough United Reformed Church, Church Street, Gainsborough
Open 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday 16th and 12.30pm to 4.00pm on Sunday 17th May
See and maybe, hear, their heritage organ, the history of their over-100-year-old building and the permanent exhibition of the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims. There will also be a small gallery of paintings done by local artists and book stalls run by local authors. Refreshments will be available.
St George’s Church, Gainsborough
Open 10.00am to 2.00pm on Saturday 16th May
St George’s Church is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a display of church history and a table top sale in the attached hall. Bacon and sausage baps and cake will be served 10.00am to 1.00pm.
Corringham Church
Open 10.30am to 4.00pm on Saturday 16th and 11.00am to 4.00pm on Sunday 17th May
This beautiful church was restored to great heights in the 19th century by GF Bodley and Thomas Garner; it is spectacular. They also have a reputation for serving high quality lunches and light refreshments.
All Saints Parish Church, Gainsborough
Open 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday 16th and 12.00pm to 4.00pm on Sunday 17th May
On Saturday 16th May, Lincoln Pro Musica Orchestra makes a welcome return to perform a concert of Orchestral Music. Mozart’s exuberant Paris Symphony (K297) opens the concert. It is followed by the ‘Adagietto’ from Mahler’s fifth symphony and the concert ends with the first of two ballets in their 2026 concert series, Beethoven’s ‘Creatures of Prometheus’. Advance tickets are available from Horsley’s of Gainsborough (cash / cheque only), online via https://LincolnProMusicaGainsborough.eventbrite.com or contacting tickets@lincoln-promusica.org.uk.