Horncastle History

Horncastle Horse Fair 2025
2025-08-09 | Horncastle Community Centre, Manor House Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HF, United Kingdom
Horncastle’s uplifting community arts event is back for the third year this August, with a range of activities and events taking place in the town centre, around the ‘Mane Event’ on Saturday 9th August. The event takes inspiration from the town’s ancient summer fair, the Great August Horse Fair, which was once the largest fair for horses in the world bringing buyers from across Europe and beyond.
Organised and run by Sessions Arts in partnership with the Society and local volunteers, with support from Horncastle Town Council, ELDC and Arts Council England, the Horse Fair is a celebration of the town’s heritage and history at the same time as being a wonderful community get-together where new traditions are created!

With performances, craft workshops, talks, food & drink and even a parade, it’s a brilliant event that brings the town together.
Download a copy of the programme here, or visit the Horncastle Horse Fair Facebook page or Instagram for the latest updates.

Horncastle Canal Walk
2025-08-07 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | Lincolnshire
Part of the Horncastle Horse Fair week.
Please note this event starts from the Community Centre, Manor House Street – not the Joseph Banks Centre

Victorian Policeman Walk
2025-07-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Joseph Banks Centre, 7-13 Bridge Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HZ, United Kingdom
“Lawless and immoral”: preventing crime and arresting offenders was a huge problem in Victorian Horncastle, with the tiny police force often stretched to the limit.
Come on the beat with Adam Cartwright to hear about some of the town’s characters and criminals, and visit where their offences took place.
There is a small charge of £2 for this walk.

Tales of Horncastle clergy, murder and scandal - Nick Fox
2025-07-16 19:30 - 21:00 | Horncastle Community Centre, Manor House Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HF, United Kingdom
Join Nick Fox to explore the fascinating lives some of Horncastle’s local clergy. From ‘saints’ like Simon Islip who rose to become an Archbishop of Canterbury, to the ‘sinners’ like James Gibson who found himself imprisoned in Tattershall Castle, and the unfortunate John Rouceby who was cruelly murdered on the lawless Lincoln Heath.
Members admission is £2, and non-members £5.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are available for a donation.

Horncastle's Horrid History Walk
2025-06-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Joseph Banks Centre, 7-13 Bridge Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HZ, United Kingdom
Nick Fox takes us on a tour of Horncastle’s past, featuring some of the murky episodes from the town’s history and some of the dodgy characters who took part in them. Not to be missed!
There is a small fee of £2 for this walk.

WW1 Nurse Jean Bemrose from Asterby - Chris Hewis
2025-06-18 19:30 - 21:00 | Horncastle Community Centre, Manor House Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HF, United Kingdom
Join Chris Hewis to discover the story of nursing on the front line in WWI France. Jean Bemrose was awarded the Military Medal for her gallantry and devotion to duty during a major air raid on Etaples Hospital in France. Using copies of albums, photographs and memorabilia from her own collection, this is a unique insight into WWI nursing care.
Members admission is £2, and non-members £5.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are available for a donation.

Horncastle Heritage Trail Part 2
2025-05-31 10:00 - 12:00 | Horncastle Library, Wharf Road, Horncastle, LN9 5HL
As part of the Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival join a guided tour of the Horncastle Heritage Trail to celebrate the 20 newly installed display boards full of fun facts from the town’s rich history.
Part 2 includes the Town Centre, West Street and the Canal. Finishing with refreshments at the Library which is also holding a Lincolnshire Local History Festival.
If you’d like to complete the first half of the trail we’ll be holding another guided walk on 24th May, 10am at the Library. You are welcome to attend one or both walks.
£2 per adult (kids free), please pay cash on the day.
For more info on this walk or other activities visit the Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival website Horncastle Heritage Trail – Part 2

Horncastle Heritage Trail Part 1
2025-05-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Horncastle Library, Wharf Road, Horncastle, LN9 5HL
As part of the Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival join a guided tour of the Horncastle Heritage Trail to celebrate the 20 newly installed display boards full of fun facts from the town’s rich history.
Part 1 includes The Wong, the Workhouse, and South Street. Finishing with refreshments at the Library which is also holding a Lincolnshire Local History Festival.
If you’d like to complete the second half of the trail we’ll be holding a second guided walk on 31st May 10am at the Library. You are welcome to attend one or both walks.
£2 per adult (kids free), please pay cash on the day.
For more info on this walk or other activities visit the Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival website Horncastle Heritage Trail – Part 1

Society AGM
2025-05-21 19:30 - 21:00 | Horncastle Community Centre, Manor House Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HF, United Kingdom
Members are invited to attend our Annual General Meeting, which will be followed by tea, coffee and cake.

Victory in Horncastle Exhibition
2025-04-26 10:00 - 2025-06-30 16:00 | Joseph Banks Centre, 7-13 Bridge Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HZ, United Kingdom
Visit the Society’s special exhibition exploring stories of how local people celebrated VE Day in 1945 and their experiences of life during wartime.
The museum will be decorated with handmade flags and bunting, just as the town was during VE Day. The exhibition will feature real wartime artefacts, clothing, traditional toys, food tins and utensils.
There will be a mock up Anderson Shelter to see in the Joseph Banks Tribute garden, and you can also listen to Winston Churchill’s VE Day speech on a vintage radio.
There will also be some fascinating stories of wartime childhood to discover in the society’s new book ‘Horncastle At War: Through the eyes of a nine year old boy’ – which is based on the memories of Len Blades.

Children can enjoy crafts and colouring in at the VE Day kids activity corner.
Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am-4pm.
Special extra opening Bank Holiday Monday 5th May.

Lincolnshire Folk Songs, a talk and performance - Nigel Creasey
2025-04-16 | Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire Folk Songs, a talk and performance – Nigel Creasey
