William Marwood: Cobbler, Preacher, Hangman - Exhibition
2026-06-25 10:00 - 2026-09-30 16:00 (Europe/London) | Joseph Banks Centre, 7-13 Bridge Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HZ, United Kingdom
Running from 25th June to 30th September,William Marwood: Cobbler, Preacher, Hangman tells the story of the man who rose from humble beginnings in the Lincolnshire Wolds to become the most well-known executioner of the Victorian age, and pioneer of the “long drop” method of hanging, which he developed here in Lincolnshire.
The exhibition explores Marwood’s complex character and the truth behind his reputation. Visitors can also discover more about crime and punishment in Victorian Britain, and Marwood’s role in some of the most notorious criminal cases that shocked 19th century society.
Drawing on original research by Society members and material from their Town Archive, the exhibition places Marwood within the community where he lived. It reveals the roots of a figure who became a household name in Victorian England, and whose waxwork once graced the Chamber of Horrors at Madame Tussaud’s.
The exhibition is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am–4pm, from 25 June to 30 September at the Joseph Banks Centre in Horncastle. It is free to visit, but all donations towards the upkeep of the Society’s Town Archive are warmly received.

Hangman's Horncastle Tour - Horse Fair Fringe
2026-08-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Joseph Banks Centre, 7-13 Bridge Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HZ, United Kingdom
Join Horncastle History & Heritage Society for a brand new tour exploring the life of one of the town’s most infamous residents, hangman William Marwood. Part of the Horncastle Horse Fair Fringe Programme.
Meet 1pm at the Joseph Banks Centre.
NO NEED TO BOOK – Just turn up!
Don’t miss our special exhibition William Marwood: Cobbler, Preacher, Hangman which is open Thursdays-Saturday until the end of September. Why not pay a visit before the walk?

Horncastle Horse Fair 2026
2026-08-08 | Horncastle Community Centre, Manor House Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HF, United Kingdom
Horncastle’s community arts and heritage celebration is back for the fourth year this August, with a range of activities and events taking place in the town centre, in the build up to the ‘Mane Event’ on Saturday 8th August 2026.
Read the full Horse Fair 2026 Programme.
The event takes its inspiration from the town’s ancient summer fair held since at least 1229 at the Feast of St Lawrence. Horncastle’s Horse Fair was said to be the largest fair for horses in the world, bringing buyers from across Europe and beyond.

Horncastle Horse Fair is produced by Sessions Arts in partnership with the us at Horncastle History & Heritage Society, the East Lindsey Place Team and a committee of amazing individuals from the local community.
This project is supported by: a National Lottery Arts Council Project Grant, an East Lindsey Investment Fund Grant and the Vital & Viable programme; SO Festival; and Horncastle Town Council. With thanks to St Mary’s Church, Horncastle Community Centre and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust for hosting!
Fringe Programme
SATURDAY 1st AUGUST

Join Lumo Workshop at Splisby’s Super Saturday to make your horse decorations for the Mane Event SPILSBY TOWN CENTRE 10am-3pm
Horse Fair Community Window Decorating Workshop. Plus free horsey craft/story/pun/poem session HORNCASTLE LIBRARY 10am-12pm

WEDNESDAY S AUGUST

Horse Themed Watercolour Event with Nikki Bennett. Book via email ho****************@*ll.org 10am-12pm HORNCASTLE LIBRARY

THURSDAY 6 & FRIDAY 7 AUGUST

Lumo Workshop Drop-in Creative Sessions. Come along and get creative making horse-themed crafts and props ready for the Mane Event on Saturday 8th August. Suitable for all ages! 10am-12.30pm & 1.30-4pm COMMUNITY CENTRE

THURSDAY 6 AUGUST

Free Outdoor Sketching Session with Horncastle Art Group. Bring your own art materials. MEET AT ST MARY’S CHURCH from 10am
Hangman’s Horncastle Tour with Horncastle History & Heritage Society. Explore the life of one of Horncastle’s most infamous residents, the hangman William Marwood. MEET AT JOSEPH BANKS CENTRE 1pm
Lincolnshire Folk Tales with Rory Waterman. An evening of Lincolnshire’s amazing (and bawdy!) folk tales. PEDAL & PAWS 7pm

FRIDAY 7 AUGUST

Pedal & Paws Quiz, with an equine-themed round! PEDAL & PAWS 7-10pm

SATURDAY 8 AUGUST

Special Horse Fair QEGS Park Run with a horsey theme and performers from Rhubarb Theatre QUEEN ELIZABETH’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL 9-10am
Display of the artwork created on Sat 1 August HORNCASTLE LIBRARY 9am-1pm
Bikers & Riders Breakfast METHODIST CHURCH HALL QUEEN STREET
9am-12.30pm

TALK: Lincolnshire Links with New Zealand
2026-08-19 19:30 - 20:30 | Horncastle Community Centre, Manor House Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HF, United Kingdom
Admission charge £2 members, £5 non members

TALK: John Cussons: Horncastle's American Civil War hero
2026-09-16 19:30 - 20:30 | Horncastle Community Centre, Manor House Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 5HF, United Kingdom

TALK: Oliver Cromwell was here?
2026-10-21 19:30 - 20:30 | Lincolnshire

TALK: The Sir Joseph Banks Centre building restoration in 2005
2026-11-18 19:30 - 20:30 | Lincolnshire
