History in Horncastle
Horncastle is a town filled with history. We’re perhaps best known for our famous Horse Fair and Roman walls, but there’s much more you can discover about our town’s past.
Click on the sections below to find out about Horncastle’s history. And if we’ve got you keen to know even more, why not visit our museum and town archives at the Joseph Banks Centre.
Link to: Horncastle Through The Ages
Horncastle Through The Ages
Read about Horncastle’s history from the earliest times, and explore the town’s part in the Lincolnshire Rising of 1536, a rebellion which was a major threat to the continued reign of King Henry VIII.
Link to: Roman Horncastle
Roman Horncastle
The Romans occupied a site in Horncastle from 78AD to 400AD with a fort and settlement, possibly the Banovallum mentioned in historical records. See what Horncastle Roman wall might have looked like in its prime, and read about our campaign to conserve what remains.
Link to: Horse Fair
The Horse Fair
The Horncastle Horse Fair was established in the 13th century as an annual venue where horses could be bought and sold. It expanded greatly in the 18th and 19th century, reaching its zenith in the mid 19th century, becoming the largest in the world, until its decline and demise from early to mid 20th century. The final one being held in 1948.
Link to: The Horncastle Canal
The Horncastle Canal
Opened in 1802, the eleven mile canal ran from Horncastle to the Witham near Tattershall, roughly following the course of the River Bain. Later competition from the railway forced its eventual closure. We’ve provided here a brief review of the construction and operation of the canal, and the changes it brought to the town.
Link to: The Railway
The Railway
The Horncastle Railway Company operated a branch line from the town through Woodhall Spa to Woodhall Junction, where it joined to Boston to Lincoln line. Though it was one of the more successful railway companies, passenger trains ended after 99 years in 1954 and goods trains ended in 1971.
Link to: Industrial Heritage
Industrial Heritage
From brewing to tanning, printing to brickworks, Horncastle has a surprisingly varied industrial history for a relatively small market town. There are several reminders around about Horncastle’s lost industries, whilst others have evolved into modern companies still based in the town.
Link to: Holmeleigh Workhouse
Holmleigh Workhouse
In the 1930s the former Union Workhouse site was converted into a childrens’ home and renamed Holmleigh. A number of “cottage homes” were erected to the south of the original building. with each cottage accommodating 20 children. Holmleigh was closed in 1969.
Link to: Horncastle In The Great War
Horncastle in World War One
Read a summary of our exhibition including films, poetry and re-enactments to commemorate the town’s war dead and the local involvement in the “Great War”.
Horncastle History & Heritage Society
