Appleby: Discover Historic Traces

Appleby in North Lincolnshire lies on both sides of the B1207, the historic Roman road Ermine Street. It once ran directly from London to York. The village is home to the Grade II* listed Church of St Bartholomew. Thornholme Priory is a separate historic site within the parish, about a mile south of the village. For your stay, you can explore the history of an ancient transport route, the building phases of the parish church and the remains of an Augustinian priory.

St Bartholomew in the Village

The Church of St Bartholomew on Church Lane is Grade II* listed. Its nave arcade dates from the 13th century, while the tower and chancel arch are attributed to the 14th or 15th century. The church was repaired between 1752 and 1753. The restoration carried out by Joseph Fowler, an architect from Winterton, between 1821 and 1823 included rebuilding the clerestory, aisles, chancel and parts of the tower. The exterior render applied at that time was removed again between 1868 and 1870.

In 1882, J. S. Crowther of Alderley Edge in Cheshire renovated the belfry stage and added buttresses and a stairway to the tower. The nave and aisles also received new buttresses, parapets and roofs. The building comprises a west tower with a west entrance, a three-bay nave with aisles and a south porch, and a two-bay chancel. The vestry adjoins it to the north. Small areas of herringbone masonry survive on the west side of the north aisle of the limestone rubble building. Masks, figures and gargoyles are among its carved stone details.

Thornholme Priory South of Appleby

King Stephen founded the priory between 1148 and 1154 for about twelve Augustinian canons. It stood on a small island at the western edge of the Ancholme valley. Before the Black Death in the 14th century, the community is said to have comprised at least 18 canons; there were 14 in 1377 and nine by 1440. During his visit in 1440, Bishop William Alnwick recorded, among other things, an infirmary, guest rooms, granaries, fisheries and a separate house for the prior.

This well-preserved, medium-sized Augustinian foundation has extensive earthworks visible above ground. The site includes remains of the church, cloister and service buildings, some of which are buried and others preserved as earthworks.

Preparing for Your Stay

If you plan to visit the church or the former priory site, check the access arrangements for each before your trip. Plan for the two sites separately and check the route between the village and the priory site. Wear suitable footwear for outdoor walks and take the weather into account. When looking for a hotel, you can then compare your preferred location and travel route.

Discover more destinations: Surfleet, Coningsby, Market Rasen, Swineshead, Skegness, Wilsford, Scredington, Revesby.

Return to the main travel overview: Lincolnshire.