Saxilby: Local History and Routes

Saxilby combines a well-preserved medieval village centre with notable historic buildings and several specific route connections. This offers different perspectives for planning your trip: architectural history in the village, a described walk, cycling routes starting in Saxilby, and a canoe route that passes the village at a notable point. The respective starting points and connections can help you organise these topics according to your interests.

Local History and Historic Buildings

Saxilby’s medieval street plan has been preserved in the centre of the village. One specific example of its older buildings is The Old Hall at 76 High Street. This listed building is designated Grade II* and is also considered the oldest surviving house in Saxilby. Two complete bays and half a bay of an earlier four-bay hall house survive; the timber framing and roof structure are also fully preserved. The building’s history can be traced here through specific parts of its construction, not just the age of the house.

The parish church of St Botolph in Saxilby-with-Ingleby displays architectural features from different styles spanning a period of about 900 years. In contrast to the Old Hall, whose surviving bays, timber framing and roof structure are the main focus, the church offers a view of a long succession of different stylistic features. The two buildings therefore highlight different aspects of the village’s history.

Walking, Cycling and Canoe Routes

A West Lindsey leaflet from January 2008 describes the Saxilby Walkabout as a walk through the village, visiting sites and places of particular interest to visitors. The description gives the railway station at Station Approach, near the High Street, as the starting point. This provides a specific starting point for the walk, while the cycling routes are based on other points of reference.

Saxilby is the starting point for several cycling routes listed in West Lindsey’s Cycleabout leaflets. National Cycle Network Route 64 is a short distance away. When comparing these options, it is helpful to distinguish between a starting point and proximity: the Walkabout starts at the railway station near the High Street, the listed cycling routes start in Saxilby, and Route 64 is a short distance from the village.

A canoe route also passes Saxilby at a clearly specified point. After about five miles, the Fossdyke Navigation canoe circuit from Torksey to Lincoln passes under the railway bridge at Saxilby. The route connects Torksey and Lincoln; its connection to Saxilby is the bridge along the route. The distance is approximate and refers to this canoe circuit.

The Fossdyke and Events

The parish of Saxilby with Ingleby lies on the north bank of the Fossdyke Navigation between Lincoln and Torksey. The Fossdyke Navigation itself dates back to Roman times. Taken together, these highlight two different aspects: the parish’s location beside the waterway and the Navigation’s long history.

For groups, the Saxilby History Group can organise talks and guided walks. This offers a distinct way to explore local history alongside the routes described and the historic buildings. Events held throughout the year include the Saxilby 5K. A Teddy Bear Parachute Jump is also held in Saxilby; it starts at St Botolph’s Church.

Discover more destinations: Norton Disney, East Kirkby, Carlton-le-Moorland, Branston, Hemswell, Langworth, Bradley, Doncaster

For the wider travel overview: Lincolnshire.