Places to eat in Woodhall Spa and surrounding villages

The Dower House Hotel – really lovely atmospheric in this hotel not too far from the Kinema across from the golf course. It was built in 1904 and was used by the RAF in WW2 before becoming a surgery and then a hotel. We really like it here (but then we have special memories of our wedding reception there many years ago…)..  There’s a fire in the fireplace in winter and lovely grounds to wander around in summer.  Lunch, dinner and afternoon teas are all served.

The Petwood.  Lovely old-fashioned ambience with a great history – really worth going to. Beautiful gardens and a patio to have your lunch on. Enjoy lunch, afternoon tea or dinner in a great historic atmosphere! Made famous as an Officer’s Mess in the Second World War for the 617 Dambuster Squadron, many people don’t realise that it also served as a hospital in the First World War too. Visit the Squadron Bar –not to be missed! You might even meet a ghost or two! It’s a lovely timbered hotel with the drive up to it and lovely well-kept gardens where you can eat in summer.

High on my list is the Indian Restaurant (India Village) which is down the Broadway (ie the main road).  The meals in the restaurant or as a takeaway are great – best Indian around for miles!

I like the Abbey Lodge which is just out of Woodhall towards Tattershall.  It’s a pub, a bit old-fashioned, but I think there’s something nice about that.  Food’s good too!

The Teahouse in the Woods has a great history. It was built in the Edwardian period and has been serving teas since 1903. It is now a restaurant with good reviews– it’s near the Kinema in the Woods and the old Spa.

The Village Limits.  It’s down past the Petwood for about ½ mile.

The Ebrington Arms – in Kirkby-on-Bain (turn off along the road to Horncastle) – a bit like the Abbey Lodge – old fashioned with good food

The Red Lion in Digby (about 7 miles south of here)

Other restaurants include The Inn at Woodhall (near the PO) and Zucci’s which is part Mediterranean and part Turkish/Greek, good for large groups, children and the hungry as they serve enormous pizzas and it’s easy to find on the main road.

There are also a number of tearooms – Janet’s tearooms near the roundabout is an experience in itself – rather old-fashioned but totally unique.  Then there’s Archies, Just Desserts (lovely icecream), and Little Dorritts is very traditional – something for all tastes in Woodhall!  There are 2 newish tearooms in Woodhall –Kitchenetta on the Broadway, and the Book Fayre about half way through the town on the right hand side. Kitchenetta also sells deli things and the Book Fayre sells gifts as well as books, tea, coffee and cake!

There’s also a fish & chip shop this side of Woodhall on the right hand side before the roundabout – it’s only small and you might miss it!  It’s sort of opposite the Fire Station.

 

Where to eat in Lincoln…

So much has changed in Lincoln over the years since the University came to town and I don’t get out very often, but I do have some places which I am really happy to recommend – I know there are far more and if you find one you particularly like please let me know and I’ll put it on the list.  My favourite is The Old Bakery – go to uphill Lincoln and beyond (best to Google map it first as it can be slightly difficult to find).  Run by a real Italian character – Ivano de Serio – but food is mainly British and all of it is made from fresh ingredients, often local.  My first choice in Lincoln.

Other restaurants include the Castle Hotel, the Tower Hotel  and the White Hart Hotel (all uphill Lincoln), Jews House Restaurant, the Wig & Mitre and Browns Pie Shop, all on the way up (or down!) the Steep, Stoke’s Restaurant in town. Also the Bronze Pig and La Trattoria da Vincenzo have great reviews.

Loads of other restaurants and Tea rooms in Lincoln – let me know if you find some good ones so I can pass it on!

 

…and near Lincoln

On the other side of Lincoln is Doddington Hall where you’ll probably go during your stay to purchase all sorts of goodies in the fantastic Doddington Hall Farm Shop or even take a tour around the house.  The restaurant there is really worth going to as well as has just won some impressive awards.

Washingborough Hall is a beautiful Grade II Listed early Georgian Manor House set in 3 acres of mature gardens in Washingborough, just 2 miles east of the city of Lincoln. The dining room restaurant serves a seasonal British Menu using Lincolnshire produced ingredients whenever possible.

 

Other places to eat a bit further afield

Abbey Farm Shop on the A17. This place is especially nice and is famous for its asparagus. They have a super little restaurant there with local food

Now, on to Horncastle – 12 miles away –Two of my favourite restaurants are also in Horncastle – Shakesby’s and Magpies.  Try them both!  They both use local Lincolnshire ingredients.  Combine it with a day looking around the antique shops (mostly junk shops but still really fun). Go to Magpies at lunchtime or on certain evenings and you’ll get a much better deal.    Atmosphere really lovely.

And one which is at the very north of Lincolnshire – Winterinham Fields (in Winteringham)– quite a long way away (over an hour) but has a Michelin star.

 

 

 

Markets & Farmshops

There are markets and farmers’ markets throughout Lincolnshire but these do change from time to time so the best idea is to check online at www.selectlincolnshire.co.uk or www.visitlincoln.com

 

Farmshops

Manor Farm Shop Leasingham.

Abbey Farm Shop East Heckington

The Manor Farm Shop, Swineshead

Leagate Farm Shop nr Coningsby

Field Farm Organics, Horncastle

Oslinc Farm Shop, Nr Revesby

Doddington Farm Shop, Doddington

& many more!

 

Breweries

Batemans Brewery in Wainfleet.  Visitor centre, tours, shop and plenty of beer!

8 Sail Brewery, Heckington (next to windmill). One beer uses barley milled at the windmill.

Skidbrooke Cyder Company, nr Louth – produces a natural clear full-flavoured cider

& more