| Washingborough | |
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Washingborough
Washingborough shown within Lincolnshire |
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| Population | 3,356 (2001 Census)[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | TF019706 |
| - London | 142 miles (229 km) S |
| District | North Kesteven |
| Shire county | Lincolnshire |
| Region | East Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LINCOLN |
| Postcode district | LN4 |
| Dialling code | 01522 |
| Police | Lincolnshire |
| Fire | Lincolnshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | Sleaford and North Hykeham |
| List of places: UK • England • Lincolnshire | |
Washingborough is a large village 3 miles (5 km) east of the city of Lincoln in North Kesteven, located on the lower slopes of the limestone escarpment known as the Lincoln Cliff where the River Witham breaks through the Lincoln Edge.
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It is the point on the River Witham at which the Lincolnshire Fens begin. The Fens were first drained by the Romans and the Roman Car Dyke ran from Washingborough to the River Nene, near Peterborough. The River Witham at this point is used by pleasure craft and narrowboaters can find convenient mooring five minutes' walk away from the village centre. The Peterborough to Lincoln Line passes through the south-west corner of the village.
A dig involving Channel 4's Time Team on a site adjacent to the modern, canalised course of the River Witham found strong evidence of an important late iron age settlement of around 1000 BC. At this place, at this time, the river was tidal and the evidence suggests a trading and metal working centre with trading connections to northern Europe. Copper ore and ingots were found as well as evidence of smelting in crucibles. The settlement lost importance as water levels rose and the site became unsuitable. Much of the settlement site was destroyed when the river was canalised in the 18th century as part of the effort to drain the Fens.
The parish church is dedicated to St John the Evangelist. St John's Church has a Norman tower, and inside the church is a Norman font. Church windows depict a Zeppelin raid on the village in 1916. An Iron Age shield was discovered near here in 1826. It is called the Witham Shield and is now in the British Museum.[2]
The village has three local pubs, The Royal Oak on Main Road,[3] The Ferryboat on High Street and the Hunters Leap on Oak Hill,[4] together with a number of food outlets (Chinese and Indian takeaways, a pizza house and a fish and chip shop). Shopping in the village can be at the local supermarket, paper shop or post office/chemists.
The village has an active scout troop which enjoys activities such as canoeing and fishing (a popular activity in the village due to its proximity to the River Witham).
The Village has one Primary School, which gained a good ofsted report in the 2009 inspection. The school is one of several schools to have adopted a Values approach to education, whereby students learn about 22 core values over a two year period. The students learn about living the different values and how they can use the values in daily life. The school has a wide variety of clubs and extra curricular activities, where the values approach is continued. The school takes a very high approach to learning with values.