Pictures of Boothby Graffoe

About Boothby Graffoe

Boothby Graffoe is one of the springline villages lying on the vast Lincolnshire plain. It is a sparsely populated hamlet of immense charm with a history that travels back over hundreds of years.

At one time there was a great castle here called Somerton Castle, it was built in the 13th-century. The castle is no longer and what fragments were left are believed to have been incorporated into an Elizabethan house of Tudor times. When the castle was a living place it provided lodgings for the imprisoned King John I of France. John had been captured at the Battle of Poitiers by the Black Prince who brought both John and his son back to England. It is said that they remained at Somerton Castle for a period of seven months. It must have been some place for it is thought to have housed the King's retinue of 40 servants, and when they left the party were followed by twelve wagons containing their belongings.

In the village visitors can see the lovely Church of St.Andrew. This church is noted for its fine stained glass windows which were presented to the church early in the 20th-century by members of the Marfleet family as a memorial to C.E.Marfleet of Boothby Hall. The church, sitting serenely in a tree lined churchyard is built of stone, and is in the Early Decorated style. It has a beautiful tower with four intricate pinnacles, whilst the interior has a nave and chancel. The church dating from around 1842 is believed to be the second church built on this spot. In the churchyard there are several interesting gravestones.

Boothby Graffoe stands close to the rivers Brant and Witham, so there are plenty of opportunities for river pursuits. The village is spacious, with appealing properties, and is well worth exploring on foot. There are several pretty villages in these parts, within easy driving distance are the town's of Waddington, Sleaford and Conningsby. The historic City of Lincoln with its ancient cathedral is but 11 miles away.