Guide 2 Surfleet

Description:

Surfleet is a small linear village located near Spalding in the South Holland district of Lincolnshire situated on the bank of the River Glen.

It has a population of approximately 2,500 people.

The village has an ancient history dating back to Roman times when sea banks and salt pans were constructed.

Surfleet is a very picturesque parish with charming walks and beautiful scenery particularly along the river bank.

Flooding used to be a major concern for residents and in 1739 a sluice was erected to control the flow of water in and out of the River Glen.

Since then the threat of flood has been greatly reduced as the reservoir holds the waters of the river until the high tide has passed.

This area of the village is known as Surfleet Seas End.

The railway arrived in Surfleet in the 19850s when the Lincolnshire loop of the Great Northern Railway was completed linking Peterborough to Grimsby.

The railway station was situated at the bottom of the village giving the main road through the village (Station Road) its name.

The station finally closed its doors to the public in 1963 when the railway tracks were removed. The station buildings in Surfleet stood until 1964 when they were bulldozed to make room for the A16 Spalding Bypass.

The only part of the station that still exists is The Riverside Public House (pictured) which is on the original route of Station Road which was re-routed to accommodate the A16.

The village church (pictured) is dedicated to St Laurence, who was martyred on a grid iron over 1800 years ago. For this reason the weather vane on the top of the spire takes the form of a gilded Gridiron.

The tower and spire really have a distinct lean, as the foundations started to sink in the soft fenland soil when the tower was built (1270-1350).

The tip of the spire is over six feet from the perpendicular.

Local legend maintains that the tower bowed to a passing knight!

Most of the church is built in the Decorated and Perpendicular styles between 1270- and 1480, although parts date back to the early Norman period (1066-1130).

The church is one of the few in England to possess a peal of 12 bells. This beautiful church is well worth a visit and an interesting guide is available for visitors.