A Guide 2 Spalding

Description:

Spalding is a thriving market town situated at the heart of the Lincolnshire Fens on the banks of the River Welland.

The riverbanks are lined with terraces of grand Georgian terraces, a relic of the town's tradition as a major trading centre.

Today Spalding is at the centre of the flower and bulb industry, which is celebrated each year with the famous Spalding Flower Parade. The event sees floats, traditionally decorated with tulip heads, parade through the town's streets, accompanied by bands and brightly-dressed performing community groups.

The Pumpkin Festival in October, which sees a parade of children in Halloween costumes and stalls selling pumpkin-themed products, celebrates that the area is also one of the biggest pumpkin growing areas in the country.

The town centre boasts a variety of national and independent retailers, including department stores, butchers, bakers, grocers and an award-winning bookshop, as well as numerous places to eat and drink, including cafes, family pubs, Italian, Indian, Chinese and Mediterranean restaurants.

Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, a traditional market is held in the town centre, selling everything from fruit and vegetables to computer peripherals.

The South Holland Centre, situated in the Market Place, provides a wide range of arts events throughout the year, including comedy, dance, music, children's shows and cinema.

A short walk across the town's High Bridge lies the late-medieval Ayscoughfee Hall and Gardens, formerly the home of a rich wool merchant but now belonging to the town. The hall is home to a museum depicting life in the area through the centuries.

Entry to the hall and its formal gardens is free.

Spalding Water Taxi  runs from the town centre to Springfields Outlet Shopping and Festival Gardens, which is located a couple of miles away. The shopping centre has about 40 big-name stores while the festival gardens include areas designed by TV gardeners Kim Wilde and Charlie Dimmock.

Fenscape, located within Springfields, is an interactive tourist centre telling the story of the fens with sculptures, audio visual displays, theatrical sets and graphics.

The town has numerous primary schools and four secondary schools and a well-equipped district council-owned leisure centre and swimming pool.