Photo by Maurice Lamb

Welcome to Horncastle Town Council website

The thriving market town of Horncastle is steeped in history. With a population of 6,200, it nestles in the heart of Lincolnshire, on the edge of The Wolds. Its position on the rivers Bain and Waring make it a pleasant place to stroll round, with footpaths leading into the surrounding countryside affording a variety of scenery and miles of leisurely walks.

Horncastle has been a Historic Chartered Market town since 1231 and was once the venue for the world’s largest horse fair. At its peak in the 1800s, buyers and sellers were arriving from all over Europe to trade. Unfortunately the horse fair slowly declined over the years until ceasing in the mid 1900s. Despite this, trade still continued in the streets of the town, and today we still hold markets on Thursdays and Saturdays.

As a former Roman settlement, there are above ground remains of the Roman wall to be found in various parts of the town. The best preserved sections are on display within the Library where it is a major feature within the building.

St Mary’s Church stands proud in the heart of the town. As Horncastle's oldest standing building, it dates back to the 13th Century and contains 13 scythe blades which are believed to have been used in the Lincolnshire Rising of 1536.

Horncastle has become nationally recognised for its numerous antique shops and centres and a map of these can be found in the Library. Today, Horncastle remains an unspoilt market town, offering a wide range of traditional shops and pubs, a swimming pool, doctors’ surgery, schools and a warm welcome