Things to Do in Boston Lincolnshire: Top Attractions, Food, Beaches, and Day Trips
Boston Lincolnshire is one of England’s most overlooked market towns — and that is precisely what makes it worth visiting. Once one of the most important ports in medieval Europe, with trade rivalling London, Boston has a fascinating history, independent food and drink scene, and access to some of Lincolnshire’s finest coastline and nature reserves.
The short answer to whether Boston is worth visiting: yes, absolutely. The town has been quietly reinventing itself, with a growing range of independent businesses, quirky art installations, and a food and drink scene centred on outstanding local produce. Here is a complete guide to what to see, eat, and do.
Top Attractions in Boston Lincolnshire
St Botolph’s Church (The Boston Stump)
The most iconic sight in Boston — visible for miles across the flat Lincolnshire countryside — is St Botolph’s Church, universally known as the Boston Stump. The tower soars to 272 feet (83 metres) and was completed more than 500 years ago. You can climb its 209 steps to views across the town, the fens, and on a clear day, Lincoln Cathedral on the horizon.
Entry to the church is free. Guided tours are available and can be booked through the Parish of Boston website. Look out for the 13th-century door knocker and various ornate artefacts on the way up. The church is also historically significant as the starting point for the Pilgrim Fathers story — it has direct connections to the founding of Boston, Massachusetts.
Boston Guildhall Museum
The 14th-century Boston Guildhall is one of the most historically significant buildings in the town. You can see the very cells where the Pilgrim Fathers were imprisoned in 1607 — the men who would later sail to America and help found the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The museum traces the history of Boston’s remarkable medieval past as a major European trading port.
Maud Foster Windmill
Standing at seven storeys tall, Maud Foster Mill is the tallest working windmill in Britain and the last of Boston’s original 15 windmills. It sits picturesquely beside the Maud Foster Drain. The mill has a tearoom on site, making it an ideal stop for a break. Opening hours depend on wind conditions, but volunteers are always on hand for tours regardless.
Bubblecar Museum
One of Boston’s most unexpected and beloved attractions, the Bubblecar Museum houses a remarkable collection of microcars and bubble cars from the 1950s and 1960s, set within immersive reconstructed scenes of a 1950s garage, showroom, and domestic interiors. For an additional fee, visitors can ride in a bubble car. Located at Clover Farm, Langrick, approximately five miles from the town centre.
Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre
Located in a converted medieval friary on Spain Lane, Blackfriars is Boston’s arts hub — offering theatre performances, a cabaret bar, and a gallery. The building itself is a rare surviving medieval friary in England. Run largely by volunteers, it is a beloved local institution and worth checking for upcoming events before your visit.
Fydell House
A preserved Queen Anne-era manor house near the town centre with elegant gardens. The house holds local stories and artefacts and its gardens provide a tranquil escape from the market town bustle.
Boston Lincolnshire Beach
Boston itself sits on the River Witham close to its estuary at The Wash — it is not a beach town in the traditional sense, but it is extremely well placed for access to Lincolnshire’s award-winning coastline.
The nearest beaches to Boston are approximately 20-30 minutes’ drive away:
- Skegness — approximately 25 minutes east; the most popular Lincolnshire seaside resort with a long sandy beach, traditional amusements, and Natureland Seal Sanctuary
- Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve — just south of Skegness; wild, undeveloped beach with exceptional birdwatching
- Anderby Creek — quieter alternative to Skegness; peaceful dunes and beach
- Freiston Shore — on The Wash; a managed retreat wetland with tidal flats and sea views
Boston also has the RSPB Frampton Marsh nature reserve just a short drive from the town, which provides outstanding coastal birdwatching and walking with reedbed, freshwater scrape, and saltmarsh habitats. One of the finest birdwatching sites in Lincolnshire.
Food and Drink in Boston Lincolnshire
The Boston Sausage
No visit to Boston Lincolnshire is complete without trying the local Boston sausage. Mountain’s Boston Sausage on the high street is the town’s most famous butcher — established for over 170 years and now in its fourth generation. The green shopfront is immediately recognisable. Their classic Boston sausage, made to a family secret recipe, is a point of local pride.
Fish and Chips
Tate’s Fish and Chips has been a Boston institution since 1903 — over 120 years in the same town centre location. Freshly sourced fish cooked to order, generous portions, and all the classic accompaniments. A rite of passage for any Boston visitor.
Coffee and Independent Cafes
Boston’s independent food and drink scene has grown considerably in recent years. The town centre has a range of independent coffee shops and cafes. Georges Cocktail Bar has been praised for its atmosphere and well-crafted cocktails. Batemans Brewery, one of Lincolnshire’s oldest and most respected independent breweries, supplies many of the town’s pubs with quality local ales.
Boston at Christmas
Boston Lincolnshire holds a Christmas market and festive events in the town centre each year. The Market Place and surrounding streets are transformed with stalls, lights, and seasonal entertainment. The 2025 Christmas market brought significant footfall to the town centre and the tradition continues. Check with the official Discover Boston website (boston-england.co.uk) for confirmed 2026 dates and events.
Golf in Boston Lincolnshire
Boston has two main golf facilities:
- Boston Golf Club — the main golf course, situated on the edge of town
- Boston West Golf Course and Driving Range — a well-regarded 18-hole course with a driving range and practice facilities; popular for both recreational golfers and those looking to improve their game
Day Trips from Boston Lincolnshire
| Destination | Distance | Highlights |
| Skegness | ~25 min | Beach, Natureland Seal Sanctuary, amusements |
| Lincoln | ~45 min | Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Castle, The Lawn |
| Lincolnshire Wildlife Park | ~30 min | Large animal collection including parrots and big cats |
| Spalding | ~20 min | Springfields Shopping, Ayscoughfee Hall and Gardens |
| King’s Lynn (Norfolk) | ~45 min | Medieval town, Tuesday Market Place, ferry to Hunstanton |
| Holkham Beach (Norfolk) | ~1 hr | One of England’s finest beaches, Holkham Estate |
Is Boston Lincolnshire Worth Visiting?
Yes. Boston Lincolnshire is one of those towns that surprises visitors who arrive expecting little. Its medieval history — as a port that once rivalled London in European trade, and as the birthplace of the Pilgrim Fathers story — gives it genuine depth. The Boston Stump alone justifies a trip. Add the Bubblecar Museum, Maud Foster Windmill, outstanding local food, easy access to Lincolnshire coast and nature, and a quietly thriving independent food and drink scene, and Boston is a genuinely rewarding day or overnight trip.
Is Boston Lincolnshire rough? The town, like many English market towns, has areas of deprivation alongside its heritage and growing independent scene. The town centre and attraction areas are perfectly safe and welcoming for visitors.
Planning to stay overnight? See our guide to hotels and accommodation in Boston Lincolnshire for the best places to stay in and around the town.
The official visitor guide for Boston Lincolnshire at boston-england.co.uk has up-to-date event listings, local business guides, and maps for planning your visit.
Bottom Line
| Top attraction | Boston Stump (St Botolph’s Church) — 272ft tower, 209 steps, free entry |
| Must-eat | Boston sausage from Mountain’s; fish and chips from Tate’s |
| Hidden gem | Bubblecar Museum — microcar collection with vintage rides |
| Nearest beach | Skegness (~25 min) or Gibraltar Point for wild beach |
| Best day trip | Lincoln (~45 min) or Holkham Beach Norfolk (~1 hr) |
| Christmas market | Annual — check boston-england.co.uk for dates |
| Golf | Boston West Golf Course and Driving Range |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Boston Lincolnshire?
The top attractions in Boston Lincolnshire are St Botolph’s Church (the Boston Stump), which you can climb for panoramic views; the Boston Guildhall Museum with its Pilgrim Fathers cells; Maud Foster Mill, the tallest working windmill in Britain; and the Bubblecar Museum. The town also has an excellent food scene centred on the Boston sausage, local breweries, and independent cafes.
Is there a beach near Boston Lincolnshire?
Boston Lincolnshire itself sits on the River Witham rather than the coast, but Skegness is approximately 25 minutes east and has a long sandy beach with traditional seaside attractions. Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, just south of Skegness, is ideal for wild beach walking and birdwatching. RSPB Frampton Marsh, a short drive from Boston, provides exceptional coastal wetland birdwatching.
Is Boston Lincolnshire worth visiting?
Yes — Boston Lincolnshire is a genuinely rewarding visit that surprises most visitors. The Boston Stump is one of England’s most impressive parish church towers. The town has direct historical connections to the Pilgrim Fathers and the founding of Boston Massachusetts. The Bubblecar Museum, Maud Foster Windmill, and growing independent food scene add to the appeal. It works well as a day trip from Lincoln, Nottingham, or the Lincolnshire coast.
Where is Boston Lincolnshire?
Boston is a market town in Lincolnshire, England, in the east of the East Midlands region. It sits on the River Witham close to its estuary at The Wash. It is approximately 45 minutes from Lincoln, 30 minutes from Skegness, and roughly 2.5 hours from London by road. The town has a railway station with services to Nottingham and Grantham.