(S/E) Start the walk at Stanhope Hall on Boston Road (A153), there is a free car park at The Cattle Market on The Wong, not far from the Hall. After having a look at the 1st blue plaque that can be found on the Boston Road side of the building, from Drill Hall proceed down Boston Road (North-North-West)), past the Black Swan towards the traffic lights at the Bull Ring.
At the junction with Jubilee Way, on your left-hand side is the dedication to the August Horse Fair. Great August Horse Fair - celebrates the Great August Horse Fairs held annually.
(1) Cross the road (East) towards the estate agent and proceed down East Street for approx. 800m, you will see the 2nd blue plaque on the wall of number 40. Annie Dixon
From here, cross the road and continue along East Street (A158) until you reach the junction of Stanhope Road. Turn left (North) and walk all the way up Stanhope Road to the junction of Louth Road (A153).
Turn left down Louth Road towards the town centre, the Old Courthouse is on your right on the other side of Louth Road. 3rd blue plaque Court House, North Street
Continue down North Street, past the Hobby House and turn right down Conging Street. Proceeding down Conging Street, the Co-Op store car park is on the left-hand side and the 4th blue plaque can be found within the car park, opposite the store's main doors : Thomas Sully
Take the path to the left of the plaque (South), down Dog Kennel Lane and West onto St Lawrence Street. Here turn left (South) up towards the Market Place. The 5th blue plaque can be found outside Costa Coffee : Butter Market
(2) From here, proceed to the end of St Lawrence Street, to the High Street and turn left where, in approx. 50 yards, you will find the next two blue plaques (6th and 7th)) of note : Sir Joseph Banks town house and The Drum Clock - The Horncastle Drum Clock (1860) is on the wall between the third and fourth windows on the first floor with the winding mechanism inside.
Using the pedestrian crossing, cross the High Street and head left towards the Bull Hotel and the Bull Ring (East).
Find the 8th August Horse Fair blue plaque there, on the wall between The Bull Hotel and Wilkin Chapman Solicitors.
Continue down on your right towards the crossroads and turn right (South-West-West) down Wharf Road, past Robert Bell's Estate Agents. The 9th plaque is found on the side of the library building and celebrates the Roman history of the town : South line of Roman Fort
Continue along Wharf Road to the junction with Church Lane and turn right up Church Lane. At number 6, you will find the 10th blue plaque : William Marwood
(3) Continue a little further up Church Lane, then cross the road and enter the Church grounds. Walk to the far end of the Church and turn left onto St Mary’s Square. There is a little lane off the path on your left named Church Walk, and along here you can find a further two blue plaques (11th and 12th) : The First Dispensary and The First Workhouse
Now, turn back on yourself and go through the churchyard again until you are next to the Community Centre on Manor House Street. Turning left (South-West) and walking past the Community Centre, to the end of the building where there is a 13th blue plaque commemorating the piece of the Roman Wall.
Coming back along Manor House Street towards Market Place, on the left-hand side is the original Manor House and the 14th blue plaque. Carrying along Manor House Street, at the corner of the Heron store is a 15th blue plaque for Sellwood House. Turn left from here, heading towards Bridge Street.
You will pass the Sir Joseph Banks Centre along the way, which is run by the Horncastle Historical Society and celebrates Horncastle’s history and the life and works of Sir Joseph Banks.
(4) Further along Bridge Street at Hare’s Antique Shop, you will find a 16th plaque for the North Basin of Navigation Canal.
Carry along the road and turn the corner into West Street. Crossing the street, at number 30, you will find the former home of Edward Harrison marked by the 17th plaque. Continue along this side of West street until you reach Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School (QEGS), where you find the final (18th) blue plaque, dedicated to Constance (Connie) Lewcock.
Cross the road at QEGS and turn right towards the traffic lights. Keeping on the footpath, turn the corner round onto Jubilee Way (A158) and walk down the Way until reaching the traffic lights at the end of St Mary’s Square. Cross the road here, past the Youth Centre and right onto Cagthorpe. Continue to the end of the street and follow the road to the left onto The Wong.
From here you can cross the Cattle Market Car Park in a Southern-East direction to get back to Stanhope Hall (Drill Hall). (S/E)
