To the east of Lincoln are a pretty line of hills, the Lincolnshire Wolds, and to the east of the Wolds lies a quiet and strip of lowland known as the Lincolnshire Marsh. (That last link was a particularly good one if you're looking for a description of the countryside hereabouts.) We are near the coast in the middle of the Marsh. If old stuff is your thing take a look at the Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire website.
For several miles north and south of us the coast is a nature reserve. We are close to the seal breeding colony at Donna Nook. If you visit during November and December you could see a couple of hundred seal pups. Rimac is famous for its natterjack toads and orchids. You'll have to be out early to see the deer and of course this is a great place to go bird-watching from. As well as the vast numbers of birds migrating along the coast we have a large and diverse resident population. Here is a list of birds seen in our garden. Barn owls nest in a box atop an old telegraph pole within view of our kitchen window. There is plenty of other wildlife in the garden: rabbits, badgers, water voles, shrews, voles, bats, mice, frogs, toads and newts are resident, foxes, hares, hedgehogs and squirrels visit. Our land has been cultivated without any herbicides or pesticides since at least 1987 and we leave plenty of wild places for the benefit of invertebrates. We have a nice collection of ferns. If you are pteridologically inclined have a look at the fern list.
If noise is more your thing, Cadwell Park, the motorcycle circuit, is less than half an hour's drive away. We have plenty of safe parking for bikes and trailers.
Sailing along the East coast? Saltfleet Haven is the only mooring between Skegness and the Humber. Saltfleet, an important port in Medieval times, is just a couple of miles down the coast and we can collect you from your boat.
Or if a good drink is more to your taste, then pop down to the Skidbrooke Cyder Company for some excellent locally made cider or mead. For wine, you need to go a little further afield, to Claxby where the Three Sisters Vinyard produce superb English wines on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Beer drinkers are in luck too as Louth has its own micro-brewery, making the fine Fugelestow Ales.
Some more links: North Somercotes Nature reserves Birds
Our next-door neighbours, who made our front gate, also make rocking horses and fabulous furniture.
If we are full (or you don't like what you see on this website) there are some other bed and breakfasts in North Somercotes:
Cloddygate Farm 01507 358679
Bank End House 01507 358616
Leslie Cottage 01507 358734
Mount Pleasant 01507 358761
Wickham House 01507 358465
And one of the pubs, the Axe and Cleaver, also does B & B 01507 358738. If you'd prefer to stay self catering you might like Beacon House Holiday Cottage 01507 358046. And a quarter hour's drive to the south at Maltby-le-Marsh, Grange Farm, 01507 450267.
Here's another lovely B&B run by our friends Nick and Jane who also run the Alford Acoustic Club
Our nearest town is Louth, a thriving market town with an abundance of Georgian architecture, the tallest spire on a parish church, the oldest public town park, street market Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, lots of lovely shops and no out-of-town supermarket or shopping malls. It even has its own website or two.
No matter how wonderful Lincolnshire is, let's face it, there are some things, such as weather and wine, that the French do better. So here's a link to our friends in south-west France near Bergerac who run a gîte and campsite, a great place for holidaying.
But of course there's nowhere as grand as Yorkshire:
"York Alternative B&B is only 10 minutes walk from the Railway station and City Centre. We offer mainly, organic, local and home made produce. We cater for Vegetarians, Vegans, Celiacs etc. If you have special dietary requirements then let us know when making a booking. Our cat Mr Paws will be happy to share the garden with you, although bird watching is probably best done when he's inside! There is so much to see and do in and around York so check out our website for more information on this."
©Biff Vernon 2006