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15 Best Things to Do in Boston (Lincolnshire, England)

In the 15th century Boston was the wealthiest port outside London.

Set in the Fens, a region of farmland reclaimed from coastal marshes by the Wash, Boston was where English wool was loaded onto ships to trade with Hanseatic league cities.

The affluence of that period is unmistakeable in the Perpendicular tower of St Botolph’s Church, which soars over the Fens, and the Guildhall, neatly preserved and housing Boston’s museum.

You can venture out to the Wash, Lincolnshire and East Anglia’s vast estuary with wide open skies and an ever-changing throng of wading birds.

The low-lying landscape is also suited to windmills, and there are two beautiful heritage mills from the 19th century, still grinding and selling flour.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Boston :

1. St Botolph’s Church

One of the UK’s largest parish churches, St Botolph’s is the first thing you’ll see as you approach the town, dominating the flat landscape for miles.

The Perpendicular Gothic tower is 83 metres high and nicknamed the Stump.

It was completed in the 1510s, when Boston was flourishing, and you’ll be able to scale the 209 steps up to an open walkway two thirds to the top of the tower for panoramas of The Fens and The Wash.

Make sure you check out the 62 misericords in the choir stalls.

These were carved around 1390 and depict heraldic symbols, animals and mythological creatures, as well as some bizarre everyday scenes.

In one a master is birching a boy who is trying to repel the blows with a book, while in another there are two jesters, each holding a cat under their arm while biting its tail.

2. Boston Guildhall

Another sure sign of Boston’s trading power in the 14th century is the town’s Guildhall, constructed for the Guild of St Mary in the 1390s.

Work began as soon as the crown permitted guilds to own assets, and is built from bricks made from local clay by brickmakers brought over from Flanders.

As a religious guild, St Mary’s was suppressed during the reign of Henry VIII and the building became Boston’s town hall and courthouse.

From Wednesdays to Saturdays you can go in for the free museum shining a light on periods in Boston’s history, like its time as a Hanseatic trading port and the trial of the Pilgrim Fathers, who were briefly imprisoned in the lower floor.

The building is an exhibit in its own right with masses of historic flourishes in the kitchens/prison, banqueting hall and council chambers, all labelled with information signs.

Hands-on exhibits will also keep children engaged.

3. Maud Foster Mill

Like the Stump, you can spot the sails of this heritage windmill for miles.

Maud Foster Mills is among the tallest operating windmills in the UK, standing seven storeys and almost 25 metres high.

The mill dates to 1819 and is on the Maud Foster Drain, a waterway that was used to transport corn and flour.

It’s a magnificent, five-sailed structure, topped with a whitewashed ogee, and encircled by a cantilevered wooden balcony on the third floor.

What’s remarkable is how much of the 1819 equipment is still here decades after the mill shut down in 1948. You can check out the cogs, grinding stones, wallower, spur wheel and brake wheel on Wednesdays and Saturdays and get some organic flour or porridge oats, ground using 200-year-old methods.

4. Bubblecar Museum

Boston has the only museum in the country for cars under 700cc.

And while this may seem like a niche attraction you can’t help but fall in love with this convoy of cute, quirky vehicles.

The Bubblecar Museum, just out in the countryside, has more than 50 car models like the Isetta, Bond, Bamby, Frisky and Reliant, mostly dating from the bubblecar boom in the 50s and 60s.

There’s a wealth of accompanying paraphernalia, as well as a terrace of recreated shops, dioramas, a gift shop and cafe.

The museum is on Clover Farm on the edge of town and opens Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

5. Hussey Tower

An absorbing trace of Boston’s splendour in the late Middle Ages, Hussey is all that’s left of a brick fortified house dating to the middle of the 15th century.

Later, during the reign of King Henry VIII it belonged to the courtier Sir John Hussey.

He fell out of favour with the King following England’s break from the Catholic Church, and was executed for treason for supporting the Pilgrimage of Grace (a Catholic uprising during the Reformation). After spending nearly 500 years in decay, the surviving tower is in good shape, and retains a few crenellations and mullioned window openings.

The monument occasionally opens on heritage days, so look keep your ear to the ground if you’re interested.

6. RSPB Frampton Marsh

Around four miles south of Boston is a RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) site on a marsh nestled in the outfalls of the Witham and Welland Rivers.

In quite a small area, beside the Wash, Frampton Marsh has a real diversity of water environments like reed beds, wet grassland, salt marsh and river scrapes where whimbrels, skylarks, redshanks and avocets all spend their summers.

The marsh has a visitor centre informing you about its habitats, and outside are nature trails along wooden walkways and bird hides with 360° views.

You can rent binoculars and pick up a cup of tea or coffee from the refreshments area.

7. Marketplace

People have been selling their wares at this immense and irregular marketplace, one of the largest market squares in England, for at least 900 years.

The marketplace is filled with 120 stalls on Wednesdays and Saturdays selling vegetables, fruit, cheese, cakes, confectionery, plants, fabrics, homewares and more besides.

Towards the northern end is the unmistakeable outline of St Botolph’s, while the eye-catching cream building in the south is the Neoclassical Assembly Rooms (1822), crested with a pediment and now containing a nightclub.

8. Fydell House

Next door to the Guildhall, the most elegant property in Boston was built at the very beginning of the 18th century and got its name from the Fydell Family, well-off wool merchants who took up residence in 1720. This townhouse is in the Classical style, sitting behind an iron gate and fence, capped with a balustrade, with four pilasters on it facade and stone urns in the front yard.

Since 1935 the house has been managed by the Boston Preservation trust and is a multi-use community amenity.

Although the building is used for classes, seminars and functions you’re allowed to go in and have a look at the Georgian fittings and visit the walled garden around the back.

9. Pilgrim Fathers Memorial

At Fishtoft on the Haven, ten minutes downriver from Boston there’s a modest-looking monument to an intriguing episode in European and American history.

It was here in 1607 that the Puritan Scrooby Congregation attempted to set sail for the Netherlands.

In those days, unsanctioned emigration was illegal, and their attempts were thwarted on that occasion, when the captain notified the local authorities, landing them a prison sentence.

A later attempt in 1609 was successful, and after spending 11 years in Leiden the separatists eventually departed from Plymouth for the New World.

The monument is a small granite obelisk on a granite base.

10. Boston Wood

On the west bank of the Witham just before it flows through Boston you can ramble in a 100-acre park, with woodland and meadow first allocated by a non-profit trust in 2001. The Boston Wood is slowly taking shape, and has been planted with hornbeam, beech, oaks, hawthorn, haze and field maple.

This environment is in the process of being turned into a park, boasting ponds, wildflower meadows and an arboretum dedicated to Joseph Wright, the Lincolnshire botanist who sailed with Captain Cook on his First Voyage in the 18th century.

Very handsome is the oak avenue, which is on an axis with the Stump.

11. Sibsey Trader Mill

The Grade I listed Sibsey Trader Mill is one of the UK’s last six-sailed windmills and stands at 23 metres tall.

It was erected in 1877 and even though it closed for business in 1954 its fantail, sails and gear are all in tiptop shape and the mill continues to grind flour.

On weekend afternoons (and Tuesdays in summer) you can head in to find out how everything works and buy a bag of real stone-ground organic flour.

The tearoom’s cakes and biscuits are also made with this flour.

12. Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre

Fans of military aviation shouldn’t miss this museum at East Kirkby, a brief drive north of Boston.

The centre markets itself as being the only place in the UK where you can ride in an Avro Lancaster bomber.

This machine is the main attraction and was manufactured in April 1945 to fight against Japan, but never saw action.

Afterwards the plane served with French Naval Aviation and restorations have been ongoing since 1992. The Rolls-Royce engines are in working order, so you can feel what it would have been like to taxi in this plane.

Other exhibits are a Percival Proctor radio trainer and a Handley Page Hampden bomber, both being restored, as well as the cockpit of an English Electric Canberra and the wreckage of a Spitfire that crashed in 1943.

13. Witham Way Country Park

You could wander along the Witham for a mile to get to this country park, a tapestry of grassland, scrub and forest.

Come in late-spring and the park will be humming with life, at the bug park, a haven for butterflies, and in the designated wildflower meadow.

A community orchard was planted here in 2012 in honour of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

Bird boxes have also been set up to for owls hunting along the Witham and the tree-lined riverbank is a serene place to walk and look over the arable farmland and the Boston Woods across the Witham.

Looking south, every now and again you’ll catch sight of the Stump over the tree line.

14. The Wash

South of Boston the River Witham becomes the Haven, a tidal river and shipping artery, which then flows into the Wash, one of the broadest estuaries in the UK. The Wash is also the most significant estuary in the country for wildlife, vital for mussels, cockles, shrimp and other shellfish.

Bird species like oystercatchers feed on these shellfish while the massive belts of salt marsh and mudflats are a breeding ground for common terns and a place for marsh harriers and all sorts of migrating species to feed.

This environment is crucial for 17 bird species in all, from redshanks to pink-footed geese.

By land the easiest option from Boston is Freiston Shore where you can see vast flocks of waders at high tide.

Brent geese and hunting harriers are common in winter, ringed plovers show up in summer, while the skylarks and yellowhammers are here in every season.

15. Boston Belle

Setting off from the Boston Gateway Marina, the Boston Belle is a boat offering cruises along the Witham from April to October.

The Boston Belle has an open foredeck with benches, a licensed bar and a canopy over the stern that can be removed on sunny days.

Out of the town you’ll float gently past arable farms, and in the town you’ll a memorable perspective of the Stump, the historic port and the town’s fishing fleet.

Lunch and dinner cruises can be arranged, and the Boston Belle also organises cruises out into the Wash in conjunction with the RSPB, to go looking for seals and wading birds.

15 Best Things to Do in Boston (Lincolnshire, England):

• St Botolph's Church
• Boston Guildhall
• Maud Foster Mill
• Bubblecar Museum
• Hussey Tower
• RSPB Frampton Marsh
• Marketplace
• Fydell House
• Pilgrim Fathers Memorial
• Boston Wood
• Sibsey Trader Mill
• Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
• Witham Way Country Park
• Boston Belle

• Things to do
• Food and drink
• Places to stay
• The people behind this blog
• A brief history of Lincoln
• Facts about Lincoln
• How to get to Lincoln

Day trips , Activities

19 fun things to do in boston, lincolnshire.

The historic market town of Boston is an undiscovered gem of Lincolnshire. Standing on the River Witham close to its estuary at the Wash, it was once the largest port in Europe, and has a fascinating history built on local and international trade. Today the town is reinventing itself, with quirky art installations and a an array of independent businesses opening around the cobbled town centre. Here we compile some of the best things to do in Boston when you visit this characterful town.

This site contains links to some services we love and recommend, which we may make commission from at no extra cost to you.

Is Boston worth visiting?

Yes, Boston is absolutely worth visiting! We thought we would clear this up first, as it is a question we are often asked.

We have visited Boston many times ourselves over the years, and we have seen the remarkable change that has been happening in the town. It has slowly shaken off its clichéd reputation of being a left-behind old port town and become rejuvenated with a new generation of local businesses and creative initiatives.

The remnants of Boston’s old maritime days still remain, and are a big part of the town’s identity and character. But the town centre has now been revived with a spate of independent shops, cafés, restaurants and local art projects.

Where to stay in Boston on your visit

Before we get into our recommendations for things to do in Boston, let’s take a quick look at accommodation in the town. It’s definitely worth making a weekend of it when you visit, and there is an interesting choice of places to stay, with a mixture of popular old hotels and quirky new options nearby.

For a complete rundown of these options you can read our guide to hotels in Boston , which includes a selection of our favourites and also takes a look at some alternative places around the town.

One such example is Appletree Holiday Park. We stayed for a night at this Away Resorts holiday park following its multi-million-pound redevelopment. Read our review of Appletree Holiday Park and our experience in one of its new lodges.

Spoiler: you can see some more characterful accommodation among our tips on things to do in Boston below, including stays at a 19th-century windmill and a repurposed 16th-century inn! Read on…

Things to do in Boston: sightseeing and activities

1.  see the magnificent boston stump (st botolph’s church).

St Botolph’s Church, affectionately known as the Boston Stump, is a unique building that is the most striking feature of Boston’s landscape. Its parish church tower stands at 83 metres high and is the tallest of its kind in England.

You can see the Boston Stump for many miles around from the Lincolnshire countryside. It is an ever-present sight in the town, looming magnificently above the rooftops from its location between the Market Square and the banks of the Witham.

The building’s iconic tower was completed more than 500 years ago. Today, you can retrace history by climbing up its 209 steps! Look out for ornate decorations and artefacts along the way, such as a door knocker dating back to the 13th century.

It’s free to enter the Boston Stump, or you can pay for a guided tour. Book ahead of time on the Parish of Boston website .

2.  Explore history at Boston Guildhall

During medieval times, Boston was one of the most important ports in Europe. The town was a thriving centre of trade with continental Europe via the estuary of the River Witham into The Wash.

Boston Guildhall, built in the late 14th century, was at the fulcrum of the town’s trading activities. It was owned by the Guild of St Mary, which wielded heavy influence at the time.

The building has been preserved immaculately over the centuries, with many original features still intact. Today it is a museum, hosting a fascinating collection of artefacts that tell the story of Boston’s maritime and trading history. There is no better place to learn about the town’s colourful past.

The museum at Boston Guildhall is open 10:30am to 3:30pm from Wednesdays to Saturdays.

3.  Peruse the stalls at Boston Market

Boston is still a traditional old market town at heart. Its cobbled market square has been the centre of activity in the community for centuries, and remains so today.

To experience Boston at is liveliest, visit on a Saturday or Wednesday when the market is in full swing. Stalls are scattered around the square selling fresh produce, clothing and gifts.

Stall vendors at Boston Market are some of the friendliest you will ever meet. Pop over to Brandon’s Fruits for example, where Kelly, Allie and Daisy will have a chat with anybody! These guys won last year’s trader of the year award, so you can be sure you will be taking away some fresh fruit and vegetables of the highest quality.

Even if you don’t buy anything, market days are still a great time to see the town when it is a hive of activity. You can beat a Saturday morning in the square when the sun is shining!

4.  Find all of the Boston Buoys

Boston’s maritime history meets avant-garde creativity in a new trail that has seen six old shipping buoys transformed into imaginative art installations.

The Boston Buoys are placed in six discreet locations around the town. Once you’ve stumbled across one of them, you’ll be curious to find them all! This map shows where you can find them.

Artists Carrie Reichardt, Jo Chapman and Bex Simon were each commissioned to create two of the Boston Buoys, and each has been designed and decorated meticulously in its own theme and style. The installations have brought new intrigue to the town centre and are fun to spot while you’re out and about.

5.  Explore seven floors of 19th-century Maud Foster Mill

England’s old windmills have been slowly disappearing from the landscape over the decades. But one that still stands proudly is Boston’s Maud Foster Mill, which is still operational after more than 200 years.

At 76 metres, Maud Foster Mill is one of the tallest remaining operational mills in the country. It stands just a short walk away from Boston town centre, perched next to the Maud Foster Drain canal.

For an entry fee of £4 you can climb up through all seven floors of the mill and get an insight into its history and production processes. Downstairs in the shop – which is free to enter – you can buy stoneground flour and porridge oats from the mill, as well as various books and souvenirs.

6.  See a performance at Blackfriars Theatre

Blackfriars Theatre & Art Centre is a characterful performance venue in Boston, set in one of the town’s most interesting historic buildings.

The Grade II listed building once formed part of a medieval friary, with elements of the structure dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. It has been gradually restored over the years, but some heritage features remain intact, such as a 17th-century staircase.

In the 1950s the building was repurposed as a performance space, and it remains so today. The theatre has an intimate capacity of 229, and has a focus on showcasing the works of local dramatic groups. Check out the Blackfriars Art Centre website to see the upcoming programme.

7.  Browse the independent outlets on Dolphin Lane

Boston town centre is compact and easy to get around on foot. There are all sorts of interesting shops to explore around the town, and you can find some hidden gems on Dolphin Lane, a cobbled alleyway off the market square.

Look out for the arched Dolphin Lane sign on the east side of the Market Square, next to the Nationwide Building Society. The narrow lane runs from here to Pump Square. A prison stood on this spot centuries ago, and it is believed there are two dungeon cells underneath the surface where prisoners were once made to pump water for the town’s inhabitants.

Along Dolphin Square today you will find an assortment of independent businesses, from cafés and bars to butchers, and from book shops to beauty salons.

Like this kind of thing? On the other side of the town centre, across the river, you will find another interesting shopping alley just off the High Street – Emery Lane. Huddled along this passageway are jewellers, gift shops and some more interesting places to grab a bite to eat.

Things to do in Boston: food and drink

8.  eat and drink healthily at the greenhouse.

An up-and-coming coffee scene in Boston is breathing new life into the town centre. One example of this is The Greenhouse, a creative, dog-friendly coffee shop opened in 2022 by Dan and Lee Revell-Wiseman, a couple who recently moved to the area.

We met the friendly owners of the coffee shop to hear about their vision for it, which you can read about in our story on inside The Greenhouse .

On the menu at The Greenhouse you will find peculiarities such as beetroot or turmeric lattes, and a variety of freshly made light bites. Among the best-sellers is a toastie filled with Boston sausage, spinach and homemade chilli jam.

The Greenhouse is located on Church Street, a cobbled road just behind the Market Square that looks out onto the Boston Stump. It is refreshingly decorated with house plants, channelling a personal passion of Lee’s – and hence the name.

Lee and Dan have quickly become a part of the community and strive to use local suppliers, such as Stokes Tea & Coffee of Lincoln, as well as Brandon’s Fruit, an award-winning stall on Boston Market.

9.  Have breakfast or a tapas lunch at Caffe Delfino

Midway along Dolphin Lane you can’t miss the London-Underground-inspired front of Caffe Delfino, a comfy and welcoming café that is perfect for grabbing a few light bites by with a cuppa.

Caffe Delfino is one of our favourite places to stop by for lunch in Boston. It has a laidback atmosphere and a rustic-chic setting, with bare-brick walls, and a mishmash of plush seating and wooden benches.

You could call in for a tasty breakfast, or a spot of tapas or a sandwich for lunch. There are usually some creative specials on the menu too – I had a New York deli panini on my last visit, which was delicious.

The menu is full of variety and is frequently switched up to match the seasons or introduce something new. The owners are clearly passionate about what they do, and it shows.

10.  Eat outside in the sunshine at Boston Lock Cafe

When the sun is shining in Boston, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to al fresco dining options. Boston Lock Cafe has one of the best settings in town, overlooking the river.

The location is not the only thing going for this place. From breakfast burritos to healthy buddha bowls, the food is excellent to match the view. The coffee is great too!

It’s a very dog-friendly place. The friendly staff will usually bring a bowl and some treats for your four-legged friends to make them welcome! You can walk off lunch afterwards with a leisurely stroll along the river.

11.  Have afternoon tea at White Hart Hotel

Another eatery in Boston with a gorgeous view is the White Hart Hotel, looking out onto St Botolph’s Church from the opposite side of the Witham.

The hotel is set in a 19th-century coaching house with a courtyard bar overlooking the river. The restaurant here is a great option for any meal of the day, but an afternoon tea in the sunshine is really top notch.

You can also book to stay at the hotel , which has a convenient location just a couple of minutes’ walk across the bridge from the Market Square.

12.  Wine and dine at Church Keys

If you’re lucky enough to get a table in the popular outdoor space at Church Keys Wine Bar & Restaurant, you’ve got one of the premium spots in town.

This friendly eatery occupies a striking 16th century building, with a whitewashed facade that gleams in the sunshine. Its name derives from a bygone time when it is believed that the keys to the Boston Stump were stored here to keep them safe.

In more recent decades, the building has served as a photography studio, an antiques shop and a Thai restaurant. After a devastating flood in 2013, it was restored and opened two years later as Church Keys Wine Bar.

The restaurant has gained a good reputation for its food, as well as a varied programme of live entertainment, including occasional outdoor music. You can enjoy all this in the scenic riverside setting under the shadow of the Stump.

13.  Try an iconic Mountain’s Boston Sausage

You just can’t beat a proper Lincolnshire sausage. We feel spoilt living in Lincoln with so many amazing butchers to try nearby. One summer’s day just after lockdowns were eased, we even decided to do a taste test of seven Lincolnshire sausages from local butchers.

Boston has its fair share of quality homegrown butchers too, and the most famous of these is Mountain’s Boston Sausage. The unmistakeable green shopfront has been a mainstay in the town centre for 170 years. It is now with the fourth generation of the Mountain family, who took it over in 1904.

You can buy many different types of sausage here as well as other specialist meat products, but there’s nothing quite like the classic Boston sausage, made with the family’s secret recipe. Take some away for your summer BBQ and you won’t be disappointed. Also look out for them at events around the county – for example, they have regular stalls and food trucks every year at the Lincolnshire Show .

14.  Have some classic Tate’s Fish & Chips

Picture this: you’ve spent a fulfilling sunny day exploring Boston Market, checking out the Guildhall and taking a relaxing walk along the riverside. But now hunger is catching up with you, and what better to fill that hole than some staple local fish and chips?

Tate’s Fish and Chips has been ever-present in the town centre since it opened in 1903. It has the look of a place that has been around for decades, and it’s still the town’s most popular chippy.

The fish is freshly sourced and cooked, and comes in generous portions. And of course it comes with all the trimmings you would expect – mushy peas, gravy, curry sauce, whatever you like. You really can’t go wrong!

Things to do near Boston

15.  take a walk along the river witham.

The River Witham is an integral part of Boston’s story. It was this river’s trading route that allowed the town to flourish, and boats still come and go along it today. When the water level is low, you can even sometimes see the remains of old wooden boats wrecked on the riverbed.

Walking along the riverside pathways will give you a picturesque perspective of Boston. If you approach the town from the Wash side to the south, you will see the Stump looming ahead and shimmering in its reflection on the water.

Continuing to the north of Boston, you can walk or cycle all the way along the river to Lincoln! This 53-kilometre trail is known as the Water Rail Way. It was opened in 2008 after a £2 million investment and a huge makeover, which included artworks being installed along the route.

16.  Explore nature in Witham Way Country Park

Located a mile or so out of town to the south, Witham Way Country Park is a lovely green space to go for a walk and look out for wildlife near the banks of the river.

Follow the pathways that lead around the park and look out for colourful wildflowers, butterflies, bees, a diversity of birds, and more wildlife.

There is a small parking area at the park, or you can reach it by foot or bicycle from the town centre. It’s a great little spot to come and enjoy the morning sunshine, or to get away from the bustle for an hour or two after a busy morning at the market.

17.  Spot diverse birdlife at Frampton Marsh

A little further afield from Boston you will find scenic landscapes, where storybook English countryside meets the waterways of the coast.

Frampton Marsh is a nature reserve nestled between the town and the shores of the Wash. It is a place of peaceful, almost desolate scenery, where you can escape for a mindful walk.

The site is maintained by the RSPB, and it is free to enter, or £5 if you need a car parking space. Once inside, you can follow the trail that runs into the marshland. Keep an eye out along the mudflats for an array of different birdlife.

18.  Visit the quirky Bubblecar Museum

One of the quirkiest experiences you will find in the vicinity of Boston is without doubt the Bubblecar Museum, where you can see dozens of microcars from the 1950s and 60s and related memorabilia.

The one-of-a-kind museum gives a fascinating insight into a niche part of motoring history in the UK. If you come along on a ride weekend you can even take a spin in one of the charming old vehicles. Check out the Bubblecar Museum Facebook page for upcoming event dates.

The museum is also on the grounds of a campsite, so you can pitch up and make a weekend of it. Combine your visit with an afternoon tea in the café and take away a unique gift from the museum shop.

19.  Stay at the restored 16th-century Old King’s Head

The pretty village of Kirton is situated five miles outside of Boston. At the heart of the village is a historic inn, the Old King’s Head, which has recently been brought back to life after falling into disrepair.

First opened in the 16th century, the Old King’s Head was originally a coaching inn called the Swan. For nearly four centuries it was a hub of the community, before it was sold to a private buyer and closed its doors to the public.

Now, thanks to a restoration project led by Heritage Lincolnshire, the Old King’s Head has been restored and reopened as a luxury B&B, café and community space .

Many of the original features have been carefully preserved in the restoration work. You can book a stay in one of its nine rooms, each with its own intricate design.

Have you visited Boston recently? Let us know about your experience in the comments below.

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Alex Trembath

Alex is the co-founder and chief blogger at Lincoln and Beyond. He has over 15 years' experience in communications leadership and content strategy.

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Ten years after the Mayflower sailed with the Pilgrim Fathers to America, another band of Puritans set out from Boston (Lincolnshire, England), to found a settlement of the same name in what is now Massachusetts, USA. Ironically their pioneering efforts eventually contributed to the Lincolnshire town's decline as a major sea port, for as a transatlantic trade grew, ports on the west coast, such as Bristol and Liverpool, took trade away from those in the east.

St Botolph's Church © TAB

The 14th-c medieval St Botolph's Church, whose 272 ft tower, known locally as the 'Boston Stump', is a prominent landmark in the town. This lofty lantern tower was once a beacon for Fenland travellers and navigators on The Wash. Nearly one-third of lincolnshire can be viewed from the top, including Lincoln, 32 miles northwest. The church has a medieval painted ceiling and its misericords date from 1390.

Content by Sharon Asquith

Places of interest to visit in Boston

Boston quay.

Near the quay stands the Customs House, a fine example of 18th century architecture, which displays an impressive royal coat of arms over the entrance.

Guildhall Museum

The town museum, a 15th century Guildhall, houses the cells in which the Pilgrim Fathers were imprisoned in 1607, after their first attempt to escape to America.

Fydell House

Arguable the grandest house in town (adjoining the museum) it was built in 1726 by William Fydell, three times Mayor of Boston. It has a dedicated 'American Room' reserved for the use of visitors from Boston, USA.

Pilgrim Fathers Memorial

Erected in 1957, the memorial is located just outside of Boston in Fishtoft.

Map of Boston

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places to stay in the Boston area

Browse a selection of great hotels in Boston plus lodges and self catering accommodation, B&Bs, holiday parks and more.

Petwood Hotel

The Big Sky Hideaway

Elms Farm Cottages

Longwool Shepherd Huts

Medlam Barns

Rosewood Waters Retreat

Spinney On The Green

The Old King’s Head

Watermill Farm Cottages

Bainland Lodge Retreats

Boston West Hotel

Greenfield Farm B&B

Lakeside Fishing Lodges

Quayside Hotel

Tattershall Lakes

The White Hart Hotel Boston

Treetop Hideaways

Walnut Lakes

Westwood Lakes

Long Acres Touring Park

Somercotes Bungalow

ready to plan your visit?

Visit Boston UK is Boston's dedicated tourism organisation. You'll find more information about the best places to stay and visit in the area.

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Find more accommodation and great places to eat in Boston here.

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Boston hotel

Gaze up at the iconic Maud Foster Windmill or venture out to the Pilgrim Fathers' Memorial

Free parking

Family rooms

Accessible Lowered Bathroom

Hotel Parking:

Standard double

A super-comfy bed, a power shower and free Wi-Fi, our double rooms have everything you'll need for a great night's sleep.

Tea & coffee facilities

Double or kingsize bed

Powerful shower

Standard twin - double bed and sofa bed

Our twin rooms with a double bed and sofa bed have a super-comfy double or kingsize* bed paired with a sofa bed, which can be arranged into a single bed.

Vanity area

Standard twin - two single beds

Enjoy two of our equally sized, super-comfy 3ft wide beds fuss-free and say goodbye to the awkward “no you have the bigger bed, it’s fine, really” chat.

Standard family

Most of our family rooms include a double or kingsize bed, plus a sofa bed and pull-out bed depending on the number of guests staying in the room. We also provide travel cots at no extra cost. Room size and set up can vary based on the hotel and the number of guests.

Standard accessible

Our accessible rooms offer more space, a double or kingsize bed between 480mm and 520mm in height, and wider entry bathrooms with a lowered bath or wet room. At our hotels with 480mm height mattresses, our teams can raise the bed for easier wheelchair access. If you have any accessibility questions before your stay, please get in touch with our friendly team at [email protected] or call us on 0333 0919 817 between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday (calls charged at local rate).

Mornings have never been so tasty! Build your own breakfast and fill up your plate with freshly cooked favourites like bacon, sausages, eggs and hash browns – plus a tasty selection of veggie and vegan options – and continental delights like fruit, cereal and freshly baked pastries. Plus, when an adult orders a Premier Inn Breakfast, up to two kids eat breakfast for free** 

We hope you’ve worked up an appetite! Tuck into mouth-watering new dishes like our Creamy Chicken & Pulled Ham Pie, succulent Chicken Fajita Burger, tasty Thai Green Curry or Spinach, Squash & Ricotta Lasagne. Then for dessert, you can treat yourself to an indulgent Black Forest Crownie or a sweet Banoffee Cheesecake.

Save up to 20% with our popular Meal Deal! Our tempting offer lets you enjoy a delicious two-course evening meal – a main meal plus a starter  or  a dessert – and a selected drink from our dinner menu. Then in the morning, you can wake up to a freshly prepared, unlimited Premier Inn Breakfast.

Hotel description

Hotel contact information.

Phone: 0333 777 3927

Traffic and Travel

Lincolnshire Live brings you the latest traffic and travel updates every week. Tens of thousands of journeys are made each day in the Lincolnshire region as well as millions of journeys by public transport every year. Lincolnshire's road, rail, air and sea network is constantly evolving to keep up with the daily demand of travellers. Sign up for our newsletters to read the latest stories about Lincolnshire's roads here

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Hotels in Boston

Hotels near Boston

Sitting in the small harbour town of Lincolnshire, Boston makes for a romantic escape. It's one of the larger towns in the area yet despite this, still retains its charm. When you book one of our hotels near Boston, you'll have easy access to this town's many attractions, including country parks, museums, walks and delightful buildings. Whether you choose a short weekend break or a longer stay, there's plenty to do and see in this area; you'll discover Boston to be one of the most fascinating market towns, boasting a rich heritage.

Book hotels near Boston

Book one of our Boston hotels and prepare yourself for a relaxing yet exciting escape. Spend sunny days meandering through Witham Way Country Park, a picturesque nature reserve that sits along the banks of the River Witham, 15 miles from our Spalding hotel. Whilst in Boston, it's highly recommended you take a trip to Lincolnshire Wildlife Park; a peaceful location positioned a little drive away from our Kings Lynn Long Sutton hotel. This incredible establishment houses an array of the world's most protected animals, including the UK's largest collection of parrots, a Bengal garden and the Lincolnshire Tigers. You can even book experience packages.

Things to do near Boston

There are many things to do in Boston, which include both cultural and relaxing activities. When you stay at one our hotels in Boston, you'll quickly discover just how much this city has to offer. The Bubblecar Museum, just another of the many attractions, is a great place to take both automobile fanatics and the kids. Boston's Guildhall on the other hand is the perfect spot for history buffs. It's also a testament to the wealth and influence of the Guild of St. Mary. Inside you'll discover many tales of the Pilgrim Fathers being tried and imprisoned there back in 1607.

Nearby attractions

• Cadwell Park
• Skegness Railway Station
• Peterborough Train Station
• Peterborough City Hospital
• Irnham Hall

Nearby locations

• Long Sutton

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• Boston travel branch
• 01205 312 560

Downtown Home Superstore Boston, Wyberton Chain Bridge, Boston, PE21 7NL

Our Boston travel branch features an array of services to help you book and plan your next break.

Located within the Downtown Home Superstore, with parking available, the team offer independent holiday advice as well as a wide range of travel services.

When you book through Lincolnshire Co-op, your holiday is protected with ABTA bonding, ATOL financial guarantee and our own pledge, so you can rest assured your money is in safe hands.

In the branch, you can find Bureau de Change, a cruise specialist, a relaxing seating area and more.

Please note, the bureau de change closes half an hour before the branch.

Opening Hours

Travel services.

• Car park nearby
• Cruise specialist
• Disabled access
• Seating area
• Travel insurance
• Travel money

Nearby travel branches

17 Hall Place, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 1SA

63 Southgate, Sleaford, NG34 7SY

19 High Street, Long Sutton, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE12 9DB

57 High Street, Grantham, NG31 6NN

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