Discover Epworth through notable sites connected with its Wesley history and the gardens of the Old Rectory. Churches, a local archive, and a historic garden offer different points of interest: architecture and remembrance are central, as are the history of the town and its plant life.
Wesley history in buildings and collections
Epworth Old Rectory is a listed former rectory in the Queen Anne style. Samuel Wesley had it built in 1709. On Albion Hill, a statue of John Wesley overlooks the Old Rectory, John Wesley’s childhood home. The building and statue thus offer two different starting points for exploring Epworth’s Wesley connections.
The churches also offer their own historical points of interest. St Andrew’s is a parish church dating predominantly from the 14th and 15th centuries. Its nave arcades date from the late 12th to early 13th century, and the chancel from the early 14th century. The Wesley Memorial Methodist Church on High Street opened on 15 September 1889 as a permanent memorial to John and Charles Wesley. These buildings, with their different dates of origin and distinctive architectural features, stand side by side.
St Andrew’s has a heritage room with books to browse, exhibition panels, and an audiovisual presentation. The Wesley Memorial Methodist Church preserves a stained-glass window and a communion table that were previously used at St Andrew’s. Comparing these two furnishings provides a tangible link between the churches without conflating their distinct building histories.
The Houghton Archive at the Epworth Mechanics’ Institute Library offers another perspective on local history. Its holdings include original issues of the newspaper Epworth Bells dating from 1872, as well as books, documents, photographs, and maps relating to the history of the town. Alongside the church buildings, you can also explore printed and visual records here.
Gardens and seasonal highlights
The gardens of Epworth Old Rectory are open year-round and free to enter. The main gardens feature wildflowers and native species. This makes the garden a distinct focus for a visit, separate from the architecture and collections. You can tailor your time there to the plants and garden layout, rather than focusing your visit solely on the history of the house.
Visitors can pick their own fruit in the orchard. Apple Day is also held there every October. If you would like to plan your trip around this recurring event, check the specific event dates in advance. This makes it easier to plan your garden visit even if Apple Day is a special reason for your trip.
Starting point and accessibility
The Epworth History Trail starts on High Street opposite the Wesley Memorial Methodist Church. This specific starting point provides a reference for anyone who wants to include the trail in their exploration of the town’s history.
When considering accessibility at the Old Rectory, it is important to distinguish between floors: the ground floor is accessible, but the upper floor is not wheelchair accessible. Bear this limitation in mind when planning your visit. Together with the gardens, which are open year-round and free to enter, this offers a clear choice between the accessible garden areas and the different ways to visit the house.
Discover more destinations: Dunholme, Coningsby, Friskney, Somersby, Stallingborough, North Kyme, Gainsborough, Winteringham
For the main travel overview: Lincolnshire.
