Alfred Tennyson, born on

6 August 1809 at The

Rectory, Somersby, was the third

surviving child of Reverend

George Clayton and Elizabeth

(nee Fytche) Tennyson.

The Tennyson children went to the village school and were also

taught by their Father, using the 2,500 books in his library. Alfred

enjoyed learning and began to write poetry at an early age.

Aged 7, Alfred’s Father decided he was

ready to go to Louth Grammar School.

He hated the severe discipline and

bullying and after four unhappy years,

returned home to Somersby Rectory to

be taught again by his Father who,

although an educated man, was erratic

in his tutoring. By 1820, Alfred’s family

home was very “crowded”, with his

parents, six brothers, four sisters, servants

and a variety of pets. His affectionate Mother brought her

children up as free spirits and Alfred was known in the

neighbourhood for wandering, book in hand, at almost any

hour of day or night.

Sadly, his father suffered from severe depression, blamed on a

family disagreement and his growing dependence on drink and

drugs, made him ill. Evidence implies that he suffered from

epilepsy, which was aggravated by his drinking. Elizabeth and

her sensitive children were frightened by his unpredictable,

sometimes violent, behaviour. Often left to his own devices,

Alfred would read or write poetry.

In April 1827, Jacksons, Booksellers and

Printers at Louth, produced Alfred’s

first appearance in print, a small

volume, Poems by Two Brothers.

Unusually, Jacksons paid Alfred and

his brother Charles £20 for copyright.

The brothers spent some of their

money hiring a carriage to ride to

Mablethorpe, a favourite holiday

destination, and shouted their

poetry joyously to the sea.

HEARTBREAKAND LOSS

During that summer vacation, Alfred returned home to

Somersby, which was unusually peaceful, as his father was

away. George Tennyson, Alfred’s Grandfather and a

successful solicitor from Market Rasen, had paid for his

son to take a trip to France in an effort to cure him of his

addictions. The family held a number of parties that

summer and here, Alfred met his future wife, Emily

Sellwood, one of three children of Horncastle solicitor

Henry Sellwood and his late wife, Sarah Franklin, whose

brother John was a famous explorer.

At the end of the year Alfred brought Arthur Hallam to

Somersby, and the family took him to their hearts. One

Tennyson loved him much more than the rest of her family

and Arthur and Emily Tennyson, Alfred’s sister, later

became engaged.

The following year - 1830 - brought two significant events:

the publication of Alfred’s Poems, Chiefly Lyrical and an

expedition by Alfred and Arthur through the Pyrenees to

take money and despatches to the Spanish revolutionaries.

The journey through the valley of

the Cauteretz was inspirational to

Alfred, who often returned to

those memories when writing.

CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL

TENNYSON’S

LINCOLNSHIRE

ON THE TRAIL OF

A POET LAUREATE

Alfred, Lord Tennyson, was a remarkable

man, who led a remarkable life. He was

the most successful poet of Victorian times

and is still read and loved by many today.

Follow in Tennyson’sfootsteps – and join us on atrail through Lincolnshirelearning about his life, love,heartbreak and verse andsee the places which gavehim so much inspiration.

HISTORY MATTERS

1345

6 7 8 9

Nearby Harrington Hall

was rented by Arthur

Eden whose family included

his stepdaughter, Rosa

Baring. She became good

friends with Alfred and the

family. He wrote her several

poems but, as a suitor, he was considered socially inferior

and his attentions were discouraged and in 1838 Rosa

married MP Robert Shafto, from Durham.

In July 1835 George Tennyson,

Alfred’s grandfather, died. He left

his Somersby grandchildren well

provided for, but they were jealous

of the large inheritance their Uncle

Charles had received.

Alfred’s elder brother also called

Charles, inherited another family

estate and became engaged to Louisa Sellwood, the

younger sister of Emily Sellwood. They were married at

Horncastle in May 1836, Alfred being best man and Emily

bridesmaid. Alfred fell in love with Emily that day and

within a short time they too were unofficially engaged.

By the spring of 1837 a new Rector at Somersby needed the

Rectory and Alfred organised the family to move to Beech

Hill House in Epping Forest. With mental health issues in

his dependents and growing money worries, Alfred broke

up with Emily.

For further informationplease contact

Horncastle CommunityAccess Point

Wharf Road, HorncastleTel 01507 601111

or text DISCOVER to 84118

Louth Customer Access Point andTourist Information Centre

Cannon Street, LouthTel 01507 601111

or text DISCOVER to 84118

Gainsborough TouristInformation Centre

Marshall’s Yard, GainsboroughTel 01427 676666

Further information on Alfred,Lord Tennyson can be found on

www.tennyson2009.comwww.tennysonsociety.org.uk

www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/tennyson

For more information aboutLincolnshire, its history,attractions, events and

where to staywww.visitlincolnshire.com

For news of similar historic trailsin Lincolnshire

text HISTORY to 64118

To find out nearest “Tastes ofLincolnshire” pubs, restaurants,farm shops and tea rooms text

GOODTASTE to 64118

Enterprise

Acknowledgements:

Compiled by Jean Howard

Photographs by kind permission of Jean Howard and the Tennyson Research Centre,

The Collection Lincolnshire County Council

Produced by Economic Development, East Lindsey District Council

Designed by City Graphics, Tealby, Lincolnshire © 2008

TOO FAMOUS FOR COMFORT

Plagued by sightseers, the family looked for another home

and Tennyson bought a plot near Haslemere on the

Surrey/Sussex border. Originally intended as a summer cottage

‘Aldworth’ developed, despite Alfred’s grumbles about

expense, into a substantial home.

By 1874, Emily’s health declined and their son, Hallam, became

Tennyson’s secretary and support. New volumes of poetry

continued to be popular, but Tennyson’s attempts as a

playwright were generally unsuccessful.

Heartbreak met the family in 1886, when whilst returning from

India on a ship, Lionel Tennyson died leaving his family devastated.

In 1889, Tennyson celebrated his 80th birthday and he received

hundreds of letters and telegrams. His health however, was

now in decline and eventually, a simple cold developed into

something more serious and he died on 6th October 1892,

at Aldworth.

Alfred was buried in Westminster Abbey, and the Dean of

Westminster took the service. Emily Tennyson was too weak to

attend, but the Abbey was so full, hundreds also stood outside.

Deemed the most successful poet of

the Victorian age, earning an annual

income of £10,000, leaving an estate of

£57,000, Tennyson mixed with the most

notable people of that time. This

gentle, thoughtful man from a small

hamlet nestling in rural Lincolnshire,

leaves a legacy of words which still

inspire and comfort people from all

over the world today.

VISIT

O N T H E T R A I L O F

POET LAUREATETHE LIFE

Voice of the Victorian Age,Poet of the People

VISIT

Despite having a home, Alfred spent the next 13 years

staying with relatives and friends around the country.

His brother, Edward, had been committed to a private

asylum and another, Septimus, was a voluntary patient at a

similar place run by Dr Matthew Allen. Whilst visiting

Septimus, Alfred and Dr Allen became friends and Alfred

decided to support Allen’s dream of setting up a factory

to produce wood carvings, investing £8,000 in the project.

A two volume collection, Poems 1842, half of which was

new work, was favourably reviewed and this now

established Alfred as an outstanding poet.

However, by the end of that year the wood carving project

had failed and the family lost almost all their money.

Alfred’s health broke down and over the next few years he

visited a number of places to take the ‘water cure’. At

Malvern he was persuaded his symptoms were actually

gout, not epilepsy, and his health started to improve.

During this time, a number of friends secured £200 a year

for him through a Civil List pension.

2

ALFRED, LORDTENNYSON

“I am part of all that I’ve seen”

WANDERING, RUINAND SUCCESS

HEAD OF THE FAMILY

By February 1831, George Clayton Tennyson was gravely

ill and his sons were brought home from Cambridge.

He died on 16 March. Throughout his life he had felt

bitterness towards his own Father, who had disinherited

him in favour of his younger son, Charles who was

much more charismatic than George Clayton.

However, Grandfather George was very generous

to the Somersby family and this continued.

Alfred decided that he must now take

responsibility for the family and never

returned to University and the

Tennysons continued to live at the

Rectory for another six years.

Reviews of Alfred’s latest volume, including one

from Hallam, were mixed. Alfred, very hurt by criticism,

often anticipated the same thing happening again, and he

hated publishing new work for the rest of his life.

Newly engaged and back at Cambridge, Arthur Hallam was

miserable. Disapproving of his son’s choice of a “socially

inferior” bride, Henry Hallam ordered his son to take a year-

long separation from Emily Tennyson, but after witnessing

their continued affection for each other, he changed his

mind. Father and son went on holiday together touring

Europe and in Italy tragedy struck. Arthur Hallam, aged 22,

died in Vienna from a stroke. The Tennysons were the first

people outside the family, to be told the news by letter and

Emily broke down completely. Alfred appeared to take the

news calmly, in an effort to support his sister and the family.

He was however, anguished over the loss and his grief

inspired some of his greatest work.

UNIVERSITY AND FRIENDSHIP

In 1827 Alfred joined his two elder brothers at Trinity

College Cambridge. The brothers, all tall and

unconventional looking, stood out from other students and

having only been used to the small and close world of his

family, Alfred found it difficult to mix.

Almost a year later, Arthur Henry Hallam entered Trinity as a

student. Son of an eminent historian, Henry Hallam, Arthur

was a charming and vivacious young man, who was highly

regarded. Arthur and Alfred instantly became friends. Both

of them were elected to a discussion group, limited to 12

people and known as The Cambridge Apostles, where Alfred

became a popular contributor to debate. Almost all the

group members remained life-long friends, and Alfred’s

friendship with Hallam was perhaps the most influential

of his life.

In June 1829, Alfred was persuaded to enter a poetry

competition, and he won the Chancellor’s Gold Medal.

Still very shy, he asked a friend to read the poem in public at

the Senate House.

THE FAMILY MANFINDS FAME

Alfred said that the peace of the Lord came into his life

as he exchanged marriage vows with Emily. Although

she was never in hearty health, Emily certainly gave him the

stability he needed.

By 1853 they had established a home at Farringford, near

Freshwater on the Isle of Wight. Here Emily acted as Alfred’s

secretary, ran an efficient household, had her husband’s

friends to stay and ensured Alfred had quiet when he

needed it for his writing. The couple doted on their two

children, the first christened Hallam, (after Arthur), and

their second, Lionel.

Despite unexpected criticism of Maud when it appeared, it

remained one of Alfred’s favourites and he took every

opportunity to read it aloud. Idylls of the King, based on

the legends of King Arthur, and Enoch Arden strengthened

his popularity and his bank balance! In response to The

Times’ report of the Battle of Balaclava, Tennyson went on to

write The Charge of the Light Brigade.

As his reputation grew so did his circle of friends and

acquaintances. His neighbours on the Isle of Wight included

the photographer Julia Margaret

Cameron, who photographed

many of his visitors, and Queen

Victoria, who gained comfort

from reading In Memoriam

after Prince Albert’s death.

Somersby Rectory

Mr William Cadney,

village schoolmaster

Jacksons’PrintingOffice,Louth

Arthur Henry Hallam

Uncle Charles

Harrington Hall from an 1892 engraving

For 16 long years, Alfred grieved over the loss

of his great friend, Arthur Hallam, which

inspired him in writing verse, which few seldom

saw. Finally Alfred showed it to his publisher,

who said it should be published. Reluctant to

release something so personal, he had some

copies done for friends to take a look and

Alfred asked for their comments. One of his

friends gave their copy to his former love, Emily

Sellwood and she returned it with a note for

Alfred. The two were reconciled and became

engaged again. With the agreement of friends

and family, In Memoriam AHH was published anonymously to

critical acclaim and sold very well. So much so, it transformed

Alfred’s life, giving him financial security and establishing him

as the poet of the age.

In June that year, Alfred and Emily were

married by their friend Revd Drummond

Rawnsley at his parish in Shiplake, Oxon.

Poet Laureate William Wordsworth had

died in April that year and Alfred was

appointed in his place.

1850 was the most significant year of

Tennyson’s life.Emily Sellwood

A YEAR TOREMEMBER

Arthur Henry Hallam.

Alfred and Emily’s Marriage Certificate

Julia Margaret Cameron

Alfred in later life

Malvern Spa

leaflet-Tennyson final.qxp:Layout 1 15/12/08 14:55 Page 2

Alfred Tennyson, born on

6 August 1809 at The

Rectory, Somersby, was the third

surviving child of Reverend

George Clayton and Elizabeth

(nee Fytche) Tennyson.

The Tennyson children went to the village school and were also

taught by their Father, using the 2,500 books in his library. Alfred

enjoyed learning and began to write poetry at an early age.

Aged 7, Alfred’s Father decided he was

ready to go to Louth Grammar School.

He hated the severe discipline and

bullying and after four unhappy years,

returned home to Somersby Rectory to

be taught again by his Father who,

although an educated man, was erratic

in his tutoring. By 1820, Alfred’s family

home was very “crowded”, with his

parents, six brothers, four sisters, servants

and a variety of pets. His affectionate Mother brought her

children up as free spirits and Alfred was known in the

neighbourhood for wandering, book in hand, at almost any

hour of day or night.

Sadly, his father suffered from severe depression, blamed on a

family disagreement and his growing dependence on drink and

drugs, made him ill. Evidence implies that he suffered from

epilepsy, which was aggravated by his drinking. Elizabeth and

her sensitive children were frightened by his unpredictable,

sometimes violent, behaviour. Often left to his own devices,

Alfred would read or write poetry.

In April 1827, Jacksons, Booksellers and

Printers at Louth, produced Alfred’s

first appearance in print, a small

volume, Poems by Two Brothers.

Unusually, Jacksons paid Alfred and

his brother Charles £20 for copyright.

The brothers spent some of their

money hiring a carriage to ride to

Mablethorpe, a favourite holiday

destination, and shouted their

poetry joyously to the sea.

HEARTBREAKAND LOSS

During that summer vacation, Alfred returned home to

Somersby, which was unusually peaceful, as his father was

away. George Tennyson, Alfred’s Grandfather and a

successful solicitor from Market Rasen, had paid for his

son to take a trip to France in an effort to cure him of his

addictions. The family held a number of parties that

summer and here, Alfred met his future wife, Emily

Sellwood, one of three children of Horncastle solicitor

Henry Sellwood and his late wife, Sarah Franklin, whose

brother John was a famous explorer.

At the end of the year Alfred brought Arthur Hallam to

Somersby, and the family took him to their hearts. One

Tennyson loved him much more than the rest of her family

and Arthur and Emily Tennyson, Alfred’s sister, later

became engaged.

The following year - 1830 - brought two significant events:

the publication of Alfred’s Poems, Chiefly Lyrical and an

expedition by Alfred and Arthur through the Pyrenees to

take money and despatches to the Spanish revolutionaries.

The journey through the valley of

the Cauteretz was inspirational to

Alfred, who often returned to

those memories when writing.

CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL

TENNYSON’S

LINCOLNSHIRE

ON THE TRAIL OF

A POET LAUREATE

Alfred, Lord Tennyson, was a remarkable

man, who led a remarkable life. He was

the most successful poet of Victorian times

and is still read and loved by many today.

Follow in Tennyson’sfootsteps – and join us on atrail through Lincolnshirelearning about his life, love,heartbreak and verse andsee the places which gavehim so much inspiration.

H I S T O R Y M A T T E R S

1 3 4 5

6789

Nearby Harrington Hall

was rented by Arthur

Eden whose family included

his stepdaughter, Rosa

Baring. She became good

friends with Alfred and the

family. He wrote her several

poems but, as a suitor, he was considered socially inferior

and his attentions were discouraged and in 1838 Rosa

married MP Robert Shafto, from Durham.

In July 1835 George Tennyson,

Alfred’s grandfather, died. He left

his Somersby grandchildren well

provided for, but they were jealous

of the large inheritance their Uncle

Charles had received.

Alfred’s elder brother also called

Charles, inherited another family

estate and became engaged to Louisa Sellwood, the

younger sister of Emily Sellwood. They were married at

Horncastle in May 1836, Alfred being best man and Emily

bridesmaid. Alfred fell in love with Emily that day and

within a short time they too were unofficially engaged.

By the spring of 1837 a new Rector at Somersby needed the

Rectory and Alfred organised the family to move to Beech

Hill House in Epping Forest. With mental health issues in

his dependents and growing money worries, Alfred broke

up with Emily.

For further informationplease contact

Horncastle CommunityAccess Point

Wharf Road, HorncastleTel 01507 601111

or text DISCOVERto84118

Louth Customer Access Point andTourist Information Centre

Cannon Street, LouthTel 01507 601111

or text DISCOVERto 84118

Gainsborough TouristInformation Centre

Marshall’s Yard, GainsboroughTel 01427 676666

Further information on Alfred,Lord Tennyson can be found on

www.tennyson2009.comwww.tennysonsociety.org.uk

www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/tennyson

For more information aboutLincolnshire, its history,attractions, events and

where to staywww.visitlincolnshire.com

For news of similar historic trailsin Lincolnshire

text HISTORYto64118

To find out nearest “Tastes ofLincolnshire” pubs, restaurants,farm shops and tea rooms text

GOODTASTEto64118

Enterprise

Acknowledgements:

Compiled by Jean Howard

Photographs by kind permission of Jean Howard and the Tennyson Research Centre,

The Collection Lincolnshire County Council

Produced by Economic Development, East Lindsey District Council

Designed by City Graphics, Tealby, Lincolnshire © 2008

TOO FAMOUS FOR COMFORT

Plagued by sightseers, the family looked for another home

and Tennyson bought a plot near Haslemere on the

Surrey/Sussex border. Originally intended as a summer cottage

‘Aldworth’ developed, despite Alfred’s grumbles about

expense, into a substantial home.

By 1874, Emily’s health declined and their son, Hallam, became

Tennyson’s secretary and support. New volumes of poetry

continued to be popular, but Tennyson’s attempts as a

playwright were generally unsuccessful.

Heartbreak met the family in 1886, when whilst returning from

India on a ship, Lionel Tennyson died leaving his family devastated.

In 1889, Tennyson celebrated his 80th birthday and he received

hundreds of letters and telegrams. His health however, was

now in decline and eventually, a simple cold developed into

something more serious and he died on 6th October 1892,

at Aldworth.

Alfred was buried in Westminster Abbey, and the Dean of

Westminster took the service. Emily Tennyson was too weak to

attend, but the Abbey was so full, hundreds also stood outside.

Deemed the most successful poet of

the Victorian age, earning an annual

income of £10,000, leaving an estate of

£57,000, Tennyson mixed with the most

notable people of that time. This

gentle, thoughtful man from a small

hamlet nestling in rural Lincolnshire,

leaves a legacy of words which still

inspire and comfort people from all

over the world today.

VISIT

ON THE TRAIL OF

POET LAUREATETHE LIFE

Voice of the Victorian Age,Poet of the People

VISIT

Despite having a home, Alfred spent the next 13 years

staying with relatives and friends around the country.

His brother, Edward, had been committed to a private

asylum and another, Septimus, was a voluntary patient at a

similar place run by Dr Matthew Allen. Whilst visiting

Septimus, Alfred and Dr Allen became friends and Alfred

decided to support Allen’s dream of setting up a factory

to produce wood carvings, investing £8,000 in the project.

A two volume collection, Poems 1842, half of which was

new work, was favourably reviewed and this now

established Alfred as an outstanding poet.

However, by the end of that year the wood carving project

had failed and the family lost almost all their money.

Alfred’s health broke down and over the next few years he

visited a number of places to take the ‘water cure’. At

Malvern he was persuaded his symptoms were actually

gout, not epilepsy, and his health started to improve.

During this time, a number of friends secured £200 a year

for him through a Civil List pension.

2

ALFRED, LORDTENNYSON

“I am part of all that I’ve seen”

WANDERING, RUINAND SUCCESS

HEAD OF THE FAMILY

By February 1831, George Clayton Tennyson was gravely

ill and his sons were brought home from Cambridge.

He died on 16 March. Throughout his life he had felt

bitterness towards his own Father, who had disinherited

him in favour of his younger son, Charles who was

much more charismatic than George Clayton.

However, Grandfather George was very generous

to the Somersby family and this continued.

Alfred decided that he must now take

responsibility for the family and never

returned to University and the

Tennysons continued to live at the

Rectory for another six years.

Reviews of Alfred’s latest volume, including one

from Hallam, were mixed. Alfred, very hurt by criticism,

often anticipated the same thing happening again, and he

hated publishing new work for the rest of his life.

Newly engaged and back at Cambridge, Arthur Hallam was

miserable. Disapproving of his son’s choice of a “socially

inferior” bride, Henry Hallam ordered his son to take a year-

long separation from Emily Tennyson, but after witnessing

their continued affection for each other, he changed his

mind. Father and son went on holiday together touring

Europe and in Italy tragedy struck. Arthur Hallam, aged 22,

died in Vienna from a stroke. The Tennysons were the first

people outside the family, to be told the news by letter and

Emily broke down completely. Alfred appeared to take the

news calmly, in an effort to support his sister and the family.

He was however, anguished over the loss and his grief

inspired some of his greatest work.

UNIVERSITY AND FRIENDSHIP

In 1827 Alfred joined his two elder brothers at Trinity

College Cambridge. The brothers, all tall and

unconventional looking, stood out from other students and

having only been used to the small and close world of his

family, Alfred found it difficult to mix.

Almost a year later, Arthur Henry Hallam entered Trinity as a

student. Son of an eminent historian, Henry Hallam, Arthur

was a charming and vivacious young man, who was highly

regarded. Arthur and Alfred instantly became friends. Both

of them were elected to a discussion group, limited to 12

people and known as The Cambridge Apostles, where Alfred

became a popular contributor to debate. Almost all the

group members remained life-long friends, and Alfred’s

friendship with Hallam was perhaps the most influential

of his life.

In June 1829, Alfred was persuaded to enter a poetry

competition, and he won the Chancellor’s Gold Medal.

Still very shy, he asked a friend to read the poem in public at

the Senate House.

THE FAMILY MANFINDS FAME

Alfred said that the peace of the Lord came into his life

as he exchanged marriage vows with Emily. Although

she was never in hearty health, Emily certainly gave him the

stability he needed.

By 1853 they had established a home at Farringford, near

Freshwater on the Isle of Wight. Here Emily acted as Alfred’s

secretary, ran an efficient household, had her husband’s

friends to stay and ensured Alfred had quiet when he

needed it for his writing. The couple doted on their two

children, the first christened Hallam, (after Arthur), and

their second, Lionel.

Despite unexpected criticism of Maud when it appeared, it

remained one of Alfred’s favourites and he took every

opportunity to read it aloud. Idylls of the King, based on

the legends of King Arthur, and Enoch Arden strengthened

his popularity and his bank balance! In response to The

Times’ report of the Battle of Balaclava, Tennyson went on to

write The Charge of the Light Brigade.

As his reputation grew so did his circle of friends and

acquaintances. His neighbours on the Isle of Wight included

the photographer Julia Margaret

Cameron, who photographed

many of his visitors, and Queen

Victoria, who gained comfort

from reading In Memoriam

after Prince Albert’s death.

Somersby Rectory

Mr William Cadney,

village schoolmaster

Jacksons’PrintingOffice,Louth

Arthur Henry Hallam

Uncle Charles

Harrington Hall from an 1892 engraving

For 16 long years, Alfred grieved over the loss

of his great friend, Arthur Hallam, which

inspired him in writing verse, which few seldom

saw. Finally Alfred showed it to his publisher,

who said it should be published. Reluctant to

release something so personal, he had some

copies done for friends to take a look and

Alfred asked for their comments. One of his

friends gave their copy to his former love, Emily

Sellwood and she returned it with a note for

Alfred. The two were reconciled and became

engaged again. With the agreement of friends

and family, In Memoriam AHH was published anonymously to

critical acclaim and sold very well. So much so, it transformed

Alfred’s life, giving him financial security and establishing him

as the poet of the age.

In June that year, Alfred and Emily were

married by their friend Revd Drummond

Rawnsley at his parish in Shiplake, Oxon.

Poet Laureate William Wordsworth had

died in April that year and Alfred was

appointed in his place.

1850 was the most significant year of

Tennyson’s life.Emily Sellwood

A YEAR TOREMEMBER

Arthur Henry Hallam.

Alfred and Emily’s Marriage Certificate

Julia Margaret Cameron

Alfred in later life

Malvern Spa

leaflet-Tennyson final.qxp:Layout 1 15/12/08 14:55 Page 2

LOUTHLouth is the largest market town in inland eastern Lincolnshireand known as the Capital of the Wolds, with the extensivearea of rolling chalk uplands at its western edge. It’s a veryappealing and busy town.

The original building of King Edward VI’s Grammar School towhich Alfred Tennyson was sent, has been replaced with a redbrick and stone ornamented building of 1869 designed by localarchitect James Fowler. The building is not normally open tothe public as it still serves as a school drama studio. Theinformation board which forms part of this trail is beneath acovered walkway inside the boundary railings. On the roadsidewall opposite, a Blue Plaque quotes Alfred Tennyson’sprofessed memories of his days here.

The next boards are at Louth’s St James’s church, a magnificent building with the highest church spire in England. The church is open to visitors from Easter toChristmas with guides in attendance. It serves refreshmentsand has a gift and book shop and toilets. A guided tour can be arranged and those who are fit enough should climb thetower for the stunning views of the town, countryside and sea.

The town itself largely retains its mediaeval layout with athriving traditional shopping area and many Georgian andVictorian houses in an extensive Conservation Area. Somehistoric buildings bear Blue Plaques thanks to the active CivicSociety. The volunteer-run Museum, recently enlarged andrefurbished, gives visitors an excellent understanding of thehistory of the town and area. Guided walks of the town witha Blue Badge Guide are available by arrangement. Stallsselling a large variety of goods fill the Market Place onWednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The naturalenvironment can be enjoyed in Westgate Fields andHubbards Hills, a steep-sided valley with a streamflowing through it.

There are many places to eat and stay in Louth. The town is the centre of much entertainment with a splendid new theatre and a cinema.

H I S T O R Y M A T T E R S

Place / Route Miles Refreshments / Parking What else can we visit?

1

1

KEY

TrailRoute

TrailDirection

LOUTH

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office

© Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. East Lindsey District Council 100019809, 2007.

MABLETHORPE

ALFRED, LORD TENNYSONO N T H E T R A I L

1

2

A FULL DAY CAR AND SMALL COACH TRAIL FOR VISITORS

TrailLocations

5

2

3GIBRALTAR POINT

4HALTON

HOLEGATE

79

10

11

12

Mablethorpe is a traditional seaside resort developed inresponse to the former railway link opened in 1877. The sandy beach is backed by a line of dunes. To the north of the town these widen into an important natural habitat which has now achieved national recognition as the Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe National Nature Reserve.

SKEGNESS3Skegness is an established, popular seaside town built onland belonging to the Earl of Scarbrough. The town startedto grow in popularity with the introduction of the railway inthe 1870’s, and soon thousands of day trippers were startingto visit, more than could be fed and watered by the 1,400 residents!

The Earl’s agent, Henry V Tippet, began laying out tree-linedroads and building plots. As the centrepiece of theintersecting roads Scarbrough and Lumley Avenues, (namedafter the senior and junior family titles) stands St Matthew’schurch designed by Louth architect James Fowler.

Known for its healthy sea air, Skegness also started to seemany convalescent homes appear. In 1908 the Great NorthernRailway Company displayed a poster at Kings Cross stationto promote holidays to Skegness. Using the slogan “Skegnessis SO Bracing” with the figure of a smiling fisherman boundingalong the beach - the Jolly Fisherman was born! The postercampaign was so successful, it ran for five years. Today, theJolly Fisherman can be seen throughout the town on muchmemorabilia and he even wanders the streets in the summermonths saying hello to visitors!

The Clock Tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’sDiamond Jubilee in 1897. The town expanded northwards inthe 1920s as can be seen from the Art Deco architecture. In 1936Billy Butlin opened his very first holiday camp here. It hasrecently been completely refurbished.

The coastline has developed southwards over the centuries tobecome a sandy peninsula giving shelter to hundreds of birds,both resident and migrating. This important site is now theGibraltar Point National Nature Reserve.

HALTON HOLEGATE AND SPILSBY

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Given the nearness of Spilsby, Halton Holegate has fewtourist services. Spilsby is the smallest of the market townsin the area but is busy and bustling on market day whichtakes place on Mondays. It offers a range of traditionalshops, cafes, inns and restaurants and a theatre in theimpressive pillared former courthouse. At the west end ofthe Market Place is a bronze statue of Sir John Franklinwhose many heroic exploits ended fatally, in an attempt tofind the north west passage around the North Americancontinent. He was born in a house on the site of the bakeryclose by, where a plaque is displayed. He was an Uncle toEmily Tennyson, Alfred’s wife, and Alfred was asked to writethe epitaph on his memorial in Westminster Abbey. This isalso inscribed around the plinth of the statue.

For centuries almost the whole of Spilsby was owned by theWilloughby de Eresby family who had a home here, EresbyHall, which burned down in 1796. In the parish church of StJames is a family chapel containing a wonderful display oftheir monuments and memorial brasses.

THE SOUTHERN WOLDS5The charm of the southern part of the Wolds is partly that it is so sparsely populated. Other thanTetford almost all the villages consist of a small group of houses around the parish church. Linkingthem are narrow roads, often single track, and often used by agricultural vehicles. Along the crest ofthe hills runs the Bluestone Heath Road following the course of a prehistoric trackway, givingbreathtaking views of the countryside.

A number of the settlements have charming pubs: The White Hart at Tetford; the Massingberd Armsat South Ormsby; the Cross Keys at Salmonby; the Blue Bell at Belchford; the George atHagworthingham; the Vine at South Thoresby; the Red Lion at Raithby.

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CAISTOR11Caistor enjoys an attractive position on the steep westernedge of the Wolds. It was once a Roman settlement andBlue Plaques mark points of interest. The population hasnot grown sufficiently to maintain all the shops it oncehad, but the heart of this small market town has recentlybenefited from restoration of the traditional buildings.

GRASBY12The village of Grasby seems to almost cling to the slopeof the scarp edge. It enjoys the most spectacular views.From the porch of the church, across the beautifulpatchwork of fields, dotted with hamlets and towns,the silhouette of Lincoln Cathedral, can be seen some24 miles away.

You may care to extend your trail with a trip to Lincoln.

Close to the Chapter House of Lincoln Cathedral is theimpressive, commanding bronze statue of Alfred Tennyson by his friend, the sculptor George Frederick Watts. It showsAlfred holding a stem of flowers in his hand and a plaque at the base quotes his poem Flower in the Crannied Wall.

In Lincoln Central Library located on Free School Lane in the heart of the City, there are showcases displaying somepersonal possessions of the poet. These include one of his renowned dramatic coats with a cape and a wide-brimmed hat.

These items form part of the most significant collection onAlfred, Lord Tennyson in the world, donated by and

bought from the poet’s descendants, by LincolnshireCounty Council. This includes books from Tennyson’sown library along with volumes from the libraries ofhis father, his brother Charles and his eldest son,letters, family papers, manuscripts of poetry andplays, proofs, illustrations and photographs manyof which have been generously loaned to illustratethe Tennyson Trail leaflet and informationboards. Visits from individuals and groups arewelcome but must be booked in advance.

The Tennyson Research Centre, Lincoln CentralLibrary, Free School Lane, Lincoln, LN2 1EZ

Tel: 01522 782040Email: grace.timmins@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Lincolnshire Archives holds a considerable collection ofpapers of the wider family in Lincolnshire. This contains

family, social and business papers of his Grandfather and Uncle. lincolnshire_archives@lincolnshire.gov.uk

BAG ENDERBY

SOMERSBY

HORNCASTLE

TEALBY

CAISTORGRASBY

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EXTEND YOUR TRAIL

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St James’s Church, Louth A157, Queen Street car park. From the A16 bypass 0 Church Coffee shop (Open Apr – Dec incl) Museum (www.louthmuseum.co.uk)enter Louth on the A157. Straight on at lights, Left at Newmarket Inn, Left at bus station Tearooms, pubs, cafes Market Weds, Fri, Sat

Sea View Car Park Mablethorpe From Louth - A157 for Mablethorpe; 15.2 Car Park on site. Public WC located on the Traditional seaside resort. Seal Sanctuary. A1104 Mablethorpe. Continue through town to sea front. Golf Road Pullover also Seaview Car Park Hardy’s Animal Farm. On Your Marques MuseumAt T junction turn Left. Seaview car park signed Mumby

Gibraltar Point, Skegness A52 Skegness. Follow signs to seafront. 21.7 Car Park on site National Nature Reserve owned by Lincolnshire Turn Right at Clock Tower, then immediate Left to Gibraltar Point Visitor Centre Wildlife Trust with Visitor Centre & Marked Trails,

Church Farm Museum, Gunby Hall (NT)Northcote Heavy Horse Centre

Halton Holegate Church To Skegness; A158 Lincoln; B1195 Spilsby 15.1 Near Church. The Bell Public House, Market Day (Spilsby) - Mon turn Left for Halton Holegate; At jct turn Right and Right again. Church on left Public WC in Spilsby Market Place. Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, E. Kirkby

Pubs, tea rooms and cafes (www.lincsaviation.co.uk)Snipe Dales Country Park, Old Bolingbroke Castle

Stockwith Mill To Spilsby Market Place. Follow signs A16 Grimsby 8.3 Car Park on site. Tearoom, WC Craft shop, way marked walksthen A158 Lincoln, Turn at Hagworthingham village sign to Harrington. At Bridge sign, Turn Left

Harrington Hall Left out of car park. Right at jct for Brinkhill to next bend 1.3 Grass verge Harrington Hall Gardens open occasionally

Bag Enderby Return to last jct, straight on to Bag Enderby. 1.3 Hard standing at field edge Several footpaths for round walks. Turn Left to hamlet and church next to farm buildings Walk leaflets in Church

Somersby Continue around loop road. Turn Left at jct. At Somersby fork Left, 0.6 In parking bay outside battlemented housesigned Greetham

Horncastle Continue to Greetham. Follow Horncastle A158. 6.5 Several car parks. Many tea rooms, Market Thu, Sat. Antique shops. Charming shops At Horncastle Turn Right at traffic lights. Continue to Conging Street, turn Left. restaurants to browse. Sir Joseph Banks Centre, Bridge Street

Tealby Leave car park, Turn Right at T jct; Follow A158 Lincoln until right fork 16.2 Church Car Park. Tea Rooms, Viking Way Footpath goes through villageto B1225, over A157, over A631 follow B1203 Tealby. Kings Head pub, Olde Barn Restaurant

Caistor Turn Left from car park follow B1203; B1225 Caistor. 8.8 Town Hall Car Park. Public WC Shops around Market Place, Pubs, CafesStraight on at A46 Cross Roads. Left to A1084 Caistor

Grasby Turn Left from car park. At Cross Roads Turn Right to A1084 Brigg 3.3 Roadside parking near School Stunning views(unsigned). In Grasby Turn Left at Cross Keys pub. Turn Right Vicarage Lane Cross Keys pub

Louth Turn Right at Cross Keys to A1084, turn right at A1173; B1225; 26then A631 to Louth. At Louth continue as first direction

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MABLETHORPE

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STOCKWITHMILL

HORNCASTLE9Horncastle owes much to the Romans who built a fort at the meeting of its two rivers. Parts of the wall still exist. For centuries the town supported the largest horse fair inEurope every August. At the end of the 19th century thePublic Hangman, William Marwood, ran his cobbler’s shop in Church Street. Now this charming market town is bestknown for its antique shops.

Eye-catching buildings include many Georgian townhousesalong West Street and the newly renovated premises that’snow home to the Sir Joseph Banks Centre. The towpath ofthe former canal provides an attractive walking route.

TEALBY10Tealby is a most delightful village withmany houses built of local ironstone,along the little River Rase which wasonce the power source for paper mills.The water still tumbles alongside avillage home, and at Tealby Thorpe anattractive walk takes you past a brick watermill.

The course of the long distancefootpath, the Viking Way, partly uses thecarriage drive of the Tennysons’ home.

AB

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