LOCATION
We are located on the southern edge of an area of natural beauty known as the Lincolnshire Wolds. Most think of Lincolnshire as being very flat, (and this is the case further south), but the Wolds are beautiful, quintessentially English, rolling hills. We're also just 15 minutes from the coast, with sandy beaches that stretch for 50 miles, from the Marshlands of the Wash bordering Norfolk to the south, all the way up to the Humber Estuary to the North.
Mill Lane Farmhouse
Mill Lane Farmhouse is our home as well as the site for The Layby Lincs. The farmhouse was built in 1820 and then extended in the 1880’s. We purchased it at the end of the summer in 2022, and have been working hard ever since to create our dream holiday spot. The plot itself is just under 2 acres and The Layby Lincs is based at one end of the plot around a wildlife pond. We fell in love with the plot due to the mature garden and orchard and we are sure you will too. Our neighbours are farmers’ fields on all four sides. There is a cattle farm in Firsby but the fields surrounding us are currently all being used for crops.
How to find us
Whether coming from the North or South you will most likely be approaching via the A16. At Partney roundabout there is a fuel station, (which is one of the cheapest here, so can queue onto the roundabout). Here you want to take the A158 towards Skegness. You will pass through Candlesby which has a few tight corners, and then go onto the straight down towards the Gunby roundabout. Before the roundabout you will see a layby on your left and then Gunby Lane on your right. If you miss the turning just come all the way round the roundabout and back on yourself. Keep following along Gunby Lane it turns into Mill Lane. You will end up on a longish straight stretch, we are a turning on the right just after a big Oak tree but before the single storey brick building. There will be a sign by the gate so you shouldn't miss us.
Please see the map with the highlighted suggest route.
Thorpe Culvert is our nearest train station, but if coming by train it would probably be best to go to Skegness and get a taxi from there. Thorpe Culvert is very remote and you will struggle to get a taxi.
What to do locally
Fancy a pint?
Our closest licensed premise is the Irby and Bratoft Village Hall, which is 1.2 miles away, a half hour walk. They have a very active Facebook page showing what is happening. Generally its open on Friday and Saturday Evenings.
The Eaves Restaurant is 2.1 miles away in Little Steeping
The Fleece Inn is 2.4 miles away in Burgh Le Marsh
The Bell Inn is 3.0 miles away on the road to Spilsby
There are plenty more establishments to choose from locally. Batemans is the local brewery, and is only down the road in Wainfleet 4.1 miles away
Shops and places to eat
Burgh Le Marsh is our closest shops, there are a few great pubs and restaurants.
There is the Bridge Chippie for fish and chips, but they are only open on Thursday evenings, and then for Lunch and Tea on Fridays and Saturdays. THEY ARE CASH ONLY.
Golden Mill Chinese is excellent, people drive from all around to go there. Generally difficult to get through on the phone, I tend to drive over, order, have a quick drink in the Fleece Inn next door and voila its ready. THEY ARE CASH ONLY, and closed on a Tuesday.
There are a few small shops and a CO-OP for essentials (CO-OP has a charged for CASH Machine).
Spilsby is bigger and has a Sainsburys (with free cash machine) as well as a good variety of local shops and eateries.
Masala Hut is a great Indian restaurant, you can eat in. They aren't licensed but allow you to take in your own drinks.
If you want a large supermarket you will need to head into Skegness for Morrisons, Tesco and Lidl, they are all located very near each other in the heart of the town. Do be warned in peak holiday season getting in an out of Skegness can be busy, so leave plenty of time.
Horncastle has a Tesco, a lovely Deli and lots to see and do whilst shopping.
Seascape is a dog friendly cafe looking out to sea, they serve lovely food and it’s a great spot for sunrise or sunset visits, (You will need to book a table at those times).
We love Huttoft Car Terrace as you are parked practically on the beach, and it has a lovely cafe you pass on the way into the car park.
Claythorpe Watermill is a beautiful picturesque spot in the Wolds, they have a lovely cafe too.
Days out
There are three wildlife parks within an hours drive, Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, Woodside Wildlife Park and Ark Wildlife & Dinosaur Park.
There are a couple of seal sanctuaries (The Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre and Skegness Natureland) and we have also enjoyed a trip to the Skegness Aquarium.
We are a lovely 20 minute drive through the Wolds to Cadwell Park for all you motorsport fans and Skegness Arena is 10 minutes away. Or if a different type of Horse Power is your thing, you might want to visit Market Rasen Racecourse to watch the horses.
Batemans Brewery is down the road in Wainfleet. They provide brewery tours, with a chance to sample the beer.
Gunby Hall National Trust Property is within walking distance, there is a lovely house and grounds to have a wander about in.
Lincolnshire has an amazing WW2 history and was very popular with the RAF. East Kirkby has the Lincolnshire Aviation Centre which is home to Just Jayne, a Lancaster Bomber which on certain days can be heard taxiing around, you can even pay to be inside whilst this happens. There is the International Bomber Command Centre near Lincoln too for a more polished display. If modern aviation is more your thing, there are lots of vantage points and the famous spotter's car park near RAF Conningsby, that being said it is also home to the BBMF so you might be lucky enough to see the only flying Lancaster in Europe, they also have Spitfires and Hurricanes. There is also the We'll Meet Again Museum in Freiston, they have a flight simulator, I believe you must book in advance for.
If Trains are more your speed, then the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway will be right up your track.
If you are an Angler there are tons of local Fishing Lakes offering decent day rates.
For the more athletic amongst you there are lots of beautiful places to walk or cycle, the Viking Way goes north to south through Lincolnshire, and the Spa Trail runs along a disused railway between Woodhall Spa and Louth.
Ingoldmells is just to the north of Skegness and has Fantasy Island which is a Theme Park for you thrill seekers. You can get a day pass for Butlins and use their Water Park, or the more adventurous amongst you can go wild swimming in the sea.
There are lots of dog friendly beaches to explore. Some are unrestricted all year round and most beaches are free from restriction from the beginning of October through till the end of April. We find the unrestricted beaches are generally quieter.
If antiques are your thing there is a massive collection of dealers at the Hemswell Antique Centre, Europe's largest antiques centre.
We can highly recommend a trip to Horncastle too if you like a rummage, as there are loads of differing antiques stores, varying from budget to high end.
If the weather is getting you down, we are lucky to have one of the most unique cinema's going. They often have intermissions in the films with an Organ that rises from the floor in Screen 1 and a self playing piano in Screen 2. The building itself is packed full of interesting memorabilia of both film and the local area, Kinema in the Woods is well worth a visit.
The Visit Lincolnshire website is a really great resource full of lots of information on what to do whilst taking a break here.
Trip Advisor has a great list of activities to check out.
Visit England has a fun filled page dedicated to Lincolnshire's activities.
There are two websites worth looking at that have lots of listings for things to do in the Wolds, LincsWolds.org and Love Lincolnshire Wolds
Nearby towns and villages
Spilsby is one of our closest towns and often has markets etc. There are lots of cafe's, shops and things to explore.
Burgh le Marsh (Pronounced Borough le Marsh) is pretty small but its very close and has great options for eating out.
Horncastle is a beautiful market town and has a lot of antique dealers and shops. It is a great day out if you love a rummage and a bargain.
Louth has an amazing Cheese Shop and a host of really nice restaurants.
Lincoln is a great city with pretty much a bit of everything you could ever want and well worth a visit.
Skegness has an abundance of things to do for pretty much every taste. There are lots of arcades and general amusements in the centre of the town, a cinema and the sandy beaches.
Woodhall Spa has a touch of class about it, there is a definite cafe culture.
