Welcome to Swineshead Parish Council

This website is run by Swineshead Parish Council to offer information about the village.

Once a thriving market town, Swineshead now stands in a triangle between the A17, the A52 and the A1121 about seven miles south west of Boston. It has a population of approximately 2800. The village has many facilities including a Post Office in the High Street, which is next door to the chemist. We have two grocery shops, one in the Market Place and the other at North End. There is a baker's shop on Cheese Hill, a fish & chip shop in South Street, and two public houses, The Wheatsheaf in the Market Place, and The Barge at Swineshead Bridge. Just off South Street is the new medical centre and along High Street is the Methodist Chapel. There are also numerous other businesses in and around the village.

Swineshead is a very historic village. In 1216 King John spent his last few nights at Swineshead Abbey where he was reputedly poisoned by one of the monks. In the centre, facing the Market Place, is the fine 14C Church of St Mary's containing some interesting items. An ancient altar slab, said to be about one thousand years old, was found when the church was restored in the 19C. Also of note, set in the chancel wall, is part of a memorial to Sir John Lockton who purchased the Abbey lands after the Reformation. It not only commemorates Sir John's death but that of many of his children who died in childhood or infancy. They are each depicted carrying a skull.

Unfortunately the church needs extensive repairs which will cost £700,000.
We now have two church wardens to run the church and they are Neville Woodcock tel 821500 and Sue Hentley tel 07932 429308

Link to the local historian who will be pleased to answer any queries on local history as well as genealogical help for Swineshead parish.
Pam Southworth