travel
'Bath, Harrogate... Woodhall?' A short break in one of the UK's most forgotten spa towns
The Lincolnshire village, the height of fashion a century ago, offers fascinating history, a woodland cinema, excellent cycle routes and a deeply restorative feel
TL;DR
- Woodhall Spa, located in Lincolnshire, was a fashionable spa town in the early 20th century, known for its iodine and bromine-rich springs.
- Despite the closure of its original baths and railway, the village retains a restorative feel with its tree-lined avenues and historic villas.
- Attractions include the 90-year-old Jubilee Park lido, the Cottage Museum detailing local history and wartime efforts, and the Kinema in the Woods, a unique cinema in a former sports pavilion.
- Cycling routes, such as the Spa Trail and Water Rail Way, utilize old railway trackbeds and offer access to historical sites like Kirkstead Abbey, Bardney Abbey, and Tattershall Castle.
- The article highlights the historical significance of the area, including its role in World War II with the training of the 1st Airlanding Brigade and the stationing of Squadron 617 (Dambusters).