Attractions
Heritage
The town of Epworth is not without its charms and history. Most famously it is the birthplace of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. The Old Rectory, where John, Charles and Samuel Wesley lived is now a museum, completely restored and owned by the World Methodist Council. (link to website)
Epworth, the capital of the Isle of Axholme, bounded by the rivers Trent and Don, Torne and Idle, has had a unique history in a strategic setting. In Saxon times, Axel meant a town, Holme an island, Heape a small hill and Urde a farm. So Heapeurde or Epurde or Epworth was "the farm on the rising ground in the island township."
Rivers and not roads were the early lines of communication. Settlers and marauders could, with equal ease, descend the navigable streams and ascend them with the daily tides so that it was recorded in the time of Edward the Confessor that this River Island not only "contained the same villages and hamlets as it does at present, but had a numerous population."
In an early period, the Isle was covered with a dense forest of large trees which, in the course of time, led to the formation of thick and extensive beds of peat - the burial ground of many forest giants.
Grimsby
A historical fishing town and home of the National Fishing Heritage Museum.
Cleethorpes
A traditional seaside resort with a pier, the Pleasure Island theme park and a miniature railway.
Hull
A historical city with a wide variety of museums and art galleries including the William Wilberforce Museum. Children of all ages will enjoy The Deep Aquarium. The new St. Stephen's shopping centre and recent extension of Princes Quay shopping centre offers excellent shopping facilities . The drive to Hull takes you over the Humber Bridge - well worth a visit.
Doncaster
Doncaster offers a wide array of leisure pursuits - cultural, historic, sporting or simply enjoying some of Doncaster's fantastic countryside.
The town centre has excellent shopping facilities with the new Frenchgate Centre and one of the largest markets in the country. Doncaster Lakeside is home to the new Community Stadium providing sport and community facilities, the Dome, a cinema and bowling alley. (link to visit Doncaster web site)
Attractions
Church Lea House is ideally situated for the East Coast resorts and excellent shopping in Doncaster, Leeds and Sheffield.
Most of the places stated below are within an hour's car drive away from Church Lea House. For information on local bus services, ring Traveline on 0871 200 2233.
Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum
Open most weekends during the summer season (see website for details), this museum has the largest collection of trolleybuses in Europe.
Normanby Hall County Park
Set in the heart of undiscovered North Lincolnshire, the 300 acres of Normanby Hall Country Park provides the perfect day out for all the family.
AeroVenture
Young and old alike will enjoy a visit to South Yorkshire's air museum at Doncaster Lakeside - the former site of WWII RAF Doncaster.
Cusworth Hall, Museum and Park.
Built in the 1740s and is in a parkland setting on the outskirts of Cusworth village in Doncaster, South Yorkshire the listed Grade 1 buildings is now the Museum of South Yorkshire Life and its collections depict life in the locality over the last 200 years. The Hall provides a beautiful backdrop to the lakeland landscape of the country park.
Sports
North Lincolnshire is a great place to get active! Whether your passion is for bird watching, fishing, golf or paintball!
Golf: The nearest golf courses to Church Lea House are Forest Pines, Lincolnshire, Holme Hall, Elsham and Thorne - all within 20 minutes drive.
Walking: With lots of short and long distance walks passing through the area there are plenty of opportunities for the keen walker to enjoy North Lincolnshire's lush and varied countryside. Maps and routes at the house. The Humberhead Peatlands National Nature Reserve, is a vast area where you can experience wilderness and see rare and beautiful plants, insects, birds and animals form the sundew to fallow deer.
Cycling: The quiet country lanes and friendly villages of North Lincolnshire are perfect for cycling. A comprehensive North Lincolnshire cycle routes pack, with details of 13 rides, from six to 50 miles in length is kept in the house.
Fishing: Over 210 Day Ticket Venues are listed and reviewed on the Yorkshire Fishing web site, with still waters, lakes, rivers, canals and commercial waters all featured. Many of these are within easy striking distance.
Horse Racing: The famous Doncaster and York race courses are easily reached.
Riding: Whatever equestrian discipline you're involved in, dressage, eventing, show jumping, cross country or just hacking out, the Isle of Axholme and the surrounding area can offer you excellent facilities and help you and your horse develop and progress. Combine your stay in our house with a holiday or weeks instruction for you and your horse at the renown Epworth Equestrian ltd. (link to web site) Epworth Equestrian Ltd hold regular competitions on their 60 acre site. They have a full Cross Country Course which has recently been redesigned by Stuart Buntine.
Local facilities:
Epworth has a fine selection of traditional pubs, Chinese restaurants and takeaways and Indian restaurants. This includes the Red Lion, a traditional coaching inn 2 minutes walk away.
Shopping: The nearest supermarket is 2 minutes walk; cafés, delis, boutique stores and health shop also within walking distance.
Library and leisure centre: 10 minutes.