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Treasure Trove
Who put the Spa in Woodhall?
The origins of this fashionable area of Lincolnshire
What's in a name?
If you look for Woodhall Spa on Greenwood's map of Lincolnshire published in 1831... you won't find it. The Woodhall Spa that we know grew and developed in the latter half of the 19th century - prior to that there was just an area of heath and woodland callled 'Woodhall' which had hardly anyone living near. The name Woodhall is first noted in the late 1100s and probably means quite simply 'The Hall in Wood' for it is thought that the medieval forest court for Lindsey was held here.
Hunting grounds
This forest was presumably the hunting ground for the local lords - the de Tateshale family. They were descended from Eudo, one of William the Conqueror's right hand men, and they built the castle at Tattershall which passed through marriage to Ralph Cromwell - the Lord High Treasurer to Henry the Sixth. Cromwell built a hunting lodge at Woodhall which was a smaller version of the great brick tower which he added to Tattershall Castle. His hunting lodge was short-lived though, and was dismantled after his death in the 1470. But, for some unknown reason, its octagonal stair turret was left standing - and it's still there today - we call it the Tor on the Moor and it has become the symbol of Woodhall Spa.
Great monastery
The Tower is not Woodhall's only claim to fame, for there was also a great monastery just across the fields at Kirkstead. Here the Cistercian monks from Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire came in 1139 to found one of Lincolnshire's greatest monasteries. Kirkstead Abbey dominated the area until 1537, when it became involved in the brief rebellion against the King known as the Lincolnshire Rising. Kirkstead Abbey's involvement spelled its doom. The Abbott and several monks were executed and the great abbey was forfeit to the Crown and was closed down.
Looking for coal
Woodhall retreated into leafy inactivity until, in 1811, a prospector began digging a shaft at Woodhall in the hope of finding coal. Two shafts were sunk in all, but no coal was found, however
the second shaft struck a deep saline spring and promptly filled up with water ending the prospecting. Bad news for the coal seekers, but ultimately good news for Woodhall. The water was found to contain iodine and bromine and was theraputic for gout and other ailments. In 1838 Thomas Hotchkin built a pump-room and bath-house and the Spa of Woodhall Spa was born. The area soon became fashionable both for those visiting to take the waters and those who chose to live in this delightful new town. In 1855 the railway came to Woodhall Spa and its attractions became available to all.
Museum
Woodhall Spa remains a fashionable area of Lincolnshire to this day and adds to the variety and diversity of our county. The fascinating story of the town is told at the delightful Woodhall Spa Cottage Museum, housed in a rare corrugated tin house and open from easter weekend to October. If you haven't been, you must - it's well worth an afternoon out.
Dave Start
Director Heritage Lincolnshire
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