Woodhall Spa, England: Home Away From Home

There is nothing better than getting local insight while traveling from people who live in an area. And it is even better when it is family!

After sleeping in Airbnb’s, hostels, and hotels for months. Trying to find inexpensive restaurants or spending 2 hours in the grocery store attempting to translate every product written in a different language or packaged differently than we are used to. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve stood at the refrigerator section for 10 minutes trying figure out if the carton we’re holding has milk, cream, or yogurt in it.

We were warmly welcomed into a HOME and it felt so good! Home-cooked meals, sitting in the dining room chatting until wee hours in the morning over glasses of wine, playing games in the backyard, and enjoying such amazing company that made us feel like we were home.

We had the pleasure of staying with Charlotte, Paul, and their two incredible sons, Ryan and Ben.

They live in a small town called Woodhall Spa, England that surprisingly had tons to see all around. One of the most unique things we learned about this area is the annual Woodhall Spa 1940’s Festival. 40,000 people come from all over to see this festival. They dress in 1940’s clothing, old cars are driving around on the road, and the whole town transforms to feel like you have walked back into the 1940’s.

A big part of the festival is held at the Petwood Hotel.

This hotel has become a famous landmark and has many famous guests throughout the years.

There was historically a spa in the park that has since been closed. Nearby is a movie theater hidden in the park that was built in 1922 as one of the first cinemas in Britain and has maintained its old charm.

There are chandeliers hanging from the ceiling of the theaters and is decorated with all old themed movies.

We were also able to tour Lincoln Castle while we were here.

The castle was built in the 11th century and used mainly by William the Conqueror. It was in great condition considering how old this building is.

And as you can see in all the pictures, there was an large wall surrounding the perimeter you could walk around.

A prison was built in the 1700’s and used throughout the 1800’s. There were many hangings and beheadings that took place here. Today it is a museum and used for filming shows such as Downton Abbey.

The castle also houses an amazing piece of history- the Magna Carta! It is one of four remaining original copies from 1215.

The town of Lincoln has an amazing cathedral you can see from everywhere. It is as beautiful and massive on the inside as it is on the outside.

The town itself was filled with tons of cute shops and restaurants. We almost didn’t make it up to the castle with all our stops along the way.

Our favorite thing we did while visiting Lincoln was visit The Abbey!

This pub is owned by some of Chad’s family who live upstairs on top of the restaurant. Chris and Emma run this amazing place while their sons, Connor and Max, get to enjoy all the benefits of living on top of a pub.

Connor is now a Gin expert after being able to sample the impressive collection The Abbey has acquired. I was able to sample my fair share and sure felt the effects the next day.

I can’t tell you how fun it was to sit around the table with friends and family.

It was great to be able to go behind the bar and pour your own beer. Emma taught me the ropes behind the bar including how to correctly pour a Scottish Ale.

As for food, we had the real local insight here. We learned all about pasties, which are similar to a meat and vegetable pie.

Of course we had to try the fish and chips with smooshed peas at The Abbey. It was AMAZING! The best we’ve ever had. You’ll have to go try it yourself.