"The best self catering we have ever stayed at" Evelyn and Janet, Fowey
Guestbook extract September 2009
Crowland has been welcoming visitors since monks first started arriving in the area to pay homage to St Guthlac, a monk who came here to live the life of a hermit in 701. From what had been an uninhabited island in the marshes known as the Fens, grew a thriving monastic community who established an Abbey in which they lived and worshipped. As the marshes were drained the monastry thrived and our town, Croyland, was established near to the Abbey.
Life in Crowland still centres on the Abbey. It is still a flourishing church that hosts numerous events throughout the year. A glance through the visitors book shows that hardly a day goes by without visitors from all over the world stopping and spending time here.
Crowland's other ancient attraction is the Trinity Bridge. Before the roads were laid the bridge straddled three rivers. A glance through the library local history section shows the bridge at the centre of local celebrations throughout the years and it continues to be so.
Crowland is a vibrant community with plenty to offer visitors and a large number of community events are held throughout the year. The highlights of these are the Crowland Show which takes place in June and the Flower Festival held in the Abbey on the August Bank Holiday weekend. Both attract visitors from all over the area.
Churches
Apart from the Abbey there is a Methodist church and a Salvation Army Centre. The nearest Roman Catholic church is newly built St Norbergs in Spalding.
Shops
2 supermarkets open until 10pm, post office, chemist, butchers, bakery, hardware/diy, angling supplies, florist, 3 ladies hairdressers, a barbers, and garage.
Market
A small market is held every Friday in the main street
Eating and drinking
There is a very popular old fashioned Teashop. Also very popular is the Fish & Chip shop that has a restaurant attached. An Italian restaurant, 2 public houses with restaurants, 2 chinese takeaways, 2 other takeaways that serve a variety of foods such as pizza, fried chicken, curry and burgers. Refreshements are also available in the Abbey at certain times during the week.
Others
Crowland has an excellent doctors surgery, a dentist and vet.
Crowland Cancer Fund charity has a shop in the town that is renowned for raising around £35k each year for cancer related organisations. The shop sells a wide range of bric a brac and has an impressive library section. On Saturdays their furniture and white goods are on sale at their Crowland warehouse.
There is a well stocked Library in the town where a wide range of local history books can be found.
Wyevale garden centre is situated on the edge of the town, providing another place to eat, alongside the plants and wellies.
Crowland Caravan and camping centre is situated to the rear of the garden centre. This is a very well known business throughout the camping and caravaning community, catering for all their needs.
The river Welland borders the town
The Abbey can be seen mid horizon.
The drive west to Market Deeping and Stamford, and the drive north to Spalding takes you along the banks of the river where Herons, perch on the riverbank.
The west entrance to Crowland has a small fishing cut, here, posing for the camera are it's resident swans. this year they have raised a family of 6
To see more of Crowland and it's community visit our town's website at:
The Abbey can be seen mid horizon.