Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, UK
info@capitalofthefens.org.uk

Hidden Gems

Hidden Gems

Hidden Gems
 
Thankyou to everyone who responded so warmly to this new column! I’m pleased it is of interest, and hope it continues to show everyone the fantastic people, places and events we have here in the Fens.
An interesting sounding launch event is coming up this Sunday – 15th November – at the Wisbech and Fenland Museum. “In Grendel’s Footsteps” is a photographic exhibition representing the artist’s view on the history of the Fens. Meeting the artist is always interesting, so pop along 12-2pm Saturday and let her explain her work to you.
A recently discovered hidden gem, to me anyway, is Moulton Mill. Near Spalding, it’s the tallest windmill in the country! It’s run by knowledgeable people and the history of Fen Windmills is very interesting. Open Thursday-Sunday, they have a chocolate evening on 17th November! I will have all links on my website (see below) but I know not everyone uses the internet, so here’s Moulton Mill’s phone number: 01406 373237.
I was also intending to encourage everyone to use The Luxe cinema. It’s such a great place to watch a film, the seats are big armchairs, there’s a bar, and often an intermission! I then heard they’ve been voted the best attraction in Cambridgeshire by TripAdvisor – a brilliant achievement and well deserved; congratulations to Burleigh and his team. So while it may not be a hidden gem any more, it still deserves a mention as a local, independent business to be proud of!
A new version of the Cambridgeshire Pevsner Guide has just been released, and it still contains that often quoted line. He also says: “the two Brinks, one of the finest Georgian brick streets of England”. So that quote includes South Brink as well, make sure you visit both sides! The traditional viewpoint of North Brink is from the town bridge, but you’ll find a good view from Centenary Green, on South Brink, just a few steps from the bridge. There’s an information board with details of the buildings you can see opposite. It’s a new pocket park, looked after by Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House, and they have a lovely tearoom with even lovelier cake! At this time of year, the tearoom’s open Monday to Wednesday 12-3. If you’d like to tour the house as well, call 01945 476358 to book.
Borrow a copy of the Pevsner guide from the library, as it has descriptions of walks, as well as all the buildings. Wisbech is one of the longest chapters in there, which shows how much a famed architectural historian like Pevsner found to write about. The Birthplace House organise regular walks, though only “armchair walks” in the warm at this time of the year!

Lorena Hodgson runs beginners’ classes
in crafts, also website and social media
workshops for creative businesses.
www.redbarncreative.org.uk