St. Botolph's Church (Boston Stump)
St. Botolph's Church (Boston Stump)
St. Botolph's Church (Boston Stump)
4.5
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
About
St. Botolph’s Church, often known as ‘Boston Stump’, is spectacular from outside and in and is described by Pevsner as a ‘giant among English Parish churches’. Boston Stump has always been a landmark to both seafarers and people travelling across the flat fenland that surrounds the town. Over its 700 years the church has played its part in both national and international history. It will be forever linked through the puritan emigrants who in 1630 followed in the wake of the Pilgrim Fathers and founded a new Boston in the United States of America. The size of which has long since surpassed Boston in Lincolnshire, but the close links are never forgotten. Come and climb 209 steps for the Tower Experience and then visit the Coffee Shop & Gift Shop or reflect in our sacred space. St Botolph’s Church is open Monday – Friday and is free to enter, although charges do apply to the Tower Experience. Tours are offered by prior arrangement.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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27 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Mark JBulkington, United Kingdom333 contributionsThe Boston Stump.5 out of 5. This is one huge beautiful building! A must go and visit, there is a gift shop, cafe, toilets. Large area to walk and take in its beauty. The toilets are clean and well maintained. The cafe has a good selection of food and drink choices, and the cakes are delicious! When religious services are finished, you can walk through the ground floor, taking in the building beautiful architecture. You can climb the stairs up the steeple if uoubare fit enough to do so the view from the ledges is fantastic.Visited October 2022Travelled soloWritten 23 March 2023
- Michael W30 contributionsVisit to BostonSuperb piece of architecture which is free to enter. A climb up the tower is £5 and offers superb 360 degree views of the town. Best thing is the people who run the venue from the cafe under the tower to the lady building the Lego model of the church. LovelyVisited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 March 2023
- JonathanSpilsby, United Kingdom9 contributionsFabulous blend of history and fun.Boston Stump is an amazing building with an amazing history. They've had some lottery funding which has been invested in making the church more accessible and brings the history to life in a very interesting way. We spent a fun hour or so exploring the church with the free I-pad tour, there's a grown-ups version and a kids one and its worth doing both. There's a labyrinth walk if you fancy a bit of meditation and for the kids there's the chance to build your own tower in wooden blocks. If you're really brave you can climb the 365 steps to the top or if like me you prefer your bout of vertigo while staying on the ground then there's an interactive screen that shows you the view from the top. After all this excitement we had a nice cup of coffee with a scone and cream sat under the fabulous souring tower. One of the things I thought was very clever was the background music which was appropriate to the setting but also made it clear that this wasn't a space didn't need to be enjoyed in silence. It's free to enter but you honestly won't begrudge making a donation.Visited April 2023Written 14 April 2023
- musicjukeboxLincoln, United Kingdom160 contributionsStunning'The Stump' really is truly stunning, wether that is heightened by it's placing in the flat fens, I'm not sure. Inside is very calm, peaceful, interesting and LARGE. You can also get beautiful photos of the stump and the river Haven, where the Pilgrim Fathers first set sail on their journey to the New World (New England) from the nearby bridges. Would recommend.Visited May 2023Travelled soloWritten 20 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
414 reviews
Excellent
303
Very good
90
Average
19
Poor
0
Terrible
2
2mikemoores
12 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Tour up the tower gave us great views and the refectory food and service was excellent. Lovely environment to sit and enjoy a toasted sandwich, coffee and cake.
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria N
Lancaster, UK19 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Lovely church, free entrance, optional £5 to climb the tower. Well maintained inside, very friendly staff. Cafe inside for a drink and cake.
Well worth a visit.
Well worth a visit.
Written 23 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
musicjukebox
Lincoln, UK160 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
'The Stump' really is truly stunning, wether that is heightened by it's placing in the flat fens, I'm not sure.
Inside is very calm, peaceful, interesting and LARGE.
You can also get beautiful photos of the stump and the river Haven, where the Pilgrim Fathers first set sail on their journey to the New World (New England) from the nearby bridges.
Would recommend.
Inside is very calm, peaceful, interesting and LARGE.
You can also get beautiful photos of the stump and the river Haven, where the Pilgrim Fathers first set sail on their journey to the New World (New England) from the nearby bridges.
Would recommend.
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
purplehaze2014
London, UK14 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Magnificent church. Beautiful stained glass windows and interior. Serves delicious maffin and coffee at cafe.
Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt H
1 contribution
Nov 2022 • Solo
The people are so friendly. For just £5 you can climb up the Boston Stump to see some amazing views. I zoomed in on Lincoln Cathedral 27 miles away
Written 13 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave
Nottingham, UK49 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
A fantastic church. Full of character and history, a testament to Boston’s rich heritage.
Don’t go on a Sunday as most visitor facilities are closed.
Also park close and forget about looking around the town. Boston is very run down, sad considering it’s past importance. Any historical or cultural legacy has been obliterated in recent times. The town offers little in the way of restaurants, pubs or places to eat. Best to leave directly Woodall Spa is worth some time.
Don’t go on a Sunday as most visitor facilities are closed.
Also park close and forget about looking around the town. Boston is very run down, sad considering it’s past importance. Any historical or cultural legacy has been obliterated in recent times. The town offers little in the way of restaurants, pubs or places to eat. Best to leave directly Woodall Spa is worth some time.
Written 26 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Davidson
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Couples
I visited this church, parked on yellow lines with my blue badge clearly on view and received a penalty notice, (Parked without a permit)even though I was told by staff that I was fine to park there. I have written to the church twice and had no reply, I appealed the penalty notice and was told my appeal failed. I think the church own the road as it is called Church close.
How bad is this, fined for visiting a church to pray.
How bad is this, fined for visiting a church to pray.
Written 26 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan
Spilsby, UK9 contributions
Apr 2023
Boston Stump is an amazing building with an amazing history. They've had some lottery funding which has been invested in making the church more accessible and brings the history to life in a very interesting way.
We spent a fun hour or so exploring the church with the free I-pad tour, there's a grown-ups version and a kids one and its worth doing both. There's a labyrinth walk if you fancy a bit of meditation and for the kids there's the chance to build your own tower in wooden blocks. If you're really brave you can climb the 365 steps to the top or if like me you prefer your bout of vertigo while staying on the ground then there's an interactive screen that shows you the view from the top.
After all this excitement we had a nice cup of coffee with a scone and cream sat under the fabulous souring tower. One of the things I thought was very clever was the background music which was appropriate to the setting but also made it clear that this wasn't a space didn't need to be enjoyed in silence.
It's free to enter but you honestly won't begrudge making a donation.
We spent a fun hour or so exploring the church with the free I-pad tour, there's a grown-ups version and a kids one and its worth doing both. There's a labyrinth walk if you fancy a bit of meditation and for the kids there's the chance to build your own tower in wooden blocks. If you're really brave you can climb the 365 steps to the top or if like me you prefer your bout of vertigo while staying on the ground then there's an interactive screen that shows you the view from the top.
After all this excitement we had a nice cup of coffee with a scone and cream sat under the fabulous souring tower. One of the things I thought was very clever was the background music which was appropriate to the setting but also made it clear that this wasn't a space didn't need to be enjoyed in silence.
It's free to enter but you honestly won't begrudge making a donation.
Written 14 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael W
30 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Superb piece of architecture which is free to enter.
A climb up the tower is £5 and offers superb 360 degree views of the town.
Best thing is the people who run the venue from the cafe under the tower to the lady building the Lego model of the church.
Lovely
A climb up the tower is £5 and offers superb 360 degree views of the town.
Best thing is the people who run the venue from the cafe under the tower to the lady building the Lego model of the church.
Lovely
Written 28 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark J
Bulkington, UK333 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
5 out of 5. This is one huge beautiful building! A must go and visit, there is a gift shop, cafe, toilets. Large area to walk and take in its beauty. The toilets are clean and well maintained. The cafe has a good selection of food and drink choices, and the cakes are delicious! When religious services are finished, you can walk through the ground floor, taking in the building beautiful architecture. You can climb the stairs up the steeple if uoubare fit enough to do so the view from the ledges is fantastic.
Written 23 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet
2 contributions
Are there services at St Botolph's Church on Sundays - and does this preclude visiting the building, the cafe or the shop? Thank you. Janet
2014Jandy
Calgary, Canada6 949 contributions
Hi
There is a lot of information on the web site or you can give then a call.
Hope you enjoy your visit. Jandy
RandallEv
Cambridge, UK94 contributions
How much does it cost for the tower experience?
fungi-foodie
17 contributions
i believe it is £5 per person but regarding the tower it is extremely steep and no gaps in the staircase for a rest. the stars are not straight or flat either
Christine J
Mansfield, England, United Kingdom1 contribution
is there any parking for coach parking nearby
Mary F
Boston, UK16 contributions
Yes there is a coach park right next to the bus station and the church is a couple of minutes walk away
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Frequently Asked Questions about St. Botolph's Church (Boston Stump)
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