Quarrington is a small village approximately one and a quarter miles south west of Sleaford, although the parish extends as far as the railway line, (the old boundary was Nags Head Passage). It is mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1086 as both Corninctune and Corninctone and was said to have two churches and a mill although no documented or archaeological evidence has been found for the mill. The presence of a mill is reflected in the name Quarrington which is a derivation of the Old English word 'cweorn' meaning mill and 'tun' meaning homestead - the miller's homestead.
The area through which the walk passes is used for both agriculture and suburban housing. Much of the urban spread from Sleaford took place with the coming of the railway - the line from Barkston to Sleaford opening in 1857, and the extension through to Boston in 1859. In 1824 however, a Saxon cemetery was discovered in the area of the station. Evidence of more burials was found in 1852 prior to the Boston extension and again in 1858 when the station was widened.
All along Grantham Road there are many examples of different styles of architecture - Victorian, Edwardian, 1930s and up to the present day. Many properties still retain original features which are work looking out for - e.g. the small terrace opposite the Fina garage is a good example of Flemish Bond brickwork which gives a chequer board pattern and Quarrington Parish School c1868 is a nice example of a Victorian church school. Numbers 44 and 46 have gothic arches over their doors. Although new double glazed windows have been fitted at Number 33, the design still reflects the original cast-iron Crittal style windows. Number 224 would originally have had 1920s curved windows. If you take a slight detour onto Victoria Avenue, look out for both the house with a parapet on the roof and Number 15 which is a new house specifically designed to fit in with the surrounding architecture. Back onto Grantham Road, two to look out for at opposite ends of the time scale are Number 168, a detached pebble dashed cottage which dates to the 1920s and on the corner of Grantham Road / Clay Hill Road is a new house which has brick dentilled eaves, verges and chimney copied from the late Victorian style. At the end of Grantham Road. before turning left are an interesting flat-roofed house dating to 1904 and an 1874 brick and stone house which was originally built as part of the Bristol Estate and which was formally two cottages.
Turning down Northfield Road you come to Quarrington Village itself, the old part of which really consists of two large farming companies and about ten old cottages, the rest being more recent additions. Note that the new house copies the style of the 1930s house which is next but one to it (no. 3). The new house was built on church land for the Archdeacon of Lincoln who is responsible for all the parishes throughout South Lincolnshire. Next to this sis the Old Rectory, which was built in 1846 after the original thatched building burned down in about 1760. Round the corner, Numbers 22 and 24, which date to the mid 19th century, form a group with the Church of St Botolph. The oldest part of the church dates to the 13th Century, although alterations, additions and rebuilding have all taken place over the years, especially in the mid 19th century. The beautiful wooden lychgate was erected in 1895. The church has also just acquired a new stained glass window. Other things to look out for are the fish scale slate roof on some cottages. Some have date stones and crests, although these are quite faint.
At Manor Farm you can see a good example of old wagon sheds with a possible threshing barn next to them. Above the sheds could have been a hayloft or accommodation for farm workers. Also, note the crest on the large barn. As you follow the road around, notice the coarse limestone rubble garden walls with brick capping which frame the garden of the Manor House. The house itself (visible up the drive) dates to the late 17th century, but had extensive alteration in the mid 19th century.
At the end of Town Road is a new housing development. Prior to building, an archaeological excavation was carried out by Archaeological Project Services (Heritage Lincs) during 1993 - 95 and the area was found to contain the remains of an early-mid Saxon settlement with some later features dating to the mediaeval period.
Two possible buildings were discovered - one circular and one rectangular, several field boundaries and enclosures, a rack way, a possible mulching house and a probable mediaeval barn. Many artefacts were recovered, especially animal bones. The majority of the pottery is Saxon, some of it beautifully decorated. Also found were knife blades, spindle whorls, loom weights, pins, several decorated bone combs and some mould fragments, indicating that metal working may have taken place on the site. The findings indicate that this was a domestic settlement, although the ratio of animal bones to other findings suggests that the excavation uncovered only the periphery of the settlement, the main part being in adjoining fields and under the Manor House.
On the corner of Ancaster Drive / London Road is a nice example of a late Victorian, early Edwardian House. Also on this corner is the entrance to Goodsons Holt, a small area set aside for conservation and wildlife. Before you turn into Ancaster Drive however, glance at the bungalows across the road and in the garden of one you will see what must surely be Lincolnshire's largest frog! If you walk through Goodsons Holt, make sure you come back onto London Road and see the beautiful tree carving by Michelle De Bruin which was commissioned by North Kesteven District Council as part of the New Life From Old Project.
The top of London Road had properties, which at the time they were built, were commonly known as 'Stockbroker Tudor' - a not altogether complimentary description as it implied that the owners of such properties were 'on the up'. However, it is worth looking out for the beautiful stained glass and decorative brickwork, especially on the late Victorian and early Edwardian properties. Also note the lovely old stone porch at Number 1 London Road.
Although there is now not much of a gap between Quarrington and Sleaford, due to the spreading suburbs of Sleaford, Quarrington Village itself holds its own character and atmosphere.
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