Information

Nestled in the heart of Swineshead, The Wheatsheaf has been offering old fashioned Lincolnshire hospitality for over three hundred years.

Swineshead gets its name from the river that used to run up to the market place. The river was named the Swin, from the old Scandinavian word ‘svein’ meaning a tidal creek, and ‘heda’ was the Anglo-Saxon word for a dock or landing place. The settlement was named Swins heda for the landing place on the river, which over the years became Swineshead.

The Mainwarings are believed to be the site of a Danish encampment or a Norman motte and bailey castle.

King John stayed at Swineshead Abbey. According to legend he had a bad day on 12 October 1216. First he was informed of the loss of the baggage train with his treasure in The Wash during its journey from King’s Lynn to Swineshead. Later that day he was poisoned with a drink spiked with toxin from a toad by Brother Simon, who was reputed to be a Knight Templar. On either 14 or 15 October the King, suffering from poisoning, left Swineshead for Newark where he died on 19 October.

There is more information on the History pages.

The current Wheatsheaf can trace its origins back three hundred years to Georgian times.

We are proud to say that we are still offering comfortable accommodation, an excellent menu and a wide selection of ales, wines and spirits to travellers and locals alike. The Head Chef was previously at Langar Hall Hotel near Nottingham which has been awarded two rosettes by The AA for its restaurant. Regular visitors to the hotel have been the BBC Test Match Special commentary team, Jools Holland and Keira Knightley and Fashion designer Paul Smith has a gallery there. Our real ales have Cask Marque accreditation. Complimentary WiFi is available for guests. Live sport is shown on the large screen in the Sports Bar. Menu items are available to take away.

Lincolnshire hospitality at The Wheatsheaf Country Inn and Restaurant.