Louth is a market town in Lincolnshire, England. Known as the "capital of the Lincolnshire Wolds", it is situated where the ancient trackway Barton Street crosses the River Lud.

Much of the town centre is lined with brick buildings from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and the town's skyline is dominated by the Parish Church of St. James, the spire of which is 295 feet (89 metres) tall, reputedly the tallest parish church in the UK, and second only to Salisbury Cathedral in terms of spire height.

Historically, the town is most noted as the origin of the Lincolnshire Rising, the forerunner of Pilgrimage of Grace, in 1536.

Louth's twin town is La Ferté-Bernard, close to Le Mans in Pays-de-la-Loire, France.

1 Famous Ludensians
2 Nearby places of interest
3 Market Times
4 Geography
5 Schools
6 Music
7 External links

[edit] Famous Ludensians

Inhabitants of Louth are known as Ludensians, taken from the name of the river Lud:

Michael Foale, the first British-born astronaut, was born at the Crowtree Lane Hospital (since closed) in the town (his father was stationed at the nearby Royal Air Force base at Manby).
Alfred, Lord Tennyson was born in Somersby, between Louth and Horncastle, and was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School.
Corinne Drewery, lead singer of the band Swing Out Sister, attended schools in the town whilst growing up in the village of Authorpe, between Louth and Alford.
Jeffrey Archer was elected the town's member of parliament in a by-election in 1969. He stood down at the October 1974 general election.
Robert Wyatt, English musician and former member of Soft Machine, now lives in Louth.
Captain John Smith, English, soldier, sailor and founder of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Although born in Willoughby he attended the King Edward VI Grammar School, Louth where his name is adorned upon the School's main hall and a cast iron bust of him stands in the school's canteen.
Jim Broadbent, Actor, lives in a small village just outside Louth.
Edward John Eyre (5 August 1815 - 30 November 1901) was an English land explorer of the Australian continent and a controversial Governor of Jamaica. He was educated at Louth Grammar School.
Ben Ranshaw, local folk hero, is reputed to live at the top of Aswell Street. He was last seen out in 1958.
Chris Wright (Producer), founder of the Chrysalis Group and owner of London Wasps Rugby Club, was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School, Louth.
Augustus Charles Hobart-Hampden, (April 1, 1822 - June 19, 1886), English naval captain and Turkish admiral. Educated at Louth's Grammar School.
Sir John Franklin FRGS, (April 15, 1786 – June 11, 1847) English sea captain and Arctic explorer. Educated at Louth's Grammar School.

[edit] Nearby places of interest

Cadwell Park motor racing circuit is around four miles south of the town, between the villages of Scamblesby and Tathwell.

The tallest structure in the European Union, the Belmont television and radio mast, is situated in the nearby village of Donington on Bain.

Louth will be the eventual southern terminus of the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, based at nearby Ludborough.

[edit] Market Times

Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays are all market days, with a farmers' market on the fourth Wednesday of each month. A cattle market is held each Thursday at the Louth Livestock Centre on Newmarket.

[edit] Geography

Louth is located at 53°22'00" North, 00°01'00" West (53.3667, -0.0167) - see these map sources. The point at which the Greenwich Meridian crosses Eastgate is marked with a plaque on the north side of the street, close to the junction with Northgate. The three-mile £6.6m A16 Louth Bypass opened in August 1991.

[edit] Schools

Primary Schools.

Kidgate Primary School
Eastfield Infants & Lacey Gardens Junior Schools.
St. Michael's C of E Primary School

Secondary Schools.

[edit] Music

The Southwold Jazz Band are the resident band at Louth New Orleans Jazz Club, performing every Saturday night at the club in Queen Street. Proles and Stranded are also local to Louth.