Legbourne

The Priory of Legbourne was founded by Robert Fitz Gilbert of Tathwell about 1150, apparently to receive Cistercian nuns, known as "The Nuns of Keddington" (sometimes Haddington).[2] The Priory was officially dissolved in 1536, although it seems it was still occupied by a number of nuns at the time of the Lincolnshire Rising when the nuns were dragged out by the excited mob.[2]

The original endowment of the Priory consisted of lands belonging to Robert Fitz Gilberts fee in Tathwell, Legbourne, Hallington, and the churches of Farlesthorpe, Saltfleetby St Peter, Raithby, Hallington, Somercotes, Conisholme, and half that of Legbourne.[2] The site of the priory is in the grounds of Legbourne Abbey, at present a private house, the only visible remains of the original building being earth mounds.[3]

An electoral ward of the same name exists, stretching north-west to Elkington, with a population at the 2011 census of 1,891.[4]

Legbourne church, built about 1380, is dedicated to All Saints.[5] A Grade I listed building, it was extensively rebuilt in 1865.[6] The church clock was presented by Thomas Cheney Garfitt in 1890.[3]

Legbourne village pump

The village pump, Grade II listed,[7] is a canopied and pinnacled stone structure in front of the church, built by Canon J. Overton in 1877 in memory of his mother. It was the principal supply of water to the village until 1953, when mains water was introduced.[3]

Legbourne tower mill, also Grade II listed,[8] was built by Thomas Davy in 1847 after an older post mill burned down. It is now a private dwelling.[3]

The disused Legbourne Road railway station was built in 1863[3] for the Great Northern Railway.[9] The level crossing has disappeared, but the old station house survives as a private residence.[3]

Legbourne Wood is one of the few ancient woodlands in eastern Lincolnshire and the largest of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust woodland nature reserves. The Trust bought the wood in 2004. Its canopy is ash and oak. Beneath the trees, over 60 species of wild flowers have been recorded, including primrose, early purple orchid, bluebell, wood anemone, sweet woodruff, wood sorrel and lesser celandine. There is a varied bird population, including one of the largest heronries in the county.[10]

Legbourne Wood Nature Reserve

Legbourne and Little Cawthorpe Community Centre was built in 1990 as a sports and functions hall. It includes playing fields used for both sports and outdoor sales.[11] The village retains a post office and general store.[3] The local public house, the Queens Head Inn, closed in January 2012.[12] Since 1982 there has been a trout farm at the village.

There is a day nursery and an out-of-school club.[13] East Wold Primary School, built in 1993, serves Legbourne and surrounding villages.[14]

• Media related to Legbourne at Wikimedia Commons