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Market Deeping and Deeping St James sit on the River Welland, with riverside walks, a wildlife reserve, family activities and local landmarks all within easy reach of the town centre, at the heart of the Deepings. West Deeping adds a historic church nearby, and Baston Fen offers a second wildlife reserve a short drive north. For a longer day out, Tallington Lakes, Burghley House and Crowland are all a short drive away. For fetes, markets, talks and one-off local events, see What’s On. Looking for something that meets regularly, such as a sports club, choir or hobby group? See Clubs and Activities. For the town’s own story, see History, and for parking, transport and other practical information, see Local Services.
Clubs & regular activities
Find sports clubs, youth groups, hobbies, fitness sessions and regular local activities that meet weekly, fortnightly or monthly across Market Deeping and the Deepings.
Places and activities
The following are all in Market Deeping, Deeping St James or West Deeping.
Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve
South of the level crossing on the B1166 Crowland Road, Deeping St James, PE6 8RJ
FreeOutdoorsWildlifeAccessible route
A Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserve of around 71 hectares, open at all times with a free car park. A circular waymarked route leads to bird hides, and a gravel path to the hide is wheelchair-friendly. The lakes and wetland are known for wildfowl, waterbirds and wildflowers.
Assistance dogs only: ordinary pet dogs are not permitted on the reserve.
Information last checked: 2 August 2026
River Welland walks and cycle rides
Market Deeping, Deeping St James and West Deeping
FreeWalkingCyclingOutdoors
There is more than one way to follow the Welland. Published local walking routes include the Welland Walk, a short riverside stretch with a stile and kissing gates, the longer High Locks to Low Locks walk through Deeping St James, an easy in-town route known as Parish Walk 1, and a circular walk between Market Deeping and West Deeping, taking in the 1651 stone Packhorse Bridge to Deeping Gate. The same flat, quiet lanes are also popular with cyclists, including longer routes out towards Spalding.
Information last checked: 5 September 2026
The Ranch, The Deepings Caravan Park
The Deepings Caravan Park, Outgang Road / Towngate East, Market Deeping, PE6 8LQ
FamilyRainy dayFood available
An indoor activity venue at the Deepings Caravan Park, with two full-sized ten-pin bowling lanes, soft play including a toddler section, crazy golf, arcade machines, pool tables and a multi-use games area. There is a family restaurant on site. It is designed for both holiday guests and local families.
Check availability and opening times
Information last checked: 2 August 2026
Exotic Pet Refuge
102 Station Road, Deeping St James, PE6 8RH
FamilyAnimalsLimited dates
A registered animal rescue and rehabilitation charity, home to more than 300 animals including monkeys, meerkats, raccoons, lynx, owls, foxes, reptiles, snakes and an alligator. Free parking is available on open days. Mobile signal can be unreliable on site, so visitors are advised to carry cash.
Open to general visitors only on advertised open days, normally held six times a year, 10am to 4pm. Dogs are not permitted at open days.
Information last checked: 2 August 2026
Market Deeping Market
The Precincts, Market Deeping, PE6 8JP
WednesdayFree entryTown centre
The weekly market is normally held every Wednesday, 8am to 12 noon, in the car park at the end of The Precincts, off Godsey Lane. The exact mix of traders varies from week to week.
John Eve Field
Market Deeping
FreeFamilyOutdoorsBMX
A public green space owned by Market Deeping Town Council, with an informal football pitch, a children’s play area and a competition-sized BMX cycle track. It is a general space for recreation and exercise rather than a venue with organised activities or equipment hire.
Information last checked: 2 August 2026
Market Place and the historic centre
Market Place, Market Deeping
FreeHeritageSelf-guided
A short stroll around the town’s historic core takes in the Georgian buildings of Market Place and Church Street, and the 1651 Packhorse Bridge over the River Welland towards Deeping Gate. See History for the fuller story, including the Village Cross and St Guthlac’s Church, and The Market for the town’s Wednesday market.
Information last checked: 10 September 2026
St Guthlac’s Church
9 Church Street, Market Deeping, PE6 8AN
FreeHeritageQuiet visit
A church in the centre of Market Deeping, normally open daily from 9am to 5pm for prayer and reflection. There is no dedicated visitor parking at the church, so visitors should walk from the town centre or park legally nearby. See History for more on the town’s origins.
Information last checked: 2 August 2026
St Andrew’s Church, West Deeping
Church Lane, West Deeping, PE6 9HP
FreeHeritage
A church in the small village of West Deeping, parts of which date from the 13th century with later 14th and 15th century additions. The tower and spire date from 1370 and house six bells cast in 1673. The font is 14th century, with an octagonal top carrying eight carved crests. West Deeping is about 3 miles west of Market Deeping.
Information last checked: 5 September 2026
Fishing on the River Welland
Market Deeping and Deeping St James
OutdoorsDay ticket
Deeping St James Angling Club controls several stretches of the River Welland through the town, including the Market Deeping Club Match Section (High Locks down to peg 1) and the Deepings Several Fishery, which runs through both Market Deeping and Deeping St James. Day tickets for non-members can be bought online, so a rod on the Welland does not require club membership. A valid Environment Agency rod licence is required by law for anyone fishing.
Day tickets and fishery information
Information last checked: 5 September 2026
Artivity art and craft workshops
Swines Meadow Farm Nursery, 47 Towngate East, Market Deeping, PE6 8LQ
FamilyRainy dayBooking required
A children’s art and craft studio based at Swines Meadow Farm Nursery, running term-time classes, holiday workshops and Arts Award courses for ages Reception and up (younger children are welcome with an accompanying adult). Sessions typically last an hour and a half and include materials. There is a self-service café and parking on site.
Information last checked: 5 September 2026
Worth the short trip: nearby
These are all a short drive from Market Deeping, not in the Deepings themselves, but close enough to combine with a visit or a stay.
Tallington Lakes
Barholm Road, Tallington, near Stamford, PE9 4RJ. About 4 miles from Market Deeping.
NearbyWatersportsBooking required
A watersports centre on flooded former gravel pits, offering wakeboarding, water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, windsurfing, raft building, kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, plus an outdoor heated swimming pool. Sessions for beginners and experienced visitors are bookable online or by phone.
Information last checked: 5 September 2026
Baston Fen Nature Reserve
Near Baston, about 5 miles north of Market Deeping.
NearbyFreeWildlife
A Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserve of permanent washland pasture along the River Glen, flooded in winter and attracting large numbers of wildfowl; over 160 bird species have been recorded. A waymarked route of around a mile follows the river bank from the car park near Ward’s Bridge.
Dogs are not permitted. The ground is uneven and not suitable for wheelchair users, unlike the accessible route at Deeping Lakes.
Information last checked: 5 September 2026
Burghley House
Stamford, PE9 3JY. About 8 miles from Market Deeping.
NearbyHeritageFamily
A large 16th-century house built for William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Elizabeth I, with formal gardens and a deer park landscaped by Capability Brown. The deer park is open daily with free parking; the house and gardens keep seasonal opening dates. There is also an outdoor adventure play area, Hide & Secrets.
Information last checked: 5 September 2026
Crowland Abbey and Trinity Bridge
Crowland, PE6 0EN. About 7 miles from Market Deeping.
NearbyHeritageFree to view
The ruins of a medieval abbey founded in the 8th century, whose surviving north aisle is still used as the parish church. In the town centre stands Trinity Bridge, a unique three-way stone bridge built in the 14th century to span two branches of a river long since diverted, now standing on dry land.
Information last checked: 5 September 2026
Bulby Equestrian Centre
Bulby, near Bourne, PE10 0RU. About 9 miles from Market Deeping.
NearbyBooking required
A British Horse Society approved riding school offering lessons for all abilities, including disabled riding, plus hacking around the surrounding countryside.
Information last checked: 5 September 2026
Free things to do
Several activities cost nothing to visit:
- Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve, open at all times with free parking
- Walks and cycle rides beside the River Welland and around the parish
- John Eve Field, with its play area and BMX track
- Market Place and the historic centre, plus the riverside walks
- St Guthlac’s Church and St Andrew’s Church, West Deeping, both open for a quiet visit
- Browsing the Wednesday market, although any purchases cost money
- Baston Fen Nature Reserve, a short drive north, and the deer park at Burghley House
Things to do with children
Wet or cold weather
The Ranch at the Deepings Caravan Park offers indoor bowling, soft play, crazy golf and arcade machines, with a family restaurant on site. Artivity runs bookable art and craft workshops for children in Market Deeping.
Outdoor play
John Eve Field has a children’s play area, an informal football pitch and a BMX track for older children.
Wildlife and nature
Deeping Lakes and Baston Fen are both good for spotting birds and wetland wildlife from the hides, though ordinary pet dogs are not permitted at either and children need appropriate supervision near water.
A one-off treat
Exotic Pet Refuge is only open to general visitors on its advertised open days each year, so check current dates before planning a visit.
A gentle walk
The riverside and local parish walks suit families wanting fresh air without a long route.
A day trip further afield
Tallington Lakes for watersports or Burghley House’s deer park and adventure play area both make a fuller day out, a short drive from Market Deeping.
A few hours in Market Deeping
- On a Wednesday morning, begin at Market Deeping Market on The Precincts, just off Godsey Lane.
- On other days, start with a walk around Market Place or beside the River Welland, taking in the Packhorse Bridge towards Deeping Gate.
- Stop for lunch using the Food and Takeaways or Pubs guides.
- Spend the afternoon at Deeping Lakes, The Ranch or another activity, depending on the weather and current opening arrangements.
Common questions
What can you do in Market Deeping?
Market Deeping and neighbouring Deeping St James and West Deeping offer riverside walks and cycle rides, two wildlife reserves within reach at Deeping Lakes and Baston Fen, indoor family activities at The Ranch, art and craft workshops at Artivity, day-ticket fishing on the River Welland, a weekly market, the historic Market Place and Packhorse Bridge, local green spaces and two historic parish churches, alongside the town’s food, takeaway and pub options.
Are there free things to do in Market Deeping?
Yes. Deeping Lakes, the River Welland walks, John Eve Field, St Guthlac’s Church and St Andrew’s Church in West Deeping are all free to visit, and the Wednesday market is free to browse. Baston Fen Nature Reserve and Burghley House’s deer park, both a short drive away, are also free.
What can families do in Market Deeping?
Families can use John Eve Field’s play area and BMX track, visit The Ranch for indoor activities, book a session at Artivity, walk beside the Welland, or plan around Exotic Pet Refuge’s open days and Deeping Lakes, keeping in mind the dog restriction and the need to supervise children near water.
Can you walk beside the River Welland?
Yes. Several published routes follow or cross the Welland, including the Welland Walk and the High Locks to Low Locks walk through Deeping St James, taking in the 1651 Packhorse Bridge to Deeping Gate. See the official parish walking information for full route details.
Are dogs allowed at Deeping Lakes or Baston Fen?
Only assistance dogs are permitted at Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve, and ordinary pet dogs are not allowed at either Deeping Lakes or Baston Fen Nature Reserve near Baston.
Is the Exotic Pet Refuge open every day?
No. It is not normally open as a daily visitor attraction. It holds six advertised public open days a year, usually 10am to 4pm. Check the official Visit page for current dates and tickets.
Can you go fishing in Market Deeping?
Yes. Deeping St James Angling Club sells day tickets to non-members for stretches of the River Welland through Market Deeping and Deeping St James. A valid Environment Agency rod licence is required by law.
What can you do near Market Deeping if you want a bigger day out?
Tallington Lakes (about 4 miles) has a watersports centre with wakeboarding, water skiing, sailing and paddleboarding. Burghley House (about 8 miles, Stamford) has a free deer park, seasonal gardens and an adventure play area. Crowland Abbey and Trinity Bridge (about 7 miles) and Bulby Equestrian Centre near Bourne (about 9 miles) are also within easy reach.
Are there any regular clubs or activities in Market Deeping?
Yes. Alongside these one-off attractions, Market Deeping and the surrounding Deepings have a range of sports clubs, fitness classes, choirs, youth groups and hobby groups that meet on a regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. See the Clubs and Activities guide for the current list.