
In this special feature, Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Stephen Bunney, visited two award winning tourism businesses in the district.
The visit included, Wild Pines Park and Uncle Henry’s to see how West Lindsey businesses are contributing to a thriving visitor economy.
The first trip was to Wild Pines Park in Market Rasen where he was joined by the owner Samuel Woodings.
Opened in 2017, the family run business is an outdoor activity centre situated in a beautiful rural spot of Lincolnshire, close to Market Rasen covering eight acres.
They offer ropes courses, archery, mini golf and activities for all ages. Offering a complete experience, the ropes course is a high wire obstacle course up high in the trees. The team harness you up, and then you take a trip high in the trees. They also have zip lines, and over 87 individual elements with 22 zip lines.
Wild Pines Park run with safety as a priority and are a multi award winning independent activity centre. There is something for all the family, with their friendly staff on hand to help have safe and fun time.
Samuel Woodings said:
“We were very pleased to welcome the Chairman and it was great to see him having a go at our zip wire. We are continuing to develop the site to create an outdoor destination experience.”
The second visit was to Uncle Henry’s, situated just outside of Gainsborough and near the A15. He was joined by Emma Blandford, the fifth generation to work in the family business.
Uncle Henry’s was established in 2006 when the Ward family converted the former derelict barns into the farm shop, butchery and café you see today. The name for the new business came from friend of the family 'Henry Wright' who farmed the farm until the Wards purchased the farm in the early 90’s.
Since then, the site has gone from strength to strength with the Behind the Garden Wall experience and a children’s play area.
The farm shop showcases quality and tasty products made on their own farm and by small independent food producers from Lincolnshire and beyond. It offers:
- traditional butchery
- bakery
- deli including our own sausage rolls, pork pies and scotch eggs
- cheese counter
- freshly baked local speciality bread
- free range eggs and local milk
- free from products including vegan ranges
- hampers: products can be chosen by you and expertly wrapped
The butchers cure and smoke their own bacon and hams in the traditional dry-cured way.
However, sausages are their speciality, with over eight varieties available at any one time. The customer favourites include their best-selling Lincolnshire Sausage, Red Arrow Sausage (chilli, sun-dried tomato and garlic) and caramelised onion sausages.
Uncle Henry’s also have an award-winning café on site, preparing homemade dishes from their own products and locally sourced. Alongside this they also have a unique blend of coffee, roasted specially for their visitors.
Emma Blandford, Manager at Uncle Henry’s explained:
“We now have electric car charging and it is supplied with renewable energy generated on the farm by their anaerobic digester meaning that the energy is sustainable.”
Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Stephen Bunney expressed his appreciation for each business, he said:
“It has been both interesting and insightful visiting businesses across West Lindsey. Their hard work and dedication to the tourism industry is second to none and I’ve taken away useful information. Each of them does their best for their community and it’s amazing to see. I look forward visiting again in the near future.”