February 26, 2014 12.34 pm This story is over 121 months old

Duke of Kent to open heritage spot near Lincoln

Bishop of Lincoln’s place: Nettleham will welcome HRH the Duke of Kent to officially open a new heritage amenity.
The Bishop's Gate is the entrance to the heritage amenity in Nettleham.

The village of Nettleham near Lincoln will welcome HRH Prince Edward the Duke of Kent to officially open a new heritage amenity on March 11.

The amenity is on the site of the original palace of the Bishops of Lincoln, covers an area of over 3 hectares and dates back over 1,000 years when it was originally the Manor of Nettleham, owned by Queen Edith, wife of King Edward ‘the Confessor’.

Three centuries later, in February 1301, a document signed by King Edward I whilst staying at Nettleham, proclaimed his son Edward of Caernarvon, effectively creating the very first Prince of Wales in this Lincolnshire village.

The site is an ancient monument and had been derelict for many years.

The Duke and Duchess of Kent on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, June 2013

The Duke and Duchess of Kent on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, June 2013

The monument now comprises a heritage area (the Scheduled Ancient Monument) with a discovery trail and interpretation panels.

In addition, adjacent to the scheduled area, a new area (Bishop’s Meadow) has been created with wildflower meadowland, woodland of native species, a heritage orchard and dry stone wall reconstruction.

The site is situated close to Nettleham Junior School which will be undertaking a series of history-related projects on the meadow area.

During the preparation of the Nettleham Parish Plan in 2007, public consultation identified the site as being one which should be developed into a heritage amenity for all to enjoy.

The Parish Council approved the project in 2010, the land owners (Church Commissioners) were contacted and a lease was agreed in 2012.

Funding for the project was obtained from Heritage Lottery Fund, WREN and Cory Trust for various aspects of the project.

Several local organisations were involved in the project, including the Parish Council, Nettleham Heritage Association, Nettleham Woodland Trust, Nettleham Junior School and Nettleham News.