Brigg – gateway to the Wolds

Andrew Vaux finds out why an increasing number of visitors are enjoying the town’s variety of shops and attractions.

Brigg first grew up as a crossing point on the River Ancholme and takes its name from the bridge that was constructed to make east-west journeys across the area easier.

It has a long history of hosting markets, being granted a Royal Charter in the 13th century, and was once the setting for one of England’s great horse fairs.

The town continues to expand, but still retains its traditional, friendly image.

SHOPPING HAVEN
Brigg maintains its traditional position of a market town, and acts as a service centre for the surrounding rural area.

The main shopping street is Wrawby Street, although retail is present throughout much of the old town.

Many of the businesses are independent, retaining the character of the traditional high street, although some chain retailers, namely Tesco, Lidl, Poundland, and Boyes have large stores in the town.

A general market is held on Thursdays and Saturdays, and a farmers’ market takes place on the fourth Saturday of each month, selling local produce, from pork and organic vegetables to ostrich meat, as well as locally produced condiments.

Artisan breads baked in a nearby mill using traditional French bread-making techniques are also available, as are local cheeses, including the Lincolnshire Poacher vintage.

This is the sort of shopping offer that is a magnet for those who love to discover the individuality and choice that many people consider are missing from so many high streets.

Off the main shopping area, there are quirky old courts and yards that are home to boutiques selling crafts, lighting and accessories. The courts each have their own character and are named after aspects of the town’s history.

Brigg Wool Shop, opened in 2019, is a family run traditional wool shop, selling a large range of craft products. Over the past few years, the shop has evolved and now has a range of social groups, events and classes, as well as stocking a large range of wool, patterns and fleece.
Regular events include:
• Craft & Chat – a social group run throughout the week. A relaxed get-together where you bring your own project and enjoy good company from like-minded people. There’s no need to book, just turn up and have fun! Monday 1pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm; Thursday 10am-12noon; and Friday 10am-12noon.
• Community Crafters & Charity Knitting – making hats and cardigans for local hospitals, blankets for the local rescue dogs home, and anything else that’s needed. Some clothes have been sent to Ukraine, others to the local women’s shelter.
• Blanket Club – held on the second Saturday of every month, from 1pm-3pm.
• Sock Club – second Saturday of every month from 3.30pm until 5.30pm. All patterns are written in-house so are unique and can be tailored to your needs.
• Warhammer Club – every Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Spend the day at the paint stations comparing your models to the other painters’, or play a game with other members. Volunteers are on hand to help you enjoy the game. 

For more information visit: www.briggwoolshop.co.uk

Whether you’re just getting started on your first outdoor project, or are a seasoned gardener, you can enjoy quality and value at Brigg Garden Centre, a one-stop shop for all gardening needs.

The flagship centre of the British Garden Centre Group and one of the largest garden centres in the UK, it joined the family-owned group in 2000, and since then has seen massive development and constant improvements.

Enjoy delicious meals, snacks, afternoon teas, and daily specials in its welcoming restaurant and take a browse around its many in-store retails partners.

For more information visit britishgardencentres.com/centres/brigg-garden-centre

Another well-established favourite is the family-owned Wallhead’s Menswear, which was founded in 1897 by James Blackburn Wallhead. Run by fourth-generation Richard Wallhead, the shop specialises in men’s and ladies’ clothing from well-known brands such as Schöffel and Barbour.

Wallhead’s caters for formal, casual and countrywear, including quality shooting clothing and ski jackets for men and women.

Call into the shop and enjoy personal attention and good old-fashioned customer service. For more information visit wallheadscountryclothing.donedave.com

INDEPENDENT SHOPS
The Life Store (www.lifestorebrigg.com) is a small, independent and family-run business with a boutique log cabin in the grounds of Brigg Garden Centre, established since 2013. There is also an online store, operating 24/7.

The store is made up of contemporary and stylish accessories for interior or exterior living spaces, with items regularly adapted to keep up with trends, as well as transitioning throughout the seasons.

There’s also a “lifestyle collection” with a carefully selected range of clothing, jewellery and any fashion accessories to treat yourself with, or to gift to someone.

The shop stocks quality brands such as Maison Berger Paris, East of India, Life Charms Jewellery, Coach House, Pacific Lifestyle, Lightstyle London, Hanlin, Woodstock Windchimes, Light Glow, Chalk Clothings and Lily-Flame Candles, plus an ever-expanding collection!

Another shop with something for everyone is The Rabbit Hole, a friendly, community-focused indie bookshop.

The owners are especially passionate about books for children and the front of the shop is dedicated to a large and varied selection of fiction and non-fiction books for young ones.

A little further into the shop, you’ll find a selection of books for slightly older children and an ever-growing selection of fiction.

Take the left warren and you’ll find a selection of grown-up fiction, whilst a trip upstairs takes in an eclectic selection of non-fiction and a pre-loved area, which features not only books, but also a fantastic selection of vinyl and CDs. 

For more information visit www.therabbitholebrigg.com

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Brigg Heritage Centre is situated in the heart of Brigg, within the beautiful, iconic and historic Angel Building (first floor).

The star exhibit, the Bronze Age Raft (known as the ‘Brigg Raft’ – which dates back to 800BC), was excavated from the River Ancholme, and sets the scene for a fascinating journey, charting the rise of Brigg as an important and influential marketplace, through to the picturesque town we know today.

Here, education is at the heart of everything with children’s crafts, pop-up exhibitions, talks and events, there is always something new!

For more information visit the website www.briggheritage.org

Another place of interest is Scawby Hall (www.scawbyhall.com), a Jacobean manor house which was begun by Richard Nelthorpe of Glandford Brigg (1569-1640) in 1605 and has been lived in by members of the Nelthorpe family ever since.

The stunning building, which is mentioned seven times in the Domesday Book, is Grade I listed and contains several important paintings, including five by George Stubbs. It’s a rare example of a hall which is still lived in by the original family.

The gardens are open most weekdays between 9am and 5pm, and at weekends during the hours when the Hall is open.

EAT AND DRINK
After a busy day exploring the town’s charms, why not relax and unwind with some much-deserved food and drink.

Harrisons Hideaway, which serves traditional home cooked favourites using locally sourced produce from small businesses in the area, first opened its doors in 2016, initially hoping to serve fishermen visiting Smithy’s Pond and a few locals working on the Island Carr Industrial Estate.

Word quickly got out about the little cafe selling home cooked food and people started coming from further afield.

In 2017, it became apparent that the 16-seat café wasn’t big enough to accommodate a growing number of customers, so the owners expanded it, enabling them to welcome 50 people. There’s also an outdoor decking area which is especially popular in the sunny months.

For more information visit www.harrisonshideaway.co.uk

Situated at the end of the main shopping area in Wrawby Street, The White Horse offers a variety of meals of different values, including steaks, burgers, hot dogs, and pub classics.

Sympathetically renovated by JD Wetherspoon, the pub now comprises one large room with alcoves for dining, with twice-yearly beer festivals and occasional Meet-the-Brewer nights as well. The pub offers a great range of draught products, as well as bottled and up to eight hand pull beers at one time.

A bit further away in Broughton, The Millfield Bar and Restaurant, which also has function rooms, is committed to making sure every guest leaves with happy memories. The hospitality team do this by serving tasty dishes, including afternoon teas and a cocktail menu, offering outstanding service, and creating a healthy community built on trust. Look out for their new six-bedroom luxury boutique accommodation, coming soon! For more information see the website www.themillfield.com.

SHOP FOR COUNTRY CLASSICS AT WALLHEAD’S
Established in 1897 by James Blackburn Wallhead, this highly regarded family-run store in Wrawby Street stocks everything you need too enjoy the great outdoors.

Whether you’re looking for quality shooting clothing, stylish and warm casuals, as well as formal wear, owner Richard Wallhead is committed to providing five-star customer service.

Customers travel from far and wide to shop here, including many regular clients from New Zealand and the USA, enjoying exceptional personal attention from the friendly and experienced team.

The shop specialises in men’s and ladies’ clothing from well-known brands such as Barbour, Brook Taverner, Le Chameau, Aigle, Viyella, Peter England, Gurteen and Farah, Hawick knitwear and Failsworth hats and caps.

Also popular is the range of shooting wear from leading German brand Schöffel, including tweed breeks and waistcoats with caps to match. Choose from a selection of popular Gore-Tex and Venturi shooting coats, all fully waterproof and machine washable too!

For more information contact Wallhead’s, tel: 01652 652356.

BOOK YOUR HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH ALTHAMS TRAVEL
If you’re looking for a stress-free solution to planning your next holiday or short break, the friendly, helpful and knowledgeable team at Althams Travel in Brigg offer a first class service.

Winners of ‘Best Large Agent, North West England and North Wales’ for the 11th consecutive year running at the 2024 Agent Achievement Awards in London, Althams Travel have gained a trusted reputation for delivering first class customer satisfaction and have recently celebrated 150 years in business as a company.

Whether you’re dreaming of a leisurely river cruise, an exotic winter sun getaway, or exploring a faraway destination, get in touch with the dedicated team who work across a network of 33 branches, including Scunthorpe, Barton and Brigg.

Customers of Althams Travel (ABTA members) consistently praise the agency for its helpful, efficient, and friendly service while the team is commended for its commitment, patience, and ease in booking holidays, including special occasions such as anniversaries, weddings and special celebrations.

“We create bespoke holidays just for you and have a direct relationship with all your favourite holiday companies, including Jet2holidays, P&O Cruises, Riviera Travel, Wendy Wu Tours and many more.

“We can help you plan your trip and take care of all the little details, as well as being on hand to fix anything that might go wrong, taking care of the stresses so you don’t have to!”

Althams Travel arranges airport hotels, airport lounges and more. The agency also provides a competitive and comprehensive currency exchange and buy back service, as well as travel money card and travel insurance cover, allowing you to sit back relax and look forward to the start of your getaway.

For more information visit www.althams.co.uk/branches/brigg

BREAKTHROUGH TREATMENT NOW AVAILABLE IN BRIGG
O’Brien’s Optician is offering a new therapy for Dry Eye.

As we age, our sight tends to become less clear, and some of us will develop what is known as ‘Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration’, or ‘Dry AMD’. When this happens, the central area of vision darkens and becomes blurred, making it difficult to see detail, and preventing activities such as driving, reading, watching TV, using computers, tablets, and so on. Even recognising faces can prove difficult.

Until recently, there were no effective treatments for Dry AMD, the only suggestions being lifestyle changes or dietary supplements. This new therapy offered at O’Brien’s in Brigg is safe, non-invasive, and painless. It is is fully approved under European and UK directives.

This breakthrough treatment is known as photobiomodulation (PBM) and uses a cold laser system to produce low levels of red, yellow and infra-red light to stimulate the centre of vision by energising and providing oxygen for cell repair.

Results from extensive monitored trials of the therapy show that for many Dry AMD sufferers, there can be an improvement in sharpness of vision corresponding to some 5 or 8 extra letters on the testing chart.

This therapy has also been shown to help diabetics who have certain eye problems related to their diabetes.

Dr Sheeraz Janjua is now providing this new treatment at his special clinics held regularly at O’Brien’s Optician in Brigg. He can be contacted on 01652 653595.

Photographs: Mick Fox

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