About Boston

Fed by the wash, the rivers Witham and Haven, Boston has an extraordinary rich history that can be traced back to 645AD. When Botolph established a monastery on the banks of the river Witham. The town became an important port for trading ships from the continent, and home to the steelyards and warehouses of the Hanseatic traders. For a period during the 13th century Boston was the leading port in England.

In 1545 the town was granted its charter and became a Borough.

Boston developed into a centre of religious non-conformism, inspired by figures such as John Foxe and John Cotton.

In the 17th century many Bostonians left to take up a new life in Massachusetts where they exerted a powerful influence of the development of the colony, which took its name from the original Boston.

The most visible symbol of the trading wealth of medieval Boston is the beautiful St Botolph’s Church, the largest parish church in the country. The tower can be seen up to 20 miles away.