Overview of Sleaford

Sleaford is a town in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England. It is located 13 miles (21 km) north-east of Grantham, 17 miles (27 km) west of Boston, and 19 miles (30 km) south of Lincoln, and had a total resident population of around 14,500 in 6,167 households at the time of the 2001 census. The name Sleaford is from the Old English esla+forde, meaning "ford over a muddy stream" (now known as the River Slea). In 852 the name first appears as Slioford whilst in the 1086 Domesday book it is recorded as Eslaforde'. The river was the main trade route for the town for many years. In 1794, the Slea was canalised; known as the Sleaford Navigation, it operated until superseded by the railways in the mid 1850s. Until recently, Sleaford was primarily an agricultural town, supporting a cattle market and seed companies such as Hubbard and Phillips, and Sharpes International Seeds. More recently, Sleaford is developing as a tourist and craft destination.