We decided that we could if we tried, also manage a quick visit to the town of Boston, the place from which the pilgrim father's set sale and who's names sake can be found on the East Coast of the United States. It is only 32 miles south-east of Lincoln, so after battling our way through Lincoln's traffic we finally made it there around 6pm. As with much of Lincolnshire, the area is just a few metres above sea level and regular flooding is only prevented by a system of drainage and sea defences.
It is an historic and attractive market town which is dominated by the 14th-century St.Botolph's Church whose 271ft high tower is a landmark for miles around.
The name Boston is believed to be a derivation of St.Botolph's Town. St.Botolph was a 7th-century monk who is alleged to have founded an abbey here in 645AD although there is little evidence to support this. The Port of Boston The Port was established in 1886 and has a long history of handling agricultural and timber products. 
From the early part of the 16th century, Boston gradually became a Puritan town and, by the early 17th century, a Puritan stronghold, electing the young, radical John Cotton as its vicar. In 1607, Captain John Smith (born in the village of Willoughby, about 20 miles NE of Boston) was the leading character in the expedition that founded Jamestown in Virginia. John Rolfe, who married the famous Indian princess Pocahontas, was born about 20 miles SE of Boston.
The town seemed very quiet, and slightly dirty and sadly neglected. maybe that was because we arrived at the time we did...
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