The village of Willoughby is in East Lindsey, 3 miles south of Alford. Its famous son was Captain John Smith of Pocahontas fame. Between 1848 and 1970 it had a station on the East Lincolnshire railway.

Undated postcard by F. Frith.

The buildings which formed the blacksmith's shop remain but are no longer a forge. The white building beyond is the Willoughby Arms, still open as a Bateman's house (as at November 2023). The village shop (rear right) is now residential. The telephone box has gone.

Undated postcard by F. Frith & Co., Ltd. 

This World War 2 defensive structure, though common throughout the county, is not usually located as close to the centre of a village as this one.

It is adjacent to the Bonthorpe Road, about 200 metres north of St Helen's church at TF 473721.

August 2013

St Helen's in Willoughby is a large and lofty example of early Perpendicular though there are Early English fragments.

The church makes the most of Willoughby's most famous son, Captain John Smith of Pocahontas fame, explorer and leader of the Virginia Colony.

Mark Acton, August 2013

St Helen's is built principally of local greenstone (or Spilsby Sandstone), not the most durable of building materials. As in several other churches in the locality, brick has been used for repairs.

The bricks here appear to be 18th century or earlier.  Several have been laid on edge.

August 2013

In the tower is a ladder - repaired but thankfully not replaced - wonderfully described by Nikolaus Pevsner as "primeval".

August 2013

Memorial plaque to John Smith.

Mark Acton, August 2013

Chancel window with tracery of the Early Perpendicular style, possibly late-14th century.

August 2013

One of two windows at St Helen's, memorials to Captain John Smith (1580-1631), eminent figure in New Engalnd's development, born at Willoughby.

August 2013

One of two windows at St Helen's, memorials to Captain John Smith (1580-1631), eminent figure in New England's development, born at Willoughby.

August 2013

Details from the John Smith memorial window.

The inscription reads: 'Robert Hunt, an honest, religious and clourageous Divine, first administers the Holy Sacrament at Jamestown, Virginia, 21 June 1607'.

August 2013

Details from the John Smith memorial window.

The inscription reads: 'William Crashaw preaches to members of the Viginia Company in the Temple Church in London on the 21st February 1609'.

August 2013

The former rectory stands in moated grounds on Bonthorpe Road adjoining the southern boundary of the churchyard.

It was built for Revd Gideon Bouyer and his wife Elizabeth in 1791 and extended twice in the ninteenth century using yellow Farlesthorpe bricks. It was visited while under construction by John Byng, Lord Torrington, during his tour of the Midlands.

Jean Howard, July 2016