Austerby is a suburb and street in Bourne, Lincolnshire. While it was formerly a separate village, over the years it was absorbed into Bourne as the town grew. Today, Bourne Austerby is a local government ward, with a total population of 8,038 in the 2021 census.[1]
Austerby derives from the Old Norse 'austarr', which means easterly, and the Old Danish 'by', which means village or farmstead.[2] Austerby was mentioned in the Domesday Book,[3] and it was later recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1167 as 'Astrebi', in the Lincolnshire Assize Rolls of 1206 as Oustreby, and in the Calendar of Charter Rolls of 1327 as 'Oustirby'.[2]
History
In its early history, Austerby was likely little more than a farmstead situated to the east of Bourne. In 1486 it was noted in a Feet of Fines.[4] During the railway age, Austerby hosted an inn called the Railway Tavern (however, as the building predates the railway, being built in 1720, it is likely it previously had another name), however it closed in 1901, and has been a private residence since then.[5][2] A ladies' school was opened in 1867, having moved from West Street in Bourne, run by Miss Gilbert.[6][7][8] The school stayed open at least until 1905, when its pupils gave a concert at the Corn Exchange.[9] In 1884, a substantial fair appears to have taken place, on a field owned by Mr Goodyear, a local farmer, which included swing-boats.[10]
The railway from Bourne to Spalding ran through Austerby, where there was a level crossing, and a footbridge over the tracks.[11] The railway was closed in 1959, and the land was subsequently sold off by British Rail in late 1966.[12][13][14] In 1956, a newly built block of council flats was named Shillaker Court, after the farmhouse it was built on the site of.[15] Austerby has been home to the Bourne detachment of the Lincolnshire Army Cadet Force[16] since the early 1970s. It was rebuilt in 2025 at a cost of £600,000, with the new building being opened by the Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Toby Dennis.[17]
Buildings
Austerby Manor House
Austerby Manor House
Austerby Manor House is a late 16th century to early 17th century manor house in the estate of Bourne Abbey (and is sometimes stated as the residence of the abbot of Bourne). Following the dissolution of the monasteries, it eventually was inherited by the Trollope family (raised to the peerage as the Trollope baronets).[18]
Most notably, the eastern section of the house for some time served as a bakery, giving that section the name 'The Old Bakehouse'. It was mentioned in Nikolaus Pevsner'sBuildings of England series in the Lincolnshire volume.[19] Presently it is subdivided into 2 properties, numbers 74 and 76, with additional residences in the former gardens south of it.[20][21]
Austerby House
Austerby House
Austerby House is located at the point that Austerby joins with South Road, it was possibly originally a farmhouse, and is the only surviving part of this farm. The façade was modified to appear more gothic during Queen Victoria's reign.[2][22]
↑"On Friday, the pupils of Austerby House gave an excellent concert in the Corn Exchange before a large audience invited by Miss Burrows". Stamford Mercury. 17 November 1905. The first part was devoted to the graceful operetta entitled The Flower Queen by George Frederick Root, which was well rendered. ... The programme ended with another trio by Misses March, Harrison and Burt and "God Save the King" brought a most excellent entertainment to a close. Miss Burrows deserves high praise for the manner in which the pupils performed, for the excellent display of paintings and for the needlework done by her girls which reached a high standard.
↑"BOURN". Grantham Journal. 5 July 1884. p.2. the school-room at three o'clock, to which they did ample justice. After tea, they marched to Mr. Goodyear's field in the Austerby, where all kinds of amusements were provided - swings, jumping, racing, etc. A set of swing-boats were also hired for the occasion.
↑"Condition of the Austerby". Grantham Journal. 17 May 1930. p.2. Condition of the Austerby at a point near the railway gates where the water stood on the road, due, in his opinion, to the fact that only two gulleys instead three were put in to take the surface water, and that there were no proper channels.
↑"Disused rail line land: Council want some of it". Grantham Journal. 11 November 1966. p.2. British Rail have informed the Bourne housing committee that the whole of the land on which the railway used to run from South Street along Coggles Causeway to the Austerby and beyond it for a mile [is on sale], and that several firms were interested in it.
↑"Bourne's new flats | Council to name them Shillaker Court". Lincolnshire Free Press. 19 June 1956. p.16.
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