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THE Queen Anne-style Old Rectory in Epworth was the Wesley family home until 1735, following the rebuilding of the original building which was destroyed in the fire of 1709 from which John Wesley was rescued. The house is run by the World Methodist Council and personal tour guides tell the family's story and the growth and development of their religious beliefs.

As well as visiting the Old Rectory, a new Heritage Trail may be followed which traces John Wesley's footsteps to the market cross where he often preached, Wesley Memorial church and St Andrew's church ­ where his father, Samuel, was rector. Samuel Wesley's tomb was once the scene of a memorable occasion when his son preached there to almost the entire population of the town.

West of Epworth lies the village of Wroot, where, after John Wesley's ordination, he served his father as curate on three separate occasions totalling two and a half years. For a time, he was also headmaster of the village school.

There are a number of bed and breakfasts and visitors can inquire at the Rectory for further details.

As a millennium tribute to Methodism's founder, a bronze statue of John Wesley by Sue Reeves has been commissioned by the Wesley Millennium Monument Trust. The site overlooking the Rectory grounds has been donated by North Lincolnshire council and the project is within £10,000 of the amount required to bring it to completion.

Epworth itself is a thriving market town with regular outdoor entertainment during the summer months, specialist shops and a wealth of eating establishments. It is situated in an area known as the Isle of Axholme which is shrouded in mystery and strange local customs. For example, on January 6 each year, villagers in Westwoodside and Haxey dress up and, encouraged by "the Fool", compete for possession of the Haxey Hood ­ a 700 year-old tradition.

North Lincolnshire is an area of rural tranquillity and remarkable natural beauty where the Lincolnshire Wolds meet the Isle of Axholme and the Ancholme Valley ­ with 15 walks along the valley and through woodlands ­ and is the home of many varied places of interest. A few miles inland from Barrow-upon-Humber can be found the eerie and silent Thornton Abbey; the ancient turf maze, Julian's Bower, is high on the cliff overlooking the confluence of the rivers Trent, Ouse and Humber. Brigg hosts one of England's great horse fairs, held on August 4, and at Normanby Hall Country Park there are 300 acres of landscaped gardens, an award-winning Victorian walled garden and Regency Hall with its costume galleries and farming museum portraying rural life in North Lincolnshire, together with a miniature railway, play area, ducks and peacocks for the younger members of the family to enjoy and make friends with.

Barton-upon-Humber is the starting point for the Viking Way which links with the Nev Cole Way to create an 89-mile circular walk through wild shoreline and areas of natural beauty. Scunthorpe is home to the Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society which runs free steam train rides around one of Europe's largest businesses, the Corus Scunthorpe Works, formerly owned by British Steel. Sandtoft Transport Museum, west of Scunthorpe, contains Britain's largest collection of preserved trolleybuses and motorbuses and regular "Trolley-days" are held from Easter to October.

All in all, a treasure-house awaiting exploration which will reward a weekend or much longer spent discovering the region which influenced John Wesley's formative years.



Information

The Old Rectory

May to September: Mondays to Saturdays 10.00 am ­ 4.30 pm, Sundays 2.00 pm ­ 4.30 pm. Parties welcome after museum hours and during closed season by appointment.

Price £3 per person. Over 60s £2.50. Child in full-time education £1.00. Family ticket £7.00. Coach parties please book in advance.

Facilities: Lunch and tea for parties by previous arrangement. Audiovisual presentation for larger groups. Restricted access to library. Garden with picnic tables. Toilets. Limited disabled facilities. Ramps to ground floor. Limited parking, coach access.

Address: l Rectory Street, Epworth, Nr Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN9 1HX.

Further Details: Contact: The Curator (tel: 01427 872268, e-mail: curator@epwortholdrectory.org.uk).

St Andrew's parish church and tomb of Samuel Wesley

Facilities: Toilets in village. Further Details: Contact: Melvyn Rose (tel: 01427 872080; e-mail: melvyn.rose@ukgateway.net).

Wesley Memorial church and market cross

Facilities: Toilets in village. Further Details: Contact: the Rev Barbara Walls (tel: 01427 872319; e-mail: barbara.walls@btopenworld.com).

Wroot Parish Church