| Whaplode | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Village sign | |
  Whaplode Location withinLincolnshire | |
| Population | 3,505 (2011)[1] |
| OS grid reference | TF324243 |
| • London | 90 mi (140 km) S |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Spalding |
| Postcode district | PE12 |
| Police | Lincolnshire |
| Fire | Lincolnshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | |
| |
Whaplode is a village andcivil parish in theSouth Hollanddistrict ofLincolnshire, England. It is just west of thePrime Meridian. The parish includes the village ofWhaplode Drove, and the hamlets ofShepeau Stow, Dowsdale, Whaplode St Catherine, and Saracen's Head.
The name 'Whaplode' derives from theOld Englishcwappa-lad meaning 'Eelpout watercourse'.[2]
Because of the historical development of the area, other local places use 'Whaplode' as part of their name. When the parishes were originally laid out, a thousand or so years ago, in order to give each enough resources to provide a living, they were made long and narrow. In this way each parish had its share of marsh for pasture and perhaps salt making, Townland for arable farming, and fen forfowling, thatch andturf. As the wetlands were reclaimed other settlements were made in the newly inhabitable places. In Whaplode parish these outlying places are Whaplode St Catherine (TF3420) andWhaplode Drove (TF3113). The village used to have arailway station to the south of the village on the formerMidland and Great Northern Joint Railway.
Whaplode is part ofWhaplode and Holbeach St John's electoral ward. The total population of the ward taken at the 2011 census was 4,347.[3]
Whaplode is situated on theA151 road. 2 miles (3 km) west fromHolbeach and 4 miles (6 km) east fromSpalding.
In old documents the village it is sometimes spelt "Whapload". The main village lies on the marinesilt ridge, known as the Townlands, which rises between the formersalt marsh and the formerfen to be found aroundThe Wash. This ridge follows the A151 road. Its neighbours on the Townlands are Holbeach andMoulton. Whaplode St Catherine is a hamlet in Whaplode parish.
The village church is dedicated toSaint Mary. The village is situated on the A151 High Road. ACo-op store is part of aBP garage on the A151.
Whaplode has the highest ratio of sculptures to residents of any settlement in Lincolnshire.[citation needed]
Media related toWhaplode at Wikimedia Commons
