A humble cottage in the Lincolnshire village of Navenby, which offers a captivating glimpse into a bygone way of life, has been honoured with a major national tourism award.
A Cottage Frozen in Time
Mrs Smith’s Cottage museum, operated by North Kesteven District Council, has been awarded the 2025 VisitEngland Hidden Gem Accolade. This prestigious award recognises the exceptional quality and visitor experience offered by the attraction. The museum meticulously tells the story of Mrs Hilda Smith, a beloved village resident who lived to the remarkable age of 102.
The cottage's contents and appearance have been carefully preserved exactly as they were when she last lived there in 1995. This creates an authentic and moving time capsule for visitors. The museum was recently restored and reimagined with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, enhancing its ability to share this unique story.
Celebrating Excellence and Community Impact
Representatives from the cottage team attended a celebratory lunch at the Sky Suite in the British Motor Museum to receive the well-deserved accolade. This award is given annually to participants in the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction quality scheme and is based on a combination of rigorous assessments and public feedback.
This is the second major achievement for the museum in the last twelve months, following its receipt of the Sandford Award for educational excellence, a five-year accreditation.
Councillor Richard Wright, Leader of North Kesteven District Council, commented on the success, stating: "This Accolade is testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff at Mrs Smith’s Cottage. After receiving the Sandford Award at a special ceremony earlier this year, I am pleased to see the success of this fantastic museum recognised and celebrated once again."
Plan Your Visit to a Local Gem
Councillor Wright added, "It is a great place to visit that is full of history and offers a window on the past that is relevant to the future. I would encourage anyone who hasn’t been before to check out this hidden gem in our District."
Mrs Smith’s Cottage is open to the public between 12pm and 4pm on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Further information can be found on their official website.
This win was part of a successful day for Lincolnshire's tourism sector, with other local winners including Belvoir Castle (Best Told Story), Lincoln Castle (Gold), and Lincoln Guildhall (Best Told Story).
