Boot scrapers

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West Street early 20th century - looking towards centre of village, look at the condition of the road.

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Boot scraper apertures at the Blue Bell - metal scrapers missing

Photo by Margaret Courtman

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Boot scraper apertures filled in with stone - on old Wesleyan Chapel West St ( part of Scout and Guide Centre)

Photo by Margaret Courtman

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Boot scraper at Wainfleet House

Photo by Margaret Courtman

Why did houses have boot scrapers?

As you walk around the village viewing the older properties you may have seen ‘boot scrapers’.

In the past, prior to the introduction of tarmac roads and pavements, streets were very mucky places. There was horse excrement in numerous places and the rain water went straight onto the street, as there were no drains.

Boot scrapers were located by the front entrance of a building to enable residents and visitors to remove the dirt or mud from the bottom of shoes or boots before entering in.

Many have disappeared, either the bars are missing or the apertures where they sat were filled in . The Blue Bell has a niche either side of the front door entrance, but the scrapers have long since disappeared. At the old Wesleyan Chapel, now part of the Scouts and Guides Centre, the apertures are filled in with stone.

What does the scraper look like?

Boot scraper bars are generally made of iron, either in the ground or built into the wall.

At Wainfleet House on Woodgate, the iron bars are still in situ. On the north side of West Street, scrapers can be seen on ‘The Queen’s Head’ and on the row of cottages beyond.