Stow Parish includes not only the village of Stow, but also the hamlets of Coates by Stow and Normanby by Stow as well as the surrounding rural area.
Stow is a small village that lies 11 miles (18 km) north-west of the city of Lincoln and 6 miles (10 km)) south-east of Gainsborough, and has a total resident population of 268. Stow dates back to Roman times and in the Anglo-Saxon period was known as Sidnaceaster (meant fortification or camp) it lies along the B1241 road, and is perhaps most notable for its large parish church named the Minster Church of St Mary, Stow in Lindsey (known locally as "Stow Minster"), which is one of the oldest churches in Britain Stow, which itself means "Holy Place" has a long and relatively well-documented history. There is evidence of Roman activity within the village, including the discovery of ancient coins, ruins and foundations from this period. Stow Minster is considered to be amongst the best tourist sites and visitor attractions in Lincolnshire. On the small green by the Minster stands a fascinating relic; a set of 'Whipping Irons', or upright shackles attached to a post. One shackle bears the date 1789 and the initials W.H., possibly the local blacksmith who made the irons. The shackles are made with graded openings to take different sized wrists. Miscreants would be shackled to the post and whipped for minor offences.
Coates is on the site of a medieal village and comprises a pre reformation church, St Edith's, as well as a manor house, farm house and cottages.
