Louth is a market town and civil parish in the East Lindsey district of the English county of Lincolnshire. It is located at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds, where they link the Lincolnshire Marsh. The town is on the eastern side of a canyon etched into the Wolds that forms the Hubbard's Hills, which is an area that was created from a glacial overspill in the last glacial period. The River Lud flows through this gorge before it continues to pass through the town. Marked with a plaque on the north side of the street on which it passes, the Greenwich Meridian passes through the town. In accordance with the 2001 Census, Louth has a permanent population of around 15930. Settlements are thought to have been on the area since the Paleolithic era, which is supported by such historical evidence as three handaxes identified on the wolds dating from between 424000 and 191000 years ago. Archaeological discoveries have also consisted of arrowheads thought to have been made in the Bronze Age. Louth is acknowledged in particular for its huge choice of independent shops, with around 70 percent of businesses in the town being independently owned in 2013. A wide range of enduring businesses display the well established retailing history of the town, namely the department store 'Eve and Ranshaw', established in 1781, 'Dales and Sons' poulterers, open ever since 1896, and the century old butchers 'Lakings of Louth'. It is additionally popular for its specialist grocers, local butchers and 'The Cheese Shop', which achieved national recognition in 'The Guardian'. This retailing image has actually been consolidated by being identified as 'Britain's favourite market town' in 2012 by the BBC's 'Countryfile' television programme. For all your home upgrades, make certain to make use of reliable specialists in Louth to make certain of quality.