Surfleet's inhabitants have spent centuries battling against the threat of floods both from the sea and from water draining down the river from inland.
In 1739 a sluice was erected at Surfleet Seas End to control the flow of water both out of and in to the River Glen. The Reservoir was constructed to hold the waters of the Glen until high tides had passed, thus largely ending the threat of flooding. In the 1920's the Reservoir became a popular venue for holding water sports.
The River Glen used to be used for transporting agricultural produce to the station, which has now been transformed into the Riverside Inn. Barley used to be transported by river to Surfleet Maltings, which were sited next to the present The Mermaid restaurant.
The nearby Crown Inn used to host Lincolnshire Morris Dancers in their courtyard.
Adjacent to the Fraiser Room is St Laurence's Church, parts of which date back to Norman times, and was mostly built from 1270 to 1350. The Church tower and spire lean at a remarkable angle. Adjacent to the church and crossing the River Glen is Surfleet Bridge, a heavy-looking iron girder bridge, built in 1884 and it has become a local landmark.
Station Road runs from the church, and follows the course of the river to the former Surfleet station and the Riverside Hotel (formerly the Great Northern Hotel), passing the Village Hall, the Surfleet County Primary School and Glenside Stores, the village shop, en route. The busy A16 Spalding to Boston Road now runs North-South along the route of the former railway line.
Access to the River Glen is possible from the Mermaid Inn, the Riverside Inn and the now public launch site on the south bank, accessed via Park Road.
Seas End Road continues to follow the course of the River Glen downstream, leading to Reservoir Road, which, in turn, leads to the Reservoir, the sluice and the newly rebuilt Ship Inn. The restaurant of the Ship Inn overlooks the tidal part of the River Glen and the conjunction of three waterways, the rivers Glen and Welland, and Vernatt's Drain.
Several boats are normally moored in the mouth of the River Glen, providing a picturesque marine scene.
