Whaplode is both a village and parish about 100 miles north of London between the towns of Spalding and Holbeach. The parish is a long, narrow affair, running north to south, and incorporates the hamlets of Whaplode Drove, Dowsdale, and most of Saracens Head. The parish of Moulton is neighbor to the west and Holbeach parish to the east. The area of 8,086 acres is flat fenland, drained by many small canals. The Whaplode River runs through the village on its way to join the River Welland. The population in 1831 was 1,998 and by 1891 was 2,216. The name Whaplode means "Watercourse where eelpouts are found".