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Pictures of Gainsborough

in the county of Lincolnshire

Riverside Walk, Gainsborough. View from Trent Bridge

About Gainsborough

The lovely market town of Gainsborough flourishes along a sweep of the River Trent which opens up pleasant riverside walks revealing much of the areas flora and fauna as well as interesting pieces of modern sculpture.

It is a town with many visual delights with an 18th century three arched bridge taking traffic across the Trent towards Nottinghamshire. It has several distinguished buildings, amongst these is The Old Hall, a timber framed house built in the 1500's which is now a museum. The house, in virtually original state remains very much as it was left by its builder - Sir Thomas Burgh. Interestingly, the Pilgrim Fathers met at the Old Hall in the late 16th century.

Richmond House, in pretty Richmond Park is worthy of note, it is now licensed for wedding's and has an attractive lawned area to the front and a children's play area at the rear.

All Saints Church dominates the town, this has an impressive medieval tower and a nave which is a rebuild of the mid 18th century. It has lovely stained glass from the 19th and 20th centuries, one by Morris and Co. This is a calm, beautiful place, well worth spending time looking around.

Around a mile from the Old Hall lies Gainsborough Castle, an 11th century earthwork motte and bailey fortress founded by Roger de Poitou. The layout of the castle is traditionally Norman with two bailey's and the motte inbetween and is surrounded by wide, deep ditches. Lying beneath a tight cover of branches, this eyrie, atmospheric site is best visited in winter.

Gainsborough has an interesting history, it is sometimes referred to as "the capital that never was" this is due to King Cnut's alleged attempt to turn back the tide in the River Trent at Gainsborough. In the Dark Ages it was a capital city of Mercia. In more recent times the town grew prosperous from its river trade, the size of the Trent bridge prevented most barges from going beyond it, thus goods had to be offloaded at Gainsborough.

Visitors to Gainsborough will find much to absorb them, the streets are lined with pleasing shops, and there are cafe's, restaurants, pubs and hotel accommodation to suit all tastes. For relaxation there are leisure facilities including sporting, cinema and theatre with music being on offer in pubs and clubs.

An interesting feature of Gainsborough is the town sign bearing the motto "Striving for the Gain of All" and looking around at the warm red brick properties built since the late 17th century, the motto certainly bears more than a hint of truth!


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Gainsborough

Gainsborough Old Hall(0.5 miles, 0.7 km)Pictures
Chainbridge Nature Reserve(5.9 miles, 9.6 km, direction SW)Pictures
Sundown Kiddies Adventureland(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction S)Pictures
Wetlands Waterfoul Reserve(7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction W)Pictures
Bassetlaw Museum(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction SW)Pictures
Doddington Hall(13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction SE)Pictures
Clumber Country Park(14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction SW)Pictures
Langold Country Park(14.7 miles, 23.7 km, direction W)Pictures
Hartsholme Country Park(15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction SE)Pictures
Lincoln Castle(15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction SE)Pictures
Lincoln Cathedral(15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction SE)Pictures
Usher Gallery(15.3 miles, 24.6 km, direction SE)Pictures
Hartsholme Country Park(15.4 miles, 24.8 km, direction SE)Pictures
Hatfield Water Park(15.4 miles, 24.8 km, direction NW)Pictures
Whisby Natural Park(16.0 miles, 25.8 km, direction S)Pictures

All attractions in Gainsborough
All attractions in Lincolnshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Gainsborough

Gringley on the Hill, in the county of Nottinghamshire (5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction W)
This charming hill-top village lies in spacious countryside close to the Chesterfield Canal. It shows an abundance of picturesque red-brick properties including out lying farms with ancient barns and dovecotes.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Marton, in the county of Lincolnshire (5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction S)
Marton is a sleepy village with a long history. In far off Roman times, a small fort guarded a nearby crossing of the River Trent.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Epworth, in the county of Lincolnshire (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction N)
The birthplace of John Wesley and Charles Wesley, early leaders of the Methodist movement
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ingham, in the county of Lincolnshire (9.2 miles, 14.7 km, direction SE)
Ingham, from its earliest dawning's at the time of the Doomsday Book has enjoyed a tranquil existence. The village lies in a lovely area between Lincoln and Gainsborough, amidst some of the shire's most stunning scenery.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Saxilby, in the county of Lincolnshire (10.0 miles, 16.2 km, direction SE)
The village is dominated by the Foss Dyke Canal, a waterway built by the Romans and later deepened by Henry I to allow safe passage for larger vessels.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Skellingthorpe, in the county of Lincolnshire (13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction SE)
This is a large village lying around three miles from Lincoln which is fringed by the Fosdyke Navigation. Visitors will find a few shops, pubs and an interesting Anglican church.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tickhill, in the county of South Yorkshire (14.2 miles, 22.8 km, direction W)
This is a pleasant, somewhat sprawling village lying in rural countryside a short distance from the market town of Maltby
Info | Pictures | Hotels

North Scarle, in the county of Lincolnshire (14.5 miles, 23.3 km, direction S)
The village is small and unspoilt, it has pleasant leafy lanes and a quiet High Street. Of its most picturesque aspects apart from the church, is a George V Post Box.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Dunholme, in the county of Lincolnshire (14.5 miles, 23.4 km, direction SE)
Dunholme is a small Lincolnshire village with a history stretching back to the Doomsday Book and possibly beyond. It is found nestling beneath a range of low hills, straddling along a stream.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Eagle, in the county of Lincolnshire (14.7 miles, 23.7 km, direction S)
The village of Eagle is situated in spacious countryside a short distance away from the historic city of Lincoln.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Nettleham, in the county of Lincolnshire (15.1 miles, 24.4 km, direction SE)
This is a most delightful Lincolnshire village with dreamy stone cottages, a picturesque village green, and a sparkling beck around which well fed ducks and moorhens colonise.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Lincoln, in the county of Lincolnshire (15.2 miles, 24.5 km, direction SE)
This fine cathedral City was called Lindon by the Ancient Britons' and later the Romans' knew it as Lindum. In AD48 a Roman...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Worksop, in the county of Nottinghamshire (15.7 miles, 25.3 km, direction SW)
The dense spread of Worksop in Nottinghamshire meets with some seriously picturesque countryside, it is fortunate to be ringed by two rivers, the Clumber which borders Clumber Country Park, and the River Ryton.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wadworth, in the county of South Yorkshire (16.0 miles, 25.7 km, direction W)
This is a pleasant South Yorkshire village lying in lush countryside a few miles from the city of Rotherham.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stainton, in the county of South Yorkshire (16.4 miles, 26.4 km, direction W)
This picturesque South Yorkshire village was mentioned in the Doomsday Book, but there is considerable evidence that it existed as a settlement long before 1086.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Lincolnshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Gainsborough Central Station(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
Gainsborough Lea Road Station(1.0 miles, 1.6 km)
M180 Junction 3(11.0 miles, 17.8 km, direction N)
M180 Junction 2(11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction N)
Humberside International Airport(21.7 miles, 34.9 km, direction NE)
Sheffield City Airport(25.1 miles, 40.3 km, direction W)
Gainsborough to London(133.6 miles, 215.0 km, direction S)

Hotels & Accommodation in Gainsborough

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Gainsborough center
The Angel Inn(8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction W)
West Retford Hotel(8.9 miles, 14.4 km, direction SW)
Ye Olde Bell Hotel(10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction W)
Granby Hotel(10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction W)
The Crown Hotel(10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction W)
Red Lion Inn(11.5 miles, 18.4 km, direction NE)
Best Western Mount Pleasant Hotel(11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction NW)
Best Western Charnwood Hotel(12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction W)
Campanile Hotel Doncaster(13.5 miles, 21.8 km, direction NW)
Wortley House Hotel(13.8 miles, 22.1 km, direction N)
All hotels in Gainsborough

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