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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Tudor Building, Thaxted

Thaxted

in the county of Essex

Early evening playtime on the wettest street in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire

Slimbridge

in the county of Gloucestershire

Poole Harbour

Sandbanks

a Seaside Town in the county of Dorset

Pictures of Gainsborough

in the county of Lincolnshire

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!

Recommended towns & villages near Gainsborough

Sunset at Gringley on the Hill, Nottinghamshire

Gringley on the Hill (4 Pictures) in the county of Nottinghamshire

(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction W of Gainsborough)

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...

A picture of Ingham

Ingham (2 Pictures) in the county of Lincolnshire

(9.2 miles, 14.7 km, direction SE of Gainsborough)

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...

St Lawrence Church

Skellingthorpe (10 Pictures) in the county of Lincolnshire

(13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction SE of Gainsborough)

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...

A picture of Nettleham

Nettleham (10 Pictures) in the county of Lincolnshire

(15.1 miles, 24.4 km, direction SE of Gainsborough)

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...

A picture of Lincoln Cathedral

Lincoln (655 Pictures) a Historic City in the county of Lincolnshire

(15.2 miles, 24.5 km, direction SE of Gainsborough)

This fine cathedral City was called Lindon by the Ancient Britons' and later the Romans' knew it as Lindum. In AD48 a Roman garrison was set up to command the meeting of the.....

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

Nearby attractions..

Gainsborough Old Hall, Gainsborough

Gainsborough Old Hall (55 Pictures)

(0.5 miles, 0.7 km)

Gainsborough Old Hall is one of the largest and most outstanding surviving examples of a late medieval house in the country. It.....

Wetlands Waterfoul Reserve at Lound near Retford, Notts.

Wetlands Waterfoul Reserve (2 Pictures)

(7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction W)

..

Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire

Doddington Hall (3 Pictures)

(13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction SE)

This is a superb, large Elizabethan house with a truly impressive roofline. It was built in around 1600 by Robert Smythson, with.....

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Clumber Country Park (148 Pictures)

(14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction SW)

The peaceful landscape of this delightful country park gives visitors lovely summer memories of time spent ambling around.....

A picture of Lincoln Castle

Lincoln Castle (47 Pictures)

(15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction SE)

A fine Norman motte-and-bailey castle built in 1068 on the site of a former Roman fortress. It is interesting for its two.....

Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln, Lincolnshire

Lincoln Cathedral (306 Pictures)

(15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction SE)

Looking at the West front of Lincoln's fine Cathedral Church of St.Mary, past the pageant of ancient buildings outside the castle.....

Roche Abbey, Maltby

Roche Abbey (68 Pictures)

(16.7 miles, 26.9 km, direction W)

The evocative remains of Roche Abbey rising from a landscape laid out by Capability Brown present an awe-inspiring sight,.....


All attractions in Gainsborough
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