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The Sands Venue
Gainsborough Old Hall
All Saint's Church Gainsborough
Horse & Carriage Rides Around town centre, starting & finishing at Marshall's Yard, lasting 30 minutes or smaller 15 minutes rides also available. For availability, please contact Marshall's Yard on 01427 810706 or visit www.marshallsyard.co.uk Marshall's Yard, Beaumont Street, Leisure & Retail complex with fanstastic stores, restaurants; Costa Coffee, Greggs, Prezzo, a healthclub and landscaped plaza. www.marshallsyard.co.uk
Trinity Arts Centre Model Railway
Museum
Bend in the River Art Gallery 58 Bridge Street,
Cafe 54 Maltings Bistro
The Lounge
The Old Nick Theatre Gainsborough Golf Club The Belt Road, Thonock Owned by Ping Europe Ltd. Tel: 01427 613088 www.gainsboroughgc.co.uk |
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A Walk Round and About Gainsborough |
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The walk will commence in Ship Court car park on Caskgate Street. From the car park, pass under the arch in the right-hand corner of Ship Court which leads into Silver Street - so called because the tenants paid an annual silver sixpence in rent. As you pass through the arch, under your feet you will see that the shape of a boat has been made in the cobbles. To your right, across Silver Street, is the White Horse Public House probably dating back to the 17th Century. The pub's yard housed the water pump used by residents of the town. Turn left and walk along Silver Street into Market Place - probably dating from around the mid-13th century. Overlooking the square, directly in front of you is the Town Hall, identified by the weather vane on the roof - built in 1892, it is built on the site of the Old Moot Hall where the Leet Court met twice a year to deal with town problems. |
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Make your way diagonally across the square to the right of the Town Hall (Natwest Bank will be on your right-hand side). This will you to join the start of Lord Street on your left. As you walk down Lord Street, immediately on your left is the refurbished Town Hall which is now a premier jazz venue -`The Sands Venue. To your right is the White Hart Hotel - this 18th century coaching inn hosted the celebrations when the Trent Bridge was built in 1791, and again in 1932, when the bridge tolls were abolished. Halfway down Lord Street, you will find a number of places to eat. At the end of Lord Street, turn right into Parnell Street, then take the first left into Cobden Street passing the Library - built in 1905, the library is one of the traditional Carnegie libraries, one of a few left in the country.
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To your right is the impressive
Old Hall - a
magnificent 15th century manor house owned by only two families until given to
the nation in 1970. This timber framed building was built between 1460 and 1480.
It welcomed King Richard III in 1483, and King Henry VIII in 1541. The latter
stayed for four days with his fifth wife Katherine Howard, who was accused of
indiscretions during this period and was executed in February 1542. The building holds strong connections with the Mayflower pilgrims as Sir William Hickman, Lord of the Manor, allowed John Smyth and a large group of separatists to worship secretly in the manor house. Their harassment and religious persecution eventually culminated in the voyage, in 1620, of the "Mayflower" to the new world.
As you face the entrance to the Old Hall from Cobden Street, take the public footpath to the right of the Old Hall. As you walk along this path around the side of the Old Hall, you will see the memorial to both World Wars ahead. Once you reach the roadside, cross to Fawcett Street and enter the grounds of the Parish Church of All Saints - the eight pinnacled medieval tower adjoins the main body and is the only surviving example of a grand 18th century "city church" in the county. Take the time to visit inside the church. Tourist Information is available just inside the main entrance. |
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On leaving the church building, turn left around the side of the church to reach Church Street. Turn right and just before you reach the junction, on your right-hand side, is the United Reform Church (1896) - formerly known as the John Robinson Memorial Church. It is a reminder of Gainsborough's connection with the Pilgrim Fathers and named after the Pastor who led the religious dissidents to Holland in 1608. His death in the Dutch town of' Leiden in 1625 meant that he never joined his flock who had settled in America after their historic voyage in the 'Mayflower' in 1620. Cross Gladstone Street, and continue up Church Street until the road bears left. As the road bears left, cross at the corner. You will see a wall mounted plaque in between the shop windows which commemorates William Rose. Continue along the street and just before you reach the junction, to your right is the Friends Meeting House (1704) - records show complete continuity of Quakerism in Gainsborough from the initial visit in 1652 of the founder, George Fox, up to the present day. The old county court building (1759) can be seen next to it on the corner. When you reach the traffic lights, turn right along Beaumont Street. To the left is Marshall's Yard, Gainsborough's leisure and retail complex with fantastic stores, restaurants and landscaped plaza. |
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A little further on down Trinity Street you will find Eastbourne House an AA four star Guest House. |
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From Marshall's Yard, retrace your steps back along
Market Street (past the Friend's Meeting House) and onto Lord Street (past the
White Hart Hotel and The Sands Venue). Continue until you reach the very end of
the road, passing the Guildhall on your left. Once you reach Caskgate Street,
head towards the pedestrian crossing to your left. If you turn and face the
Guildhall with your back to the road, the building to the right is the
elegant Elswitha Hall - built in 1759, the house was named after Elswitha, a
princess of Gaina tribe who married King Alfred the Great. It was the birthplace
of Sir Halford Mackinder, born in 1861, who was a famous geographer and pioneer
of adult education. On the building is a plaque to commemorate Gainsborough's
connections with Elswitha, the Queen Consort. On Caskgate Street, cross over the pedestrian crossing into Riverside Gardens where you will find the riverside walkway. To your right are toilets (including disabled toilets) and benches for you to take a break before continuing along up the riverside. Straight in front of you is one of many pieces of artwork (or 'street furniture') to be found along the riverside. Walk along the riverside (with the river to your right). Once you reach Chapel Staith, you will find the story of the Aegir and information about the 'Riverside Public Art Trail' providing details of the pieces of artwork and the artists involved with the project. Further along the walkway, why not stop off at Cafe 54 where you can relax by the riverside and choose from a selection of fine coffees, loose leaf teas, freshly prepared sandwiches, smoothies and juices. |
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Continue along the riverside passing the mooring on your right. Further along, to your left, is another piece of artwork, 'Wind and Tide', which creates a colourful display when it lights up at night. Facing the Trent further up stream is the 200 year old Trent Bridge - it was supposedly from this point that the heroine of George Eliot's "Mill on the Floss" stood, as described in the opening paragraphs of the classic tale. The tidal river is said to have provided the inspiration Eliot was seeking during her stay near Gainsborough in the mid-1800s.
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You are nearing the end of the town walk, close to
The Maltings Bistro. To get there, head up the steps to your left when you reach
the end of the riverside walkway on to Bridge Street. From here, turn right and
go straight-on, over the junction, until you reach The Maltings on your right.
If you would like to finish off the walk with an idyllic stroll along the river
into countryside surroundings, just over Trent Bridge, head down the path on the
right hand side of the Trent Port public house - a friendly family pub
where you can enjoy a drink on the bank of the river. The toll houses, situated
by the bridge, illuminate through 11 different shades, visible from dusk to
dawn. Click here for a further tour of Gainsborough |
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For
other local attractions, follow this road down to visit the
