Haughton: History and the Ruins of the Chapel of St James

Haughton is not a compact village: today, there are few scattered houses there. The ruins of Haughton Chapel of St James the Great provide a distinctive landmark. They lie in a secluded spot in a small copse on the south bank of the River Maun, with extensive farmland surrounding them on three sides. This description helps you identify Haughton as a destination when looking for a hotel for your stay.

Haughton and the Chapel Ruins

The Chapel’s location brings together several clearly defined landscape features: the river on its south bank, the small copse and the open fields. The parish’s few scattered houses lie away from the ruins. Haughton is therefore not characterised by a village centre of closely spaced houses, but by individual homes and the secluded historic site. The ruins are named the Chapel of St James the Great; their historic setting identifies them with the parish of Haughton.

When planning your trip, pay attention to the precise destination name. Bassetlaw lists Haughton under “Retford Rural”, not under the separate “Retford” area. This administrative classification does not make the two names interchangeable: Haughton remains the specific place name to use in your search.

Retford as a Separate Place Reference

The following sights and amenities relate to the town of Retford itself. Work on its town hall began in June 1866, and it opened in January 1868. Its design is Italianate, while the roofs draw on the French mansard style. A Grade II listed building, the town hall combines a distinctive architectural form with a clearly dated history of construction. Less than two years separate the start of construction and the opening, while the design incorporates different European architectural influences.

St Swithun’s in East Retford can also be understood through several historical periods. Roger, Archbishop of York, founded the church in 1258. After the tower collapsed in 1651, most of the church was rebuilt in the 1650s. Older features have also survived: the central column and two arches date from the 14th century and still show their original coloured decoration. The church is listed Grade II*. Its founding, rebuilding and surviving medieval details each tell a different chapter of its history.

Market, Library and King’s Park in Retford

Retford’s open-air market is held on Market Square on Thursdays and Saturdays. The farmers’ market offers a selection of locally grown produce. These details complement one another: the market days provide a time reference, while the farmers’ market’s offerings have a specific connection to regional production. In 1246, Retford received its first charter from King Henry III to hold a fair. This historic charter and today’s open-air market are distinct points in the history of the market.

Retford Library, also known as Denman Library, is housed in a Georgian building. Thomas Hercy Denman gave it to the town in 1926 for use as a library. The library includes a gallery for exhibitions and presentations, which can be booked free of charge. In King’s Park, the River Idle divides the park into two areas. The Wildlife Garden there is home to, among other species, nuthatches, thrushes and pipistrelle bats. Retford thus combines historic architecture and culture with a park whose description also identifies the garden’s wildlife.

Haughton and Retford offer different place references: in Haughton, the focus is on the secluded Chapel ruins and the landscape beside the River Maun; the market, library and park features mentioned above belong to Retford.

Discover more destinations: Clipstone, Normanton on Trent, Tuxford, Woodborough, Clayworth, East Retford, Colston Bassett, Nottingham.

For the broader travel overview: Nottinghamshire.