Discover Bawtry: Local History and Forest

Bawtry combines a long local history with buildings from different periods and a distinctive forest theme. Ermine Street is the specific link to its early history: Bawtry originally developed as a Roman settlement on this road between Doncaster and Lincoln. Later periods can be seen at Market Place, the church and other named buildings. When looking for a hotel, you can consider whether you are more interested in history and architecture or in an activity in a forest setting.

Local history at Market Place

At the southern end of the market square stands Bawtry Market Cross, a monument dating from the late medieval or early modern period. Its description leaves the date open: it cannot be assigned more definitively to either period. The cross thus adds another historical era to Bawtry’s early Roman history.

The listed buildings also give Market Place a special role in finding your way around the town. With two exceptions, they are located around the square. They are visible from there or can be reached within a five-minute walk. Anyone interested in Bawtry’s architectural history will find several points of interest in the same central area, rather than having to focus on just one building to explore the town’s history.

Church and historic buildings

The Church of St Nicholas is listed as a Grade I building. Its history dates back to around 1200; it was altered in the 14th and 15th centuries. The tower was rebuilt in the early 18th century. The sequence of different building phases can be seen in this building: the origins around 1200 were followed by medieval alterations and, finally, the rebuilding of the tower. This makes the church a prominent part of the historical themes that shape Bawtry.

Other architectural features offer different points of interest. South Parade is a row of houses dating from the Georgian period. The entrance hall of Bawtry Hall has a colonnade of Ionic columns. In Swan Street, the White Hart dates back to 1689 and is the oldest surviving pub in Bawtry. These examples range from an entire row of houses to an interior architectural detail and a historic pub. Together, they offer a variety of ways to explore the townscape and architectural history.

Town Trail and orientation

The Town Trail offers another way to explore local history: a map board for the walk is located on Market Place. The trail and the concentration of historic sites around Market Place can thus be seen as two different aspects of finding your way around the town.

Bawtry Forest and other historical links

If you are looking for a nature and activity theme as well as architectural history, Bawtry Paintball & Laser Fields is located in Bawtry Forest, amid 365 acres of natural woodland. This puts two very different interests side by side when planning your trip: the historic buildings in town and the forest landscape where the named paintball and laser fields are located. You can take this theme into account when choosing a stay in Bawtry without equating it with the architectural attractions.

Bawtry Community Library is also connected with local history: its computer room houses a Heritage Centre. This adds another place where Bawtry’s past is represented, alongside its buildings. When choosing a hotel, you can first decide whether your travel interests lie mainly in local history, the buildings or the forest theme. Bawtry offers several clearly distinct points of interest.

Discover more destinations: Mexborough, Doncaster, Finningley.

Return to the parent travel overview: Doncaster.