Further Afield

Gainsborough Old Hall

Built around 1460 by Sir Thomas Burgh as a family home, it remained in his family until 1596 when it was sold to William Hickman, a London merchant.  He undertook some improvements but many original features remain intact.

At the centre of the building is the Great Hall.

One of the striking features of this room is that there are no tie beams to detract from the great sweep of the roof arches.  Each roof truss is built from a naturally curved oak limb.

Richard III spent a night here and in 1541 King Henry VIII and his cabinet were guests at the Old Hall and would have dined in this room.

Leading directly off this Great Hall is the kitchen, one of the best preserved medieval kitchens in the country and still containing many original features.

This is the serving hatch with food ready to be carried to hungry guests. .

Upstairs are bedrooms, furnished to recreate the atmosphere of the building.            

This is a truly magnificent building - open to the public, and with an excellent audio guide.

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