Name: Gainsthorpe Medieval Village
Rating: 5.0

Gainsthorpe Medieval Village

Gainsthorpe Road East, Hibaldstow, Gainsborough, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Gainsthorpe Medieval Village is one of the best-preserved deserted medieval villages in England, with many of its houses, barns and streets clearly visible as a complex of grassy humps and bumps. According to legend, it was a den of thieves demolished by unhappy locals, but the real reason for its abandonment remains uncertain.

Among the 2,000 or so deserted medieval villages in England, Gainsthorpe in Lincolnshire is one of the most clearly visible and best preserved. Many elements of the village, including houses, barns and streets, survive as a remarkable group of earthworks in an unploughed field. Other parts survive under ploughed fields to the south and west.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Gainsthorpe Medieval Village: Among the 2,000 or so deserted medieval villages in England, Gainsthorpe in Lincolnshire is one of the most clearly visible and best preserved. Many elements of the village, including houses, barns and streets, survive as a remarkable group of earthworks in an unploughed field. Other parts survive under ploughed fields to the south and west.
Origins and development: The village of ‘Gamelstorp’ is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Norman lord was Ivo Taillebois, and the Saxon lord at the time of the Norman Conquest, 20 years earlier, was Ulgar. The small village or hamlet was assessed for tax as having just one carucate (the notional amount of land that a plough team of eight oxen could till in a year) of arable land.
The village deserted: The village was certainly deserted by 1616 when a survey for the Duchy of Cornwall noted ‘neither tofte, tenement or cottage standing’. At the end of the 17th century the Yorkshire antiquary Abraham de la Pryme visited the site. In two separate and slightly contradictory descriptions, he noted the ruined foundations of about 200 buildings in three abandoned streets (in 1697), or about 100 buildings in five or six streets (in 1699).
Explore the village: The map below explains key features of the medieval village. To see a larger version, select the ‘View larger map’ icon in the top right corner. If you are using a phone and have Google Maps installed, the map will open in the app (iPhone users may need to be logged into a Google account).
Description of the village: Many elements of the deserted village survive as earthworks in the grassed field, as raised ridges and sunken hollows.

Facilities

Parking: A small corner of the farmer's field is set aside for free parking, although it isn't available when in use by the farmer - mainly during harvest time. The parking area is signposted.
Food & Drinks: There are places to eat and drink in nearby Kirton in Lindsey.
Toilets: There are public toilets in nearby Kirton in Lindsey.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/gainsthorpe-medieval-village/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Gainsthorpe Road East, Hibaldstow, Gainsborough, UK

Post Code: DN21 4JH

Council: North Lincolnshire

County: Lincolnshire

Road Access: Located on minor road west of A15 – towards Cleatham; south of Hibaldstow; 5 miles south-west of Brigg.
Train Access: Kirton Lindsey 3 miles.
Bus Access: Hornsby Travel service 94.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: A small corner of the farmer's field is set aside for free parking, although it isn't available when in use by the farmer - mainly during harvest time. The parking area is signposted.