Pictures:
Top - Retford marketplace and memorial. Middle - St Swithin's Church East Retford. Bottom - The river meanders through the park.
Retford - a tale of two towns
Located to the South of Bawtry (9.5M), is the market town of Retford (20M), which was originally two towns - East and West. East Retford was established by Henry I to collect river tolls, and a market charter was granted to the town in 1246.
Although St Swithin’s church in East Retford is large and imposing, with a sturdy square tower, it was substantially restored after 1681 when the tower collapsed. West Retford’s church is smaller, but this part of the town has ancient almshouses including Trinity Hospital.
The town was devastated by fire in 1528, but even so it grew steadily, overtaking its counterpart in both size and significance. In 1878, the two were combined into one borough. Its market square is surrounded by stately Georgian buildings, though the Town Hall was replaced by something more akin to a French Chateau in 1868.
The river runs from the town's historic bridge through public park land - a peaceful place for a stroll.
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