Local knowledge to help make your stay in Robin Hood Country extra special

Tourist information on Retford

Today's roadmaps make no distinction between East Retford and West Retford although for centuries they were legally different. East Retford has been a municipal borough since the 13th century whilst West Retford was only a parish. Now they are as one, Retford.

The Great North Road passes through the centre of Retford, a thriving market town and a centre of communications through the years with the river Idle passing to Worksop and the River Trent and the Chesterfield Canal built in the 18th century. In the 19th century the railways arrived improving travel still further with links from Retford to London and Edinburgh on the East Coast line and the east-west line passing through from Sheffield to Lincoln. 

The best time for tourist to visit Retford is on a sunny market day morning, the market centre with its variety of colourful stalls is vibrant and exciting, a farmers market is an interesting addition with fresh local produce as varied as Ostrich, Bison, Olives, Honey, Ice Cream and others, occasionally the old Buttermarket opens in the base of the Town Hall to host a book fair or craft fair. The main Victorian Town Hall is not to be missed, this fine building in the Georgian square where the market is held demonstrates the wealth of the town in those days of old. Nearby are St Swithun's church and Sloswicke's Hospital, a delightful building founded in 1657. While away a few hours in the nearby King's Park on the banks of the River Idle.

Retford market is on Thursday and Saturday 9am-4pm. On Fridays there is a Bric a Brac Market. Farmers Markets are every 3rd Saturdy.

A Russian cannon stands proudly in the centre of Cannon square, captured in 1855 at the Battle of Sebastapol, it was brought to Retford four years later through the efforts of local author John Shadrack Piercy as a memorial to the Crimeran War.

  Retford Methodist Church

    Retford Masonic Hall, formerly a cinema 

  Percy Laws Museum, Retford

   The Chesterfield canal in Retford

Retford shops

Retford is a delightful shopping centre with many unique and interesting shops from the traditional butchers and bakers shops which have an enviable reputation with many years trading, to the specialist shops, ideal for those unusual Christmas or Birthday gifts.

Tourist Information on Retford

Retford Town Hall

Memorial in Market Square

Russian Cannon

St Swithun's Church