Close Attractions

Situated in the heart of Gainsborough, the Gainsborough Old Hall is one of England’s best-preserved medieval manor houses. Built in the 15th century, it boasts a magnificent Great Hall, striking timber-framed façades and an imposing brick tower. The wide open fireplaces and original kitchen features make for an immersive glimpse into late-medieval domestic life. Visitors can climb the tower for views across the town and surrounding landscape.
Walking through the Old Hall evokes an atmosphere of centuries past, where historic figures once roamed the corridors, and the quiet strength of the building invites reflection on both social ambition and survival across generations. Interpretive panels and guided tours help explain the significance of architecture, interior layout and social context, including links to early dissenting religious activity and the Puritan tradition.
For a day out it serves well whether you are interested in architecture, local history or simply exploring with the family. There is a café on site for light refreshments, and the surrounding gardens provide a pleasant spot to pause and reflect. It is easily accessible from Morton village and offers a strong anchor for a heritage-focused visit. The mix of grandeur and domestic detail means the Old Hall appeals to both casual tourists and serious history enthusiasts.

Postcode: DN21 2NB

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With over 30 stores, including, Next, M & S Food, Costa Coffee, Superdrug, Prezzo and Browns the department store. Marshalls Yard is the perfect place to either pick up essentials or for a few hours retail therapy! Originally the site of Marshalls, Sons & Co, once one of the largest agricultural engineering companies in Europe. There are still nods to the sites past including the original statue Britania and an old stream crane at the entrance. 

Postcode: DN21 2AY

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A recently opened four screen cinema in the heart of Gainsborough. It features luxurious electric reclining seats 4k laser projection and Dolby Atmos sound.

Free parking is available. You must register your cars registration number on one of the computers inside the foyer.

www.savoygainsborough.co.uk 

Postcode: DN21 2FR 

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A unique picture-house and theatre housed in a stunning grade II listed church dating back to 1843 in Gainsborough.

The centre hosts a variety of performances and shows including live bands, theatre, stand-up comedy and cinema. 

Postcode: DN21 2AL 

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The Gainsborough Riverside Walk follows the contours of the River Trent from the centre of Gainsborough out towards the village of Morton. This gentle riverside route offers a mix of nature, history and fresh air in a relaxed setting. The improved riverside path enables an uninterrupted stroll, linking historic wharves, open green spaces and viewpoints across the water.
As you follow the path you can appreciate how the river shaped the town’s heritage-industrial role. Former port activity, warehouses and transport links all become more vivid when you pause to look at the water and imagine the movement of goods and people centuries ago. There is a bronze statue known as the “Pilgrim Woman” along the route, which connects to the local story of the Mayflower Travellers and the town’s role in that narrative.
This walk is ideal for families, couples and solo travellers looking for a calming outdoor experience. The path is suitable for most levels of fitness, and benches and open lawns provide welcome rest spots. Being connected from Gainsborough to Morton village, it makes for a flexible itinerary: you might choose to start in town, wander riverside, then stop in Morton for a drink or snack. With seasonal changes the riverside reveals new moods—spring blossom, summer reflections, autumn colours or winter crisp air—so it rewards repeat visits.

Housed in an early-20th-century former post office and telephone exchange building, the Gainsborough Heritage Centre offers a rich dive into the town’s industrial, social and domestic past. The exhibits cover a broad span: from the booming days of boiler-making and agricultural machinery to the fabric of everyday life in Gainsborough through the 19th and 20th centuries.
The centre is especially valuable if you wish to understand the wider context of the region around Morton and Gainsborough—how the town developed as an inland port, how industries evolved, and how communities were shaped over time. Displays include machinery, archival photographs, and stories of local people and places. For local-history enthusiasts this is a gem.
It is well suited for a visit of one to two hours; there is seating, accessible facilities and a small café for light refreshments. Being located in town, it can conveniently form part of a half-day outing, perhaps paired with the Old Hall or riverside walk. The centre also hosts rotating exhibitions and talks, so checking in advance for special events is a good idea.

The Gainsborough Model Railway offers one of the largest hand-built model railway layouts in the region, depicting the East Coast Main Line from London’s King’s Cross to Leeds Central. The layout spans vast space and exhibits remarkable detail in miniature scenery, locomotives, signals and station stops. For rail enthusiasts or families, this attraction brings model engineering to life in an accessible and fascinating way.
Visitors can witness the precision of craftsmanship, the synchronised train movements, and the immersive atmosphere of a fully scaled world in miniature. It is suitable for all ages though especially appealing to children, teens and adults with interest in trains, engineering or hobby modelling. The venue is modest in size, making it a convenient stop of perhaps 45–60 minutes, yet memorable for its scale and attention to detail.
Since the model railway is in the Gainsborough area, it offers a delightful add-on to other outings and works well as a rainy-day option. The setting is relaxed and friendly, so it fits nicely for hotel guests staying nearby who might be seeking something indoor or semi-indoor. The location makes it a flexible part of a wider itinerary around the town and surrounding villages.