Retford Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Looking east along the platforms at Retford (low level) railway station.
Photo by Mattbuck (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)
The first record of the church is in 1258, and the oldest floor slab Memorial dates from 1496. This large church is now mostly the work of a 17th-century restoration, after the tower collapsed in 1651 destroying much of the chancel and south transept. It was rebuilt in 1658. The church is in a cruciform plan with north and south transepts, a central four stage crossing tower, nave with north and south aisles and clerestory windows, chancel, and south porch. There is also a Lady Chapel, Vestry and Sacristy. The oldest part of the church is the north transept which has two arches and an octagonal pier with fine leaf decoration on the capital. This was revealed during a restoration in 1873. The four bay chancel was refurbished around the same time, and it was extended to its original size. The north aisle was rebuilt using original material as well as the clerestory, battlements, and other parts church in 1854. The south porch was also added. There was further restoration in 1905. The church has numerous stained glass windows from the nineteenth century by several well-known artists. The west window of the south transept contains mediaeval glass, and is unusual in having two coins set into the glass. The organ was originally on a gallery at the west end, and in 1841 a new organ was placed on the south side of chancel. It was subsequently enlarged and has been overhauled several times since. In 1980 it was completely rebuilt with a new movable console. The tower has a ring of 10 bells. In 2009 a toilet and kitchen were installed in the west end of church. In 2010 the nave and south aisle roofs were repaired with the aid of a grant from English Heritage.
Photo by Jules & Jenny (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0)
And emerging out of the trees
Photo by Gareth Hart (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)
Bellmoor Lake - looking east from lookout point
Photo by Gareth Hart (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)
Close-up, looking south east
Photo by Gareth Hart (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)
Best Western Plus West Retford Hotel

Best Western Plus West Retford Hotel

3 out of 5
24 North Road Retford England
The price is ₹8,664 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
₹8,664
₹10,397 total
19 Mar - 20 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Retford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (385 reviews)
Really nice Hotel, very comfortable and friendly, Thank you

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

Best Western Plus West Retford Hotel
Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Spa

Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
Barnby Moor Retford England
The price is ₹12,232 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
₹12,232
₹14,678 total
19 Mar - 20 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Retford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions Idle ...
Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Spa
Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa

Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
Chesterfield Road Chesterfield England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹6,321 per night from 27 Mar to 28 Mar
₹6,321
₹7,585 total
27 Mar - 28 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Chesterfield. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
Pretty hotel. We had a wonderful stay in room 121. The suite had a beautiful 4 poster and the bathroom a huge roll top bath. We visited the spa and had an excellent breakfast. Lovely stay. Will return.

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa
See all 2,301 properties in Retford
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Rustic Retreat in Retford

Rustic Retreat in Retford

3.5 out of 5
Retford England
Stay at this cabin in Retford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Bassetlaw Museum and Retford Leisure Centre are located ...
7/10 Good! (2 reviews)
Nice location in the open air, the lodge was ok, not posh and luxury, needs a bit of tlc

Reviewed on 28 Jan 2026

Rustic Retreat in Retford
KSpace @ The Point

KSpace @ The Point

3.5 out of 5
1 Division Lane Sheffield England
Stay at this apartment in Sheffield. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, in-room washers/dryers and housekeeping. Popular attractions Utilita Arena Sheffield and Peace Gardens ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (75 reviews)
Fantastic again

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2026

KSpace @ The Point
The Sinclair Building

The Sinclair Building

4 out of 5
The Sinclair Building 1 Regent Street Sheffield England
Stay at this apartment in Sheffield. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Utilita Arena Sheffield and Meadowhall ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (57 reviews)
Great location, 20 minute drive to the Peaks & perfect to walk into Sheffield

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2026

The Sinclair Building
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Sundown Adventureland

Bring the children to Sundown Adventureland and enjoy this exciting theme park in Treswell. Make time to visit the area's stunning cathedral or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Sundown Adventureland

Idle Valley Nature Reserve

Explore the great outdoors at Idle Valley Nature Reserve, a lovely green space in Retford. While in this quaint area, you can savour the lively bars.

Idle Valley Nature Reserve

The Well Retford Baptist Church

After visiting The Well Retford Baptist Church, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Retford. While in this relaxing area, you can savour the lively bars.

The Well Retford Baptist Church

Reviews of Retford

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 21%
4 - Good
11
4 - Good 58%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 16%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 5%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Good shopping centre and plenty of places to eat out. Within easy reach of the crematorium at Babworth.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A very nice town

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice place to visit people very friendly.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Visiting relatives.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The people in the area are very friendly

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice little town. Good tea shops. A few nice craft type shops but it is only very small

Cities near Retford

View of the cathedral from steep hill

Lincoln

Brodsworth Hall which includes a garden and heritage architecture

Doncaster

River Ryton River Ryton seen from Mill Lane, just north of the village of Scrooby.
Photo by Ann B (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Scrooby

St.Barnabas' church, Ranskill. By Ewan Christian in 1878

Ranskill