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Gainsborough Old Hall

In the early seventeenth century, Gainsborough Old Hall was owned by William Hickman.

He was wealthy and well-connected. Hickman and his redoubtable mother, Rose, were ardent Puritans – strict Protestants. They believed the English Protestant Church was still too Catholic and consequently they are believed to have become sympathetic to the more radical “Separatists” – a group of English religious dissenters who were considered to be enemies of the Crown because they wanted to separate from the established Church. Separatists formed covert networks to worship in secret and to help those trying to flee the country to escape fines, prison or worse.

Circumstantial evidence suggests that the Hickman's allowed the Separatist congregation of local preacher John Smyth to worship in secret in the Old Hall. This was a very dangerous path because the monarch was supreme head of the Church and to oppose the monarch was regarded as treason.

Today, Gainsborough Old Hall is a fabulous visitor attraction. A stunning black and white timber framed building, visitors can explore the rooms and the grounds of the hall. An audio visual tour brings the many histories and stories of the building to life.

Opening Times
- Open all year
- March to October 2017
  Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm
  Saturday and Sunday 11-00am – 5pm
  
  November to February 2018
  Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm
  Saturday and Sunday 11-00am – 4pm
  
  The Old Hall will be closed for 2 weeks over the Christmas period
Location

Gainsborough Old Hall,
Parnell St,
Gainsborough,
Lincolnshire
DN21 2NB
Contact

+44 (0)1522 782040 gainsborougholdhall@lincolnshire.gov.uk Gainsborough Old Hall
Ticket Information

Adults £8.50
Concessions £6.70
Children £4.22 (5-17)
Family Ticket (two adults and up to three children) £21.20
Under 5s FREE

Free, donations welcome

Gainsborough Heritage Centre

Museum

Explore the town’s significant industrial and domestic history.

Gainsborough Model Railway

Visitor Attraction

See one of the largest hand built model railways depicting the East Coast Main Line from Kings Cross to Leeds Central.

Free, donations welcome

Glentworth, St Michael

Church or religious building

St Michael's Church in the rural village of Glentworth in Lincolnshire is home to a remarkable Elizabethan memorial to the Wray family - influential supporters of the early Separatists.

Old Nick Police Museum, Gainsborough

Museum

Victorian Police Museum and Magistrates' Court. Originally built in 1860. Dedicated to the history of Lincolnshire Police.

Price on application

Pilgrims and Prophets Tours

Driving Tour

Adrian Gray is a well known local historian. With an MA in history from Cambridge University, he is the author of more than twenty books including several titles on Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.