Retford

Travel Guide

Looking east along the platforms at Retford (low level) railway station.
Photo by Mattbuck (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)
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)
Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Spa

Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
Barnby Moor Retford England
The price is RM569 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
RM569
RM683 total
1 Mar - 2 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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (209 reviews)
Excellent place to stay, nice bar, great food and excellent room. I wouldn't hesitate to stay again and the staff were really excellent. The place was so good that I still give it 5 stars even though the breakfast experience was less than expected. Breakfast menu is fantastic - nothing much I can ...

Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026

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

Best Western Plus West Retford Hotel

3 out of 5
24 North Road Retford England
The price is RM329 per night from 27 Feb to 28 Feb
RM329
RM394 total
27 Feb - 28 Feb
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! (382 reviews)
Very comfortable overnight stay—clean rooms, relaxing bar area and restaurant. Excellent breakfast. Great value for money

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

Best Western Plus West Retford Hotel
Sandman Signature Sheffield Quays Hotel

Sandman Signature Sheffield Quays Hotel

4 out of 5
Victoria Quays Sheffield England
The price is RM287 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
RM287
RM345 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sheffield. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (820 reviews)
Staff barely courteous. Room had no proper lighting. Just small bedside lights, a dull LED strip behind the bed and a lamp we had to crawl behind the desk to find a switch for. Fixtures were flimsy. The desk lifts for the hairdryer, but hinges were loose so uneven. Breakfast hugely disappointing. ...

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

Sandman Signature Sheffield Quays Hotel
See all 2,248 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 Idle Valley Nature Reserve 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 3.5-star apartment in Sheffield. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, in-room washers/dryers and housekeeping. Popular attractions Utilita Arena Sheffield and Meadowhall ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (74 reviews)
real nice stay

Reviewed on 19 Feb 2026

KSpace @ The Point
Student Only Straits Manor

Student Only Straits Manor

3 out of 5
52 West St Sheffield England
Stay at this apartment in Sheffield. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Meadowhall Shopping Centre and Peace Gardens are ...
Student Only Straits Manor
See all 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.

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 relaxing 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 quaint 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

View of the cathedral from steep hill

Lincoln

Nodding Donkey. An oil pump near Newton-on-Trent, these pumps are known locally as "nodding donkeys" ..... this one no longer nods.

Newton On Trent

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

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