Babworth has a fine Georgian Hall, a Church with Pilgrim Fathers association and a spacious park laid out by Humphrey
Repton, but virtually no village. Its inhabitants were moved to the village of
Ranby, two miles away to the west, when the park was "improved". The "Great North" road used to pass through Babworth and it was here, in 1503, that Margaret Tudor was entertained by the Alderman of Retford at a cost of £12.11s (£12.55p). She was on her way to marry James IV of Scotland.(Rushey Cottages as they are now known as can be seen from the gateway of the Barns)
Inside the porch of the small church of All Saints with its battlements and pinnacles, a plaque records that the Pilgrim Fathers William Brewster and William Bradford worshipped here before sailing in the Mayflower.
Retford
Retford is actually two communities, East and West Retford, set either side of the River Idle. West Retford is the elder settlement; its twin grew up during the 1100s as a place where tolls could be collected from travellers making the river crossing. Retford has been a Market town since 1246 and markets are still held every Thursday and Saturday.
Retford received a major economic boost in 1766 when the Great North Road was diverted through the town. That was when Market Square was redeveloped and some of the elegant Georgian buildings here and in Grove Street, still survive from that time. The grand and rather château-like Town Hall, however, dates from 1868 and replaced the Georgian Hall. Out side the town hall can be found the Broad Stone, which is probably the base of the old parish boundary cross. Tradition has it that during the time of the plague in
Retford, in the mid 16th and mid-17th centuries, coins were placed in a pool of vinegar in the hollow in the top of the stone to prevent the disease from spreading whilst trading was taking place at the market.
In the north-western corner of the square is an archway that leads down to the river Idle. Bearing the inscription "JP Esquire 1841", the archway once led to the gardens of John Parker who lived in a nearby house, now business premises. A close inspection of the garden wall will reveal that it has a hollow curve. This was in order to funnel hot air along the wall, to warm the fruit trees grown in its shelter.
Cannon Square is home to one of Retford's more unusual attractions: a Russian cannon. Dating from 1855 and weighing over two tons, the cannon was captured by British soldiers at Sebastopol and brought to Retford at the end of the Crimean war. The townsfolk paid for its transportation and, in 1859, after arguments raged about its
siting, the cannon was finally placed in the square and named the Earl of Aberdeen after the incumbent Prime Minister. During World War II the cannon was threatened with being melted down to help the war effort and was only saved after a Retford gentleman bought it and hid it until the war was over.
Not far from Cannon Square is, reputedly, the oldest chemist's shop in the country still on its original site. Opened in 1779, Norths Chemist first belonged to a local vet, Francis
Clater, whose books on animal medicine and treatment were best sellers for over 100 years.
One of Retford's most infamous visitors was the highwayman Dick Turpin and several historic inns still stand as a reminder of the romantic days of stage coach travel. Another man who stood and delivered here, though in a more respectable fashion, was John Wesley, who conducted many open air meetings in
Retford.
Whilst in Retford, its well worth visiting the Bassetlaw Museum - entry is free, in Amcott House, Grove Street. This imposing late 18th century town house was once the home of the
Whartons, the woollen drapers; sir Wharton Amcotts, MP for the borough of East
Retford; and the Peglers, local industrialist. It was extensively restored and opened as a Museum for the District of Bassetlaw in 1986. The house is noted for its finely executed internal plasterwork and elegant wrought iron staircase which the restoration has returned to their full Georgian
splendour. The Museum has a distinct local emphasis, with displays of local archaeology, civic, social and industrial history, and fine and applied art. Occupying the former service wing of the house, the Percy Laws Memorial Gallery has a permanent display of historic Retford civic plate and also hosts short term exhibitions.
Clumber Park
Clumber Park (NT) was created in 1707 when the 3rd Duke of Newcastle was granted permission by Queen Anne to enclose part of the Forest of Sherwood as a
hunting ground. The building of Clumber House began in 1760 though it was much altered in the early 19th century. After a devastating fire in 1879, the house was rebuilt in an Italianate style but, due to the vast expense of its upkeep, Clumber House was demolished in 1938. All that remains today are the foundations.
However, any sense of disappointment is quickly dispelled by the charm of the buildings that remain in this lovely setting. The estate houses with their high pitched gables and massive chimneys are most picturesque. The red-brick stable are particularly fine as they are surmounted by the clocktower crowned by a domed cupola. The inset clock in the tower dates back to 1763 and the stables now house the café and visitors
centre.
By far the most striking building on the estate however is the Chapel of St Mary the Virgin, built by G.F.Bodley in the 1880s. It was commissioned by the 7th Duke of Newcastle to commemorate his coming of age. A fervent Anglo-Catholic, he spent the then colossal sum of £30.000 on its construction. The church has many features including wonderful stone and woodwork.
Mattersey
From the eastern end of the village, a rubble lane leads down to the sparse ruins of the romantically sited Mattersey Priory, founded in 1185 for the Gilbertine Order, the only monastic order to be established by an Englishman, Roger de
Mattersy. When the priory was founded, it had six cannons. Though the number of priests fluctuated over the years, Mattersey was never a wealthy institution: at the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries only five cannons had to be turned out in to the streets. The original Priory buildings at Mattersey were destroyed by fire in 1279 so the remains seen today are of the 14th century dormitory, refectory and the walls of the Chapel of St Helen. The site is rarely visited by tourists but, with the River Idle flowing nearby, it is a peaceful and picturesque hidden place, well worth seeking out.
