Gainsborough Old Hall

About the museum

Gainsborough Old Hall is a medieval manor house in Lincolnshire, mostly built by Sir Thomas Burgh II from the 1460s onwards. He rebuilt the main hall range with a great hall flanked by two-storey wings, added private apartments, a three-storey lodging range, a fashionable brick tower and a very large brick kitchen. Burgh served four kings and was made a baron in 1487. Richard III visited the hall in 1484, and Henry VIII stayed here in 1541 with his fifth wife, Catherine Howard.

The Burgh family held the manor from 1430 until 1596, when it was sold to the London merchant William Hickman. The Hickmans turned the east range into a more comfortable family home, encasing much of it in brick and adding panelling, wide windows and fireplaces. They lived here until about 1730.

Over the next two centuries the building was put to many uses: a home, workshops and businesses, a theatre, crowded tenements, a pub and civic institutions, and the preaching of John Wesley is also associated with the great hall. In the mid-20th century local volunteers raised money to save and restore it. Today the hall is cared for by English Heritage and remains a community hub. Visitors can see the great hall with its original medieval timber ceiling, the domestic apartments and one of the best preserved medieval kitchen complexes in England, climb the tower, and take refreshments in the 15th-century parlour.

Highlights

• Great hall with its original medieval timber ceiling
• Vast medieval brick kitchen with replica equipment and handling objects
• Brick tower with views over the town and the River Trent
• Tearoom in the 15th-century parlour
• World Builder trail for children
• Visited by Richard III in 1484 and Henry VIII in 1541

Operated by

English Heritage

Admission & discounts

Prices are the lowest online advance prices (off-peak days, without the optional donation); advance booking online until midnight the day before saves 15 percent. Advance adult prices range from £9.26 (off-peak) to £12.32 (peak); at the gate the adult ticket costs £10.90 to £14.50. English Heritage members enter free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: not available

Wheelchair access is limited to the ground floor; the upper floors can only be reached by stairs, including spiral stairs, and floors are uneven. A platform lift (not suitable for large scooters) serves the toilets, which are below ground level. There is no disabled parking on site, but Blue Badge holders can park on the surrounding streets and be dropped off at the entrance. Paths are bonded gravel. Handling objects are in the great hall and the medieval kitchen. Assistance dogs are welcome. There is an induction loop at reception only.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The World Builder trail invites children to build their own city, and there are handling objects in the great hall and the medieval kitchen. There is space to run around outside but no ball games. Pushchairs are allowed, though the upper floors can only be reached by stairs. Baby changing facilities and one high chair are available.

Getting there & parking

The hall is on Parnell Street in Gainsborough, 18 miles north-west of Lincoln. The English Heritage page also gives a what3words address.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Cafe in the 15th-century parlour serving hot and cold drinks, pastries, cakes and ice cream, with vegan and gluten-free options; outdoor seating next to the cafe. Gift shop in the reception area. Dogs on leads are welcome in the cafe and shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit