Retford's origins appear to be from around the time of just before the norman invasion of 1066 when it is known that a small settlement existed on the western bank of the river idle. 
Retford is actually referenced in the doomsday book of 1086 although it is referred to as 'Redforde' this probably pointing out a crossing over the river idle where red clay was visible from the surface. 
As it is known the first settlers were on the western bank of the river idle, it is thought that towards the latter third of the 11th century rival settlers, probably Normans from the invasion previous, grew on the opposite side of the river.  
It is known that William the conqueror gave land in grove and Retford to a 'Roger de Buisli' which eventually bequith'ed to the Hercy family, later a descendant of the Hercy family was to marry King James II.
There was fierce rivalry between the two settlements and both operated and were run independently and were to soon have their own parish churches. To distinguish between the two settlements the first settlement was named West Retford and the younger, East Retford. The younger of the two parishes, east Retford, seemed to fair a lot better than it's neighbour and was the first of the two to be recognised nationally when in 1105 Henry I made it a royal borough which allowed it to collect tolls from anyone wishing to cross the river at any point of their parish. 

If you are looking for a Retford bed and breakfast, for maybe an overnight stay or long term accommodation, then may we recommend the old station house on thrumpton lane where the present proprietors, Phil and Nickie, have lovingly rennovated the premises to provide a warm, cosy and home from home atmosphere and where we're sure you'll have a lovely stay. For more information please call Phil or Nickie on (01777) 702296 or alternatively see below for more information and photos of old station house.
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East Retford thrived compared to its neighbour and was granted its first charter in 1246 by Henry III allowing the right for a fair and in 1275 this was extended to allow markets in the town by Edward I. As east Retord's importance as town grew a 'wooden structured' town hall was built in 1388 reaffirming the importance of the town. On the strength of it being a market centre for it's surrounding area and the ability to use the river idle to to transport iron, timber and coal to and from the river trent for trade, saw east Retford grow steadily over the coming years until in 1528 a fire devestated and destroyed many of its then wooden buildings. 
Although there is reference to a schoolmaster's widow in Retford as early as 1318 the fire only seemed a short setback as in 1515 King Edward VI granted permission for the town to establish a grammar school, which today stands on London road in the town. The current buildings however date from around 1855 and it is thought that the original schoolhouse was on the north side of chapelgate having been built originally there and rebuilt in the same spot in 1779.
From the setback of the fire to the fortune of the King Edward VI grammar school being founded Retford continued to flourish and in 1607 King James I granted Retford a charter for its self government by its own local council and also permitted Retford to have its own coat of arms and the unusual design of two rampant choughs (pronounced chuffs) was selected. 

East Retford continued to thrive but no more so than after 1776 when the Great North Road was diverted to run through the town, as a result carolgate and bridgegate formed the main route through the borough and many of the inns, which still stand today, owe their presence to this event. Eleven years later saw the chesterfield canal built, constructed by James Brindley the canal was forty six miles long, had sixty five locks, two tunnels and two aqueducts, one of which is in Retford.
Both these events improved communications, brought visitors and more importantly for Retford made trading less expensive. The steady growth seen over the previous centuries now seemed to balloon and new warehouses and inns were being built to accomodate as Retford became a 'natural point' for travellers to break their journey, the prosperity Retford found during this Georgian period is reflected in the town's fine Georgian buildings and spacious market square of today's Retford.One ambitious plan was that of Major John Cartwright, the brother of Edmund who had invented the power loom. His experiment was to build a mill for the spinning and weaving of wool, the site of the revolution mill of 1788 was erected on spital hill, employed 600 men, women and children but became bankrupt within ten years but this event, if it had prospered, would have changed the future of Retford to something totally different to what we know today. A good source for information on the general history of Retford produced in 1828 is that of J.S.Piercy which can be found HERE

The ending of the Crimean war in 1855 saw a cannon which was captured from the Russians at the ending of the war mounted in the town which is now known as cannon square. The cannon itself was removed in 1940 for scrap but luckily was returned in 1946.
A fine example of craftsmanship still standing today built during this Victorian period is that of Retford's town hall. Designed by Bellamy and Hardy of Lincoln and built by Thomas Hopkinson of Retford, its main structure is made up of brick and bath stone. The first stone was laid in 1866 and the opening ceremony in 1868, entwined with the surrounding Georgian and other Victorian buildings makes Retford's market square the spacious and attractive place it is today.
West Retford had laid for all this time in the shadows of east Retford until in 1878 the two towns were amalgamated into a single borough and by the year 1900 Retford had a population of around 12,000 people. Retford entered the 20th century and the Edwardian era in fine form and continued it's historic market traditions.

We are currently sourcing information about this era and plan to update asap. If anyone has any memories of Retford in the 20th century that they wish to share please contact us

Believe it or not this is where the Joiners arms is now situated on london road, we think this building was stood upto the late 1960's









An archway erected on grove street for the celebrations of queen Victoria's jubilee in 1897

Apologies we believe this may actually be chapelgate







The other end of grove street ready for the celebrations











This picture is believed to be from around 1900 and shows the market place in Retford










Looking towards the white hart in Retford market place











King George pays a visit to Retford in 1914











A cycling club assembling outside the newcatle arms on bridgegate











Does any one recall this pub on London road, it was virtually opposite storcroft road

BED & BREAKFAST

Old Station House, Thrumpton Lane, Retford, Tel: 01777 702296
Albert Lodge, 5 Albert Rd, Retford, DN22 6JF, Tel: 01777 710758
Ivynook, 16 Exchange St, Retford, DN22 6BL, Tel: 01777 707050
Tanamara Guest House, 167 Moorgate, Retford, DN22 6TL, Tel: 01777 706447

COUNCIL NUMBERS

Bassetlaw District Council, 17B The Sq, Retford, DN22 6DB, Tel: 01777 706741
County Contact, 17b, The Square, Retford, DN22 6DB, Tel: 01777 713800

DOCTORS

Crown House Surgery, Retford, DN22 6NX, Tel: 01777 703672
Tall Trees Surgery, Retford, DN22 7AY, Tel: 01777 701637

PUBS

Albert Hotel, 29-31 Albert Rd, Retford, DN22 6JB, Tel: 01777 708694
Birches The, Thrumpton La, Retford, DN22 6HS, Tel: 01777 711819
Black Boy Inn, 14 Moorgate, Retford, DN22 6RH, Tel: 01777 702758
Boat Inn The, Main St, Hayton, Retford, DN22 9LF, Tel: 01777 700158
Brewers Arms, Town St, Clayworth, DN22 9AD, Tel: 01777 816107
Brick & Tile Inn, Moorgate, Retford, DN22 6RR, Tel: 01777 703681
Eyre Arms, Main St, Rampton, Retford, DN22 0HR, Tel: 01777 248771
Gate Inn The, All Hallows St, Retford, DN22 7TP, Tel: 01777 702014
Hop Pole The, 96 Welham Rd, Retford, DN22 6UG, Tel: 01777 702409
King & Miller The, North Rd, Retford, DN22 7XW, Tel: 01777 703399
Market Hotel The, Stirling Rd, Retford, DN22 7SN, Tel: 01777 703278
New Inn The, 182-184 Thrumpton La, Retford, DN22 7AJ, Tel: 01777 710030
Newcastle Arms The, 37 Bridgegate, Retford, DN22 7UX, Tel: 01777 702446
Packet Inn The, Bescoby St, Retford, DN22 6LJ, Tel: 01777 706948
Plough Inn The, Town St, South Leverton, Retford, DN22 0BT, Tel: 01427 880323
Rum Runner The, Wharf Rd, Retford, DN22 6EN, Tel: 01777 860788
Whitehouses Inn, London Rd, Retford, DN22 7JF, Tel: 01777 862710
White Horse The, Barnby Moor, Retford, DN22 8QS, Tel: 01777 707721
White Lion The, 35 West St, Retford, DN22 6ES, Tel: 01777 703032

SCHOOLS

Bracken Lane Primary School, Bracken La, Retford, DN22 7EU, Tel: 01777 705017
Carr Hill Primary School, Tiln La, Retford, DN22 6SW, Tel: 01777 702948
Clarborough County Primary School, Church La, Clarborough
Retford, DN22 9NA, Tel: 01777 703352
Elizabethan High School, Hallcroft Rd, Retford, DN22 7PY, Tel: 01777 713700
Ordsall Primary School, Ordsall Rd, Retford, DN22 7SL, Tel: 01777 702852

TAKE AWAY FOOD

Bridgegate Salad Bar, 6 Bridgegate, Retford, DN22 6AA, Tel: 01777 708167
Delicia Pizza, 20 West St, Retford, DN22 6ES, Tel: 01777 860688
Jims Take Away, 93-95 High St, Retford, DN22 7TZ, Tel: 01777 709489
Lucky Days, 20 Bridgegate, Retford, DN22 6AA, Tel: 01777 709818
KFC, 5 Market Pl, Retford, DN22 6DR, Tel: 01777 711616
USA Chicken & Pizzas, 4 Coronation St, Retford, DN22 6DX, Tel: 01777 719700

TAXI'S

Capital Cabs, 39 Claters Cl, Retford, DN22 6QE, Tel: 01777 700888
D J Taxis, 43 Grove St, Retford, DN22 6LA, Tel: 01777 701066
Emmas Cab Service, 33 Windsor Rd, Retford, DN22 7QU, Tel: 01777 701240
Mainline Taxis, Grove La, Retford, DN22 0PJ, Tel: 01777 708888
Malcolms, Beardsalls Row, Retford, DN22 6JX, Tel: 01777 703333
Retford Taxis, 54 Wharton St, Retford, DN22 7EH, Tel: 01777 700777
Shelleys, 43 Grove St, Retford, DN22 6LA, Tel: 01777 700108
Vals Cars, 71 Cobwell Rd, Retford, DN22 7DD, Tel: 01777 709098

Retford's old station house bed and breakfast was originally the first ever train station at East Retford in Nottinghamshire. The building itself dates from the 1840's and has been lovingly renovated by the current owners to provide quality accomodation with a 'home from home' atmosphere.
Station house is ideally situated in quite a central location of Retford with the train station, the newly refurbished coach station and the town centre all only a five minute walk away. It is also in a central location of the east midlands and within easy reach of all major road networks. The A1 is 5 minutes away and the M1 around 25 minutes which makes old station house an ideal stopping place for travellers bordering Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Leicestershire in the east midlands.
Retford's station house bed and breakfast is also within easy reach of local tourist areas such as sherwood forest, Lincoln, Newark on Trent, Creswell crags and Scrooby tours to name a few. Station house is also only 20 minutes from the robin hood airport.
Retford itself prides itself on the excellent train service available, being on the main east coast line, Retford to Londons king cross station is a one and a half hour journey and approximatley the same to Edinburgh, Retford is also on the Sheffield to Lincoln line making Retford train station ideally situated for travel in the 'heart of England'.
Retford's old station house bed and breakfast offers a large parking area with secure gates and cctv as well as a large garden area which is open for all visitors to enjoy. They also pride themselves with high quality standards in all areas, including cleanliness, accomodation, food and health and safety. The proprietors have a vast experience of staying in bed and breakfast accomodation and therefore they understand how to create the type of accomodation that patrons seek.
The old station house proprietors live on site making them readily available to welcome guests, providing for each individuals needs and they have completed all the relevant training courses such as food and hygene and attend regular update courses.
The accomodation available comprises of 2 x family rooms, 1 x double room, 1 x twin room and 1 x single room, some with en-suite, the others have shared bathroom facilities and all rooms have tv's, tea and coffee making facilities and towels with laundry service. The breakfast / lounge boasts a 42" flat screen tv, games, internet access and books available as well as snacks upon request and they can fully cater for any special dietary requirements when notice is given.
Old station house has a disabled ramp entrance to the building with 1 room available on the ground floor for anyone with disabilities.
For more information please call Phil or Nickie on (01777) 702296 who will gladly assist you further.