Gainsborough Old Hall

Gainsborough Old Hall Medieval Manor House

Gainsborough Old Hall in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, is more than 500 years old and one of the best-preserved medieval manor houses in England.

📖📚WORDFEST! 📚📖Saturday September 12th.Gainsborough Town is once more hosting the brilliant Wordfest. A day full of celeb...
07/09/2026

📖📚WORDFEST! 📚📖
Saturday September 12th.

Gainsborough Town is once more hosting the brilliant Wordfest. A day full of celebrations to word- theatre, storytelling, poetry and all things literacy! Events take place across various venues around town, suitable for all ages and all completely FREE.

So, what do we have for you at Gainsborough Old Hall?
🕙10am-1pm: Illuminated Letters Workshop. Join our craft club volunteers and create your very own illuminated letter on canvas, inspired by medieval manuscripts. All materials provided and you can take your creation home at the end of the session. Suitable for ages 15+. BOOKING ESSENTIAL.

🕜1:30pm: Lincolnshire: Home of Poets. Local writer Helen Hagon takes us through a journey of Lincolnshire's own poets. Hear about Thomas Miller, Thomas Cooper, Mabel Peacock and Jean Ingelow. Plus more, including someone called Tennyson? 🤔A celebration of local voices.

🕒3pm: Poetry with Paul Sutherland. Join Canadian-British poet Paul for an afternoon of poetry and reflection. He will share with us a collection of his finest work, exploring themes drawn from the world's major religious traditions, alongside the beauty and transformative power of nature. An engaging and thought provoking event that allows you to hear a poet's work in his own voice and the meaning behind the works.

All of these events take place in our Education Room and are FREE! Please note, these events do not give you access to the Hall but admission tickets can be purchased on our website or at the desk on the day.

Follow the links below for full information on 'WordFest' on Discover Gainsborough's website and to book your place at our Illuminated Letters Workshop.

📅🌟SEPTEMBER EVENTS🌟📅We have some exciting things coming up this month, so here's a quick rundown!📚Saturday 12th- WORDFES...
05/09/2026

📅🌟SEPTEMBER EVENTS🌟📅

We have some exciting things coming up this month, so here's a quick rundown!

📚Saturday 12th- WORDFEST
This is a Gainsborough Town event with 15+ events all in one day, completely free! We shall host some of these events in our Education Room.

🏰Sunday 20th- HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
We once again take part in the nationwide event that opens up historic and cultural events for anyone to experience for 10 days. On Sunday we will be open for FREE!

🚗Sunday 27th- CLASSIC CARS
The brilliant Lincs & Louth Motor Club will once again bring their pride and joys to our grounds. A free outdoor event.

More information and details on these events will be posted as we go so keep an eye out for those. But for now, mark down the dates and we'll see you there!

⭐️WHAT'S ON⭐️Here's a reminder for talks happening over the next few days. 📆Friday 4th: 🎲10-12 Board Games Club. FREE to...
03/09/2026

⭐️WHAT'S ON⭐️

Here's a reminder for talks happening over the next few days.

📆Friday 4th:
🎲10-12 Board Games Club. FREE to join, in our café. Play with other likeminded people, great for socialising.

🗣11am. Spotlight talk on Elizabeth Burgh and tale of 'the grey lady'. Short and informative. Included in general admission.

📆Saturday 5th:
🗣12pm. Medieval Kitchen tour. Learn the ins and outs of what kitchen life was like back in the day. Always a favourite! Included in general admission.

📆Sunday 6th:
🗣1pm. Rick's medieval graffiti tour. A brilliant and intriguing tour taking you around the building, pointing out the graffiti and marks left by inhabitants and visitors of years gone by. Limited to 10 spaces. First come first served. Reserve your place upon admission.

Alongside these we have our great new interpretation and family fun activities around the house, from dressing up to games. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions between talks. As always, a reminder that our café is open to all, there is no need to be a paying visitor to come and see us.

Prebook now to save 15% on day tickets or join English Heritage with a membership and visit as many times as you want all year round.

📆THIS WEEK📆 It's the last few days of summer holidays. If you're looking for something to fill in those final days with ...
31/08/2026

📆THIS WEEK📆

It's the last few days of summer holidays. If you're looking for something to fill in those final days with the kids, or you find yourselves twidling your thumbs after they go back, we still have a great selection of talks and activities to tempt you with.

📆Wednesday 2nd:
🎨10-2- Our FINAL Mermaid's Adventure craft session. Finish her story off by dropping in and getting creative. FREE in the education room.

📆Thursday 3rd:
🗣11:30am & 2:30pm- Spotlight talks on medieval brick making. Short and informative. Included in general admission.

📆Friday 4th:
🎲10-12- Board Games Club. FREE to join, in our café. Play with other likeminded people, great for socialising.

🗣11am. Spotlight talk on Elizabeth Burgh and tale of 'the grey lady'. Short and informative. Included in general admission.

📆Saturday 5th:
🗣12pm. Medieval Kitchen tour. Learn the ins and outs of what kitchen life was like back in the day. Always a favourite! Included in general admission.

📆Sunday 6th:
🗣1pm- Rick's medieval graffiti tour. A brilliant and intriguing tour taking you around the building, pointing out the graffiti and marks left by inhabitants and visitors of years gone by. Limited to 10 spaces. First come first served. Reserve your place upon admission.

Alongside these we have our great new interpretation and family fun activities around the house, from dressing up to games. Volunteers will be on hand on various days too to answer questions and chat to along the way. As always, a reminder that our café is open to all, there is no need to be a paying visitor to come and see us.

Prebook now to save 15% on day tickets or join English Heritage with a membership and visit as many times as you want all year round.

🖼 HAVE A GO SESSIONS: drawing 🖼Throughout August, our volunteers are putting on craft tasters for adults. These will be ...
28/08/2026

🖼 HAVE A GO SESSIONS: drawing 🖼

Throughout August, our volunteers are putting on craft tasters for adults. These will be simple but useful and fun crafts for people to have a go at in a laid back atmosphere.

Our next session takes place on Saturday, August 29th, 10-2!

Join our volunteers as they show you the basics of creating silhouettes using pencil and acrylics. Simple but oh so effective!

Located in our Education Room this is FREE and does not require admission to the Hall. Drop in between 10 and 1:30 to have a go.

All upcoming sessions:
✅️🔹️3rd August- Sewing/Scented bags
✅️🔹️17th August- Knitting
✅️🔹️22nd August- Weaving
➡️🔹️29th August- Drawing

Please remember these are set up for adults and not suitable for our younger guests. All skill levels are welcome but the sessions are tailored to absolute beginners.

🗣FOHA First Tuesday Lecture- SEPTEMBER 1st🗣The next 'Friends of Gainsborough Old Hall Association' talk to take place is...
26/08/2026

🗣FOHA First Tuesday Lecture- SEPTEMBER 1st🗣

The next 'Friends of Gainsborough Old Hall Association' talk to take place is titled: Nicholaa de la Haye- The Woman Who Saved England, with Sharon Bennett Conolly.

Sharon is a popular local author and has published 9 (very soon to be 10!) books including 'Heroines of the Medieval World' and 'Ladies of Magna Carter'. Her books have appeared in online retailers bestsellers lists on multiple occasions. Now she details the lady of her passion Nicholaa de la Haye, defender of Lincoln castle and England, in a special evening at Gainsborough Old Hall.

Sharon will bring a range of her books for you to purchase and have signed on the evening too.

Anyone can attend this talk which takes place on site here at Gainsborough Old Hall. Doors open at 7pm and the lecture begins at 7:30pm. Entry available on the door at £4 and includes light refreshments.
Further information and contact details available on request.

🎨🧜‍♀️Only 2 weeks left!🧜‍♀️🎨Our frieze workshop is coming along very nicely. So far our mermaid has enjoyed time with he...
25/08/2026

🎨🧜‍♀️Only 2 weeks left!🧜‍♀️🎨

Our frieze workshop is coming along very nicely. So far our mermaid has enjoyed time with her underwater friends, met pirates AND dinosaurs! 🏴‍☠️🦖

What will she do next?

Finish her story in our FREE drop in workshop tomorrow between 10 and 2.

Can't make tomorrow? Our final week is next Wednesday 2nd September. This does not require admission to the Hall but can be a lovely bonus to a full day visit with us.

🖼Something is LOOMing....🖼Drop in right up until 1:30 to try something new!! Professional looms for weaving with a talen...
22/08/2026

🖼Something is LOOMing....🖼

Drop in right up until 1:30 to try something new!! Professional looms for weaving with a talented instructor Niz.

Here's one she made earlier 😉

Find our volunteers in the education room and try a new craft, free of charge.

🖼 HAVE A GO SESSIONS: weaving 🖼Throughout August, our volunteers are putting on craft tasters for adults. These will be ...
21/08/2026

🖼 HAVE A GO SESSIONS: weaving 🖼

Throughout August, our volunteers are putting on craft tasters for adults. These will be simple but useful and fun crafts for people to have a go at in a laid back atmosphere.

Our next session takes place on Saturday, August 22nd, 10-2!

Join our volunteers as they show you the basics of weaving. A lovely and interesting craft.

Located in our Education Room this is FREE and does not require admission to the Hall. Drop in between 10 and 1:30 to have a go.

All upcoming sessions:
✅️🔹️3rd August- Sewing/Scented bags
✅️🔹️17th August- Knitting
➡️🔹️22nd August- Weaving
🔹️29th August- Drawing

Please remember these are set up for adults and not suitable for our younger guests.

"PLEASE SIR, I WANT SOME MORE..."Thank you for the amazing donations of books we've had so far but luckily (or, unluckil...
21/08/2026

"PLEASE SIR, I WANT SOME MORE..."

Thank you for the amazing donations of books we've had so far but luckily (or, unluckily) they've flown back out just as quickly as they've come in!

If you are having a clear out, please consider us as your drop off point.

We are especially looking for:
📖Children's books (all age ranges)
📖Sci-fi & fantasy
📖History (fiction and non fiction)
📖Craft/hobby books
📖General popular fiction

We ask that books donated are in good condition and published not too long ago- this pertains to non fiction books being slightly outdated.

You can drop off any time between 10 and 4 at the main till point in the shop.

Thank you for your continued support with our secondhand bookshop, and remember it is open for all to browse with books starting at 50p!

Address

Parnell Street
Gainsborough
DN212NB

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441427677348

Website

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