Visit the
ROOTS REGION

This corner of middle England, where the counties of Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire meet, is an area steeped in history and alive with tradition. We realise visitors will have many varied interests in addition to tracing the footsteps of the Mayflower Pilgrims and here you will find a small sample of area highlights. Allow us to create bespoke itineraries for you and pass on our recommendations based on personal experience.
Opening times:
Monday – Saturday 10 am – 4.45 pm
Last admission 4.30 pm
We are closed on Sundays, Christmas and Bank Holidays except May Day Bank Holiday.
Our address is:
Bassetlaw Museum
Amcott House,
40 Grove Street,
Retford DN22 6LD
We are located on Grove Street, Retford, a short walk from the Market Square. Car parking is restricted to 30 min outside the museum. Blue badge holders can use designated on road parking for a whole day. The nearest pay and display long stay car parks are located on Chapelgate (DN22 6PL), New Street (DN22 6EA) and Churchgate (DN22 6PA).
Retford is well served by road and public transport. There is a regular bus service from Doncaster, Gainsborough and Worksop. The bus station is a 5 minute walk from the museum. Retford is also conveniently placed on the East Coast Main Line and the railway station is approximately 20 minute walk from the museum.
The ground floor of the museum, Percy Laws Gallery, Pilgrims Gallery and the Rural Heritage Centre are accessible to wheelchair users.
Admission to the museum is free. For more detailed information, visit the Bassetlaw Museum website.
We recommend allowing at least two hours to complete your visit to the Museum, the Rural Heritage Centre and Pilgrims Gallery and completing your visit to Retford by taking a short stroll over to St Swithun’s Church where you can learn more about the Separatists who chose to stay in Nottinghamshire and try to influence the Church from within. Most notable of these was George Turvin, Vicar of East Retford and Rector of Babworth, you can learn more about him on the interpretation board outside St Swithun’s Church or visit the stories section on this website.

Visit
LINCOLN

Visit
LINCOLN

Discover
GAINSBOROUGH

Discover
GAINSBOROUGH

Visit
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Visit
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Visit
DONCASTER

Visit
DONCASTER

Pilgrims GALLERY

An exciting and innovative new gallery has opened at Bassetlaw Museum in Retford, celebrating the life of William Brewster, one of the District’s most famous sons.

The Pilgrims Gallery is part of a £750,000 National Lottery-funded project which commemorates the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage to America in 1620.

Pilgrim TRAIL

The Pilgrims Trail links heritage sites with special connections to the Mayflower Pilgrims' story in North Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire. A 40-mile circular route highlights the key places where some of the leading Pilgrims lived, worked and prayed before they began their new lives in Holland and America.