The North Lincolnshire town of Brigg is highly unusual in that it only has one train a day in each direction. Northern Rail run a daily service from Sheffield to Cleethorpes, calling at Brigg at 1108, with the return journey calling at 1349. The route crosses the East Coast Main Line at Retford, which is the best place to change when visiting from the north east. The Independent Brigg Line Rail Group promote the town but whilst a visit of 2 hours 41 minutes might be too short, an overnight stay arriving Monday to Thursday might be a tad too long!
There is an interesting windmill at Wrawby, but it’s only available at weekends when there are no trains. Thursday is market day, and I managed to find a day when Scawby Hall, two miles west of the town, was open to visitors. It was a fairly early start as few LNER trains stop at Retford, where I had breakfast, and walked back to the station ready for the 1028 departure from the low level platforms to Brigg. On arrival, I walked into town and checked in and left my bag at the Exchange Hotel, which has a sports bar named Henrys, saloon bar named The Doghouse, and an associated Italian restaurant on the main street. I found the Thursday market in moderate swing, although some of the stalls were not in use even though they clearly stay erected all week, despoiling the view of the frontages.
Having walked the length of the market, I continued west over the town bridge, first built in 1236, and enjoyed a refreshing pint at the Yarborough Hunt. I had a tour of Scawby Hall booked for 1400. There was a Hornsby’s bus, the 94, which got to Scawby at 1350 but as I didn’t know where I was going I decided to walk the two miles and get there early. The last part of the walk was through parkland but there was a signsaying “Bull in Field”. My wife thought I was a wuss for not walking through the field anyway, but I chose caution and went three sides round a rectangle. For my trouble only arrived a few minutes beforethe bus!
Scawby Hall is a stunning Jacobean manor house built in 1603 by Richard Nelthorpe, Scawby Hall has remained in the Nelthorpe family ever since. A Grade I listed building, recognized for its architectural and historical importance, the house has evolved over centuries, with additions and remodels reflecting the tastes of successive generations. There is fine art, antique furniture, and porcelain collections, many of which tell stories of the Nelthorpe family through portraits and heirlooms. Afterwards there were refreshments offers at St Hybald’s Church in the village, after which I made a return trip as the only passenger on the 94 bus to Brigg.
Exploring more of Brigg, I chose the Mint Indian restaurant for a meal in the evening. Surprisingly in the morning there was no breakfast, and I had to wait until after 0900 to try the Atrium next to the fascinating Brigg Heritage Centre which features an ancient timber raft perhaps used as a ferry across the Axholme River before the bridge was built. The heritage centre also has interesting exhibitions commemorating VE Day and VJ Day, and after a walk on some of the riverside paths I elected for lunch at Little Italy in College Yard which was delicious and in the open air. I passed the depressing sounding Dying Gladiator, pictured, on my way to the station but they did not offer any of my preferred cask ale so I waited, parched, for my returning train.
