Located just eight miles south-east of Doncaster, Bawtry has a reputation for being an attractive and vibrant place to live. Often referred to as the ‘Gateway to Yorkshire’,last year it was voted one of the ‘Top 25 Places to Buy a House’ by the Sunday Times – and with good reason. 

Visitors can expect genteel Georgian architecture and an abundance of independent boutiques, cosy cafes, restaurants, artisan experts, cocktail bars and local pubs, not to mention a thriving community scene.

It was in 2011 that a group of Bawtry retailers decided to join forces to promote the town as a premier destination, both locally and nationally, for shopping, socialising and business. Since then, the Bawtry Retail Association (BRA) has gathered momentum and today finds itself with a dynamic retail association which works for the benefit of all members of which there are currently over 60.

Chaired by Ross Jarvie, BRA hosts a series of events throughout the year, including Bawtry Arts Festival, which is run by the Bawtry Arts Festival Group whom BRA support, two Classic and Sports Car Festivals, and a Christmas Time Event.

The White Hart on Swan Street is the oldest surviving pub in Bawtry dating back to 1689 – the older Swan Inn (also on Swan Street) is still intact, though converted to other uses.

“We liaise with other business organisations in the town and invite them to speak to our members to provide news, updates and useful information,” said Ross.

“These include Bawtry Town Council (BTC) Doncaster Council, Doncaster Chamber of Commerce and Doncaster Racecourse. We have also forged a link with our local primary school, Mayflower, situated in the town.

“Whilst the aim is to drive forward the day and night time economy of Bawtry we realise that by working with partners in the Doncaster area we can achieve more together which is mutually beneficial in placing Bawtry and Doncaster on the map.”

Alongside the wealth of retail and hospitality businesses, Bawtry is home to two award-winning wedding venues, as well as its own hotel, and arts and culture is covered by the Phoenix Theatre, home to Bawtry Dramatic Society. Long-standing business include Yasmine, which celebrated 50 years last month, and Yorkshire Caravans and Motorhomes, which first started trading 93 years ago.

Historically, Bawtry’s origins can be traced back to Roman times, when it was an important settlement on the road between Doncaster and Lincoln. In 616 AD, the Anglo-Saxon King Aethelfrith died in battle against Raedwald, King of East Anglia, by the River Idle at Bawtry. 

Evidence suggests that St Nicholas’s Church was first erected around the 12th century, a time when the area was called Baltry (it became Bautre in the 17th century). While the village originally lay in Nottinghamshire, boundary changes before the Norman conquest moved it just inside the West Riding of Yorkshire.

The town grew as a river port and as a local commercial centre and stopping point between Doncaster and Retford. By the mid-14th century, the port was exporting wool and other items overseas. Meanwhile, the Hospital of St Mary Magdalene was founded, which survived until the 18th century.

In more recent times, Bawtry Hall was the base for RAF No.1 Group Bomber Command during and after the Second World War and became the headquarters of RAF Strike Command. 

RAF Bawtry became the centre of the RAF Meteorological Service for many years and ceased military operations in 1986.

To find out more about Bawtry, click here.