With a population of around 5,200, Tickhill is a small market town rich in history, situated 8 miles south of the city of Doncaster and close to the border of Nottinghamshire. The river Torne passes close to the South-East of the town, forming the border with Nottinghamshire.

Tickhill is a modern thriving community with a wide selection of shops and businesses, pubs, wine bars, restaurants and cafes. There are over thirty groups and societies, two modern primary schools, as well as excellent pre-school nursery and activities. The Town has a GP surgery and two dental surgeries supported by hospitals in Doncaster, Worksop and Mexborough.

Surrounded by open countryside, Tickhill has many scenic walks and the circular town walk takes in many of the historic sights. The town was once known as the 'Gateway to the North' because the origional road to The North (predecessor to the A1) passed through the dangers of Sherwood Forest before entering Yorkshire at Tickhill. The town has maintained it's important links to the rest of the UK and abroad, since it lies at the junction of two main arterial routes with easy access to Doncaster railway station. Doncaster railway station itself stands at a major rail crossroads with direct links to both the East coast and Manchester, and London to Edinburgh.

For visitors to the Town, Tickhill has a shopper's car park located behind the main row of shops on St Mary's Road, where there are EV charging points and disablility bays. 

Tickhill is full of history and the local Arts Dukeries have recently put together the Tickhill Children's Town Trail which will take you from Castlegate at the junction with St Mary's Gate and around the town, guiding you to many interesting features, following the sucess of this in 2023, they introduced their first Church Trail leading the visitor round the Church, asking many questions about local history, architure and the stained glass windows. Both trails are suitable for children aged 8 to 12 and make great holiday activities.  

If you are thinking about vising or moving to Tickhill, click the following link for a map and directions to the Town. GOOGLE MAP 

During the middle ages, Tickhill was the second most important town after Doncaster in what is now South Yorkshire. The Doomsday Book lists the settlement under the former estate at Dadsley, which now lies on the Northern edge of the town. Dadsley was served by a church situated at All Hallows Hill but by 1361 this had been downgraded to a chapel which was razed by the mid 17th century when it was no longer used following the English Reformation. 

Dating from the early 12th Century, St Mary's Church is a grade 1 listed Anglian church, built with local magnesian limestone to replace the disused chapel at Dadsley. Described as one of the finest medieval churches in Yorkshire, Henry I granted the right to present vicars to Tickhill and to have the great tithes of  the parish of the Prior of Nostell between 1121 and 1127. In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the church was considerably extended both upwards and outwards. The large west tower is 128 feet (39m) high and has recently undergone extensive restoration, it contains 8 bells, the oldest of which dates back to 1726, a special feature is the carillon installed in 1896 which can ring a different tune every 4 hours. 

In the heart of the town, stands The Buttercross. Erected in the Market Place in 1777 in an attempt to revive the weekly market, The Buttercross was where local farmers sold their produce, however the market failed to survive and had ceased by 1800

 

The Mill Dam, know to many local residents as the duck pond is situated close to the castle. At it's foot is the last of the town's four water mills to survive. The mill building, a grade II listed building, dates back to the 13th century and retains many of it's origional features, including some of the mill workings. Today it is a private residence.

The Parish Room - This half-timber fronted building is the last survivor of many monastic institutions in the town. It was once St Leonard's Hospital and is believed to have been a leper hospital. Today it is used as a Parish room and can be hired for private functions.

In the early 18th and 19th centuries, Tickhill was a significant crossing of two turnpike roads, East to West and North to South. The Red Lion was a typical coaching inn, with accommodation for both guests and staff either side of the coach entrance into a bustling yard. Mail coaches between London and Glasgow called twice a week at The Red Lion which remained a public house until the early 1990's. The Red Lion and it's courtyard are now Jamps restaurant and St Mary's shopping precinct.

Over the years Tickhill has had it's fair share of large imposing houses, some of which remain today. Some of the most significant buildings were Tickhill Friary, The Vicarage, Lindrick House, Rock House and Sandrock House. Amongst other interesting houses were Sunderland House and St Leonards. 

More about the history of Tickhill, along with many photo's of the town over the years can be found by visiting The Tickhill History Society website. 

There are many historic buildings and items of heritage value in Tickhill which have been damaged and lost over the years and we have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to photograph, earmark and list some of these and have even secured grants to restore and preserve some. In March 2023 we signed up to The South Yorkshire Local Heritage List, which aims to register heritage assets that contribute to the distinctiveness and history of South Yorkshire but are not protected by statutory national designations. 

A full list of the items listed so far can be viewed on The South Yorkshire Heritage List website