Thorpe Salvin Garden Trail

26th & 27th July 2008 10am-6pm Last Entry 4pm Adults £4, Children Free
Home     Village     Garden Trail     News     Contact Us      
The Salvains     The Sandfords     The Osbornes      
About Thorpe Salvin
 
The Normans, Ivanhoe, and Robin Hood
The name Thorpe derives from the Norse for an outlying farmstead, while Salvin refers to 13th century lord of the manor Ralph Salvain. There are earlier references to the settlement though, including a mention in the Domesday Book as Rynkenild Thorp, part of Roger De Busli's Laughton en le Morthen estate. This name refers to the settlement's place on the Roman road of Rynkenild Street, now Packman Lane.
 
Thorpe Hall
As well as the fabulous gardens, Thorpe Salvin is also home to Thorpe Hall, built in 1570 and said to be the inspiration for "Torquilstone" in the novel "Ivanhoe" by Sir Walter Scott.  According to the story, Ivanhoe is imprisoned in Tourquilstone before being released by King Richard the Lionheart and Robin Hood.  The now ruined mansion was built for Henry Sandford who died in 1582. Heraldic panels on the gatehouse point to the date of construction being 1565-82.

In 1636, the hall was bought by Edward Osborne. When his descendant Thomas Osborne became Duke of Leeds, he moved out to a grander property in Kiveton Park, and the hall fell into disuse. It was partially demolished in the 1820s, with only the south front now remaining.
 
St Peter's Church
The rectangular-towered parish church of St Peter, a predominantly 12th-century structure with 15th-century additions, is emblazoned with Norman carvings, and has been nominated among England's 1,000 best churches.
 
St. Peter's is remarkable for its handsome Saxon Doorway. In the interior is a very curious stone Font, into which are carved figures representing the seasons of the year. Winter is figured by an old man warming himself before a fire in a chimney; Spring, by one riding out a hawking; Summer by a man reaping corn and bundling it up into sheaves; and Autumn, by a husbandman sowing seed. Other carvings depict the ceremony of Baptism with the parents and sponsors.
 
The Parish Oven
As one of the Britain in Bloom judges noted on visting Thorpe Salvin, "In the true spirit of the British village everything seems to happen in the church or the local hostelry."  Voted 'Pub of the Season' for winter 2007 by the Rotheram Campaign for Real Ale, the Parish Oven offers the best in local food and drink all year round.
 
How to Find Us
 
Thorpe Salvin is easily accessible from the M1. Click on the map below or the 'Driving Directions' link for more information.
 
Need More Information?
 
Use the form below to get in touch.
 
* First name (required):

* Last name (required):
* E-mail address (required):

Phone number:
* Message (required):