The ancient village of Sprotbrough lies on a hill about three miles from Doncaster by the River Don. In the centre is St Mary's Church, (the foundation of which dates to the 1170s); The Old Rectory, and one of the few buildings remaining from Sprotbrough Hall, The Estate House. While Sprotbrough has expanded with new developments there still remain the village school and a number of old cottages on Main Street,
The Ivanhoe stands at the crossroads and is set by the cricket field which Samuel Smith Brewery purchased in 1926. It has a wonderful view of the church and is a very popular venue.
Lower Sprotbrough lies beside Sprotbrough Cut, the short stretch of canal which enables river traffic to bypass Sprotbrough Falls through the lock on the eastern side of the bridge. The hamlet comprises five cottages and the Boat Inn where Sir Walter Scott is reputed to have stayed when he was inspired to write the novel Ivanhoe. The river was crossed by a ferry until 1848 when the bridge was built and tolls were collected until 1888.
Both Sprotbrough Post Office on Thorpe Lane an
d The House of Flowers display and sell a changing selection of my paintings and cards.
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