Littleborough, Nottinghamshire

Littleborough, Nottinghamshire is a small village and former civil parish situated in the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England. It lies on the east bank of the River Trent, approximately 5 miles north of the market town of East Retford. Historically significant as a Roman settlement and river crossing point, the village is noted for its archaeological remains and its position within the Trent Valley.

History

The site of Littleborough has been inhabited since the Roman era, when it was known as *Segelocum* or *Agelocum*, a station on the Roman road of Ermine Street where it crossed the River Trent. This crossing was a vital link between Lincoln (*Lindum Colonia*) and York (*Eboracum*). Archaeological investigations have uncovered evidence of a substantial Roman settlement, including a fort, a vicus, and a suspected mansio. Following the Roman departure from Britain, the area continued to be occupied, with the Anglo-Saxons establishing a village. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the settlement was recorded as *Litleburg*, held by Roger de Busli. Throughout the medieval period, its importance was largely tied to the river crossing, which was eventually superseded by the bridge at Dunham on Trent. The parish was historically part of the Bassetlaw Wapentake and was absorbed into the civil parish of Sturton le Steeple in the 20th century.

Geography

Littleborough is located in north Nottinghamshire, within the Trent Valley. The village sits on a slight rise on the eastern floodplain of the River Trent, opposite the confluence with the River Idle. The surrounding landscape is predominantly flat, agricultural land, characteristic of the wider Humberhead Levels region. The underlying geology consists of alluvial deposits from the Trent, overlying Triassic mudstones and sandstones. The parish boundary is largely defined by the course of the River Trent to the west and south, with neighbouring settlements including Sturton le Steeple to the east and Marnham to the north. The area is part of the wider Nottinghamshire county governed by Bassetlaw District Council.

Landmarks

The primary historical landmark is the site of the Roman settlement of *Segelocum*, a scheduled monument. While above-ground remains are minimal, the archaeological significance is considerable. The medieval Church of England parish church, dedicated to Saint George, is a Grade II listed building constructed in 1841, replacing an earlier structure. It stands within a small churchyard and is built in a simple Gothic Revival style. A notable earthwork known as "The Castles" is located south of the village, which may be the remains of a medieval moated site or fishponds associated with the local manor. The village is also proximate to the Chesterfield Canal, a late 18th-century waterway engineered by James Brindley, which runs to the east.

Transport

Historically, transport was dominated by the river and the Roman road. The modern village is accessed via minor roads linking it to the A57 road at Sturton le Steeple and to Dunham on Trent. The former Lincolnshire railway line, which ran between Lincoln and Retford, passed to the east of the village; Littleborough had its own railway station, which opened in 1849 and closed in 1964. The station building survives as a private residence. The East Coast Main Line runs approximately 3 miles to the east. The River Trent itself remains a navigable waterway, though the historic crossing point is no longer in use for vehicular traffic.

Notable people

While a small settlement, Littleborough has connections to several individuals of note. The village was the birthplace of John Bramley (1779–1825), a noted agriculturalist and developer of the Bramley's Seedling apple at nearby Southwell. In the 19th century, the Reverend John Lowndes (1796–1865), a cleric and antiquarian who contributed to studies of Nottinghamshire history, served as the rector of Littleborough. The area is also associated with the Lumley-Saunderson family, who held the Scarbrough title and owned significant estates in the region, including land around Littleborough.

Category:Villages in Nottinghamshire Category:Bassetlaw District Category:Civil parishes in Nottinghamshire