Stainforth | |
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The New Inn on the bank of the Stainforth and Keadby Canal |
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Stainforth shown within South Yorkshire | |
Population | 6,282 (2011) |
OS grid reference | SE646115 |
Civil parish |
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Metropolitan borough | |
Metropolitan county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | DONCASTER |
Postcode district | DN7 |
Dialling code | 01302 |
Police | South Yorkshire |
Fire | South Yorkshire |
Ambulance | Yorkshire |
EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
UK Parliament | |
Stainforth is a small town and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster, in South Yorkshire, England. It is around 7 miles (11 km) north-east of Doncaster, close to Hatfield and Thorne. It has a population of 6,342, reducing slightly to 6,282 at the 2011 Census.
The place-name means 'stony ford' from Old English stanig 'stony' and ford 'ford'. Its name was recorded as 'Stenforde' in Domesday Book in 1086 and is later recorded as 'Staneforde' in 1428.
Stainforth was established in the Anglo Saxon period and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086), as a small settlement of 7 households. In 1066 it was under Earl Harold, but after the Norman Conquest it was given by William the Conqueror to William of (de) Warenne. In 1348, Stainforth received a Royal Charter, entitling it to hold a weekly market on Fridays and an annual ten-day fair. The town briefly thrived as a commercial centre and port and attracted traders from as far afield as the Isle of Axholme, but the market soon slumped as Bawtry grew in importance. In 1595 Edward Darcy received from four trustees acting for the previous owner the manor of Stainforth Underbargh and 20 dwelling houses with lands there. He was Groom of the Chamber to Elizabeth I and was knighted eight years later.
Stainforth railway station opened on 7 July 1856 and closed on 1 October 1866. The town is now served by Hatfield and Stainforth railway station.