market town with independent shopping and annual horse fair
The first settlement at Brigg was at an ancient ford over the River Ancholme. The town grew sufficiently to be granted a market charter by King John – of Magna Carta fame – in 1204. Both this and the right to hold the famous Brigg Fair were reaffirmed in 1235. The weekly market is still popular, as is the monthly Farmers’ Market. In fact Brigg is noted for its independent shops and search the courts and yards to find the more unusual shops. The town hosts a yearly horse fair on the first Saturday of August. Large numbers of Romani and Irish Travellers come from across England to socialise and buy and sell horses.
SPECIAL TO Brigg
- Independent shops and markets
- Ancholme Valley Walk
things to do in the Brigg area
Forest Pines Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort by The QHotels Collection
Medieval Maze and Victorian Splendour Cycle Route
Play Avenue – Role Play Centre
Far Ings National Nature Reserve Birdwatching
Messingham Sand Quarry Birdwatching
Messingham Sand Quarry Nature Reserve
‘Tails’ of the Riverbank Cycle Route
In Search of the Lost Don Cycle Route
Iron and Agriculture Cycle Route
Mysteries of the Marshes Cycle Route
Sandhills and Windmills Cycle Route
Did you know?
Brigg was once the haunt of smugglers taking French brandy down the River Ancholme to Brandy Wharf just a few miles south.
The Ancholme Valley Walk is a 10 mile path between Brigg and South Ferriby and suitable for walkers and cyclists. The old town hall – now known as the Buttercross was built in 1817. The Brigg Heritage Centre is on the first floor of The Angel, a former 17th century coaching inn. Star exhibit is the Bronze Age ‘Raft’ found nearby in the River Ancholme.
nearby
Elsham Hall
Nearby Elsham Hall has beautiful lakeside gardens, an adventure playground and animal farm.
places to stay near Brigg
Did you know?
The Exchange is a grade II listed hotel in the centre of Brigg. Originally known as The Old House it was sold in 1862 and became a school.
In 1910 it was purchased by a group of wealthy farmers for use as a social club and renamed The Exchange. In 1944 The Exchange hosted Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who was on a morale building visit to the nearby Scunthorpe Steelworks. The hotel has recently been painstakingly restored.
more about the North Countryside
Discover more information about things to do, food and drink and places to stay in the area.