Heritage Trail
Goadby Marwood
Your Heritage Trail adventure starts at our pretty Grade II listed village hall where you can plan your route and pick up a handy map leaflet. As you follow the trail, scan the QR codes at each location to learn about some of the fascinating characters from Goadby Marwood’s past. Discover the stories of clever inventors, brave soldiers, and even a daring spy who once caused quite a stir! Each location will reveal a little more about the people who lived here long ago — who they were, where they lived, what they did.
This gentle route has been carefully designed to guide you through the most historic and beautiful parts of the village whilst respecting the privacy of those who live here. Please follow the indicated route at all times, and avoid entering any gardens, unmarked lanes, or private driveways.
The main trail route passes through a grassy paddock and across uneven ground so make sure you have appropriate footwear. For a more accessible trail follow the alternative route. Leave the village hall and head towards St Denys’ church. On the left you will find the Old Rectory—the first stop on your heritage adventure.
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Here you will learn about Edmund Cartwright, a rural rector with a poetic soul, he dared to reimagine how cloth was made, and in doing so, helped weave the fabric of the modern world.
From here, make your way to the church to download your next QR code. Our church is always open so if you have the time, why not take a peek inside.
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Our beautiful parish church is Grade I listed and is one of only 46 churches in the country dedicated to St. Denys, first Bishop of Paris and patron saint of France. Listen as Rev. Hubert Collyer describes the church and talks about his life of service to the village throughout the turmoil of the Second World War.
Continue along Main Steet following the boundary wall of Goadby Hall. At the corner, turn left into Towns Lane and continue until you reach the hall gates. Here you’ll step into centuries of history as you listen to three notable past residents recount their fascinating lives.
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From the moment George Villiers caught the eye of King James I, his ascent from minor gentry to the Duke of Buckingham became a dazzling study in ambition, favour, and the perilous seduction of power. Listen to George as he reflects on his life from beyond the grave.
John Manners, Marquis of Granby, was a celebrated British general and popular war hero whose generosity and military success made his name a byword for honour and benevolence. Scan the QR code to hear more about his exploits
Monica Sheriff and Elvira Chaudoir shared a secret love affair—one bound by passion and shadowed by the dangerous duplicity of Elvira’s life as a spy. Listen as Monica recalls their time together.
Follow Towns Lane to its meeting point with Manor Lane. From here, take a short stroll to explore the fields where ironstone was quarried for almost a hundred years—a landscape shaped by the industry of the past. As you wander, you’ll also be close to the historic Salt Way, an ancient track that has guided travellers for centuries.
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Once the heart of a thriving ironstone industry, Goadby Marwood’s disused quarry now lies hidden beneath peaceful rolling fields. Listen to the memories of engine driver, Gordon Spence, as he recounts his lifelong connection to the village and its quarry.
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Goadby Marwood was once an important East Midlands hub of ironworking and trade linked to the great Roman roads and settlements nearby. Listen to the musings of fictional merchant, Marcus Tullius Severus, as he faces a tricky financial dilemma.
Return to Towns Lane to resume your journey. Continue to the end of Towns Lane then through the pedestrian gate following the public right of way. Follow the footpath along the edge of the paddock then pass through the next pedestrian gate and then right through the metal kissing gate.
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On a bright August day in 1928, what began as an ordinary afternoon took a heart-breaking turn—an event that would alter the course of young Nancy Talkes’ life forever. Step closer and listen as Nancy recalls that fateful day.
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Pause here to learn more about the discoveries at the nearby Roman villa as you listen to the tale of Flavia, a fictional slave working in the villa household.
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Listen to Walter Casey’s memories of the Italian and German prisoners of war once billeted at The Manor—men who, despite being far from home, laboured alongside local farmers to keep the nation fed in its time of greatest need.
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As Edward Huddlestone, once the devoted head gardener at Goadby Hall, tends his flower beds, his thoughts drift to the young men of Goadby Marwood who left this quiet village to face the unimaginable hardships of the First World War.
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As we return to the village hall, once the village school, and the final location on our heritage trail, listen as Cathy Lawrance shares memories of her childhood in Goadby Marwood. In her own voice, Cathy recalls her happy and sometimes mischievous days at the school before it closed in 1942.
Grab your explorer’s hat and a treasure map leaflet to follow cunning clues, listen out for secret audio hints, and spot hidden visuals as you explore the winding lanes and stone cottages of Goadby Marwood in search of the hidden treasure.
Other Heritage Themed Activities
Get creative with our fantastic colouring activities for younger children! Bring history to life by colouring in fun pictures of Edmund Cartwright and George Villiers whilst discovering fascinating facts about who they were and why they are remembered today.
Feeling extra imaginative? Design your very own coat of arms for Goadby Marwood! Choose your favourite colours, mages and patterns to create a unique shield that tells a story about you, your family, or the village itself.
