IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Church Street, DONCASTER, DN7 5JL

Looking from the old landing area to St Cuthbert's Church. In medieval times, before The River Don was diverted, Fishlake was a significant inland port.

One of two medieval crosses in the village. The tower of St Cuthbert's church can be seen in the background.

Fishlake Village Cross, old shaft, base and steps in a new cross by the UC road, in parish of Fishlake (Doncaster District), Main Street near junction with Penfold Lane and lane to church, in paved area. Grade II Listed. List Entry Number: 1151615 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1151615 Scheduled Monument. List Entry Number: 1012932 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1012932 Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: YSDN_FIS01

This OS cut mark can be found on the cross.

Much history is condensed into this quiet corner of South Yorkshire. Cluniac monks fleeing the invading Vikings are said to have disembarked here from Holy Island carrying valuables and the body of Saint Cuthbert after whom the church is named. They alighted at The Landing (situated to the right of this photo) which towards the end of the medieval period developed into an inland port. There is still a 'Custom House' in the village and 'The Old Anchor Inn' (currently staffed by an effervescent South African landlord) backing onto the Landing and the Stainforth Canal beyond. The celebrated Dutch drainage engineer Cornelius Vermuyden is also associated with this area although his work on nearby Hatfield Chase had a detrimental effect on Fishlake where river straightening led to flooding both here and in Sykehouse and Snaith. Also worth seeking out in the village are the windmills and the 'butter crosses' one of which can be seen on this picture. They may be the remnants of Saxon preaching crosses which later evolved into market crosses selling produce including in this area - eels. A stone river marker on the Landing also survives giving the nautical distance to Tinsley near Sheffield along the canal. The Norman porch at the church's southern entrance should also be seen. It was described by Pevsner as "perhaps the most lavishly decorated in Yorkshire".

Carved stone post was on UC road, in parish of FISHLAKE (DONCASTER District), was by canal, now on the village green near the Post Office and shop, Main Street opposite Hall Farm, on South side of road. Erected by an unknown authority in the 19th century. Inscription reads:- 2(7) MILES Milestone Society National ID: YS_XFISH.

Largely a Perpendicular church indicating how prosperous Fishlake was in the late medieval period. Enter through an extravagantly carved Norman south doorway and you're immediately drawn to a sumptuous 14th century font. A wonderful church !

The richly carved south door at St.Cuthbert's church in Fishlake. It is late Norman c1200 with depictions of virtues fighting vices, pairs of seated figures, animals and an assortment of grotesques.