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Pinfold Lane, DONCASTER, DN7 5JS

A stone dates the house to 183(7)? The Pinfold was used as a pound for confining stray animals. It was managed by an annually appointed keeper called the pinder, who was responsible for feeding and watering the animals. A toll was exacted for their return. The position of pinder was maintained until 1929.

Village church stands next to the village pub.

This fine village church with Saxon and Norman elements is dedicated to St Cuthbert whose carved image can be seen in the apse three quarters of the way up the tower. Following the Viking invasion of Northumbria, Cuthbert's remains were removed from Lindisfarne and spent the next seven years being moved between various churches in the north of England. Fishlake is reputedly one of those churches.

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".

This OS cut mark can be found on the west face of St Cuthbert's Church. It marks a point 6.700m above mean sea level.