The River and Its Landscape

The Ancholme Valley takes its name from the River Ancholme, which flows from Bishopbridge near Market Rasen down through Brigg to the Humber Estuary near South Ferriby.

  • Historically, this area was wetland and fenland — low-lying, boggy ground that often flooded.

  • Early communities lived on slightly higher ground, using the valley mainly for grazing and fishing

Prehistoric to Medieval Periods

  • Prehistoric times (before 1000 BC):
    The Ancholme Valley was largely a wet, marshy plain, part of the greater Lincolnshire fenland. Small communities settled on higher ground — evidence of Bronze Age and Iron Age activity has been found near Brigg and Hibaldstow.

  • Roman period (43–410 AD):
    Romans likely used the valley for transport and drainage; pottery and settlement remains suggest activity around Brigg and Cadney.

  • Medieval period (c. 500–1500):
    Villages developed on the slightly raised ground along the valley edge. The land remained mostly pasture and wet meadow, prone to flooding.

The Great Drainage Era

  • 1635:
    Local landowners, led by Sir John Monson, obtained a Royal Commission to drain the Ancholme Level — one of the first major drainage schemes in Lincolnshire.

  • 1630s–1650s:
    River improvements began: embankments were raised, new channels dug, and the first sluices and drains constructed.
    The project reduced flooding but needed constant maintenance.

  • 1770s–1790s:
    Further acts of Parliament authorised repairs and navigation improvements, making the river navigable for trade.

Industrial and Agricultural Expansion

  • 1820s–1830s:
    Major reconstruction created the New River Ancholme, straightened and deepened for drainage and navigation.
    The Ancholme Navigation Commissioners oversaw the work.

  • 1840s–1860s:
    The valley’s rich soils supported booming agriculture — wheat, barley, and later sugar beet.
    Brigg became a thriving market and inland port; river barges carried goods between Brigg and the Humber.

  • Late 1800s:
    Steam-powered drainage pumps replaced windmills, ensuring reliable land drainage.
    Villages like Cadney, Hibaldstow, Snitterby, and Worlaby grew steadily.

20th Century: Change and Transition

  • Early 1900s:
    Rail and road transport began to replace river traffic. The Ancholme Navigation declined.

  • Mid-1900s:
    Drainage boards modernised pumping stations with diesel and electric power.
    The valley remained a productive agricultural zone.

  • 1970s–1980s:
    Interest grew in the area’s natural and industrial heritage. The river became popular for boating, fishing, and wildlife watching.

21st Century: Recreation and Conservation


North Lincolnshire Council have been developing the Ancholme Valley Way, a long-distance walking and cycling trail linking villages from South Ferriby to Bishopbridge.
The valley blends heritage, wildlife, and community life. The river is used for canoeing, walking, and local festivals, while its historic mills, bridges, and pumping stations remind visitors of its engineering past.