Laxton in Nottinghamshire is England's last village to use the medieval open-field method of farming, where local farmers have open strips of land and use a crop rotation system established centuries ago. While some of the surrounding land uses modern farming methods, parts of it still use this method from feudal times.
A village suspended in time
Many of the UK's villages feel like stepping back in time to a more peaceful, simpler way of life, and in Nottinghamshire there's a place where this is especially true. Not only does the village look like it's suspended in time thanks to its pretty redbrick houses and traditional inns, there's one thing that hasn't been changed since medieval times, and it makes this picturesque settlement one of the last of its kind.
Laxton is easy to miss as you drive through it, one of many quaint villages in this pretty part of the country, not far from the tourist towns of the Peak District. But one thing you may notice are the vast open fields that surround the place, and here's what makes Laxton unique.
How the medieval system works
You won't find hedged, private fields in Laxton, rather there are large communal open spaces, making it a stunning village to walk or drive through. The system is even governed the same way it would have worked in medieval times, with a Court Leet and Jury who meet every year. The Jury inspect the fields, ensuring no farmers are encroaching on others land and enforcing rules, and have the ability to issue fines.
History buffs can also visit the remains of Laxton Castle, "the most striking specimen of a mount and court stronghold" in the region according to the British Archaeological Association. Built shortly after the Norman Conquest, not much remains of this castle, but the mount where it once stood makes for an interesting walk with countryside views.
Attractions and heritage
After countryside walks, head to the Dovecote Inn, a traditional country pub that has been part of Laxton since 1835. Today it retains its cosy, classic charm, with a bar area to enjoy a post-walk pint, a menu full of pub classics, and a B&B for those who want to enjoy Laxton's relaxed charm for a little longer. Fans of daytime TV may recognise the Dovecote Inn from its appearance on Channel 4's Four in a Bed, although the website points out that many changes have been made to the property since then.
This tiny village also became the home of the first UK museum for the Holocaust after two local brothers returned from a trip to Israel in the early-90s and realised there were few memorials for victims at the time. Opening a small museum in their home, it is now known as the National Holocaust Centre and Museum, and attracts around 30,000 annual visitors, many of them part of school groups. The museum is now home to a huge collection of artefacts, and includes a walk through exhibition called The Journey, which takes you through the history of the Holocaust as seen through the eyes of a young Jewish boy. It also houses peaceful memorial gardens including sculptures and artworks by survivors.
