Norton Disney

Norton Disney is a small, scattered village in the Lincolnshire countryside, tucked between Newark-on-Trent and Lincoln just off the ancient line of the Fosse Way. It sits in gently rolling farmland typical of this part of the county, where wide skies, hedgerow lanes and working arable fields stretch out towards the Trent valley. The village takes the second half of its name from the Disney family, minor Norman lords who are thought to have arrived with William the Conqueror from Isigny-sur-Mer in Normandy and who held the manor here for roughly 450 years until 1674 - a lineage now best remembered through the tombs in the parish church.

It is a genuinely small place: a scatter of farmhouses, a handful of streets, a church, a pub and not much else, which is precisely its appeal. Norton Disney has become known well beyond its size in recent years thanks to the ongoing community excavation of its Roman villa, and in 2023 to the discovery of a remarkably well-preserved Roman dodecahedron nearby - but day to day it remains a working agricultural village, the kind of place visitors pass through on the way to Lincoln or Newark rather than a destination with its own tourist infrastructure. That makes it a good base for anyone who wants genuine rural Lincolnshire quiet, with the cathedral city of Lincoln and the market town of Newark-on-Trent both within easy reach for a day out.

Top things to do in Norton Disney

Given its size, Norton Disney's own attractions are modest but distinctive, and they sit within easy striking distance of some much bigger days out in the surrounding area.

• Norton Disney Roman Villa — A scheduled ancient monument first excavated in the 1930s and now the subject of an ongoing community dig led by the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group. This is the site where the famous Roman dodecahedron was unearthed in 2023; the group runs open days and welcomes volunteers during its summer excavation seasons.
• St Peter's Church — A 13th-century parish church with a mortuary chapel containing five effigy tombs of the Disney family, a 14th-century carved octagonal font, centuries-old oak pews and a peal of six bells still rung today. It is a quiet, atmospheric building well worth a short visit.
• The Green Man — The village pub, dating back to the 17th century when it traded as The Sportsman before later becoming the St Vincent Arms. A proper village local for a pint after a walk.
• National Civil War Centre, Newark-on-Trent — A short drive away, this museum has displayed the Norton Disney dodecahedron and tells the story of the English Civil War through the lens of Newark, one of the conflict's most fought-over towns.
• Lincoln Cathedral and Castle — Around 30 minutes north, Lincoln's medieval cathedral and castle (home to one of the surviving originals of Magna Carta) make for a full day out from a Norton Disney base.
• The Fosse Way — The Roman road that runs just north of the village is a reminder of the area's ancient importance as a route between Exeter and Lincoln, and makes for pleasant walking and cycling along quiet lanes that broadly trace its line.
• Trent valley walking and cycling — The flat, open farmland around Norton Disney and neighbouring villages such as Stapleford and Thurlby is well suited to gentle rural walks and rides, with the River Trent a few miles to the west.

Getting to Norton Disney

Norton Disney lies just off the A46 between Newark-on-Trent and Lincoln, making it easy to reach by car; the A1 at Newark is a short drive away for connections further afield. The nearest mainline railway station is Newark North Gate, on the East Coast Main Line with fast services to London King's Cross, York and Edinburgh, from where a taxi or short drive covers the final few miles. Lincoln, with its own Central and East stations, is also within easy reach. There is no direct bus service into the village itself, so a car is the most practical way to explore both Norton Disney and the surrounding countryside.

Best time to visit Norton Disney

Late spring through to early autumn is the most rewarding time to visit, when the surrounding farmland and lanes are at their best for walking and cycling and the Norton Disney History and Archaeology Group typically runs its community excavation season, often with open days for visitors. Summer also brings the best weather for exploring Lincoln and Newark nearby. Winter is much quieter, with shorter days and muddier field paths, but the village and its church have a peaceful, wrapped-up charm for anyone happy with a low-key countryside break.

Where to stay in Norton Disney

Norton Disney itself has no hotels, so most visitors base themselves in nearby Newark-on-Trent or Lincoln, both of which offer a good range of accommodation from budget chain hotels to independent townhouse stays, or in one of the farmhouse B&Bs and guest houses scattered through neighbouring Lincolnshire villages. Self-catering cottages in the surrounding countryside are another popular option for those who want a quiet rural base within easy reach of both the villa and the region's larger towns.

Food and drink in Norton Disney

The Green Man is the village pub and the natural hub for food and drink in Norton Disney, serving as a traditional village local. Beyond that, choices are limited within the village itself, and most visitors head into Newark-on-Trent or the surrounding villages for a wider range of cafes, restaurants and pubs, or into Lincoln for its bigger selection of independent eateries around the cathedral quarter and Bailgate.