Scunthorpe

Scunthorpe is an industrial town in Lincolnshire; its population was 81,286 in 2021.

Understand

The name Scunthorpe, which means 'Skuma's outlying farm/settlement', caused problems when in 1996 residents were creating accounts with AOL, as it contains a four-letter "indecency" which the software blocked. There are many similar problems; short of full Artificial Intelligence, it is exceedingly difficult for software to recognise obscenity, threats, disinformation or other problematic text.

The generic name computer scientists use for this whole class of problems is the "Scunthorpe problem". Some travellers might want to visit the town just for that reason.

Get in

• Scunthorpe railway station has trains from Manchester, Sheffield, Doncaster and Cleethorpes.

See

• 1 Normanby Hall (Near Scunthorpe). An English mansion built for Sir Robert Sheffield to replace a previous 17th-century property. Samantha Cameron, the wife of David Cameron, British Prime Minister 2010-16, also grew up on this site. The 350-acre estate is now in the care of North Lincolnshire Council and has become a country park which contains a number of lakes and gardens amongst other features. The Hall and museum are open every day from April to September, with the park being open throughout the year. (updated Jul 2018)
• 2 Gainsthorpe Medieval Village, Brigg. One of the best preserved deserted villages in the country, its outlines still being clearly visible. Accessible at any reasonable time. Free.  
• 3 The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft, Sandtoft. houses the world's largest collection of historic trolleybuses, together with a number of other vehicles including period motor buses. The Museum offers a fascinating day out for all the family. Open to the public on specific event days, generally between Easter and November, when visitors can ride on a selection of trolleybuses under the specially-erected overhead. A free conducted tour in one of a number of vintage motor buses is also available. There are a number of other attractions including a 5-star-rated cafe, children's play area, 1950s and 1960s shop displays, a 1950s Prefab home and a cycle and lawnmower shop display. Many event days also feature themes and additional visiting attractions.  
• 4 North Lincolnshire Museum, Oswald Road, DN15 7BD, ☏ +44 1724 297055. M–Sa 10AM–4PM; Su 1–4PM. A local museum showcasing a variety of rotating exhibits, detailing the history of the area, and a number of art pieces. Free entry but donations reccomended. (updated Apr 2023)

Do

• Football: Scunthorpe United were relegated in 2023 and now play soccer in National League North, the sixth tier. Their home ground Glanford Park (capacity 9000) is a mile west of the centre at the junction of M181 and A18.

Buy

• 1 The Parishes, 1 Fenton St, DN15 6QX, ☏ +44 1724 857888. Shopping centre which also features 7 screen Vue cinema. 
• 2 The Foundry Shopping Centre, 12 Market Hill, DN15 6SS, ☏ +44 1724 853480. Has over 40 stores which include many of the top major retailers. 

Eat

• 1 Winteringham Fields, 1 Silver Street, Winteringham, DN15 9ND (within the small village of Winteringham), ☏ +44 1724 733096, reception@winteringhamfields.co.uk. A French-style fine dining restaurant with a Michelin Star. Dinner start at £170 per person and lunch from £99 per person. (updated Apr 2023)
• 2 San Pietro, 11 High Street East, DN15 6UH (centre of town), ☏ +44 1724 277774. A boutique hotel and restaurant showcasing modern Mediterranean and Sicilian dishes. 2 Course menus start from £28.50 per person & 3 Courses from £35.00 per person. (updated Apr 2023)
• 3 Cafe Indiependent, 169 - 173 High Street. W–Sa 10AM–4PM also open for nights for events. A community—run restaurant, bar and event space that offers a variety of plant based vegan food, along with late—night music events. (updated Apr 2023)
• 4 Lavo (formely Lucio's), 44 Oswald Rd, DN15 7PQ, ☏ +44 1724 500514. W–Su 11AM–10PM. Italian kitchen and bar with a mid-range selection of pasta dishes and other Italian fare. (updated Apr 2023)
• 5 Route 15 American Diner, 6 Ravendale St N, DN15 6NE, ☏ +44 1724 847415. Daily noon-8:45PM. American Diner-themed restaurant serving a selection of diner classics such as burgers, hot dogs, mac and cheese, along others. (updated Apr 2023)

Drink

• 1 The Blue Bell Inn, 1–7 Oswald Road, DN15 7PU (at the very top of the high street), ☏ +44 1724 863921. Daily 8AM–midnight. A branch of Wetherspoons, and thus, pricing is on the cheap side of things. (updated Apr 2023)

Sleep

• Grange Park, Messingham. offers accommodation in lodges which benefit from sports facilities as well as a restaurant and bar. 
• Premier Inn, Gadwall Way. 
• Travelodge, Doncaster Road. 

Connect

Scunthorpe and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. As of Nov 2022, there is only patchy 5G coverage from Three.

Go next

Routes through Scunthorpe

Sheffield ← Doncaster ←	W  E	→ merges with / → Hull (via ) / Grimsby (via )
Hull ← Barton-upon-Humber ←	N  S	→ Lincoln
Doncaster ←	W  E	→ Humberside Airport → Grimsby