Greatford

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Greatford
Greatford shown within Lincolnshire
Population	Medium village
OS grid reference	TF089117
District	South Kesteven
Shire county	Lincolnshire
Region	East Midlands
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	STAMFORD
Postcode district	PE9
Dialling code	01778
Police	Lincolnshire
Fire	Lincolnshire
Ambulance	East Midlands
European Parliament	East Midlands
UK Parliament	Grantham and Stamford
List of places: UK • England • Lincolnshire

Coordinates: 52°41′32″N 0°23′16″W / 52.6921, -0.3877

Greatford is a village located in Lincolnshire, England. There are several generally accepted pronunciations and spellings for this village's name, including Greatford (the common modern pronunciation), Gritford (an older version), and Gretford (the general local pronunciation). Greatford was listed in the Domesday book of 1086 as Greteford and Griteford, indicating that the local pronunciation is closest the original. The name is believed to be derived from its location on a gravel or 'grit' ford of the West Glen River. In any case, the variable pronunciation and spelling seems to be accepted, as some local records spell the village's name "Gretford" as late as 1900.

Prominent in Greatford is Greatford Hall, a manor house built by Queen Elizabeth I in the 1500s. In 1930, Greatford Hall burned down and was subsequently rebuilt in a similar style to the original. The most famous use of Greatford Hall was as the abode and private asylum for Dr. Francis Willis, an accomplished physician whose art was treatment of illustrious patients. It was he who cured King George III of his madness at Greatford Hall in 1788. It is not available for public viewing today.