Market Rasen

Market Rasen is a market town and civil parish within the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. The River Rase runs through it east to west, approximately north-east from Lincoln, east from Gainsborough, west of Louth, and south-west from Grimsby. It lies on the main road between Lincoln and Grimsby, the A46, and is famous for its racecourse. In 2001, the town had a population of 3,200. In the 2011 census, the population of the civil parish was 3,904. History The place-name 'Market Rasen' is first attested in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as Rase, Rasa, and Resne. The name derives from the Old English ræsn meaning 'plank', and is thought to refer to a plank bridge. The river name 'Rase' is a back-formation. Originally "Rasen", as it is known locally, was called "East Rasen", "Rasen Parva" or "Little Rasen". In the 19th century, touring theatrical companies performed in theatres in the town. David Grose opened 'a very neat and comfortable theatre' in 1834. In May 1844, the Giffords performed in the town.