The settlement of Wildsworth is documented from the end of the 12th century, but no indication of its size or population history is available until it became separately recorded in 19th century census returns. Throughout earlier taxation records it was returned as a member of Laughton. In plan, Wildsworth exemplifies both the dependence of the string of small settlements north of Gainsborough upon the river on which they are sited and, in its regularity, their probable planned creation. It consists of a main street on the Trent bank, with a single row of properties (their buildings at the Trent End), and a back lane along their tail. This has become the through road and latterly properties have begun to develop along its east side. {1}