This polygon shows the historic area of the medieval market town of Stainforth which was developed by 1851. The street plan by this time is preserved in the present layout and comprises a complex network including Finkle Street, Silver Street and Field Road. These streets are contained to the north by a town dike (Stainforth Dike) - a common feature of medieval town plans. The town's market place is retained within the plan as an open area to the west of the confluence of these streets. Since at least the 1970s this area has been used as a stopping place for travelling communities (see Magilton 1977, 66). The town has seen much redevelopment of buildings since the 1970s, with some areas completely cleared and rebuilt although some older fabric survives, especially between Silver Street and Field Road as well as the exceptional survival of the weather boarded 17th century timber framed building on Water Lane (SMR 3585) and the buildings, quayside and dock along the canal side. The site of the medieval Chantry chapel recorded by Hunter (1831, 195) is unknown (the source of the tradition cited by Magilton (1977, 66) that it lay near to the present church has not been traced). Significant legibility of medieval town plan form and vernacular elements.