According to legend it became a pub in 1672 when the licence was granted to a negro servant who saved the life of Sir Christopher Hatton, Elizabeth I's chancellor, who lived in nearby Kirby Hall.

[citation needed] Most of the earlier houses – a fair number dating from the 17th century – are built of local limestone, sometimes banded with darker ironstone and roofed with thatch or Collyweston stone slate.

The buildings in Gretton are of a wide variety in age and architectural style, ranging from the centuries-old 'Corner Cottage' in Arnhill Road, to a relatively modern housing estate on the south-east side of the village.

Springs were fed under the house into ponds which were used for soaking and cleaning the animal skins for preparation as parchment.

To the rear of the farm is the Tythe Barn (rebuilt after being destroyed by a fire in 1985), which used to store the 10% of village produce that was given by parishioners to the church.

[citation needed] The Post Office and Stores, in High Street, is part of a Victorian terrace called Pages Row.

The Gretton Pig Club, in which owners and breeders traded information and sponsored breed improvements, operated from 1876 until 1977.

[citation needed] Overlooking the village green is the 'old' Gretton Stores (now Threeways), whose last storekeeper was Mr. Pegg.

[citation needed] Manor Farmhouse, in High Street, is a good example of banded ironstone and limestone.

[citation needed] Gretton Primary School, in Kirby Road, built in 1908, has a stone bell tower and a schoolmaster's house.