It is the main front which gives the castle its grandeur and dramatic scale. The final masterpiece of Sir John Vanbrugh, architect of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard, it was commissioned in 1715 by Robert Bertie, Baron Willoughby de Eresby, to celebrate the family’s elevation to Dukes of Ancaster and Kesteven. The Willoughby de Eresby family is one of three in England who still fulfill the hereditary office of Lord Great Chamberlain, the Monarch’s representative at the Palace of Westminster. Castle, gardens and park are open to visitors five days a week from June to September and twice a week in April and May.
Grimsthorpe Castle is on the A151 between
Colsterworth and Bourne, about 15 minutes drive east of the A1. The entrance to the Park for visitors is signposted. For SatNav use the postcode Pe10 0LZ.
GRIMSTHORPE CA S T LE bourne · lincolnshire
OPENING TIMES 2014
April and May: Sundays, Thursdays and Holiday Mondays June to September: Sunday to Thursday inclusive Park and Gardens: 11am to 6pm (last admission 5pm) Castle: 12 noon to 4pm
ADMISSION PRICES
Castle, Park and Gardens: adult £10.50 / concession £9.50 child (5–16 years) £4 / family ticket (2+3) £25 Park and Gardens only: adult £5.50 / concession £4.50 child (5–16 years) £2 / family ticket (2+3) £13
www.grimsthorpe.co.uk Part of Hidden England: www.hiddenengland.org Estate Office, Grimsthorpe, Lincolnshire, PE10 0LY 01778 591205 / ray@grimsthorpe.co.uk Charity Commission no.507478 / Scottish Charity no.SC039364
G RIMSTHORPE CASTLE
has been in the Willoughby de Eresby family for nearly five hundred years. It was granted by Henry VIII to William, Baron Willoughby de Eresby on the occasion of his marriage to Maria de Salinas, lady-in-waiting to Katherine of Aragon, in 1516. Rising majestically from the undulating landscape of south Lincolnshire, the castle is set in extensive parkland of great antiquity, now consisting mainly of oak trees replanted in the 17th century. The oldest part of the castle, King John’s Tower, was built in the early 13th century.
e CASTLE The castle holds important collections of
u PLAYGROUND
& WOODLAND WALK The woodland adventure playground for under-16s contains slides, swings, a ropewalk, zip wire and obstacle course. There are also picnic benches
r GARDENS The house is surrounded by a series of lawns
i SHOP The Stables Shop sells ice-cream and stocks a range
a tour of the house lasting approximately one hour. Tours depart every half hour and are subject to availability. Timed tickets are available in the Shop. On Sundays and holidays guides are available in each room to answer questions.
t PARK The park occupies some 3,000 acres. One of the
o TEAROOM The Coach House Tearoom is open from 11am, serving home-made snacks, light lunches (12–2.30pm), and afternoon tea. Last orders 5pm.
trails in the Park. Visitors may bring their own cycles or hire. All routes are free of public vehicles. Surfaces are tarmac, limestone or grass.
furniture, including coronation thrones from the Old Palace of Westminster, tapestries and family portraits, displayed in historic interiors.
of publications, gifts and local produce.
and small formal gardens, including a rose garden, topiary garden, ornamental kitchen garden and a double herbaceous border overlooking a landscaped park.
earliest remaining designed landscapes in Britain, it contains ancient oak and chestnut trees and is intersected by 17th century avenues. It is also a haven for wildlife, including deer.
CASTLE TOURS On weekdays a guide escorts visitors on
CYCLE TRAILS There are several miles of signposted
p VISITOR INFORMATION & CYCLE HIRE are next to
each other. The hire of adult and children’s bikes, tag-alongs and buggies opens at 11am. A map and safety sheet are available.
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DOGS Dogs are welcome at Grimsthorpe, except in the
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formal gardens, adventure playground and inside the Castle. Walks in the park and around the lake are encouraged. Please keep your dog on a lead.
DISABLED ACCESS Wheelchair access is provided in
GRI M ST HO RPE
CASTLE, PA R K & GA R D E NS
the Castle (ground floor only), Shop, Tearoom and Visitor Information room. A ‘virtual’ Castle tour and Braille guide are available in the castle. Most of the Gardens are also wheelchair-accessible, as are the lavatories. There is also dedicated parking.
WHAT’S ON To find out more about events planned
at Grimsthorpe please visit www.grimsthorpe.co.uk or call the Estate Office on 01778 591205.