Belvoir Castle

Grantham is a market town in the county of Lincolnshire, in England.

Get in

By car

• The A1, a major north-south intercity road, bypasses the town to the west, the road is dual carriageway and is grade separated until St Neots to the south, and as far away as Newcastle in the North. London is 100 miles (160 km) to the south. To the north is Newark, Doncaster, which take up to half an hour to reach with clear traffic. The road goes as far as Edinburgh in Scotland, passing by Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham, and Darlington.
• The A52 is a major east-west route going through the centre of the town, Nottingham, Derby and Stoke-on-Trent are reached westwards; while Boston, and Skegness are reached going eastwards.
• The A607 is a secondary route linking Lincolnshire's county town of Lincoln in the north, with Leicester to the south, going through Melton Mowbray as it does so.

By train

• 1 Grantham railway station (GRA). This station is on the main north-south line between London and Edinburgh. Various companies operate services. From London King's Cross, Hull Trains are the cheapest and fastest with a 1-hour non-stop train for £41 one way, advance purchase from €11.50 (Sep 2018). (updated Nov 2019)

A second line also runs east-west and connects Grantham to Nottingham.

See

• 1 St Wulfram's Church. Has an imposing spire, the sixth highest in England, and dominates the centre of town.  
• 2 Belvoir Castle, Belvoir NG32 1PE (8 miles west of Grantham, just over the border in Leicestershire), ☏ +44 1476 871000, info@belvoircastle.com. Usually Sept-Apr S, May June Su-Tu, July Aug Su-F. It's pronounced "Beaver" but as "Bel-voir" it's well named, being perched on a marl ridge with sweeping views over the bucolic valley, with the spires of Lincoln shimmering in the distance. There's been a castle here for almost 1000 years but the present building is a stately mansion with mock-castellations. It was built in Gothic Revival style from 1799-1816, promptly burned out, then again rebuilt in that style. Home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland, it has a vast collection of impressive furniture and artwork, and is set in landscaped grounds on a 15,000 acre estate. Guided tours start at 11:30, 13:30 & 15:00. Opening days are variable, they're often closed for special events eg upscale weddings, so check their website. With tour £20, self-guide £18. (updated Jun 2019)
• 3 The King's School. The school that Isaac Newton attended. The part he was taught in is now the library, and while it is not open to the public it can be seen from the St Wulfram's side of the school site.  
• 4 Birthplace of Margaret Thatcher, corner of North Parade and Broad St. 
• 5 Woolsthorpe Manor, Water Lane, Woolsthorpe by Colsterworth, NG33 5PD (9 miles south of the town), ☏ +44 1476 860338, woolsthorpemanor@nationaltrust.org.uk. Famous being the birthplace of Sir Isaac Newton. Open Wednesday-Sunday from March to October.  
• 6 Grantham House, Castlegate, Grantham, NG31 6SS, ☏ +44 1476 564705, granthamhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk. A large townhouse with walled gardens by the riverside. The p is open in the afternoon on a Wednesday and Thursday during June with other opportunities to visit during the remainder of the period from April to October as advertised.  
• 7 Belton House, Belton, NG32 2LS, ☏ +44 1476 566116, belton@nationaltrust.org.uk. A country-house estate that was built for Sir John Brownlow in the 17th century and is set in extensive parkland and gardens. The gardens are accessible throughout the year at varying opening times, whilst the house is open Wednesday-Sunday from March to October, with the basement accessible 7 days a week during this period.  
• 8 Grantham Museum. (updated Nov 2019)

Do

• 1 Skydive Langar, Langar NG13 9HY (20 km west of Grantham), ☏ +44 1949 860878. The centre at Skydive Langar is one of the biggest and best equipped in the UK. The usual approach for a beginner is a “tandem” – strapped to an instructor, so minimum training and fitness are needed, but you do need decent weather. (updated Nov 2019)

Sleep

• 1 Angel and Royal Hotel (BEST WESTERN), 10 High St, NG31 6PU, ☏ +44 1476 565816. (updated Apr 2016)
• 2 Belton Woods, Belton, NG32 2LN, ☏ +44 1476 593200. (updated Apr 2016)
• 3 Brownlow Arms, High Road, Hough-on-the-Hill NG32 2AZ, ☏ +44 1400 250234. Welcoming inn with five rooms, cosy bar and stylish dining. Assistance dogs only. B&B double £130. (updated Jun 2020)

Go next

Routes through Grantham

Doncaster ← Newark-on-Trent ←	N  S	→ Stamford → London
Derby ← Nottingham ←	W  E	→ Boston → Skegness
Leicester ← Melton Mowbray ←	SW  NE	→ Lincoln