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 familys
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
Monarchs 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 (516 years) 4 / family ticket (2+3) 25
Park and Gardens only: adult 5.50 / concession 4.50
child (516 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 Johns 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 (122.30pm),
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 childrens bikes, tag-alongs and
buggies opens at 11am. A map and safety sheet are available.

r
e

DOGS Dogs are welcome at Grimsthorpe, except in the

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.

WHATS ON To find out more about events planned

at Grimsthorpe please visit www.grimsthorpe.co.uk or

call the Estate Office on 01778 591205.