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Garden Name: Grimsthorpe Castle
Last Modified: 09/02/2010
Garden ID: 0209

pic: 0209_grimsthorpe.jpg

Owner: The Estate Office
Address:
Nr. Bourne


Postcode: PE10 0LY
County: Lincolnshire

tel: 01778 591205
fax: 01778 591 259
website: www.grimsthorpe.co.uk
email: ray {at} grimsthorpe.co.uk

Features: 
Splendid views, topiary, woodland garden and potager garden.
8th April: Special Rare & Unusual Plant Day from 25 nurseries across the region.
Many other events, see own website for details.

English Heritage Grade:
I

Opening Times:
1st April, May; Sun, Thurs & BH Mons; 11am - 6pm. Gardens open at 12 noon. Last admission 5pm. 
June - Sept; Sun - Thurs inclusive; 11am - 6pm, last admission 5pm

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
May - August

To see: 
Herbaceous borders and ornamental vegetable garden.

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: Yes
Comments: 18th Apr, 17th June; 11am - 6pm

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: Yes
Comments: April - end Sept; Sun, Thurs & BH Mons; 1pm - 4.30pm. Guided tours on weekdays (1 hour), self-guided on Sun & BH Mons.

Admission Prices:
Castle, Park & Gardens. Adult £10; Child (5-16 years) £4; Over 60s £9; Family (2A+3C) £24
Park & Gardens. Adult £5, Child £2; Over 60s £; Family (2A + 3C) £12
Season tickets: 2 Adults £30; Family £35

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: No
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Only on Lead: Yes
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
No dogs in garden.
Conservation tours of the Hall on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (£2 donation towards conservation work)


Designer: 
Description of Garden:
Grimsthorpe Castle is the centrepiece in a 3,000 acre park of rolling pastures, landscaped lakes and historic woodland. The mediaeval deer park, with its herds of Red, Fallow and Muntjac deer, and the Tudor oak park are crossed by fine avenues of trees.

The formal Flower and Topiary garden leads imperceptibly into the woodland garden, and provides a fine setting for the ornamental vegetable garden and orchard, created in the 1960's by the Countess of Ancaster and Peter Coates. Intricate parterres marked with box hedges lie close to the Castle, and a dramatic herbaceous border frames views across the lake. 

Riding in a Land Rover, you will see and hear some of the hidden delights of the park. In good weather there's the chance to leave the vehicle and explore on foot, with plenty of expert advice on hand. Ranger Tours will run on most Sundays & Thursdays.

Grimsthorpe has been the location for several major television productions, including BBC's Middlemarch and
Granada TV's Moll Flanders.


History: 
Grimsthorpe has been the home of the de Eresby family since 1516, when it was granted by Henry VIII to the 10th Baron Willoughby de Eresby on the occasion of his marriage to Maria de Salinas, kinswoman and lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine of Aragon. The North Front is the last work of Sir John Vanbrugh. It was commissioned in 1715 by his friend Robert Bertie, the 16th Baron Willoughby de Eresby, to celebrate his enoblement as the first Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven. The collection of fine furniture associated with the Willoughby de Eresby's hereditary Office as Lord Great Chamberlains to the Palace of Westminster, including thrones and furnishings from the old House of Lords, can be seen in the suite of state rooms along with family portraits and those of the the monarchs they served.

Local Inns: 
Black Horse Inn, Grimsthorpe

Accomodation: 
Black Horse Inn, Grimsthorpe

Restaurants: 
Harry's Place, Great Gonerby

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Stamford - old market town