Grimsthorpe Castle stands majestically just north-west of Bourne in Lincolnshire, surrounded by some 3,000 acres of rolling parkland, lakes, and ancient woodland shaped by Capability Brown. Its formidable presence reflects centuries of architectural evolution, with each side of the quadrangular house showcasing a different historic style – from Tudor origins through Baroque grandeur to Victorian additions.
The estate has been held by the Willoughby de Eresby family since 1516, when Henry VIII granted it to William, Baron Willoughby de Eresby. His descendants, including the Dukes of Ancaster and later Baronesses, have maintained continuous stewardship through more than five centuries, marking the site with a remarkable legacy of family history and cultural heritage.
Inside the castle are state rooms filled with tapestries, fine furniture, paintings, and one of the largest collections of royal thrones and furnishings outside the official royal residences, reflecting the family’s hereditary role as Lord Great Chamberlain.
The castle’s park and gardens offer varied landscapes: formal topiary lawns, hedged rose and knot gardens, herbaceous borders, and walled kitchen gardens blending into woodland and lakesides. Some oak trees in the park may even date back to the Domesday Book era, though most were replanted in the 17th century under Stuart restoration programs.
Grimsthorpe Castle hosts a lively calendar of events. Annual highlights include Tudor Day – a dramatic living history experience; outdoor theatre performances; storytelling adventures for families; the Festival of the Unexceptional (a celebration of unremarkable vintage cars); the Sealed Knot English Civil War reenactment; vintage speed trials; and open-air cinema nights. Seasonal family events like Easter egg trails and musical events add charm to spring and summer visits.
Visitors can explore the castle, gardens, adventure playground, and cycle trails, enjoying guided tours and local tea amenities. The estate’s enduring grandeur and dynamic events help Grimsthorpe retain its status as a major landmark in Lincolnshire’s cultural and architectural landscape.
Photos courtesy of Grimsthorpe Castle.
