Grantham Tourist Attractions
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Grantham is a busy market town in a rich agricultural area, surrounded by areas of pastureland which are reputed to produce some of the best meat, especially sausages, in England. The town is also noted for its gingerbread. St Wulfram's Church is the most notable local landmark in Grantham. The spire is 282 feet high and the church was home to England's first public library.The town's most famous daughter is the "Iron Lady" Margaret Thatcher, the first woman prime minister, who indelibly shaped the development of the nation between 1979 and 1990. Her birthplace now houses a restaurant called "The Premier". Opposite the Guildhall stands a statue of Isaac Newton (1642-1727), who was a pupil at the local grammar school, and the Museum on St Peter's Hill contains many mementos of the famous philosopher and scientist.
St Wulfram's Church
The parish church, St Wulfram's, has a spire 281ft/86m high, beautiful tracery in the windows, and a 15th century font. Above the south doorway is a valuable library presented to the church in 1598, with many chained books. Adjoining the church is King's School, where Newton was a pupil, and where he carved his name on a windowledge.
Angel and Royal Inn
The Angel and Royal Inn (13th century origin) in the High Street is one of the oldest inns in England. Its illustrious guests included King John, Richard II and Edward VII.
Grantham House
Grantham House, owned by the National Trust, has a 14th century room occupied by Princess Margaret, daughter of Henry VII, during her journey north in 1503 to marry King James IV of Scotland.
Belvoir Castle
Belvoir Castle (7mi/11km west of Grantham) is the imposing seat of the Duke of Rutland. It dates back to Norman times when Robert de Todeni built a castle here. Destroyed in the Civil Wars of the 15th and 17th centuries and by a devastating fire in 1806, it was rebuilt by James Wyatt in 1808-1816. The castle contains an outstanding collection of pictures including works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Holbein, Poussin and Reynolds, furniture, tapestries and Mortlake wall hangings.
Queen's Royal Lancers Regimental Museum
A number of displays, featuring audio presentations and info panels, cover the history of this regiment. Accompanying displays trace the history of other regular and irregular troops from the region.
Belton House Park and Gardens
Belton House (2mi/3km north of Grantham) was the elegant seat of Lord Brownlow, built by Christopher Wren in 1688 and later partly rebuilt by James Wyatt. It contains fine carvings by Grinling Gibbons, as well as portraits by old English masters and a valuable silver collection. The church has a Norman font. Belton Tower (1750) stands in the extensive grounds of the park.The formal gardens have a wide variety of flowers, as well as orangery and a landscaped park surrounding a lake.
Woolsthorpe Manor
Woolsthorpe Manor (7mi/11km south of Grantham), birthplace of Isaac Newton, is situated near Colsterworth. Adjoining the house is the orchard in which he is supposed to have discovered the law of gravity.
Belvoir Castle Jousting Tournament
This annual tournament takes place during several summer weekends at the Belvoir Castle, a short distance from Nottingham.Mounted knights dress in authentic period costume to provide the entertainment. Accompanying food and craft stalls complement the medieval atmosphere.
