Grimsthorpe Castle, Park & Gardens

Grimsthorpe Castle is the centrepiece of a 3,000 acre landscaped park with lakes, ancient woods, woodland walk with all weather footpath, adventure playground, red deer herd, and family cycle trail. On three sides it has different styles of gardens including a woodland garden.

  Dave Pearson

The castle is a large quadrangular house with a central courtyard. Each section is different in style reflecting the growth of the building over different periods since the 13th century.

The gardens surround the castle on three sides. To the South lies a formal lawn with topiary squares beyond, these contain small ornamental pools. Further from the castle the garden becomes a semi-wild woodland garden, filled with spring bulbs.

To the West is a long herbaceous border providing colour during the summer months. The neatly trimmed yew hedge is cut low enough to give great views of the lake. While on the East side you will find a formal rose parterre is lined with small box hedges. Beyond it lies a walled kitchen garden. July is a good time to visit for the blooms in the rose garden. There are also two small ornamental ponds in the gardens and a fountain in the main courtyard. There are three species of wild deer in the park including Red Deer, but they are nervous and secretive creatures that are usually only glimpsed in the distance. You might spot some if you join the minibus for a park tour. On Sundays and Thursdays they also open to visitors the deer compound, near the Coach House, where you can get close to tame stags, you may also get a chance to help with the feeding. A woodland Adventure Playground for the children has swings, see-saw, scramble nets and slides. The Georgian Coach House is home to the tearoom which serves lunches between 12noon and 2.30pm, whilst hot and cold drinks are in demand from 11am to 5pm as well as afternoon tea. Nearby are the converted old stables which now contains the visitors shop for gifts, garden implements and local honey and chutneys and more.

Dave Pearson

Location: Grimsthorpe Castle, Park & Gardens, Bourne, Lincolnshire Grid Reference: TF040230 Ceremonial County: Lincolnshire Map Link: StreetMap Aerial photo: Google Map Getting there: From the A1 take the A151 towards Bourne, travel for about 8 miles, castle is on the right hand side Access: Full access to all facilities in the Coach House Yard, most of the garden paths are level with a covering of gravel, a large section of the woodland walk is level. Website: www.grimsthorpe.co.uk Other Useful Websites: Email: ray@grimsthorpe.co.uk Address: The Estate Office, Grimsthorpe, Bourne Postcode: PE10 0LY Telephone: 01778 591205 Opening Times: 3rd Apr-31st May Sun, Thurs & BH Mon 11am-6pm June-29 Sep Sun-Thurs 11am-6pm (last admission 5pm); Castle Opens at 1pm Charges: Castle, Park & Gardens: Adult £10; Concession £9; Child (5-16) £4; Family (2+3) £24 Park & Gardens Only: Adult £5; Concession £4; Child (5-16) £2; Family (2+3) £12 Nearby Locations: Other Location Pages: Lincolnshire's Top Attractions Notes: Two reserved parking areas for disabled visitors. Dogs on leads at all times, although the advise you avoid the formal gardens, red deer compound and children's adventure playground. Guide dogs have all full access. No photography in the house

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