Grantham - Kings, Dickens and Beehives

Alison Sandilands and Richard Coppin discover that there is much more to Grantham than meets the eye.

Words: Alison Sandilands and Richard Coppin Photographs: Eyerise Photography and Richard Coppin

In 1720, the famed English author Daniel Defoe described Grantham as: ‘a neat, pleasant, well-built and populous town.'

This southern Lincolnshire market town is surrounded by beautiful countryside and brimming with grand historic buildings. The streets are lined with dramatic Georgian architecture and there are numerous shops, cafes, restaurants and interesting places to visit.

Grantham is best known as the place where Isaac Newton, one of the most celebrated scientists of all time, was schooled and the birthplace of Margaret Thatcher, the only ever female British Prime Minister. Information on these world famous pioneers can be found at Grantham Museum on St Peter's Hill.

There is also a section dedicated to the Dambusters raids, which were planned and run in Grantham during the Second World War.

The George Centre at the heart of the town on the High Street is a great place for shopping. This indoor centre is a converted Georgian Hotel which has maintained some of its original eighteenth century features.

A mixture of high street names and independent shops can be found here and there are Fine Food Fayres held on the first and third Wednesday of each month, selling fresh produce from locally reared beef to organic fruit and vegetables.

Before The George Hotel was built in 1780, an inn was located on this site which was referred to in Charles Dickens' novel Nicholas Nickelby as one of finest inns in England.

One of Britain's oldest inns can be found further along the High Street - The Angel and Royal Hotel.

Still functioning as a hotel, it dates back to the time of King John in the thirteenth century when it would have been run by the Knights Templar.

Many other royal visits followed including Richard III in 1483 who signed the death warrant here for his cousin the Duke of Buckingham and wrote a letter proclaiming his treachery. A copy of the original letter is on display at the hotel.

A beautifully carved gold angel can be seen on the entrance and authentic medieval fireplaces can be found inside in its two bars, the Falcon and Angel. The hotel's King's Room Restaurant also has a medieval fireplace and stone walls.

Another medieval landmark is St. Wulfram's church on Church Street which dominates the landscape with its tall spire, one of the highest in England and the second highest in Lincolnshire. It has often been described as the finest spire in England as it is very pleasing on the eye.

It also contains Britain's first public library which was created in 1598 after Francis Trigge, rector of Welbourn, donated £100 for a collection of books, 250 of which are still kept here, the original volumes.

Nearby at Belton and Manthorpe is the fine seventeenth Century Belton House, run by the National Trust and open for the public. Surrounded by stunning gardens, this house has been the location for period dramas such as the BBC's Jane Eyre, Tom Jones and Pride and Prejudice.

Visitors can have a look around the impressive interiors filled with fine silver and luxurious furnishings. There is an opportunity to dress up in Victorian clothing and there is a large adventure playground and plenty of open space to keep the children entertained.

Other historic houses located nearby are the early nineteenth-century Harlaxton Manor, Stoke Rochford Hall and the eleventh-century Belvoir Castle which is across the border into Leicestershire.

Family fun can be had at the Fun Farm on Dysart Road, which has both outdoor and indoor play areas to suit any weather.

Leisurely time can be had at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre on Trent Road whether it is a swimming session, a gym work out or time out in the sauna.

If you want to get in touch with nature there are the Easton Walled Gardens, just outside Grantham at Easton - twelve acres of beautiful gardens filled with flowers, trees and ornamental stone work. Regular workshops and family events are organised here and there is no entrance fee for children. These gardens have been looked after for more than 400 years and have recently been revived receiving national interest with their stunning appeal.

There is plenty of countryside and woodland surrounding Grantham for a leisurely walk and Grantham Canal offers an area for walking, angling, boating and cycling.

If you want to be fed and watered there is a great choice of pubs.

The Blue Pig Inn on Vine Street is one of many traditional pubs serving real ales and hearty food. There is a big blue pig image on the sign and attractive timber beams.

If it is beer that you like, then a visit to the Barrowby Gala and Beer Festival is recommended.

Taking place in the gardens of the White Swan pub from Friday 10th July until Sunday 12th July, there will be an endless supply of beer teamed with lots of entertainment.

The Beehive Inn on Castlegate in Grantham is home to Britain's only ‘living' pub sign: a beehive of South African bees located outside since 1830. This is one of the oldest pubs in the town and provides real ales and good quality food.

A medieval stone house, Grantham House, is also located along Castlegate. Built in the fourteenth century, this was once home for a family of wool merchants and had famous visitors such as Henry VII's daughter Princess Margaret and Cardinal Wolsey. Located along the river, this charming house is surrounded by twenty-seven acres of walled gardens.

There are a variety of restaurants in Grantham ranging from Chinese and Indian Cuisine to traditional English, Italian and McDonalds.

A rich programme of dance, drama, film and literature can be found at the Guildhall Arts Centre in St Peter's Hill.

This community venue is housed in Grantham's old town hall and was created by South Kesteven District Council along with Stamford Arts Centre and the Bourne Corn Exchange.

It is believed to have a cigar smoking ghost living there as one of the rooms was rented out to cigar makers Robinson and Barnsdale in 1882 and there have been numerous reports of a strong smell of cigar smoke in this part of the building which quickly comes and goes.

The Guildhall has a four sided clock on it which is handy for keeping track of the time. Belton Park Golf Club is located on Londonthorpe Road in Grantham. Founded in 1890, it has twenty-seven holes set in 240 acres of attractive parkland. This area is bursting with wildlife and fallow deer can often be spotted around the course. Golfing can also be enjoyed at De Vere Belton Woods Hotel and resort, which has two championship length courses. This hotel is surrounded by 475 acres of countryside and there are a wide range of leisure facilities on offer whether it is a relaxing break you are after or a sporty getaway. Quad biking and archery can be enjoyed outside and inside there is a fully equipped gym, swimming pool sauna and snooker room. Grantham has an impressive transport network and is on the East Coast Main Line, which runs from Edinburgh to London. It takes around an hour to reach London. The A1 from London to Edinburgh runs past Grantham.

Did you know?

Grantham was the first place in the UK to have female police officers, in 1914.

There used to be an annual pig drive through the centre of the town until 1962, when it was stopped because it was considered to be too dangerous. This tradition dated back to the eighteenth century.