A Brief History of Grimsthorpe Castle
There has been a castle on this commanding Lincolnshire ridge since the early 13th century, but the building we see today has its origins in the reign of Henry VIII. In 1515, Henry VIII granted the land to William, 11th Lord Willoughby de Eresby, on the occasion of his marriage to María de Salinas. María was one of Katherine of Aragon’s favourite ladies in waiting, and had joined the Queen from Spain. Henry VIII held María in such high esteem that, in 1522, he named one of his ships the Mary Willoughby in her honour. The King himself stayed at Grimsthorpe in 1541, adding another remarkable chapter to the long and distinguished history of this extraordinary estate.
Grimsthorpe’s Royal Connections
Beyond its connection with Henry VIII, the historic castle has welcomed a number of royal visitors over the centuries, including King Charles I and Charles, Prince of Wales, now King Charles III. Mary of Guise, mother of Mary Queen of Scots stayed at the castle in 1551 after meeting Edward VI at Whitehall Palace. The 14th Baron entertained James I (VI of Scotland) and his Queen, Anne of Denmark in 1612. Their portraits hang in the State Drawing Room. Charles I stayed at the castle in 1630 on his way to his coronation in Edinburgh.
More recently, King Charles III and Queen Camilla spent time here on a personal visit. He was Prince of Wales at the time.
Exploring Grimsthorpe Castle
As heritage buildings go, this really does tick all the boxes. The elegant Vanbrugh Baroque North Front was added to the original Tudor building in 1715 in celebration of the enablement of Robert Bertie, the 16th Baron Willoughby de Eresby to the first Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven (wow, that’s quite a title!)
The parkland was once a medieval deer park, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. It was remodelled by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in 1771. Close to the house, there is a knot garden, fine topiary, rose gardens and terraces to enjoy. Further afield there is woodland and an ornamental vegetable garden.
Inside, the castle’s grand interiors are filled with centuries of family portraits, richly decorated rooms and fascinating treasures, reflecting the long and continuous occupation by the Willoughbys.
The Vanbrugh Hall was designed by renowned architect Sir John Vanbrugh in the early 1720s for the 1st Duke of Ancaster, adding a striking architectural chapter to Grimsthorpe long history. Other highlights on the tour included the dramatic State Dining Room and Tapestry Drawing Room, with their richly atmospheric, vampy interiors, alongside the elegant Chinese Drawing Room and State Drawing Room.
For those who want to make a longer stay of it, accommodation is also available on the estate, offering the chance to experience Grimsthorpe’s historic surroundings at a slower pace.
What to Know Before You Go
Grimsthorpe Castle is open seasonally, so it’s worth checking the official website for the latest opening dates, times and ticket prices before you visit. We would always recommend booking tickets in advance, particularly when visiting country houses, to ensure entry. More information can be found here!
There is ample parking on site, along with a lovely café courtyard for refreshments and a small farm shop. Families are also well catered for, with an adventure playground for children, while dogs are welcome to enjoy the estate too, provided they are kept on a lead.
We happily spent several hours exploring the castle and gardens, but if you have more time, there is plenty of surrounding parkland to discover too.
Things to Do Near Grimsthorpe Castle
If you’re looking to make a full country-house day out of your visit, we’d recommend adding a trip to Belton House or Burghley House to your itinerary, both of which make wonderful additions to a day exploring the area.
Is Grimsthorpe Castle Worth Visiting?
We absolutely loved our visit to Grimsthorpe Castle and are so grateful to the team for having us and giving us the opportunity to experience this remarkable historic estate. Our guides were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, bringing the castle’s fascinating history to life, and the whole team made us feel so welcome. We would definitely return and highly recommend a visit.