Grantham Area Guide

Grantham is a fascinating and diverse town straddling the London to Edinburgh East Coast Main Line and the River Witham. Starting as a small Saxon Village which grew into a bustling market town during the 11^th century, today Grantham is the characterful and historically rich gem found in the heart of England.

This dynamic and prosperous town offers something for everyone, from bustling markets and lively art scenes to scenic countryside walks and intimate insight into the town’s lengthy history and heritage. Grantham has been home to some notable residents, including Sir Isaac Newton, who was educated at the town’s grammar school, Edith Smith, the UK’s first female police officer, and Margaret Thatcher, the longest serving Prime Minister of the 20^th century and the first woman to hold the office.

Grantham has been long regarded as a prime location for regular commuters with the high-speed rail network from Grantham to London Kings Cross offering a journey time of just one hour.

Grantham today offers a vibrant local economy, outstanding educational opportunities, a wonderful quality of life and a historically fascinating place to visit.

Highlights and Attractions

Dominating the views of the town, is St. Wulfram’s church. Founded in 1140, St. Wulfram’s church spire is one of the tallest in England, standing tall at a breath-taking 282 feet. The church is known for its spectacular architecture and recognised by Sir Simon Jenkins in his book, ‘England’s Thousand Best Churches’, giving St. Wulfram’s a five-star rating, he also noted, “here is the finest steeple in England.”

Grantham Guildhall and its ornate Victorian clock tower is located in the heart of the town and boasts a lively arts centre, theatre and a music venue, along with a fascinating history to marvel at from the outside, where Sir Isaac Newton’s statue stands. The building was once a Governor’s residence, a ballroom, a jail and courtroom. After being lovingly refurbished into the popular venue that it is today, Grantham Guildhall is not one to miss.

Grantham quite literally displays its historical roots with pride, with Woolsthorpe Manor allowing access to the famous orchard and its equally famous apple tree or ‘gravity tree’, where Isaac Newton sat and saw an apple fall. The seventeenth century farmhouse is also the place where the knighted mathematician was born, and visitors are welcome to come explore pieces of his life. The inside of the house is beautiful and quaint, but also mysterious and fascinating. Furnished with period pieces and unspoilt collections, guests can also find scratchings on the walls believed to be created by Newton.

Belton House which was used in blockbusters such as Pride and Prejudice, The Da Vinci Code and The Young Victoria, is a Grade I listed National Trust Country house, located in the Parish of Belton. With 1,300 acres of land to admire, there is an abundance of captivating formal gardens and beautiful wild ancient wooded parkland to explore.

Set high on a hill with views across several English counties, is an imposing castle with stunning views. Belvoir castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Rutland, and its stately terraces, and battlemented walls and turrets have been features of the Vale of Belvoir since the 1830’s. The family lived at the Belvoir in an unbroken line for almost a thousand years. Today, you can enjoy a walk in the gardens and around the house, and they often host family days out and seasonal events.

The Engine Yard is Belvoir Castle’s unique retail village, restored from old estate buildings, now a centre of excellence for local food, drink and artisan shopping. Shops include Belvoir Estate Butchers and Farm Shop, The Duchess Gallery, Jorge Artisan Foods, The Idle Mole Garden Shop, Cocoa Amore Artisan Chocolatier, Margo and Plum Interiors and Rowland Watson Gunmakers. The Fuel Tank Café and The Balloon Bar both provide an ideal place to eat, drink and relax in style after enjoying all Belvoir Castle has to offer.

Travel and Transport

Located in South Kesteven in Lincolnshire, Grantham enjoys well connected transport links with local hubs Nottingham and Lincoln no more than 23 miles apart

Commuters are well served by Grantham’s high speed rail network to London Kings Cross with a journey time of around one hour. Nearby Nottingham is just half an hour away by train and there are regular services to Leeds, Manchester, Norwich and Hull.

Grantham is also served by a high functioning bus network which runs through the town and connects surrounding areas including Lincoln and Sleaford amongst others.

The town is located within easy access of the A1 between London and Grantham, and this provides fast and easy transit to the M1 between London and Leeds and the A1M. Cambridge is just over an hour away by road, and Leicester is just over fifty minutes away.

Easy access to international travel is also close by, with East Midlands airport just over an hour away from Grantham.

Schools and education

Grantham is well known for its excellent selection of primary and secondary schools in the area.

The King’s School (for boys) and Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School are extremely highly regarded state grammar schools rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and the co-ed Priory Ruskin Academy is also rated Outstanding

The Grantham Additional Needs Fellowship includes Ambergate Sports College and Sandon School which are both based in Grantham and have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Grantham College offers a broad range of further education and sixth form courses.

Grantham also has a range of options when it comes to baby and pre-school classes and a number of nursery settings.