A Drive to Grimsthorpe Castle seeing parts of the countryside not usually visited
Leave Grantham on the A52 Boston. After the Territorial Army
barracks turn right at the roundabout. When you come to the
railway and the road turns right to go under a bridge go
straight on to Bassingthorpe. Take time to admire the black and
white cows in meadows a quintessentially English scene. The
cows are pedigree Friesians and Ann Harrrison exports foetus
all over the world as a result of always winning prizes at shows.
The house behind the church is the one to look at. Built in
Elizabethan times (1558—1603) for a wealthy wool merchant
named Coney this is only a part of the original. Privately
owned it is not open to the public.
After Bassingthorpe turn right past Westby to Burton le Coggles and
on to Corby Glen. Go past the green before turning in to the village at
the cross roads, the fine Jacobean building on the right was built as a
school in 1673 and is now used for free art exhibitions. Go through
the old market square, once famous for its pubs Corby used to have 9
of them, and right up the High Street and out the far end of the village
to Irnham.
You really should visit St Andrews Church in Irnham.The
Luttrelll Psalter, one of the most prized manuscripts in the
British Library was commissioned by Sir Geoffrey Luttrell in
about 1330 and used in this church. We have a book about the
Psalter and the characters are obviously drawn from life.
Standing in the Church doorway where they walked brings history to life. A beautiful old church in a wonderful setting it
has recently been restored at great cost largely due to the fund
raising efforts of some of the newcomers to the village. Sir
Geoffrey lived in the Hall and a small part of the present building dates back to 1330.
Turn left at the Griffin Inn and leave the village, fork right
for Bulby. Any strange black and white sheep with horns
are Jacob sheep and belong to young Tom Green son of the
farmer at Marwood House. Through Bulby and turn right,
keep turning right and after Elsthorpe you will come to
Grimsthorpe with it’s castle.
Grimsthorpe Castle 2
After visiting the castle, turn left and head towards Corby Glen on the A151. Go straight on
at a sharp bend and into Swinstead. As you come to the village look across to your left for a
view of the summer house with its twin towers.You can go up Park Road for a closer look.
Built by Sir John VanBurgh the towers
originally had an open arch between
them and its only use was for people
from the Castle to drive out in their
carriage, park under cover of the arch
and take tea in the room at the top,
admiring the view back over the lake
to the castle.
For the last few years it has been a
weekend cottage for a couple from
London with a passion for old buildings. Done in period it is very beautiful but as it was for years lined with
lead and used as a water tower, damp
has been a nightmare.
Pass the Windmill Inn and turn left towards Stamford. Just
beyond the church car park is a short grassed lane to the
left. A pond at the end is still known as the wash pond and
the small paddock between it and the road is the drying
field. Wash day was a social occasion.
You can carry on to Stamford and back along the A1 or if you have had enough go back to the village centre,
turn left and back to Corby Glen. Left on to the A151 to Colsterworth roundabout and cross the A1. A little
way along you will see a sign for Woolsthorpe Manor where Sir Isaac Newton was born and discovered the
theory of gravity.. Worth a diversion, belongs to the National Trust. Back to the road and on to Buckminster.
At the far end turn right for Sproxton.
Straight through Sproxton and Saltby to Croxton Kerrial.
Cross directly over the A607 and after the church turn right. A few hundred yards later a small road to the
right brings you to Harston. ‘Dog leg’ over and into Woolsthorpe by Belvoir and straight on to Belvoir Vale
Cottage.