Grimsthorpe Castle, Park & Gardens
Mansion of four sides, each of different appearance reflecting the different architectural styles that have been employed here since the 13th century.
Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 0NB
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Cafe / restaurant
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Facilities for children
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Free parking
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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Parkland / open spaces
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Pet friendly
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Picnic area
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Shop
Car Park:
We have a designated car park for blue badge holders, near the Ticket Hut and entrance. Please follow the signs for this when you drive into the estate.
Toilets:
Although our main toilet block is currently being refurbished, we have plenty of accessible toilets to make your day out at Grimsthorpe comfortable. There is one disabled portaloo in the disabled car park, four accessible toilet cubicles to the left of the Castle, and a disabled toilet in the Walled Garden.
Mobility Impaired Visitors:
There is roughly a 3 minute walk to the Castle from the Ticket Hut on a smooth, level concrete road. It is suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Please note however that Grimsthorpe is a working estate and, as such, there are sometimes farm and estate vehicles utilising this road. Please be aware of slow-moving traffic.
For those with limited mobility, we have an electric buggy service which can take you down to the Castle and gardens. Please ask at the Ticket Hut if you would like to use this service, subject to availability.
We also have a wheelchair at the Ticket Hut for use on site, please let a member of staff know on arrival if you would like to borrow it. Please note that the wheelchair is subject to availability and cannot be booked in advance.
The gardens and parkland are mostly accessible for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and those who cannot walk unaided. Most of the garden paths are level, with a gentle slope and shallow steps up to the Kitchen Garden. Please note that the Woodland Walk, while all level, is uneven underfoot and can get muddy after inclement weather.
There are gravelled paths and areas around the Castle which may be difficult to navigate in a wheelchair; we recommend wheelchair uses bring a companion to help in these areas.
There are benches and picnic tables scattered throughout the gardens and two picnic tables near the lake for visitors to use.
Please note that there are small ponds close to the Castle and a large ornamental lake.
The Castle: The ground floor, consisting of four rooms, of the Castle is accessible, however regrettably the first floor is not accessible for wheelchairs. The Castle tour involves ascending and descending two flights of stone stairs. Folding walking stools are available to borrow at the Castle – please just ask at the Castle reception desk.
We have a 37-minute ‘virtual tour’ of the first floor rooms, complete with commentary. Please ask at the Castle reception desk if you would like to watch it.
Visually Impaired Visitors:
Guide dogs are welcome at Grimsthorpe in all areas, including the Castle.
We have a written tour of the Castle in Braille. Please ask at the Castle reception desk if you would like to borrow it for your visit.
Hearing Impaired Visitors:
Hearing impaired visitors are welcome to take a guide book with them around the Castle to assist on their visit.
At the moment we do not have induction loop services available at Grimsthorpe.
Visitors with learning difficulties/disabilities:
Please get in touch with us directly at visit@grimsthorpe.co.uk or on 01778 591205 if you have any concerns about your visit.
We can arrange, with a few days’ notice, a private tour of the Castle if that would make your visit more enjoyable.
Grimsthorpe is usually a very peaceful place, however we are a working estate which means that farm and estate vehicles, building works or other estate management works may mean that there are louder noises than usual. 2023 sees the continuance of our refurbishment of the Coach House Yard, which means that building noises may be frequent on the North Avenue.
Sensory experiences include the fountain in front of the Castle, birdsong and wildlife noises in the gardens and wider parkland, and smells of plants and flowers in the Kitchen and Walled Gardens. If you would like to know more about our current aromatic plant life, please get in touch with us.
Animals:
There is wildlife throughout the estate, including red and fallow deer in the parkland. Farm animals such as cows and sheep are also often present in the parkland, which are fenced off. Please do not attempt to approach, touch or feed any of the wildlife or animals on the estate.
Excepting guide dogs, dogs are welcome at Grimsthorpe on short leads in the parkland ONLY.
Grimsthorpe Castle sits amongst rolling Lincolnshire countryside surrounded by gardens, extensive historic woodland and a 50-acre lake.
Descendants of the deer that King Henry VIII hunted now roam the parkland, grazing under ancient oaks. Enjoy the chance to soak up the atmosphere and ‘Spirit of Place’ in a Castle that has been home to the same family since 1516 and is filled with fine furniture, paintings and tapestries.
Families love the adventure playground and miles of traffic-free trails that provide a safe haven to spot wildlife and other hidden delights.
Please note: The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.
Open on select days from April to October, 10.30am – 5.30pm. Last entry 4.30pm.
Please check their website before your visit for opening information and any closures for private events.
Historic Houses members visit for free.
Castle, Park & Gardens
Adult £16, Child £7, Family (2+3) £40
Park & Gardens
Adult £10, Child £5, Family (2+3) £25
Groups of 15 or more can visit on any day between April and September by arrangement (excluding Fridays and Saturdays).
Advance booking is essential and subject to availability. Please email visit@grimsthorpe.co.uk for more details.
Car Park:
We have a designated car park for blue badge holders, near the Ticket Hut and entrance. Please follow the signs for this when you drive into the estate.
Toilets:
Although our main toilet block is currently being refurbished, we have plenty of accessible toilets to make your day out at Grimsthorpe comfortable. There is one disabled portaloo in the disabled car park, four accessible toilet cubicles to the left of the Castle, and a disabled toilet in the Walled Garden.
Mobility Impaired Visitors:
There is roughly a 3 minute walk to the Castle from the Ticket Hut on a smooth, level concrete road. It is suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Please note however that Grimsthorpe is a working estate and, as such, there are sometimes farm and estate vehicles utilising this road. Please be aware of slow-moving traffic.
For those with limited mobility, we have an electric buggy service which can take you down to the Castle and gardens. Please ask at the Ticket Hut if you would like to use this service, subject to availability.
We also have a wheelchair at the Ticket Hut for use on site, please let a member of staff know on arrival if you would like to borrow it. Please note that the wheelchair is subject to availability and cannot be booked in advance.
The gardens and parkland are mostly accessible for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and those who cannot walk unaided. Most of the garden paths are level, with a gentle slope and shallow steps up to the Kitchen Garden. Please note that the Woodland Walk, while all level, is uneven underfoot and can get muddy after inclement weather.
There are gravelled paths and areas around the Castle which may be difficult to navigate in a wheelchair; we recommend wheelchair uses bring a companion to help in these areas.
There are benches and picnic tables scattered throughout the gardens and two picnic tables near the lake for visitors to use.
Please note that there are small ponds close to the Castle and a large ornamental lake.
The Castle: The ground floor, consisting of four rooms, of the Castle is accessible, however regrettably the first floor is not accessible for wheelchairs. The Castle tour involves ascending and descending two flights of stone stairs. Folding walking stools are available to borrow at the Castle – please just ask at the Castle reception desk.
We have a 37-minute ‘virtual tour’ of the first floor rooms, complete with commentary. Please ask at the Castle reception desk if you would like to watch it.
Visually Impaired Visitors:
Guide dogs are welcome at Grimsthorpe in all areas, including the Castle.
We have a written tour of the Castle in Braille. Please ask at the Castle reception desk if you would like to borrow it for your visit.
Hearing Impaired Visitors:
Hearing impaired visitors are welcome to take a guide book with them around the Castle to assist on their visit.
At the moment we do not have induction loop services available at Grimsthorpe.
Visitors with learning difficulties/disabilities:
Please get in touch with us directly at visit@grimsthorpe.co.uk or on 01778 591205 if you have any concerns about your visit.
We can arrange, with a few days’ notice, a private tour of the Castle if that would make your visit more enjoyable.
Grimsthorpe is usually a very peaceful place, however we are a working estate which means that farm and estate vehicles, building works or other estate management works may mean that there are louder noises than usual. 2023 sees the continuance of our refurbishment of the Coach House Yard, which means that building noises may be frequent on the North Avenue.
Sensory experiences include the fountain in front of the Castle, birdsong and wildlife noises in the gardens and wider parkland, and smells of plants and flowers in the Kitchen and Walled Gardens. If you would like to know more about our current aromatic plant life, please get in touch with us.
Animals:
There is wildlife throughout the estate, including red and fallow deer in the parkland. Farm animals such as cows and sheep are also often present in the parkland, which are fenced off. Please do not attempt to approach, touch or feed any of the wildlife or animals on the estate.
Excepting guide dogs, dogs are welcome at Grimsthorpe on short leads in the parkland ONLY.
Getting here
Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 0NB
Around 8 miles, or a 10-15 minute drive from the A1 Colsterworth junction on the A151 road to Bourne.
The nearest railway station is Grantham. take a taxi from there. Buses from Peterborough to Bourne and a taxi from there.
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