Located on the west bank of the River Witham, Grantham is a lively industrial town in Lincolnshire. It is famously the birthplace of Margaret Thatcher and was where Isaac Newtown was educated as a schoolboy. Grantham is also where the United Kingdom’s first diesel engine was built in 1892.
Things to do in Grantham
In the heart of town is the Grantham Museum, which occupies a former library built with funds from the Carnegie UK Trust. Its physical and digital exhibitions include displays about Sir Isaac Newtown and Edith Smith, as well as the former prime minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher. A highlight of the museum is its exhibit about the Dambusters Raid, with nearby St. Vincent’s Hall serving as its command centre.
A short walk north will take you to St. Wulfram's Church, a Grade I-listed medieval building topped by one of the tallest spires in England. Its magnificent interior features a gallery of carved angels and Victorian stained-glass windows, as well as an organ that dates back to 1735. Occupying the parvise is the Francis Trigge Chained Library, which is said to be the first public library in Britain.
West of Grantham is Belvoir Castle, which was built in the early 19th century on the site of a Norman castle. In addition to touring its opulently decorated staterooms, there are magnificent gardens to explore. You can stretch your legs on one of the woodland trails or browse the retail stores of Engine Yard.
Getting around Grantham
Grantham is around 40 minutes’ drive from Nottingham and 1.5 hours from Birmingham Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Regular trains connect to the Grantham railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Grantham can easily be explored on foot.