A hidden architectural gem in Grantham town centre is open to visitors for the first time in its centuries-long history.
People can tour Grade I listed Grantham House on Castlegate and its five-acre gardens for free.
It is hoped the National Trust property will become a hub for the community and a major tourism draw, attracting some of the 400,000 annual visitors to its nearby Belton House.
The trust was supported by South Kesteven District Council in securing a grant of £105,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). This, together with the same level of investment from the trust, paid for essential works to restore and update the townhouse making it a place people could visit.
South Kesteven District Council’s cabinet member for corporate governance and licensing, cllr Philip Knowles, said: “Plenty of people in Grantham will have known of its existence but have never been able to see it – an equal number will have never known it existed because it was a private residence.
“We worked very hard in partnership with the National Trust on the options for Grantham House so everyone could experience this former hidden gem and were delighted to be able to support them through the grant application process.”
The National Trust’s Dr Henry Cutten, local partnerships co-ordinator at Grantham House, said: “We’ve welcomed so many people to explore the hidden beauty of Grantham House already and it’s been wonderful hearing local people’s amazement at this urban oasis on their doorstep.
“Offering free entry to everyone was so important to us as part of the National Trust’s new strategy to open up access to heritage and nature, and we’re extremely grateful to SKDC for their assistance in facilitating the UKSPF grant which has helped us to offer this.
“We look forward to more and more local people discovering the peaceful green space which Grantham House has to offer.”
Grantham House, which was a private tenanted home until recently, has a café and a second-hand bookshop. It boasts walled gardens, a riverside meadow, short woodland walk, and expansive lawns complete with games such as croquet and giant chess. There are also rooms for hire.
It will be operated in partnership with neighbouring St Wulfram’s Church, and they will run joint activities including Yoga and fundraise together.
Grantham House is open from 10am to 5pm every day until October when hours will reduce to Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, until March. Free entry extends to everyone so there is no need to be a National Trust member to visit.
Image shows Grantham House. Credit: South Kesteven District Council
