Grantham House was originally a country residence but with time it was gradually surrounded by the town of Grantham.
The earliest part of the house, the central hall, was built in about 1380. Both Princess Margaret, the daughter of Henry VII and Cardinal Wolsey lodged at Grantham House but little remains of the medieval building except some 15th century windows now found on an internal staircase.
From the 15th to the 17th centuries the house was the home of the wealthy Hall family. They were wool merchants of the Staple of Calais and for some time the house was known as Hall Place.
Most of the building seen today dates from the 16th - 18th centuries. The 16th century mullioned windows that look out over the church and entrance front to the north, were inserted by the Hall family.
The charming, asymmetrical entrance front has features dated 1574 and 1737 and these illustrate the building's mixed history.
It is the delightful garden front, however, that gives Grantham House its architectural distinction.
The long stone two-storey facade is attractively covered in creeper and has dormer windows looking out over the parapet of the roof.
The garden front basically later 17th century with original mullioned and transcomed windows on either side of the central pedimented doorway. The sashes and narrow glazing bars of the other windows were inserted in the 18th century and probably at this time the stone front was rendered. This work was carried out by Ann, Lady Cust, soon after 1734 when the property was bought by her husband.
Inside the house the panelling also has a mixed architectural history.
The oak wainscot in the panelled room dates from the early 17th century and this contrasts with the painted 18th century panelling in the drawing room. This was probably created for Lady Cust and she was also responsible for introducing the three large still life paintings attributed to J.B. Ruoppolo that hang in the hall. These pictures are thought to have come from Belton Hall, to the north of Grantham, which Lady Cust later inherited.
Grantham House overlooks Grantham's cathedral-like parish church, St Wulfrans, with its soaring 14th century tower and spire.
The 27 acres of tranquil garden slope down to the willow-fringed river Witham.
Approached by the footpath along the river, Grantham House still has the appearance of the country house it once was.
2008:Garden Only: 28 May-25 Jun: 14:00-17:00 Wed; House & Garden: 6 Aug-28 Aug: 14:00-17:00 Wed-Thur. Garden only: 1st Sun Apr-Nov; 14:00-17:00. Groups at other times by arrangement. Last entry 30mins before close.
Tel: 01476 593473 Grantham House Website
