The Park

Grimsthorpe Park is a vast and beautiful estate with a rich history. The park itself extends to 3,000 acres and is five miles across at its longest point. Two enclosed deer parks were once inside the boundary but today the deer now roam wild across the whole of the estate.

Grimsthorpe has plenty to see and explore within the Park’s boundaries with various points of interest including gardens, woodland, walking trail, a lake, Castle, Adventure Playground and more!

An ideal destination for nature enthusiast, history buffs and those looking for a peaceful and picturesque escape.

Natural Beauty and Wildlife

Grimsthorpe Park is a natural haven waiting to be discovered. Whether you prefer leisurely strolls or a cycling adventure, we have something for everyone.

The Park is well worth exploring and visitors can pick up a walking map from the Ticket Hut and follow the trail signs which cover routes of up to 10 miles. A fantastic way to immerse yourself in the park’s charm and uncover it’s hidden gems.

The same routes can also be explored on bikes.

As you wander through the Park, keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife that calls Grimsthorpe home. From Buzzards and Kites, to Swans, Geese and a variety of ducks, the Park is a haven for birdwatchers.

You may also encounter resident Red, Fallow and Muntjack Deer along with many other British mammals. On sunny days you can spot Dragonflies, Damselflies, Butterflies and Beetles.

Grimsthorpe Park offers a sense of tranquillity and serenity. Whether you’re a nature lover or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, Come and experience the beauty of the natural world in this idyllic setting.

The park is teeming with wildlife but it’s also a very tranquil and peaceful, so whether you’re a nature lover or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, come enjoy all that Grimsthorpe as to offer.

Wild Deer at Grimsthorpe

There are three species of wild deer that call this stunning landscape home. Typically known for their shyness and elusive nature, only glimpsed in the distance, they have recently become more inquisitive when encountering our visitors.

Whilst it’s truly magical to see our deer up close, it’s important to remember that they are still wild animals. For your safety and theirs, we kindly request that you maintain a respectful distance from the deer. Please refrain from approaching or interacting with them.

By observing these beautiful creatures from a distance, you can appreciate their natural behaviours and admire them in their natural habitat. Your cooperation in keeping a safe distance ensures the well-being of the deer and a harmonious coexistence between our visitors and the park’s wildlife.

The historic Vaudey Abbey

Step back in time to the 12th century when the park at Grimsthorpe was a dense woodland. It was during this period that the Earl of Albemarle granted the use of this land to the Cistercian Order of monks. They sent an abbot and 13 monks from Fountains Abbey to undertake the challenging task of clearing the land and build. The monks named the area “Vallis Dei”, meaning the valley of God, a name that has evolved into The Vaudey.

Under the monks stewardship, the landscape underwent significant changes. They created stews, or fishponds and transformed and enclosed land to hold deer. The wealth of the monastery was based on the wool trade that declined in the 14th century and by the time of the Abbey’s dissolution in 1536, ordered by King Henry VIII, only a few monks remained.

As time passed, the Abbey’s once-majestic buildings gradually faded away, with little remaining by 1736. Local antiquarian, William Stukeley, made note of this in his writings, stating that “the foundations of the ruins of the abbey generally remain from the gatehouse to the dovecote.”

Intriguingly, in 2006, during riverbed excavation work, three substantial pieces of carved stone were discovered. These stones, as seen in the accompanying photo, hint at the possibility of once belonging to an archway, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the past of Vaudey Abbey.

The Railway

Explore Lord Willoughby’s Railway, a fascinating chapter in the history of Grimsthorpe Park.

Take a step back in time and explore the history of ‘Lord Willoughby’s Railway’. The line that ran from the village of Edenham and traversed estate lands, ultimately connecting with the main London line at Little Bytham. This marvel of engineering was in operation between July 1856 and July 1873. It carried both goods and passengers and was a testament to the cutting-edge technology of its era.

Even though the railway itself has become a relic of the past, its route is still visible on maps, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to walk or cycle along part of its historical path when the park is open to the public. The fascinating story of this life-sized train set is detailed in a book, available for purchase in our gift shop, authored by RE Pearson and JG Ruddock.

For those seeking an even closer encounter with the railway’s legacy, a scale model of the locomotive and some carriages are on display in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery, conveniently located in nearby Corby Glen.