Group Visits
A Wonderful Castle in the heart of Lincolnshire. Grimsthorpe is a historic house, park & garden, open in the summer for adults and children to enjoy the countryside, nature and history.
Lincolnshire, Castle, Grimsthorpe, Visitor Attraction, Tea Room, Gardens, House, Heritage, Park, Dog Walking, Deer Park, Cycling, Lord Willoughby, Railway, Family friendly, Rental Properties, Cakes, Lunches, Bridgerton, Filming, Stately Home, Stately House, Period Property, Days Out, Children, Playground, Play Park, Walking, Lake, Nature, Wildlife, Woods, Explore, Adventure, Guided Tour, Group Visit, Coach Party, Coach Trip
2750
page-template,page-template-full_width,page-template-full_width-php,page,page-id-2750,bridge-core-3.0.5,,qode-page-loading-effect-enabled,footer_responsive_adv,transparent_content,qode-child-theme-ver-1.0.0,qode-theme-ver-29.1,qode-theme-bridge,qode_header_in_grid,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-6.9.0,vc_responsive
 

Group Visits

Tour Booking request form and summary of tours

History

Grimsthorpe Castle is the final masterpiece of Sir John Vanbrugh, known for Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. This 16th century estate was presented by Henry VIII as a wedding gift to William, 11th Lord Willoughby de Eresby and Maria de Salinas, lady-in-waiting and confidante of Henry’s Queen, Katherine of Aragon. The ownership of Grimsthorpe has remained in successive generations of the same family united under one ancient title, the Barony of Willoughby de Eresby.

 

Group Visits

We welcome groups Monday to Friday during April, and Sunday to Thursday May to September. Advance booking is essential and subject to availability.

We pride ourselves on being able to offer bespoke visits but have also put together some simple ‘off the peg’ visits which are listed below. We include a ‘meet and greet’ service for all groups.

Full Day Visit
£17 per person

  • One hour guided tour of the Castle
  • One hour guided tour of Grimsthorpe Park in your coach
  • Wander free flow around the Gardens

Gardens & Parkland Visit
£13 per person

  • One hour guided tour of Grimsthorpe Park in your coach
  • 1 and 1/2 hour guided tour of the Gardens with the Head Gardener

Self-guided Castle Visit
£15 per person

  • Self-guided visit of the Castle
  • Wander free flow around the Park & Gardens

 

Self-guided Garden Visit
£9 per person

  • Wander free flow around the Park & Gardens

To make a group booking request simply fill in the form and we will respond to your request.

 

Alternately email: visit@grimsthorpe.co.uk or Telephone +44 (0)1778 591205

 

Our Group Booking 2025 Information Pack can be found by clicking here.

    Catering

    Pre-booking catering allows us to reserve space for your group within our indoor seating area.

     

    The March Hare Tea Trailer is ran by Amy, and all catering requirements, including tea and coffee on arrival, will need to be booked through her, after an initial Group Booking request with Lucie, Public Access Lead.

     

    The trailer is located at the visitor entrance, and customers can enjoy refreshments inside or outside.  Please note this is a take away service, and unless and afternoon is booked, everthing is served in take away cups and containers.

     

    Afternoon Teas can be booked on request and are served on china.

    CASTLE TOUR

    We are able to take up to 52  people around the Castle at the same, split into groups of 12-14. We have four rooms on the ground floor, with the majority of rooms on the first floor up two flights of stairs, however there is a video tour downstairs for those less able.

     

    The tour is with one of our knowledgeable guides and lasts an hour. Warm clothing is recommended as the Castle is often colder inside than outside!

     

    PARK TOUR

    For groups arriving in their own coach, we offer a Park Tour with one of our Park Volunteers.

     

    The tour takes in the 3,000 acres of Grimsthorpe Park encompassing rolling pasture, landscaped lakes and historic oak woodland, little changed since the visit of Henry VIII.  It includes the site of a 12th century Cistercian Abbey, the grand designs of 18th century landscape architects and a centuries long association with the Castle.  Natural history is diverse, with three species of wild deer, teeming bird life on the lakes, ancient trees, rare flowers and butterflies.

     

    The tour is a one hour journey using your own coach.
    (NB – tour does not require visitors to leave the coach.)

     

    GARDEN TOUR

    Groups are welcome to visit the gardens as part of their day at Grimsthorpe on a self-guided basis.  Or, by prior arrangement, the Head Gardener can meet groups and personally show them around the gardens.

     

    Private garden tours last around 1½ hours. Suitable footwear and a good level of fitness is recommended, although we do make use of our 8 seater golf buggy for those less able.