Historical house to be opened to visitors

The house was passed down through families until it was gifted to the National Trust in 1944

A historical townhouse in Grantham will open to the public in the spring, the National Trust has announced.

The 14th Century building in the centre of the town will have a café and community space, with visitors also having access to its five acres of gardens.

A National Trust spokesperson said the organisation was "delighted" to offer people the opportunity to experience the property's "nature, history, and beauty".

Grantham House, which has been owned by the trust since 1944, is expected to open to the public in April.

In 1813 the house was used as a school for "young ladies" who studied botany, music and dancing

The house was originally known as Hall Place and a family of wealthy wool merchants lived there from the end of the 15th Century until the beginning of the 17th Century.

Notable guests that stayed in the house include Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland, and Cardinal Wolsey, who stayed there on his last journey north.

Since the National Trust was gifted the property in 1944, it has been let to tenants including St Wulfram's Church.

The church will continue to use some of the rooms when the venue opens to the public.

Charlotte Beaver, visitor operations and experience manager, said: "We're really looking forward to welcoming visitors to Grantham House from April."

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