Grantham
Grantham is an ancient town, whose crowning glory is the church of St Wulfram. This delightful old church has a beautiful 14th century spire, which remains a distinct landmark for many miles around, rising as it does to 281ft. The church stands amid a cluster of historic buildings, and when constructed was the tallest building in England. The present church is built on the site of a former Norman church, of which six original pillars remain. Within the tower is a chained library, presented by a local rector in 1598 - it contains some 150 volumes, including a legal book printed in Venice in 1472. The library is occasionally open to the public.
Opposite St Wulframs is the oldest of the buildings belonging to King's School, the 15th century grammar school founded during the reign of Edward IV, who gave the town its charter. Counted amongst the school's famous former pupils are Sir Isaac Newton, and Lady Thatcher- the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Nearby St Wulframs stands Grantham House, originally dating from the 14th century, enlarged in the 16th century, and extensively altered in the 18th century - it is now owned and managed by the National Trust. The garden front can be dated to about 1680 and remodelled in 1737, the chimney stack dates from the 16th century Internally, there is early 17th century oak panelling in one room, contrasting dramatically with painted panelling from the 18th century in the drawing room.
The Angel and Royal Hotel, in the High Street, has a 15th century gateway, and was one of the historic staging posts on the Great North Road. Originally the property of the Knights Templar until their disgrace, the hotel was then handed over to the Hospitallers. King John held court here in 1213, and in 1483, Richard III signed the death warrant of the second Duke of Buckingham here. The George Inn nearby, dates from the 18th century and was described by Charles Dickens in 'Nicholas Nickleby'.
The Beehive Inn, in Castlegate, has a unique living sign, a real beehive in a tree outside the public house. In the Market Place are the plinth of a medieval cross and the town's conduit of 1597. The Roman Catholic Church of St Mary, built in North Parade in 1832, stands opposite the shop over which Margaret Thatcher lived and grew-up in. Built in the Classical style, St Marys is faced with ashlar, and has a charming little cupola - Roman Catholic traditions remain strong and unbroken in Grantham.