Both our locations are surrounded by a wealth of heritage sites, gardens and towns.
Indulge your sense of adventure and treat yourself to a visit to one of the following treasures.
One of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age, Burghley House was built in the the 16th Century by William Cecil, the first Lord Burghley. A stunning house with extensive grounds, Orangery Restaurant, Garden Cafe, culture park and water garden is open to the public over the summer period.
Stamford, named “The best place to live in Britain” by the Sunday Times, is a stunning Georgian town with plenty of individual shops, lovely restaurants and pubs and stylish homeware shops. Stamford is one hour from Stansted Airport and East Midlands airport.
This internationally famous nature reserve provides one of the most important wildfowl sanctuaries in Great Britain. There are over 30 bird watching hides and nature trails from two visitor centres with experts to help you with identification. Set in 4,200 acres of open countryside offering activities for all the family including sailing, fishing and bicycle hire.
Home to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The RAF BBMF hangar is located within the boundaries of RAF Coningsby and viewing the Flight’s historic aircraft at close quarters is available only by guided tour. Whilst in the hanger you will be able to observe the BBMF technicians working to maintain the most evocative of aircraft in airworthy condition.
Doddington Hall was completed in 1600 and has never been sold or cleared out since. An example of a fine late Elizabethan Mansion , it is still a lived-in and much loved family home, alive with history and interest. For many visitors the gardens are just as spectacular as the Hall itself. There are formal box hedging and topiary gardens, a wild garden which displays a spectacular pageant of spring bulbs and a nature trail which provides a pleasant and interesting walk of about a mile. Farm shop, India Jane interiors store, Doddington Country Clothing Store and Bauble Barn (open festive period only). Also boasts FARMA Farm Restaurant & Cafe of the Year 2015.
Lincoln is steeped in history, much of it dating back to Roman times. Majestic Lincoln Minster stands prominently above the city and can be seen from miles around. Situated at the top of Steep Hill, it sits amongst individual shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Just a stone’s throw away lies Lincoln Castle, home to one of only four surviving originals of the Magna Carta.
Oakham is an attractive, traditional English market town, packed with heritage and with plenty to see. Rutland County Museum and Visitor Centre is the perfect introduction to England’s smallest county and displays exhibitions of archaeology, history and rural life. Visit Oakham Castle to solve the mystery of the intriguing collection of over 200 horseshoes hanging from the walls.
Barnsdale is an inspiring place to visit at any time of the year. With Britain’s largest collection of individually designed gardens, it’s teeming with great ideas. Plant shop and tearoom.
Belton House is often cited as the quintessential country house estate. Built for Sir John Brownlow in the 1680’s the house has all the design features of a classic English country home. Sitting in formal Italian and Dutch gardens and an historic 1300 acre deer park.
This is truly a “lost” garden which is being lovingly re-established. There is a pickery and cottage garden (displaying over 100 sweet peas during July), 80m of long borders, a velvet border, woodland walk and the white space garden. Every year the wonderful snowdrop displays attract 1,000’s of visitors. Tearoom too serving light lunches and afternoon teas!
Grimsthorpe Castle is an historic house, park and garden. It shows a wonderful example of architecture from different eras depending on which side you look at. The interiors are sumptuous, with an array of state rooms featuring a superb portrait collection, furniture and glorious interior decoration. Set in beautiful grounds with lake, oak wood, vegetable and topiary gardens. There is a tearoom serving light lunches. Open summer months.