There are many things to see and do around Skillington. Click on the individual places for further details or speak to us on how we can include some of these places with your homestay package.
Woolsthorpe Manor
Close by is the family home of Sir Isaac Newton. Visit the house in which he was born and made some of his most famous discoveries. Test some of his theories in the Sir Isaac Newton Science Centre and take a look at the descendant of the famous apple tree.
Grantham
The historic town of Grantham is famous as the birthplace of Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female Prime Minister. See the building where she was born above her Father's grocery shop which is now a natural health centre. Visit the impressive St Wulfram's Church and Grantham Museum. Have a drink in the famous Beehive Inn, one of the oldest pubs in Grantham. The Beehive Inn dates back to the 16th century and is named because it has a living beehive in the tree outside the pub. There is also the Angel & Royal Inn where King Richard III signed the death warrant of the Duke of Buckingham in 1483.
Belton House
Built in the late 17th century Belton House was said to be the perfect English country house. Set in its own deer park it is one of the finest examples of Restoration architecture and is full of period furniture and impressive paintings. The beautiful formal gardens are well maintained and a delight to walk around. Many period dramas have been filmed here including the BBC's TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Easton Walled Gardens
US President Franklin D Roosevelt described these gardens as ‘A dream of Nirvana… almost too good to be true.’ He spent part of his honeymoon here with his bride, Eleanor. The 12 acres of gardens at Easton are at least 400 years old. Home to the Cholmeley family for 14 generations, the gardens were abandoned in 1951 when Easton Hall was pulled down. The revival of these gardens has been ongoing since early 2002. See this fascinating revival for yourself by visiting theses splendid gardens.
Grimsthorpe Castle
Built for a visit by Henry VIII in 1541, the imposing Castle sits amongst rolling Lincolnshire countryside surrounded by formal gardens, extensive woodland and a 50-acre lake. Descendants of the deer that King Henry hunted now roam the parkland, grazing under the ancient oaks. The Castle has been home to the same family since 1516 and is filled with fine furniture, paintings and tapestries.
Belvoir Castle
The Family Home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland. The Castle enjoys breathtaking views over the Vale of Belvoir. Visitors can see the impressive collection of English history, period art and furniture. The grounds around the Castle include a beautiful rose garden and the Duchess’s Garden, a fine example of a Victorian valley garden, with many rare species of trees.
Rutland Water
Rutland Water is the largest man-made lake in Western Europe where you can relax, cycle, walk or purely soak up the peace and tranquillity of this location. It is an internationally famous nature reserve that provides one of the most important wildfowl sanctuaries in Great Britain.
Barnsdale Gardens
Barnsdale has been referred to as a 'theme park for gardeners'. With 38 individual stylised gardens in over 8 acres the gardener can always pick up ideas for their own gardens. Barnsdale became the BBC Gardeners' World garden in 1983 and was developed by Geoff Hamilton. Geoff was known as 'The People's Gardener' with his infectious passion for gardening and his vision for recycling materials for using in the garden. Today his son Nick runs the garden and carries on the wonderful work that his father started.
Burghley House
Burghley House is the largest and grandest house of the first Elizabethan age. The main part of the House has 35 major rooms on the ground and first floors. There are more than 80 lesser rooms and numerous halls, corridors, bathrooms and service areas. The extensive grounds laid out by Capability Brown contains the Garden of Surprises and a Sculpture Garden. Burghley has been used in various recent movies such as Pride & Prejudice and the DaVinci Code and is the venue for the world famous Burghley Horse Trials.
Twin Lakes Theme Park
Twin Lakes has over 70 acres of attractions including 125,000sq.ft of indoor play areas. There is also an animal farm with over 300 animals and birds. Add to this rollercoasters and rides for children of all ages, a pirate ship with negative 'G' Swing, water rides and boats there is plenty to do for an exciting family day out.
Newark International Antiques Fair
Newark International Antique & Collectors Fair is Europe's largest antique event. With up to 4,000 stalls on view it is a great opportunity to shop for antiques at bargain prices. The fair is held four times a year. Please contact us for further details.
Hemswell Antique Centre
Set in beautiful rural Lincolnshire, Hemswell Antique Centre is the ideal venue for a great day out! Europe's largest antique centre hosts a wonderful mix of antiques and collectables from bygone times. Take time to relax and sample the homemade delights made from locally sourced produce in our licensed coffee shop, which is part of Tastes of Lincolnshire.
Sherwood Forest
Take a look at the historic Major Oak tree famed as the hiding place of the outlaw Robin Hood in the heart of Sherwood Forest. Visit the church in nearby Edwinstowe where Robin Hood and Maid Marion are believed to have sealed their love by getting married. Each year there is a Robin Hood Festival week where people can enjoy a fun time with special attractions. Check with us for the dates of 2011.
National Space Centre
The award winning National Space Centre is the UK’s largest space visitor attraction. Journey through the six hands-on galleries and sit back in awe in the UK's largest
planetarium, as they take you on a voyage of discovery in the 360° fulldome experience. Challenge yourself in over 150 interactive experiences and travel through three floors in the glass lifts in the 42m high Rocket Tower. Whatever the weather, enjoy a day of breathtaking discovery and interactive fun for all the family.