picturesque market towns, spectacular heritage attractions and fun family days out
Enjoy miles of beautiful countryside and more than 80 rural villages - all waiting to be explored - as well as many historic attractions, family entertainment and delicious places to eat. Lincolnshire’s South Countryside is home to a host of cultural attractions including some of the country's finest stately homes such as Belvoir Castle and the National Trust's Belton House, making the area an appealing destination for historic property enthusiasts far and wide.
The picturesque Lincolnshire market towns of Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and Market Deeping are just some of the cultural hotspots of the area. Grantham is well known for having once been home to several notable figures including Sir Isaac Newton and former UK Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. Today the birth place of Sir Isaac Newton - the National Trust owned Woolsthorpe Manor is open to the public.
the market towns of South Lincolnshire
Grantham
The beautiful market town of Grantham is a fantastic starting point when discovering the area of South Kesteven.
Stamford
Stamford is a bustling, prosperous market town and has a wide range of shops, hostelries and attractions.
Bourne
The delightful market town of Bourne sits on the eastern side of the South Kesteven district, bordering the Fens.
The Deepings
The Deepings is the collective name given to a delightful group of historic villages in South Kesteven comprising Market Deeping, Deeping St James, Deeping Gate, West Deeping and Deeping St Nicholas.
Spalding
Spalding is the largest market town in the district of South Holland, situated on the wide, river Welland and is bright with tulips in spring.
Belton House, Grantham
Houses & Castles
exquisite cultural attractions
Discover historic architecture and elegant gardens set within beautiful ancient wooded parkland.
heritage in the Southern Countryside
Belton Estate
Belvoir Castle
Burghley House
Grantham House
Harlaxton Manor
Woolsthorpe Manor
‘Perch Here’ Trail
ARTeFACT Trail
Ayscoughfee Hall
Browne’s Hospital
Grimsthorpe Castle
Saint Wulfram’s Church
Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre
Chain Bridge Forge
Crowland Abbey
Baldocks Mill
Holbeach Royal Observer Corps Underground Monitoring Post
Tattershall College
The Red Hall
what's on in the Southern Countryside
Dog Days at Easton Walled Gardens
Belton Garden Tours
Family Crafts at Belton Estate
Snowdrop Season at Easton Walled Gardens
South Gardens Spring Opening
Easter Adventures at Belton
Murder Mystery Evening – Dead Man’s Bluff
Murder Mystery – Lie To Me
Beastly Boring Tours at Burghley House
The Ultimate Easter Experience at Belvoir Castle
Gunby Local Makers Market at Gunby Hall
Easter at Harlaxton Manor
The Burghley Easter Egg Treasure Hunt
Burghley Spring Fine Food Market
Dawn Walk in the Gardens at Burghley House
Steampunk, Regency and Roses at Gunby Hall
Adventure Cinema at Burghley House
Wildflower Walk at Dawn at Burghley House
Living History Display at Burghley House
Easton Walled Gardens Sweet Pea Season
The Baston Car & Bike Show
Belvoir Castle Flower & Garden Show
Battle Proms Concert at Burghley House
Classic Ibiza at Burghley House
National Garden Scheme Day and Makers Market at Gunby Hall
Sounds of the 40s in the Gardens at Burghley House
After Hours Architecture & Landscape Tour
Jazz in the Gardens at Burghley House
Burghley Summer Fine Food Market
Defender Horse Trials at Burghley House
Burghley by Twilight
This Flight Tonight- The Songs of Joni Mitchell
Belvoir Castle & Estate
One of the UK's finest Regency castles offering a range of country pursuits. Visit familiar sites featured in The Da Vinci Code and Young Victoria.
Lincolnshire’s Southern Countryside is filled with exciting things to do and places to explore.
It is the perfect place to visit for a day trip, a weekend getaway or a relaxing Lincolnshire holiday. Discover something to satisfy the whole family whatever the weather in Grantham, Stamford, Spalding and the surrounding area.
Easton Walled Gardens
Discover one of the country's most beautiful walled gardens. These 400 year old gardens offer exquisite displays of florals and colour throughout the seasons.
Woolsthorpe Manor
Visit this National Trust owned 17th century Lincolnshire farmhouse where Sir Isaac Newton had his famous revelation about gravity.
Belton Park Golf Club
Play on one of the finest golf courses in the East Midlands. Situated in 240 acres of parkland in the heart of Lincolnshire, enjoy this premium course plus spectacular scenery.
Ancaster Leisure
Enjoy a variety of outdoor and indoor activities to keep the whole family entertained. Experience an action-packed day full of fun and adrenaline.
Burghley House
Enjoy family fun at Burghley House. Discover the beautiful and authentic sixteenths-century gardens and parkland. Have fun splashing in the Garden of Surprises and soak up the stunning countryside scenery.
Tallington lakes Leisure Park
Discover so much to do both in the water and on land at Tallington Lakes. The water sports centre offers you the opportunity to sail, windsurf and jet ski with guidance from RYA instructors.
more to do in the Southern Countryside
The Engine Yard
Ancaster Leisure
Baytree Owl and Wildlife Centre
Belton Park Golf Club
Belton Woods Hotel & Country Club
Bourne Woods
Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue
Creating Wool Art
D K Carriage Horses
Downtown Store Grantham
Eden Hall
Grantham Guildhall Arts Centre
Grantham Museum
JandJ Alpacas
Lincolnshire Hot Air Balloon Rides
Londonthorpe Woods
Springfields Designer Outlet & Leisure
Stamford Arts Centre
Stamford Shakespeare Company
Tallington Lakes Leisure Park
Trek-a-Goat
Bowthorpe Oak
Chain Bridge Forge
Peterborough & Spalding Gliding Club
Sophie Allport
St. Martins Antiques Centre
Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre
Wyndham Park Grantham
Adventure Land
Pulvertoft Flowers
The Red Hall
Nearby
The Engine Yard
Unique, luxury shopping and hospitality experience beside spectacular ancestral home.
discover
Grantham
Grantham is an attractive market and industrial town in the South Kesteven District of Lincolnshire.
The town is also well known for having once been home to several notable figures including Sir Isaac Newton and former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Close by to Grantham are a wealth of cultural attractions including National Trust owned Belton House and Belvoir Castle, making the Grantham area an appealing destination for historic property enthusiasts.
Superb Shopping
Spalding
Spalding is home to leading retail and leisure destination, Springfields. Home to over 50 premium High Street brands offering big savings. Take a break from shopping with more than 12 cafés and restaurants. Enjoy the extensive Garden Centre, award-winning gardens and children’s Adventure Lands.
Discover
Stamford
Discover one of the finest Georgian towns in England. Stamford is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque stone towns in the country. The pretty facades of the town are favourites with film and television producers – Stamford was used as Meryton in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice film and has also appeared in Middlemarch, The Da Vinci Code and the Golden Bowl.
food & drink in the area
Brightside Ram Jam
Café Allez!
Cosy Club Stamford
Green Man, Ropsley
Lambert’s Kitchen
Lilli’s Tea Room and Cakery
Linford’s Fish and Chips
The Fuel Tank at the Engine Yard
The Garden Yard
The Ginger Fox Cafe
The Hare and Hounds Fulbeck
The Houblon Arms
The Shires Larder
The Six Bells, Witham on the Hill
The Thorold
Tobie Norris Inn
Zada Restaurant
1760 Brasserie
All Saints Brewery
Cloisters Italian Bistro
SEAFOOD by Adam Noble
The Brownlow Arms
William Cecil Hotel
Zest Brewery
Ayscoughfee Hall Cafe
Horse & Groom
Moulton Windmill Granary Tea Room and shop
accommodation ideas
The Barn Hotel
Allington Manor
Classic Cottages Lincolnshire
Clematis Cottages
Fletland Mill & Holiday Hamlet
IndieHaus
Lambert Cottage
Meadow Lodges Boothby Pagnell
Mr. Molecey’s Marvellous Mill
Stamford Farmhouse
Stamford Holiday
Stamford Holiday Cottages
Stamford Meadows Glamping
The Cley Hall Hotel
The Dairy at Burghley
The Hare & Hounds Fulbeck B&B
The Houblon Arms
The Old Granary
The Studio
The Thorold
Wigwam Holidays ® Crowtree
Wigwam Holidays ® Millside
Angel & Royal Hotel
Easton Holiday Cottages
Honington Grange
Meadow View
Serenity Lakes Lodges
St Mary’s Place B&B
The Barnsdale
The Brownlow Arms
The Garden House, Hungerton
The George of Stamford
The Little Barn
The Summer Folly
Wagtail Country Park
William Cecil Hotel
Horse & Groom
The Lawns and Lakes Camping and Caravanning Site
Travelodge Lincolnshire
Sir Isaac Newton, mathematical genius
Did you know...
Isaac Newton was born on Christmas Day 1642. His father was a yeoman farmer, who died just before his birth and who had inherited Woolsthorpe Manor, now owned by the National Trust. His education would have been rudimentary but for the intervention of Henry Stokes, headmaster of Grantham Grammar School. Stokes spotted the boy's potential and begged his mother to let him continue his education. There is an alleged inscription of I Newton scratched into the stone windowsill of the library at the school. Isaac Newton was a mathematician, physicist, astronomer and theologian, and is now widely recognised as one of the most influential scientists of all time.
Find a great place to stay in the southern countryside area
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planning your visit?
Discover South Kesteven is the area's dedicated tourism organisation. You'll find more information about the best places to stay and visit in the area.
places to
stay & eat
A warm welcome awaits you. Find luxury hotel rooms and fine dining, unique B&Bs and wonderful local food, charming holiday cottages and more.
more local attractions
Find more inspiration in the Southern Countryside bursting with rich history, architecture and outdoor activity.