The Summer Folly

Hidden within the grounds of one of England’s greatest country houses, this whimsical folly in rural Lincolnshire hides a treasure trove of joy. Frescoes of a life well-lived adorn the ancient walls and ceilings and an abundance of pattern and colour await through every door. Including unlimited access to Grimsthorpe Castle, Park and Gardens, The Summer Folly offers a unique self-catering homestay for those who like to holiday less ordinary.

The final creation of architect Sir John Vanbrugh in the 1720s (who also built Blenheim Castle), The Summer Folly, settled in the grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle, is a curious holiday retreat in rural Lincolnshire. Beginning life as the estate’s summer house, hosting picnics and parties for visitors, housing estate workers and even hiding an anti-aircraft battery during the Second World War, this fanciful garden bower has seen it all.

Delights hide behind the rose-covered stone exterior; unanticipated bursts of yellow shine from alcoves, Moroccan tiles splash across the kitchen wall and intricate, hand-painted murals (designed as a personal account of the previous tenant’s life in the style of a Renaissance take on Pompeii) adorn the ceilings and walls of the living room and snug. The Summer Folly, surprising and just a little bit giddy, brings zest to every soul who steps inside.

Two patios surrounded by towering yews create sheltered, outdoor lounges for summer days al fresco dining and a flower garden overflowing with ditsy blooms and bobbing flowerheads headily scent the air. Beyond the walled garden, 3,000 acres of private estate is yours for the taking. Lounge in the kitchen garden with a book and flask of tea or roam the wider park with eyes on the sky, keeping watch for buzzards, red kites and migrating geese.