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Our Story

When Grantham House was built in 1350 it was a country residence set in 28 acres,  but as time went by the town of Grantham was built up around it.

When Grantham House was built in 1350 it was a country residence set in 28 acres,  but as time went by the town of Grantham was built up around it.

Grantham House was known as Hall Place, having been named after the Hall family.  They lived in the house from the end of the 14th century until the beginning of the 17th century.  The Hall family were wealthy wool merchants of the Staple of Calais ( a group of 26 traders, incorporated by Royal Charter) they controlled the export of wool to the continent, so they were considered to be a family of great significance.

Grantham House was known as Hall Place, having been named after the Hall family.  They lived in the house from the end of the 14th century until the beginning of the 17th century.  The Hall family were wealthy wool merchants of the Staple of Calais ( a group of 26 traders, incorporated by Royal Charter) they controlled the export of wool to the continent, so they were considered to be a family of great significance.

  • 1496

    In 1496 Thomas Hall, an alderman of Grantham built the chapel of St Katheryn on the north side of St Wulfram’s church.  The church like Grantham House is built from Ancaster stone and Collyweston slate ( both local to here )

    During the lifetime of Thomas Hall (who died in 1504) Princess Margeret, daughter of Henry VII “lodged” at Hall Place (Grantham House) on her way North to join King James IV of Scotland, to whom she had been married by proxy in 1503.  Cardinal Wolsey also stayed at Hall Place, on his last journey North.

  • 1734

    In 1734 the house was sold to Sir Richard Cust and it was the home of the Cust family for over 2 centuries.  Grantham House became the dower house to Belton House at this time when Lady Anne, Richard’s widow lived here.

    It was during this time that the house was modernised, a new staircase added.  The Great Hall which had been an open hall type, had a ceiling put in and rooms put above .  The asymmetrical entrance dates back to 1574 and was added to in 1737 and its this amalgam of styles/eras which gives the house its architectural distinction.

  • 1921

    In 1921, the property was bought by James Hutchinson and in 1924 the house passed to his sister Mrs Sedgewickj who had been a tenant for nearly 40 years.  It subsequently passed to her daughters , Miss Winnifrew and Miss Marion Sedgwick.

  • 1944

    In 1944 the Sedgwick sisters present Grantham House and the land around it to the National Trust. This has meant this space has been preserved in the centre of town.

    Grantham House was lifted in from the late 1960’s until his death in 2005 by Major General Sir Brian Wyldbore-Smith and his family. The National Trust then rented the property out to various people.

  • 2020

    Since December 2020 St Wulfram’s Church has leased Grantham House and its grounds. The grounds are stunning and used for weddings, private party hire, as a well-being centre and a plethora of other things.

  • 1496

    In 1496 Thomas Hall, an alderman of Grantham built the chapel of St Katheryn on the north side of St Wulfram’s church.  The church like Grantham House is built from Ancaster stone and Collyweston slate ( both local to here )

    During the lifetime of Thomas Hall (who died in 1504) Princess Margeret, daughter of Henry VII “lodged” at Hall Place (Grantham House) on her way North to join King James IV of Scotland, to whom she had been married by proxy in 1503.  Cardinal Wolsey also stayed at Hall Place, on his last journey North.

  • 1734

    In 1734 the house was sold to Sir Richard Cust and it was the home of the Cust family for over 2 centuries.  Grantham House became the dower house to Belton House at this time when Lady Anne, Richard’s widow lived here.

    It was during this time that the house was modernised, a new staircase added.  The Great Hall which had been an open hall type, had a ceiling put in and rooms put above .  The asymmetrical entrance dates back to 1574 and was added to in 1737 and its this amalgam of styles/eras which gives the house its architectural distinction.

  • 1921

    In 1921, the property was bought by James Hutchinson and in 1924 the house passed to his sister Mrs Sedgewickj who had been a tenant for nearly 40 years.  It subsequently passed to her daughters , Miss Winnifrew and Miss Marion Sedgwick.

  • 1944

    In 1944 the Sedgwick sisters present Grantham House and the land around it to the National Trust. This has meant this space has been preserved in the centre of town.

    Grantham House was lifted in from the late 1960’s until his death in 2005 by Major General Sir Brian Wyldbore-Smith and his family. The National Trust then rented the property out to various people.

  • 2020

    Since December 2020 St Wulfram’s Church has leased Grantham House and its grounds. The grounds are stunning and used for weddings, private party hire, as a well-being centre and a plethora of other things.

Looking up at St Wulfram's church spire from a scenic garden
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