Despite Sir John Vanbrugh's attempts to recreate a fortress, Grimsthorpe today is much more in keeping with an historic country house than a castle. Set in extensive parkland in the southern extremes of Lincolnshire, and now maintained by the Grimsthorpe and Drummond Castle Trust, it provides the visitor with a rare opportunity to experience a journey through history in terms of both ownership and architectural features.

The origins of Grimsthorpe Castle can be traced back to the beginning of the 13th century, when a defensive tower was erected on the site by the Earl of Lincoln as a strategic 'look out' post. Now known as 'King John's Tower', this sturdy battlemented structure has been incorporated as part of the south east corner of the house. However, for the next 300 years, the castle's history remains obscure. Then, in 1516, the ownership of Grimsthorpe Castle was granted to representatives of the Norman title, the Barony of Willoughby de Eresby, and has remained with them ever since.

When Henry VIII announced a royal visit to Lincolnshire, much re-building and extending of the castle was commissioned, using stone quarried from the adjacent Cistercian abbey of Vaudey - ironically, recently suppressed by the king. Supreme efforts were made to ensure that Grimsthorpe Castle was sufficiently grand to receive King Henry and his Court in 1541, and evidence of the Tudor alterations are clear in the south front of the building.

Highlights from the 17th century included two further royal visits, this time by Charles I, a complete re-modelling of the north front in the classical style, and formal gardens laid out to enhance the whole property. Notwithstanding this major work, in less than 50 years most of it had been obliterated by Vanbrugh's grand baroque reincarnation of the north front - including outlying pavilions and a Bastion Garden. By the middle of the 18th century, the Great Hall, Chapel, and the State Rooms in the east range had been entirely refurbished and decorated, largely in the lavish Rococo fashion of the day. Furthermore, the park was landscaped in the style of Capability Brown.

With the Tudor fabric of the house showing serious deterioration in the early 19th century, the 21st Baroness Willoughby de Eresby undertook urgent repairs to Grimsthorpe Castle on her inheritance. This proved to be a sizeable and costly project, resulting in further alterations to the appearance of the east and west fronts of the property. Meanwhile, her son, Peter Burrell, had married Clementina Sarah Drummond, who had inherited Drummond Castle and the Perth estates in Scotland. It is understood that Grimsthorpe Castle was no longer the residence of choice and, by the turn of the century, was used only on occasion for 'shooting parties'.

Fortunes did return to Grimsthorpe Castle when the 26th Baron (2nd Earl of Ancaster) made it a family home once again. He and his wife were keen society entertainers and, with extensive modernisation and redecoration, Grimsthorpe Castle soon had all the required comforts of an Edwardian country house. Requisition during WWII put a temporary hold on life at Grimsthorpe, and it was the 3rd Earl who had the unenviable task of restoring the house and gardens after the war years.

Having this understanding of how the house evolved architecturally, will only serve to enhance the pleasure of discovering the internal arrangements. It is a theatre of changing scenes, each highlighted by its decor, fine art, furnishings and associated memorabilia. It is of vast proportions, and exquisite throughout. Grimsthorpe Castle is truly a living journey through history.