Tattershall t Castle

Group Visit Information Pack

Thank you for enquiring about a group visit to Tattershall Castle. By reading this short information pack you will understand all that is on offer at our property and other information vital for the smooth running of your visit. Tattershall t Castle

There are five floors to explore in this stunning red-brick medieval castle built by Ralph Cromwell, Lord Treasurer of , in 1434. The castle has been a family home, a defensive tower and a cattle shed, before being saved from demolition by Lord Curzon of Kedleston in 1911. This iconic landmark is a beautiful statement of 15th-century ambition, wealth, architecture and style. It is also a great place for watching the historic planes from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, based at nearby RAF .

1 Important Information

Getting To Tattershall Castle Tattershall Castle is situated on the A153 between and . The postcode for a SatNav is LN4 4LR

Parking Coach parking is in a separate entrance to the visitor’s car park. When you pull up to the site you will be faced with three entrances. Coach parking is the first entrance on the right. Coaches MUST reverse into the entrance gate as there is not enough room to turn around.

Admissions The group rate for 2017 is £5.95 per person. National Trust Members have free admission. On arrival to the property we ask that everybody remains on the coach and a member of staff will meet you. Membership cards will need to be shown on exit of the coach to be scanned. Any visitors who need to pay for admission will be shown to the Guardhouse where payment will be taken at the till point.

Access The site contains loose gravel paths and uneven grassy surfaces. Access to the tower is via a spiral staircase only, with 149 steps to the roof. Due to the historic nature of the building there are uneven surfaces and steps into every floor. Wheelchair access is available to the ground floor only after traversing the loose gravel paths that can be difficult for wheelchairs or walkers. For those unable to climb the stairs a book in the ground floor is provided showing pictures of the upper floors that can be viewed in conjunction with the multimedia guide tour.

2 Making the most of your visit

Multimedia Guides Complimentary Multimedia guides will be available on entry, subject to availability. We are unable to reserve multimedia guides as these are a primary form of interpretation.

Guided Tours Guided Tours are available for you to book and will have to be arranged via the main booking form at least two weeks before your visit. The tour will take approximately 1 hour. The price of a tour is £5 per head. Those going on the tour will need to be able bodied as this will entail walking up the spiral staircase. If your group has specific interests we can tailor a tour to your needs. Please enquire for more details.

Tattershall: Past and Present Let us escort you back through the centuries to hear about how life was lived to the full during Tattershall Castle’s heyday as a baronial estate. You will see our impressive Gothic fireplaces, authentic Flemish tapestries and glorious vaulted ceilings, as well as enjoying fabulous views from the roof.

Catering Although we do not have a tearoom or restaurant on site, we do provide hot and cold drinks, wrapped cakes, crisps and ice creams. We do have a limited supply of pre-packed sandwiches each day but are happy to arrange sandwiches for your whole group.

We have limited indoor seating above the shop, picnic benches outdoors, deckchairs and benches in our beautiful grounds.

Conversely, if your group would like a more substantial meal Holy Trinity Church (Not National Trust), next door, can provide a pre-booked buffet style lunch.

Please contact Sheila Mullenger on 01526 352322 for more information.

3 Places to Visit Nearby

Holy Trinity Church, Tattershall Next door to the Castle is the Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity, also built by Lord Ralph Cromwell in the 15th Century. The church is one of the largest Collegiate churches in the country. Look out for Tom Thumb’s grave, the Memorial Brasses of Lord Cromwell, the money saving wooden angels and the beautiful stained glass windows in the Collegiate Chancel. To book a visit to the church contact Sheila Mullenger on 01526 352322 or visit http://www.httf.org/

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight After a short 5 minute drive from the Castle you can discover the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre situated next to RAF Coningsby. Visitors can have a tour around the hanger and view their six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Douglas Dakota and the only airworthy Lancaster Bomber in the country. To book a visit contact the Customer Service Centre on 01522 782040 or visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/bbmf

National Trust properties in Lincolnshire:

Gunby Hall and Gardens A homely country house, dated 1700, set in spectacular Victorian walled gardens at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Telephone 01754 890102 or email [email protected] for more information.

Belton House This classic 17th century English country house is set in delightful gardens with a magnificent deer park. Telephone 01476 566116 or email [email protected] for more information.

Woolsthorpe Manor Woolsthorpe Manor is not just your average seventeenth century farmhouse – it’s the place where Isaac Newton was born and did some off his most ground-breaking work. Telephone 01476 860338 or email [email protected] for more information. 4