Woolsthorpe Manor is a 17th-century farmhouse in Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, England, and the birthplace of Sir Isaac Newton. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 10am to 5pm (14 February to 1 November), closed in winter |
| Admission | Adult £15.00, Child (5-17) £7.50, Family £37.50 (prices without Gift Aid) |
| Address | Water Lane, Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG33 5PD |
| Nearest public transport | Grantham railway station (8 miles); bus route 28 from Grantham to Ingle Court stop |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 hours |
| Property type | National Trust historic house with science centre and orchard |
Woolsthorpe Manor opening hours
Woolsthorpe Manor is open from 14 February to 1 November 2026. Opening hours are 10am to 5pm. The property closes for winter from November to mid-February each year. The manor house, Science Discovery Centre, coffee shop, gift shop and orchard are generally all open during operating hours. However, the manor house often has somewhat eccentric access hours, so check the National Trust website before setting out.
Woolsthorpe Manor ticket prices
Admission prices without Gift Aid are £15.00 for adults (18+), £7.50 for children aged 5-17, and £37.50 for a family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children). A single adult family ticket (1 adult and up to 3 children) costs £22.50. Children under 5 enter free. National Trust members receive free entry with valid membership cards.
Gift Aid prices are £16.50 for adults, £8.30 for children, and £41.30 for families. Group rates (minimum 15 people) are £14.25 per adult and £7.13 per child. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked and updated in January 2026.
How to get to Woolsthorpe Manor
By train: The nearest railway station is Grantham, located 8 miles from Woolsthorpe Manor. Melton Mowbray station is 13 miles away. Direct trains from London King’s Cross to Grantham take approximately 75 minutes. From Grantham station, visitors need to take a bus or taxi to reach the manor.
By bus: The Centrebus route 28 operates between Grantham bus station and the village of Colsterworth. The nearest stop is Ingle Court, approximately 10 minutes’ walk from Woolsthorpe Manor. The bus journey takes around 22 minutes. Services run five times daily, Monday to Saturday only. Bus fare is approximately £2-4. Grantham bus station is a 5-minute walk from the railway station.
By taxi: Taxis from Grantham station to Woolsthorpe Manor take approximately 10 minutes and cost £20-25. Pre-booking is recommended, particularly at weekends.
By car: From the A1, follow signs to Colsterworth. After Stainby, turn left onto Old Post Lane, then left onto Water Lane. From Melton Mowbray, take the B676 towards Colsterworth. Sat nav postcode: NG33 5PD.
Parking at Woolsthorpe Manor
Free parking is available on-site for all visitors. National Trust members park free. Blue badge parking spaces are located close to the main entrance. The car park surface is gravel. A ramp connects the car park to the shop area. Visitors can request an alternative drop-off point closer to the manor house by notifying staff on arrival.
How long to spend at Woolsthorpe Manor
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at Woolsthorpe Manor. This allows time to tour the manor house rooms, explore the hands-on Science Discovery Centre, visit the orchard containing Newton’s apple tree, and take refreshments in the coffee shop. Visitors with children may spend longer using the interactive exhibits in the Science Centre.
Accessibility at Woolsthorpe Manor
The property has partial accessibility. Designated mobility parking is available next to the gift shop. One wheelchair is available for pre-booking by calling 01476 860338. An accessible toilet is located on-site. A ramp provides access from the car park to the shop area, though there is a steep slope to the manor house itself.
The ground floor of the manor house has steps, narrow doorways and small rooms. Ramps are available on request. Stairs lead to upper floors, which are not wheelchair accessible. A photograph album showing the first floor is available for those unable to access it. A virtual tour of the manor house can be requested. The orchard has uneven and loose gravel paths with some slopes and steps. The farmyard is accessible but has a rough surface. An induction loop is available, and a Braille guide can be provided upon request.
What to see at Woolsthorpe Manor
The manor house contains the room where Isaac Newton was born in 1642 and the space where he conducted experiments with light and prisms during the plague year of 1665-66. Visitors can stand in the room where Newton used a prism to split sunlight into rainbow colours. Period furnishings and displays illustrate Newton’s life from childhood through his time as President of the Royal Society.
The orchard contains a Flower of Kent apple tree, descended from the tree associated with Newton’s development of the theory of gravity. This tree remains a central feature of the site and can be viewed year-round during opening months.
The Science Discovery Centre is a hands-on facility where visitors can experiment with Newton’s theories on gravity, motion, optics and light. Interactive exhibits are designed for all ages and allow visitors to test scientific principles for themselves.
St John the Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches in Lincolnshire and where Newton was baptised, is accessible via a footpath from the manor. The church is not managed by the National Trust.
Newton’s Barn coffee shop serves drinks, snacks and light meals with both indoor and outdoor seating. A gift shop and second-hand bookshop offer Newton-related products and general National Trust items.
Practical tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Book tickets online in advance during peak summer months, particularly for weekends and school holidays. |
| The property is small, so visiting on weekdays reduces crowds and allows more time with volunteer guides. |
| Dogs are welcome on leads in the lower courtyard only, but not in the orchard due to its historic nature. |
| The site has limited indoor facilities, so dress appropriately for weather as much of the visit is outdoors in the orchard. |
| Bus service route 28 runs Monday to Saturday only with limited frequency, so check timetables in advance. |
| The gravel car park and paths may be challenging for those with mobility aids or pushchairs. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Woolsthorpe Manor suitable for children? | Yes. The Science Discovery Centre features hands-on interactive exhibits designed for children. The site is educational and engaging for families. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | Advance booking is recommended but not essential. Tickets can be reserved online or purchased on arrival. Walk-up visitors are welcome subject to capacity. |
| Is Woolsthorpe Manor open on Sundays? | Yes, when the property is open (14 February to 1 November), it operates daily including Sundays from 10am to 5pm. |
| Are bags allowed? | Yes. There are no specific restrictions on bags, though large bags may need to be stored during the manor house tour due to narrow spaces. |
| Can you take photographs? | Photography is permitted in the orchard and grounds. Check with staff regarding photography inside the manor house. |
| Is there a café? | Yes. Newton’s Barn coffee shop serves drinks, snacks and light meals. |
Things to do near Woolsthorpe Manor
Belton House (3 miles): National Trust country house built in 1688 with formal gardens, deer park and adventure playground.
Burghley House (13 miles): Elizabethan mansion built in the 16th century with state rooms, art collection and parkland designed by Capability Brown.
Belvoir Castle (8 miles): 19th-century castle and home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland, featuring state rooms, gardens and events including jousting.
Grantham House (8 miles): National Trust townhouse in Grantham with riverside gardens. Check opening times as access is limited.
St Wulfram’s Church, Grantham (8 miles): Medieval parish church with 282-foot spire, one of England’s tallest.
More East Midlands travel
Other East Midlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Planning a visit to the Cromford Mills in Derbyshire.
- What to expect at Peveril Castle, Castleton.
- Exploring the Elizabethan ruins of Kirby Hall.
- Discovering Pilgrim history at Gainsborough Old Hall in Lincolnshire.
- Lincoln Cathedral ticket price guide.
