During this Christmas season, there’s an abundance of sights to explore in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, ranging from nature reserves to medieval towns, all conveniently accessible without the need for a car.
The Elizabeth Salon at Belvoir Castle appears as if the eight milkmaids have had a lively gathering, leaving behind a tower of pastel-colored pails, cows, and three-legged stools beneath the ornate painted ceiling. Adjacent to this scene, seven sculpted swans glide through an intricate silver centerpiece above a magnificent banquet table, while six life-sized geese have nested Fabergé-style eggs amidst sparkling bullrush-fringed nests.
Charlotte Lloyd Webber, known for her decoration work at Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, and Castle Howard, North Yorkshire, has crafted a theatrically splendid interpretation of the “12 Days of Christmas” at Belvoir (pronounced “beaver”) Castle. This elaborate display showcases over 100 trees adorned with thousands of baubles; the representation of the five gold rings manifests as a sizable kinetic sculpture spinning above Belvoir’s remarkable art collection (entrance from £10 for children and £19 for adults, belvoircastle.com).
Even without its festive embellishments, Belvoir exudes opulence with its abundance of gold and brocade. Peacock motifs, part of the owners’ family crest, embellish various elements such as carpets, carvings, and gilded stuccowork. These motifs reappear in the Aviary Tearoom, where the festive tea experience is an extravagant delight, featuring gold and purple macarons and smoked cheddar sandwiches paired with homemade spiced pear chutney (£70 for two, plus entrance, belvoircastle.com).
The Norman-French-named Belvoir Castle boasts its crowning glory: the expansive vista visible from its windows. On clear days, one can discern Lincoln Cathedral’s towers on the distant horizon. South Kesteven, encompassing nearby Grantham and Stamford with their honey-stone walls, seems tailor-made for a winter getaway, evoking a picturesque Christmas scenery reminiscent of a fanciful Disney interpretation of England. Grantham offers swift and frequent train services, making it an ideal destination for a car-free seasonal retreat, offering invigorating walks, medieval churches, and cozy fireside pints.
This morning’s train dashed from Peterborough to Grantham in a mere 20 minutes. However, navigating from the station to Belvoir sans a car poses some challenges. I arranged a demand-responsive minibus via Callconnect, a service connecting Lincolnshire’s bus-less villages. While an app rollout is in progress, I had to contact the busy helpline to secure a slot. Once booked, the journey becomes traceable, and fares, akin to regular buses, are capped at £2.
East of England without cars offers a Christmas castle, wintry walks, and enchanting villages. The region surrounding Lincolnshire and Leicestershire brims with diverse attractions this festive season—ranging from nature reserves to medieval towns—all easily accessible without a vehicle.
Charlotte Lloyd Webber, renowned for her decorative work at Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, and Castle Howard, North Yorkshire, has crafted a captivatingly theatrical rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas at Belvoir Castle. The lavish display, adorned with over 100 trees and numerous baubles, showcases a kinetic sculpture symbolizing the five gold rings, twirling above Belvoir’s impressive art collection (entrance from £10 for children and £19 for adults, belvoircastle.com).
Even without its festive adornments, Belvoir Castle exudes opulence with its abundance of gold and brocade, featuring peacock motifs adorning various elements—carpets, carvings, and gilded stuccowork. These motifs reappear in the Aviary Tearoom, where the extravagant festive tea experience includes gold and purple macarons, smoked cheddar sandwiches paired with homemade spiced pear chutney (£70 for two, plus entrance, belvoircastle.com).
The charm of South Kesteven in Lincolnshire, encompassing Grantham and Stamford with their honey-stone walls, creates a perfect setting for a winter escape, evoking a Christmas scenery akin to an imaginary Disney version of England. Grantham boasts swift and frequent train services, catering to those seeking a car-free seasonal retreat filled with invigorating walks, visits to medieval churches, and fireside pints.
Though the journey from Peterborough to Grantham took a swift 20 minutes, navigating from the station to Belvoir without a car posed some challenges. I utilized a demand-responsive minibus service via Callconnect, connecting bus-less villages in Lincolnshire. While an app rollout is in progress, securing a slot required contacting the busy helpline. Once booked, the journey becomes traceable, and fares are capped at £2, similar to regular buses.
Exploring Woolsthorpe by Belvoir via a picturesque walk provided stunning views across Capability Brown parkland to the hilltop castle. After a break at the Chequers Inn, I encountered a minor hitch waiting for bus 9 due to tracking issues on the website. In the end, I caught a lift with a passing van.
Returning to Grantham, I marveled at the towering St Wulfram church with its striking blue-and-gold interior before catching my train. At Peterborough Cathedral, Luxmuralis, the light artists, are setting up a seasonal son-et-lumière experience (£8 for adults and £6.50 for kids, peterborough-cathedral.org.uk), showcasing their artistry beneath the beautiful vaulted ceiling.
