Harrowby

Harrowby's appeal for a short break lies less in the hamlet itself and more in what it puts you close to: Grantham's historic centre, the National Trust's Belton House estate, and the wider south Lincolnshire countryside. Hotels in and around this area tend to be practical rather than showy, ranging from Grantham's town-centre inns and chain hotels to a scattering of rural guesthouses in the villages surrounding the town. The historic Angel and Royal in Grantham, reputed to be one of the oldest inns in England, is the standout option for anyone wanting a stay with genuine character, having hosted royal visitors for centuries.

Because Harrowby sits right on Grantham's eastern edge, a hotel booked in the town centre is typically only a few minutes' drive away, while still giving easy access to the A1 and A607 for onward exploring. Grantham's East Coast Main Line station also makes a car-free stay realistic for visitors arriving from London or the north, with journey times to King's Cross of a little over an hour.

For those who want a rural rather than town-centre base, guesthouses and B&Bs around Belton, Londonthorpe and the neighbouring villages offer a quieter alternative, often set among the same farmland that surrounds Harrowby itself. These tend to suit visitors planning to spend most of their time at Belton House or exploring on foot or by bike rather than using Grantham as a base for shopping or nightlife.

Booking ahead is worth doing around Grantham's Christmas market and other seasonal events, when the town's more central hotels fill up quickly, but outside of those peak weekends availability is generally good given Harrowby's low profile as a destination in its own right.

Harrowby itself is residential, but some of Lincolnshire's best-known attractions are only a short drive away.

• Belton House — A Grade I listed Carolean country house built in the 1680s, now cared for by the National Trust, with 1,317 acres of parkland, formal gardens and the Bellmount Tower folly. It has featured as a filming location for Pride and Prejudice and Bridgerton.
• Grantham town centre — Home to St Wulfram's Church, one of the tallest parish church spires in England, and the Guildhall, which stands near a statue of Sir Isaac Newton, who studied at Grantham's King's School.
• The Angel and Royal — A historic coaching inn in Grantham reputed to be one of the oldest inns in England, with a history of royal visitors stretching back centuries.
• Woolsthorpe Manor — Isaac Newton's birthplace, a National Trust property a short drive south of Grantham, set in orchards said to include a descendant of the original gravity-inspiring apple tree.
• Lincolnshire countryside walks — The lanes and farmland around Londonthorpe and Harrowby give easy, flat walking straight from the edge of town.

Grantham's town centre, a short drive or bus ride from Harrowby, has a range of pubs, cafes and restaurants including the restaurant at the Angel and Royal, while Belton House's National Trust restaurant and tea room offer a reliable stop after exploring the estate. As with much of the surrounding area, options directly in Harrowby itself are limited, with most food and drink found in Grantham proper.

Harrowby is not a wild camping destination, and as with everywhere else in England, camping on open land without the landowner's explicit permission is against the law, whatever the temptation of the flat, quiet farmland surrounding the hamlet. Anyone wanting to camp near Harrowby needs a proper site, and the closest options are the established campsites and caravan parks dotted around Grantham and the wider South Kesteven district, several of which sit within easy reach of both the town and Belton House.

The terrain here is gentle, low-lying Lincolnshire farmland rather than dramatic countryside, which suits family camping and caravanning far better than wild, off-grid pitches. Sites tend to be well-maintained touring and caravan parks with hook-ups and facilities aimed at visitors exploring Grantham, Belton House and the Vale of Belvoir rather than remote backcountry camps. Expect easy, flat access rather than technical terrain, which makes the area a practical choice for first-time campers, families with young children, or anyone touring in a caravan or motorhome.

The best season to camp near Harrowby runs from late spring through to early autumn, when Lincolnshire's dry, sunny stretches make the most of the open skies the county is known for, and when Belton House's gardens and parkland are at their best for day trips out from a nearby site. Winter camping is possible but exposed, given the flat, open nature of the surrounding land with little natural shelter from wind.

Glamping is a growing option in this part of Lincolnshire, with pods, shepherd's huts and safari tents appearing at several sites within a short drive of Grantham, offering a more comfortable alternative to a tent while still making the most of the quiet countryside around Harrowby. These tend to book up at weekends through the summer season, so early planning pays off for anyone wanting a fixed pitch or glamping stay close to Belton House and the surrounding villages.