Grantham Museum

About the museum

Grantham Museum is housed in the town's former public library on St Peter's Hill, a building partly paid for by the Carnegie UK Trust. The idea of a museum for Grantham goes back to the meetings of the local scientific society in the 1890s, and the collection moved into the library building in 1926. After the library moved elsewhere, the museum took over the whole building.

Lincolnshire County Council ran the museum until 2011. A group of local volunteers then formed the Grantham Community Heritage Association, a charity, and took on its management. The museum reopened in 2012 and has stayed open since, run by volunteers with support from South Kesteven District Council.

The displays tell the story of Grantham and the surrounding area. Well-known people linked with the town include Isaac Newton, who went to school there, Edith Smith, the first woman police officer in the United Kingdom, and Margaret Thatcher, who was born and brought up in Grantham. The collection also holds material on the Dambusters raid. A refurbishment in autumn 2025 renewed the heating, kitchen facilities and decoration, and a longer project to mark the museum's centenary is planned for 2026 to 2029.

Highlights

• Isaac Newton and his Grantham schooldays
• Margaret Thatcher, born and brought up in the town
• Edith Smith, the first woman police officer in the UK
• Dambusters material
• Former Carnegie library building

Permanent exhibition

• Newton and Thatcher displays – Displays about two famous people connected with Grantham, the scientist Isaac Newton and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, alongside local history and Dambusters material.

Founded

1890

Operated by

Grantham Community Heritage Association

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free for everyone; voluntary donations are welcome.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

No access details are published on the pages that could be read. Contact the museum before visiting to ask about step-free access.

Kids & families

The museum has some interactive exhibits and runs events during the year.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The gift shop sells local souvenirs and serves tea and coffee, which can be enjoyed in a small reading corner with local history books. A tourism listing also mentions toilets.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit