Woolsthorpe Manor
The birthplace of Isaac Newton and the house where he spent his 'annus mirabilis', or miracle years; the apple tree said to have inspired his ideas on gravity still grows in the garden
Woolsthorpe Manor is the birthplace of Isaac Newton, who was born here in 1642. In 1665–1666, when Cambridge closed due to the plague, Newton returned here and laid much of the groundwork for calculus, optics and the law of universal gravitation, a period known as his 'annus mirabilis'. The apple tree said to have inspired him still grows in the orchard. The house is a plain 17th-century farmhouse, and the science discovery centre offers hands-on optics experiments. Managed by the National Trust; admission about £10. Fewer days are open in winter. It lies about 50 km from Lincoln, roughly an hour by car, and is well suited to a same-day trip with Belton House.
Opening hours
About March–October, 11:00–17:00 (limited opening in winter; check official website)
Nearby sights
- Belton House
- Whisby Nature Park
- Hartsholme Country Park
- Doddington Hall
- International Bomber Command Centre
- Brayford Waterfront
- Stonebow and Guildhall
- The Collection Museum