Lancashire

The Grade I-listed estate invites families, friends and history buffs to explore its stunning architecture, formal gardens and rich history

One UK spot feels almost too extraordinary to be real. Tucked away in the Lincolnshire countryside, just outside Grantham, Harlaxton Manor rises dramatically from around 300 acres of parkland and gardens.

With its towers, ornate stonework and imposing silhouette, it feels less like an ordinary country estate and more like something lifted straight from a storybook. The manor was built in the 19th century for Gregory Gregory, with construction beginning in 1831 and the building completed around 1851.

But Gregory wasn’t interested in creating an ordinary English manor.

Inspired by his travels throughout Britain and Europe, he brought together a remarkable collection of architectural influences, creating something theatrical, extravagant and completely unique.

Elizabethan and Jacobean architecture, Gothic details and Baroque grandeur all come together within the same extraordinary building.

Approaching Harlaxton, you can almost imagine a horse-drawn carriage disappearing around the corner, a mysterious figure watching from one of the upper windows, or an old family secret hidden somewhere behind one of its grand doors.

Today, the manor has a very different role. It is owned by the University of Evansville in Indiana and is home to Harlaxton College, a study-abroad campus where students from around the world live and study.

Yet despite its modern purpose, the manor has lost none of its extraordinary character, reports Lincolnshire Live.

Nearly two centuries after Gregory Gregory first imagined it, Harlaxton still feels like a place where reality and imagination meet.

The estate has been nicknamed ‘Lincolnshire’s hidden Hogwarts’ and is set to throw open its doors to the public later this month.

Over the August bank holiday weekend, Harlaxton Manor, will be hosting its summer open house event — a rare opportunity for visitors to discover one of the county’s most captivating and secretive estates.

On Sunday, August 30 and Monday, August 31, visitors can step inside the Grade I-listed manor, stroll through its formal gardens and soak up the atmosphere of the estate.

Harlaxton is located nearby Grantham and is an underrated market town.

Grantham is nestled along the River Witham close to the Lincolnshire–Nottinghamshire border.

With roots stretching back to Saxon times, the town developed into an important market centre by the 11th century, growing in wealth through the wool and leather trades.

Bethan Watson, events manager at Harlaxton Manor, said: “We are absolutely delighted to once again welcome visitors to Harlaxton Manor for our Summer Open House this upcoming August Bank Holiday.

“It is always a pleasure to share this remarkable estate with the public and give people the opportunity to experience the history, architecture and beautiful surroundings that make the manor so incredibly special.”

Ms Watson continued: “Guests often remark that Harlaxton Manor is simply magical, like a hidden version of Hogwarts nestled in the Lincolnshire countryside, and it’s easy to see why.

“From exploring our magnificent interiors and strolling through the gardens to relaxing with live music throughout the day, we hope families, friends and history buffs will make a day of it and create lasting memories steeped in splendour under the late summer sun.”

Those planning to attend are encouraged to secure their tickets ahead of the event, which will be open from 10am to 5pm across both days.

THE upcoming Eden Project Morecambe has unveiled its biggest attraction yet – a £4.5million immersive experience.

Called ‘The Elder Tree’ it will guide visitors through a unique journey when it opens in 2028.

The £100million garden attraction set to be built on Morecambe Bay has revealed its centrepiece called ‘The Elder Tree’.

It has been described as “one of the most significant elements” of the attraction.

It’s being built at the cost of £4.5million, which was donated from a charity lottery.

The 65 foot tree will guide visitors on a journey from its roots to the trunk hollows in a one-of-a-kind immersive experience.

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It is set to show people how to “reconnect” with and “restore nature”.

The Eden Project in Morecambe will be the newest of its kind in 25 years with the only other attraction being in Cornwall.

Inside the new attraction will be two very different experiences called The Realm of the Sun and The Realm of the Moon.

The Realm of the Sun has been described as “a bright, lush landscape of the near future — a place where humanity has rediscovered how to repair and re-engage with the broken rhythms of the natural world”.

The Realm of the Moon is as an immersive but “darker” space with a hyper-real rockpool which will have sped-up cycles of tides.

Also inside the domes will be 1.5 acres of landscaped gardens, which will open earlier than the other exhibits in 2027.

Other details that have been previously mentioned include hanging plants, mini gardens, a multi-sensory area, a waterfall and a ‘Town Square’.

Between the two realms, there is expected to be an area called Metronome, where visitors will buy their entry tickets.

There will be a 750-capacity Tidal Theatre, a 300-capacity restaurant and a shop at the attraction as well.

Once open, Eden Project Morecambe is expected to bring in around £80million to the local area. 

Andy Jasper, Eden Project CEO, said: “The funding has specifically secured The Elder Tree – which will sit at the heart of the experience for visitors.

“More than a striking landmark, it will help tell the story of our changing relationship with the natural world and inspire people to imagine what an incredibly positive future could look like.”

Lancashire’s quarter-final hopes were boosted by a seven-wicket win, their second victory in six games, at Chester-le-Street, while Durham’s fourth defeat in six means they are joined on eight points by a Red Rose team who remain bottom of the North Group.

Livingstone’s second successive Blast half-century – 85 not out off 31 balls with eight sixes – included four successive sixes off Kasey Aldridge’s seam bowling in a sensational innings.

Durham’s openers Graham Clark (49 not out) and Alex Lees (42) also impressed as the home side batted first and reached 128-2 from their 10 overs. England limited-overs quick Luke Wood returned 1-16 from two overs for Lightning, while Livingstone also struck.

After a near two-hour delay through to 20:25 BST, Lees pulled and muscled the contest’s first two balls from the spin of Tom Hartley for four and took four boundaries in all off the opening over.

When Livingstone bowled an attacking Lees, Durham had 94 in the eighth over. But Clark brilliantly scooped Tom Aspinwall for a boundary as the hosts ended well, despite the opener just falling short of 50.

In reply, skipper Keaton Jennings (1) and Ben McDermott (0) fell cheaply either side of a productive second over in which Livingstone pulled Matthew Potts for six. Michael Jones scored 27 from 15 balls before Livingstone was joined by Joe Moores (six not out) as Lancashire reached 130-3 to win with five balls remaining.

On the back of scores of 44 and 81 in his past two matches – both defeats against Yorkshire and Glamorgan – Livingstone went on to break the record for most sixes by a Lancashire batter in T20 history (163), previously held by his coach Steven Croft.