122 Golden Lane, London, EC1Y 0TL, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7251 8414 Fax: +44 (0)20 7251 8600

GRANTHAM may not appear very high on many readers' lists of holiday destinations but, situated on both the A1 and the West Coast main railway line, it offers speedy and convenient access to some of the most beautiful countryside and villages in the UK. Its architecture echoes its history and its situation alongside the River Witham provides pleasant river walks.

The impressive parish church of St Wulfram, built on a site used for Christian worship long before the Domesday Survey of 1086, bears witness to the wealthy wool merchants who gave generously to the church in mediaeval times. It was extensively restored in the mid-19th century under the direction of Sir Gilbert Scott, who regarded its spire as "second only to Salisbury in beauty". The church contains the Francis Trigge chained library, set up in 1598 - the first in England to be endowed for use outside a school or college.

Finkin Street Methodist church has magnificent panelling and a beautiful ceiling and houses a plaque commemorating Lady Thatcherıs father, Alfred Roberts, a member of the church and a local preacher in the circuit.

A short drive from Grantham takes you to Donington and the church of St Mary and the Holy Rood, where there is an exhibition about Matthew Flinders, born in Donington, who first charted the coastline of Australia in 1801-2 and gave the country its name and where also a quiet corner is being developed as a memorial to members of the 2nd Parachute regiment (Royal Engineers) who left from Donington for Arnhem in World War II.

Pinchbeck Engine and Land Drainage Museum near Spalding tells the story of the protection of the Fens from inundation over the centuries. Spalding itself has the Ayscoughfee Hall Museum ­ a wool merchantıs house dating from the 1420s with five acres of walled gardens and a splendid tea room!

Not far away, Lentonıs St Peter's church is home during 2000 to a 100-strong "Host of Angels", recreated by local artist Roger Heaton, with help from villagers, from artistic styles ranging from an Egyptian Coptic tapestry to the romantic Victorian era. North of Grantham, Gainsborough possesses one of Methodismıs more striking modern churches. As well as the beautiful All Saints church referred to in the Recorderıs Heritage article on April 6, the Old Hall Museum nearby, a 15th century manor house which brings the period to life, is well worth a visit.

Returning south towards Grantham, a small detour takes the traveller to Brant Broughton (pronounced Brooton, if youıre in the know!), where not only the splendid St Helenıs church but also a Quaker meeting house and a Methodist amphitheatre church dating from 1812 invite inspection. A little further south lies Fulbeck, where the Manor Stables craft workshops offer both refreshment and shopping temptations.

The Church Tourism Network in Lincoln has worked hard and imaginatively to bring this too-little-appreciated region to public notice during the millennium year and offers both a selection of trails to follow and short breaks, under the title of Divine Tranquillity, celebrating 1,000 years of Christianity.

Useful addresses