Woolsthorpe Manor House

Woolsthorpe Manor House

Farmhouse, the birthplace of Sir Isaac Newton, now owned by the National Trust. Built in the early 17th century with early 18th century alterations and additions. Constructed of coursed squared limestone rubble with ashlar quoins and dressings. The roof is Collyweston slate with raised stone coped gables and kneelers. Two ashlar gable stacks feature moulded pairs of shafts with plinths and cornices. The building is T-shaped in plan, with two storeys, a cellar, and a garret.

The irregular five-bay front has a chamfered plinth and two three-light cellar lights to the left. An off-centre 17th century plank and muntin door, set in a moulded stone surround with cornice above, forms the main entrance. Above this, an early 18th century stone plaque bearing Newton's arms and an inscription records his birth on 25th December 1642. To the left of the door is a single window, and to the right are two three-light mullioned windows. A small fireplace window sits further right. The first floor has two three-light windows and a single two-light window. The left-hand gable contains single three-light windows to both ground and first floors, a two-light window to the garret, and above this a blank oval recess. All windows feature ovolo mullions with cornices.

The rear wing preserves 17th century single-light stair windows, and the original end of the stair turret is marked by a line of quoins. This wing was extended in the early 18th century. A later single-storey wash house is attached to the building.

The interior features timber-framed walls throughout. The old kitchen retains a moulded beam with a large triangular stop and an inglenook fireplace with a moulded bressummer. Adjacent is an 18th century panelled cupboard with splat baluster vents to the top. Fully panelled 17th century doors with contemporary chamfered and stopped wooden surrounds appear throughout. The parlour contains an angled stone fireplace with a four-centred head and cornice. The front door retains its original bar and slot.

A late 18th century staircase with column newel and stick balusters has been inserted into the central room. The first floor has four 17th century doors with chamfered and stopped surrounds. The right-hand room features an angled stone fireplace with an eared surround containing an early 19th century grate, and adjacent to the fireplace is a stone-lined recess. In the corner of this room is a small area partitioned with moulded oak panelling and cornice, thought to be Newton's study. The main bedroom also has an angled fireplace with a four-centred surround containing a 19th century Bath grate. Above the fireplace is an 18th century marble plaque recording Newton's birth in this room on 25th December 1642. Adjacent to the fireplace is a small 17th century wall safe with a contemporary carved door. The attic floor retains the oak balustrade of the original early 17th century staircase, featuring turned bobbin balusters, a deeply moulded handrail, a square newel with large knops. All floors are lime ash, and the roof is of clasped purlin construction. The plaster walls contain inscribed panels with geometric motifs and a drawing of St. Wulfram's Church in Grantham.

Historically significant not only as Newton's birthplace, the house is where he discovered gravity and developed his theories regarding the refraction of light during a year's break from Trinity College, Cambridge, to escape the plague.