For years I've wanted to visit Harlaxton Manor in Grantham, Lincolnshire, and I finally had a brilliant day touring the absolutely extraordinary, Grade I listed building.
Amazingly built in just twenty years and completed in 1851 for Gregory Gregory (who adopted the surname when he inherited the estate from his uncle), the house is a glorious Victorian cacophony of architectural styles and decoration. It was amassed from all over Europe and used without a shred of restraint.
Gregory was "new money" and deliberately built his remarkable house to be one foot taller than Belvoir Castle—the epitome of "old money." Harlaxton insolently looks down on it from right across the Vale of Belvoir.
I absolutely loved it!
Harlaxton Manor is now owned by the University of Evansville (USA) as Harlaxton College, and is not generally open to the public. We were fortunate enough to visit with the Victorian Society.
