Built from 1685 onwards for Sir John Brownlow, the house was owned by the Brownlow and Cust families for 300 years until its acquisition by the National Trust.  Seen here are the south and west fronts.

April 2013

Built from 1685 onwards for Sir John Brownlow, the house was owned by the Brownlow and Cust families for 300 years until its acquisition by the National Trust.  Seen here is the elegant south front.

Frank Robinson, March 2014

View of the north front, with fine formal garden either side of the broad gravel path leading to the entrance.

undated postcard

The house was built for 'young' Sir John Brownlow in 1685-88 by mason and builder William Stanton.

It was home to successive generations of the Brownlow and Cust families until the House and the Park were acquired by the National Trust in 1984. It receives some 400,000 visitors each year.

The Cust and Brownlow papers are now in Lincolnshire Archives.

postcard by Whipple of Grantham, 1903

Belton House viewed side on from the east.

"Country house 1685-1688. Designed by William Winde and built by William Stanton, Master Mason, for Sir John Brownlow.

Altered 1777 by James Wyatt for Sir Brownlow Cust; internal alterations c1816 by Jeffry Wyatville for the first Earl Brownlow; further alterations, and reinstatement of some earlier alterations c1870-1900, possibly by J H Pollen, for the third Earl Brownlow.

National Trust property from 1983"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1235523 

DB 24 September 2018

Belton House with the west courtyard visible on the left.

White's Directory of Lincolnshire 1856 states :-

"BELTON, one of the handsomest villages in the county, 3 miles N.N.E. of Grantham, in the picturesque vale of the Witham, has in its parish 182 souls, and about 1700 acres of land, all, except 30 acres of glebe, belonging to Earl Brownlow, the lord of the manor, whose seat is BELTON HOUSE, a large mansion, in an extensive and well-wooded deer park, with beautiful gardens and pleasure grounds.

This and other estates were purchased by Richard Brownlow, Esq., who was Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas, in the reigns of Elizabeth and James I. In 1661, his two sons were created baronets.

His great-grandson, Sir John Brownlow, the third baronet, rebuilt the mansion, from a design by Sir Christopher Wren, who commenced the erection in 1685, and completed it in 1689.

It is built of stone, in the form of the letter H, presenting four uniform fronts.

In 1775, it was improved under the direction of James Wyatt, Esq.

The apartments are numerous, lofty, and well-proportioned, and contain many good pictures, by eminent masters of the Flemish and Italian schools, with numerous portraits by Lely, Kneller, Reynolds, Romney, and others.

They also contain some of the finest carvings of Grinling Gibbons, which were restored in 1856.

The founder of this mansion had the honour of a visit from William III., who, on his progress through the northern counties, was entertained at Belton House, October 29th, 1695.

In 1690, he obtained a royal license to form a park of his lands in Belton, Londonthorpe, and Manthorpe, which he enclosed with a wall five miles in circumference, and at the same time made numerous plantations.

His nephew, Sir John Brownlow, K.B., was created Viscount Tyrconnel, in 1718; but dying without issue, in 1754, his estates passed to his nephew, Sir John Cust, Bart., son of his sister, Lady Cust.

Sir Brownlow Cust, Bart., son of the latter, was created Baron Brownlow, of Belton, in 1776.

He died in 1807, and was succeeded by his son, the late Rt Hon John Cust, F.R.S., who, in 1815, was created Viscount Alford and Earl Brownlow.

At his death, in 1853, he was succeeded by his grandson, the Rt. Hon. John Wm. Spencer Brownlow Egerton, the present EARL BROWNLOW and Viscount Alford"

DB 14 April 2018

Over 170,000 men of the Machine Gun Corps trained in the grounds of Belton House during the First World War, an area which had been used by local volunteer forces since the 1880s.

Accommodation for the troops was initially in bell tents but they were replaced in 1915 by prefabricated wooden huts (shown here).

Supplies to the camp were carried on a standard gauge branch line from the main line at Peascliffe north of Grantham.

Over 170,000 men of the Machine Gun Corps trained in the grounds of Belton House during the First World War, an area which had been used by local volunteer forces since the 1880s.

Accommodation for the troops was initially in bell tents but they were replaced in 1915 by prefabricated wooden huts (shown here).

Supplies to the camp were carried on a standard gauge branch line from the main line at Peascliffe north of Grantham.

The National Trust notice explains that this is a listed structure made using corrugated iron possibly salvaged from the remains of the former Machine Gun Corps camp.

DB 1 October 2016

John Cust, the first Earl Brownlow, commissioned Anthony Salvin to design this building in grounds of Belton House in the 1840s.

It has unusual basket-weave plasterwork and a stone fish scale roof, and was restored by the National Trust in 2008.

This photograph was taken on 22 April 1898 when the family celebrated the birthday of Richard Cust.

John Cust, the first Earl Brownlow, commissioned Anthony Salvin to design the boathouse in grounds of Belton House in the 1840s.

It has unusual basket-weave plasterwork and a stone fish scale roof, and was restored by the National Trust in 2008.

DB 8 July 2016

Cascade from south-west end of Boathouse Pond probably installed by Viscount Tyrconnel early C18.

Of recent times the water level in Boathouse Pond has rarely been high enough for the cascade to function.

Grade II* listed.

DB 14 March 2018 

Looking north, from the house, along the axis of the Dutch Garden.

DB 24 March 2013

View diagonally across the Dutch Garden with one of two cisterns in the center of the image.

"2 cisterns. Late C18. Limestone. Quatrefoil section cisterns, with simply moulded lips, quadruple stems, and chamfered square bases. Resited on each side of the main axis during the reconstruction of the Dutch Garden by the 3rd Earl Brownlow of Belton House, c1870-1900"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1235887 

DB 26 June 2018

"Sundial sited on the main garden axis. c1690. By CG Cibber.

Portland stone figure of Time, seated on a globe, supporting a baluster column with the assistance of a cherub.

The brass dial is inscribed and signed by Thomas Wright, 1725"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1235882

Now commonly know as the Moondial after the book by  author Helen Cresswell who used it for inspiration.

Orangery just visible background left. 

DB 13 September 1918

"Garden temple. Early C18, resited 1816, restored late C20. Stucco, with ashlar front and slate roof. Palladian style"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1264931 

Situated at the east end of the Mirror Pond. 

DB 17 July 2019 

"Memorial urn dated 1826, on a square pedestal with Latin inscription"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1264931 

DB 17 July 2019 

Mirror Pond viewed from the Garden Temple.

Pond is approximately 260 ft (79 m) long. 

DB 29 October 2019

"Dogs' memorial. Late C19.

Erected by Adelaide, Lady Brownlow, in memory of 2 pet dogs who died in 1896 and 1899"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298422 

DB 29 October 2018

In the mid-eighteenth century the park and gardens at Belton were extensively redesigned by Sir John Brownlow III (later Viscount Tyrconnel).  This included follies and other architecural features.

This decorative gate post is alongside the main drive and near the SW corner of the house.

December 2010

"Icehouse, now disused. 1772. Earth mound approx 5m high, with the remains of a brick lined tunnel entrance to the north"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1235811 

DB 25 April 2018

Local signage states :-

"Historic pleasure gardens often incorporated small buildings in their overall design.

These could range from rustic or hermitage styles to classical edifices.

Belton's summer house nestles into one corner of the garden, allowing seclusion, while providing the perfect resting place for views across the mirror pond and towards the house"

St Peter & St Paul churchyard visible through the back window.

DB 24 September 1918

Backstairs used by the servants rising the entire height of the house.

Winch mechanism enabled goods to be raised.

DB 10 March 2018

Originally a bedroom but later remodelled 1776-7 by James Wyatt as a dressing room for Lady Brownlow.

DB 11 September 2019

"Chinese bedroom, to east, has joinery painted to imitate bamboo, and C18 Chinese wallpaper"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1235523 

DB 10 March 2018

The kitchen and adjoining service accommodation in the basement at Belton House are now regularly accessible to visitors.

The early 20th century fittings in kitchen, pantries, stores etc were in original (and dirty) condition at the time of this photograph.

A waist-high tramway at the side of the long corridor enabled food to be moved quickly from the kitchen to dining room. 

Ken Redmore, 2008

"The Great Dining Room, now the Library, has been greatly altered and all traces of Carolean decoration removed, first by James Wyatt in 1778 when it was transformed into a drawing room with a vaulted ceiling, and again in 1876, when its use was again changed, this time to a library.

The room contains some 6000 volumes, a superb example of book collecting over 350 years.

When Lord Tyrconnel died in 1754 a catalogue of his library identified almost 2,300 books. Almost all of these remain in the Belton library today.

Rupert Gunnis attributed the carved marble chimneypiece depicting two Roman goddesses to Sir Richard Westmacott"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belton_House 

DB 2 March 2017

"The first of the large reception rooms, serves as an entrance hall from the south entrance, and takes its name from a chequer board patterned floor of black and white marble tiles ...

The hall was originally hung with 28 portraits of Kings, Queens, and Emperors, from William the Conqueror to William III, intended to give the house an air of dynastic importance ...

The room is fully panelled, and parts of the panelling contain lime wood embellishments attributed to Grinling Gibbons.

In the early 19th century, this room, and some others, were re-modelled by Jeffry Wyatville, who in addition to graining and painting the panelling to imitate oak installed new doors"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belton_House 

DB 10 March 2018

One of many lock plates featuring the Brownlow's greyhound crest.

DB 11 September 2019

Portrait of "Speaker Cust" by Sir Joshua Reynolds. 

"Sir John Cust, 3rd Baronet PC (29 August 1718 - 24 January 1770), of Belton House near Grantham in Lincolnshire, was a British politician who served as Speaker of the House of Commons from 1761 to 1770"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_John_Cust,_3rd_Baronet 

DB 11 September 2019 

"Staircase hall, to east, has a coved ceiling with plasterwork by Edward Goudge, and an open well oak staircase with turned balusters, renewed in 1823 by Wyatville"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1235523 

DB 10 March 2018

Previously a School Room for Sir John Brownlow's daughters C17 it later became known as Viscount Tyrconnel's Library C18.

DB 11 September 2019

Originally called the "White Painted Room" this room was altered and redecorated by James Wyatt 1777-78.

DB 11 September 2019

This fine postcard depicts the garden with the fountain in full flow.

The fountain is believed to have been pumped by a pump made by John Braithwaite in 1817 and now in store at the Science Museum.

The pump was powered by a waterwheel which still survives in situ.

Braithwaite's detailed invoice for the work survives in the Brownlow deposit at Lincolnshire Archives and it is a remarkable list of parts together with details of the labour for installation.

This sunken formal garden and fountain are recognisable today, though the garden design is much simplified and water no longer issues from the fountain.

1930s photograph

Central fountain in the Italian Garden with Belton House visible in the background.

"Fountain and retaining walls forming the central feature of the Italian garden. c1811, by Jeffry Wyatville.

Reconstructed c1870-1900 by the 3rd Earl Brownlow"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1235688 

DB 18 March 2017

"Exedra. Early C19, resited 1921. By Jeffry Wyatville. Ashlar. Classical Revival style"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1194864 

DB 6 August 2018 

The Orangery stands near the site of the original manor house. Designed by Jeffry Wyatville in the early 19th century.

DB 17 June 2017

The orangery viewed from the south-west.

In 2018 the timber-framed windows have been painted green to conform with the original decoration.

Rod Callow, 2007

Bather statue overlooking a small pool in center of the Orangery.

DB 17 June 2017

The woodwork has recently been repainted, from white to green, to match the original colour scheme. 

Comparing with earlier images its surprising how much less prominent the windows now appear. 

"Bishop of Llandaff" dahlias flowering in the foreground. 

DB 26 September 2018

Viewing tower built by Viscount Tyrconnel c1751. Visual termination to the eastern avenue leading from Belton House.

DB 4 December 2017

Viewing tower built by Viscount Tyrconnel c1751. Visual termination to the eastern avenue leading from Belton House.

Inscription on this side of the tower reads "BELLMOUNT 1750". 

DB 4 December 2017

Concrete water tank on the hillside below Bellmount Tower. Used to supply water to the army camp in Belton Park during the first World War.     

DB 18 December 2017

View from the mansion roof looking towards the stables.

DB 10 March 2018

"Hipped Westmorland slate roofs rising to a lead flat bounded by a balustrade, renewed in fibreglass c1986, and topped with an octagonal lead domed wooden cupola supported by volutes, renewed late C19. 8 panelled and coped ashlar stacks"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1235523 

DB 10 March 2018

Former stables and now a restaurant. Contemporary with the house c1688 and probably the work of master mason William Stanton.

DB 4 December 2017 

Graffiti including a post mill and apotropaic marks on the outside of Belton House Stables. The stables are contemporary with the house c1688 and probably the work of master mason William Stanton.

DB 4 December 2017

Stickwork boathouse located in the wilderness garden. The National Trust is currently seeking funds for its restoration.

DB 23 September 2017 

"This is the site of an early 19th century Summer House, situated on an island it was approached by an ornate footbridge ...  The site was excavated in 2013 and was identified as the "Hermitage" designed by Anthony Salvin in the early 19th C"

https://heritagerecords.nationaltrust.org.uk/HBSMR/MonRecord.aspx?uid=MNA112452 

22 September 2016

The small building astride a branch of the Witham to the west of Belton House contains a waterwheel fitted in the early 19th century to drive a water pump.

Water from the river was pumped to tanks in the roof of the house where it could be used in the event of fire.

A second pipe led to the fine fountain in the formal gardens to the north of the house.

2011

This waterwheel, 12 feet in diameter, is made of cast iron. It stands over a branch of the river Witham and is controlled by the sluice on the extreme right of the picture.

The wheel drove a 4-cylinder pump, built by John Braithwaite in the 1817 and dismantled in 1933. Water was pumped up to the house and to the fountain in the formal gardens.

2011 

There are several cottages in the village built of Ancaster stone in either 1828 or 1839.

This cottage, dating from 1838, includes the bay window formerly in the Chantry House in Watergate, Grantham.

T R Leach Collection, 1972

"Estate cottage, now a house, post office and smithy. Cottage C17, remodelled 1838; smithy 1838. Both by Anthony Salvin"

"One of several estate buildings by Salvin for John, first Earl Brownlow, of Belton House"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298453 

Georgian "GR" post box still in use.

DB 25 April 2018 

"Pump and milestone in the form of an obelisk. c1820, restored C20. By Jeffry Wyatville"

"One of a number of estate buildings by Wyatville for -John, first Earl Brownlow of Belton House"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1187955 

DB 18 June 2018

Anthony Salvin 1838 for First Earl Brownlow of Belton House.

DB 26 June 2018

"Former rectory, now a house. Dated 1822"

DB 3 April 2018 

The small church of St Peter and St Paul is close to Belton House and contains several monuments to the Brownlow family, owners of the house.

The tower dates from the 12th century; the chancel is early Georgian.

Wyatville designed the mortuary chapel of 1816.

Undated photograph

This tiny church is approached from the gardens of Belton House.  The tower dates from the 13th and 17th centuries, while the nave has a north arcade that is said to be Norman - though much restoration has taken place.

It is full of Brownlow and Cust monuments.

Frank Robinson, March 2014

Kelly's Directory of Lincolnshire 1919 states :-

"The church of SS. Peter and Paul is an ancient edifice of stone, of the Norman and Perpendicular periods, consisting of chancel, transeptal chapel, clerestoried nave, north aisle, south porch and an embattled western tower with pinnacles containing 5 bells, on the largest-of which is the inscription -

"Personet haec caelis Dulcissima vox Gabrielis"

the most ancient portion of the church is the Norman arcade of the aisle; next in date is the greater part of the tower: the remainder of the structure is Perpendicular and in part modern; the chancel was built by Alicia, Lady Brownlow, in 1721, and the mortuary chapel belongs to the last century:

in the centre of the latter is an altar tomb of black and white marble, with a recumbent effigy, by the late Baron Marochetti, of John, first Earl Brownlow, d. 15 Sept. 1853, in his robes as a peer:

placed against the walls are fine monuments to Sophia (Hume) and Caroline (Fludyer), the earl's first two wives: the former of these includes a figure of "Religion," by Canova ; another monument, designed by the late Sir G.G. Scott R.A. commemorates John Hume, Viscount Alford M.P. d. 3 January, 1851, and there is a third, with tabernacle work in the Perpendicular style, to J.W.S. Brownlow Egerton-Cust, second earl, d. 20 Feb. 1867:

in the chancel are memorials to Richard Brownlow, of Belton, prothonotary, ob. 1638; Sir John Brownlow bart. his son, ob. 1679; and Alicia (Pullen), his wife, ob. 1676, with effigies; Sir Richard Brownlow bart. ob. 1668, and Elizabeth (Freke), his wife; Sir John Brownlow, his son, who built Belton House, 1697; Sir John Brownlow bart. M.P. afterwards Baron Charleville and Viscount Tyrconnel, 1754, and Eleanor (Brownlow), his first wife; the Right Hon. Sir John Cust P.C., M.P. for Grantham and Speaker of the House of Commons in 1761, ob. 1770, his son, Sir Brownlow Cust, first Baron Brownlow, d. 25 December, 1807, and others of that family to 1858 ; and also a monument to the Hon. and Rev. Richard Cust, rector of Belton from 1810 to 1864, who died. 17 July in that year:

the octangular basin of the font is ornamented around its sides with a series of quaint carvings:

the east window and one on the south side of the nave are stained; the latter, presented by Frances, Lady Brownlow, in 1823, displays numerous shields, bearing the arms of the Brownlow, Tyrconnel and Cust families, dating from 1641 to 1815:

there are 130 sittings.

DB 3 October 2018

White's Directory of Lincolnshire 1856 states :-

"Belton Church (St. Peter and St. Paul) is an interesting structure in the perpendicular style of the time of Henry VII.,except the tower, which is in the early English style, and was crowned with new pinnacles in 1637.

The chancel was rebuilt in 1721.

The interior has many memorials of the Brownlow and Cust families.

A finely sculptured recumbent figure of the late Earl Brownlow, by Baron Marochetti, is about to be placed in the sepulchral chapel, where there is a fine statue of Religion, by Canova, in memory of Sophia, Lady Brownlow.

The rectory, valued in K.B. at £12. 13s. 6d., has a good residence, 30 acres of glebe, and a tithe rent now amounting to £465 per annum.

Earl Brownlow is the patron, and the Hon. and Rev. Richard Cust, M.A., (brother of the first Earl Brownlow) is the incumbent, and has held the benefice since 1810"

DB 22 September 2016

"Parish church, closely associated with the Brownlow family of Belton House since 1638.

Mainly c1200 and c1400; chancel 1721, altered early C19; south porch 1775; memorial chapel 1818; vestry and restoration late C19"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298472 

DB 13 September 2018

The chancel was rebuilt in 1721 and altered early C19.

DB 30 May 2018

"Stained glass 1847, by T Willement"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298472 

"Thomas Willement (18 July 1786-10 March 1871) was an English stained glass artist, called "the Father of Victorian Stained Glass", active from 1811 to 1865"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Willement 

Window depicts miracles of raising the dead. Raising of the young man, raising of Jairus' daughter and Lazarus.

DB 5 September 2018

The Church Guide states :-

"Sir John Cust, 3rd Bt of Stamford (1718-1770) by William Tyler, R.A. (d 1801).

The monument is descriptive of Sir John's office as Speaker of the House of Commons, with the Speaker's throne and mace, accompanied by a figure of Fidelity gesturing towards a volume of the Journal of the House of Commons which records Cust's re-election as Speaker in 1768"

DB 13 September 2018

"Monument to Brownlow Cust, 1st Baron Brownlow, by Richard Westmacott"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brownlow_Cust,_1st_Baron_Brownlow

"In 1766 he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Ilchester in Somerset, a seat he held until 1774, and then represented Grantham between 1774 and 1776, in which year he was raised to the peerage as Baron Brownlow, "of Belton in the County of Lincoln".

The peerage was chiefly in recognition of his father's services, and the name of his title refers to his paternal grandmother Anne Brownlow (Lady Cust), sister and heiress in her issue of John Brownlow, 1st Viscount Tyrconnel (1690-1754), of Belton House, and wife of Sir Richard Cust, 2nd Baronet.

In 1776 he was made a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and in 1783 was made a Fellow of the Royal Society"

DB 13 September 2018

Sculpted by Sir Henry Cheere who was a renowned English sculptor and monumental mason of the eighteenth century.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cheere 

"Viscount Tyrconnel was a title in the Peerage of Ireland.

It was created in 1718 for Sir John Brownlow, 5th Baronet, Member of Parliament for Grantham and Lincolnshire.

He was made Baron Charleville, in the County of Cork, at the same time, also in the Peerage of Ireland"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscount_Tyrconnel#Viscounts_Tyrconnel_(1718) 

DB 26 September 2018

"Chest tomb. Dated 1927. By Sir Edwin Lutyens to Adelbert Cust, 5th Baron Brownlow, of Belton House. Portland stone and slate"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298473 

DB 13 September 2018

"Florence Helen Woolward (1854 Hammersmith - 3 January 1936) was an English botanical illustrator and author, and was commissioned by Schomberg Kerr, 9th Marquess of Lothian to paint his extensive orchid collection, and published in parts between 1891 and 1896 as "The Genus Masdevallia".

The standard author abbreviation Woolward is used to indicate this person as the author when citing a botanical name"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Woolward 

She moved to Belton as a young girl when her father became Rector of Belton church.

DB 20 June 1918

War memorial at the entrance to the churchyard.

DB 16 October 2021 

"IN MEMORY OF OUR GLORIOUS DEAD 1914 - 1919

(Names) 

THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT. THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE"

DB 16 October 2021 

In the centre of the photo are the monuments to the first Earl Brownlow (d1853), and his wife Sophia (d1814).

The church is full of imposing family monuments - hence the quip
"Belton church was built to the glory of the Brownlows, and in memory of God".

Frank Robinson, March 2014

Memorial by Marochetti in the mortuary chapel. The inscription reads:

 In memory of / John Cust, first Earl Brownlow / Viscount Alford, and second Baron Brownlow G.C.H. / Lord Lieutenant of the County of Lincolnshire / for forty-three years / who died Deptember 15th 1853 aged 74

Rod Callow, 2007

Memorial Chapel 1818 added to the north side of the church. 

The two principal memorials visible in this view are those of Earl Brownlow in the foreground and Sophia, Lady Brownlow in the background.

White's Directory of Lincolnshire 1856 states "A finely sculptured recumbent figure of the late Earl Brownlow, by Baron Marochetti, is about to be placed in the sepulchral chapel, where there is a fine statue of Religion, by Canova, in memory of Sophia, Lady Brownlow"

DB 22 September 2016

"Memorial chapel has Perpendicular style fan vaulting"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298472 

Memorial chapel 1818 by Jeffry Wyatville.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffry_Wyatville 

DB 5 September 2018

Looking east towards the C14 chancel arch.

DB 13 September 2018

Looking west towards the tower arch.

DB 13 September 2018

"Octagonal stone font in Norman style, probably reworked C19"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298472 

DB 29 March 2018

"TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN UNDYING MEMORY OF ARTHUR JOHN PUREY-CUST SUB LIEUT. ROYAL NAVY AND OF HIS GALLANT COMRADES OF HMS STRONGBOW KILLED IN ACTION ON 17TH OCTOBER 1917 IN DEFENCE OF A CONVOY IN THE NORTH SEA FIGHTING AGAINST OVERWHELMING ODDS UNTIL THEIR VESSEL SANK WITH COLOURS FLYING"

"HMS Strongbow was an M-class destroyer built for the British Royal Navy during the First World War.

The ship was launched in September 1916 and entered service in November that year.

Stongbow was sunk on 17 October 1917 by the German light cruisers SMS Bremse and Brummer in the North Sea, when escorting a convoy of merchant ships from Norway"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Strongbow_(1916) 

DB 17 July 2019

"Heavily restored north arcade, c1200, has a central pier with incised lozenge decoration and scallop capital"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298472 

DB 13 September 2018

"Altered C17 octagonal oak pulpit with sounding board"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298472

Reading desk to the right bears a plaque stating "TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF CAROLINE MARY CUST WHO DIED AUGUST 28TH 1898 GIVEN BY HER NIECES MARY AND EMILY ONSLOW"

DB 17 July 2019

"heraldic stained glass, 1823, possibly by Willement"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298472 

"Thomas Willement (18 July 1786-10 March 1871) was an English stained glass artist, called "the Father of Victorian Stained Glass", active from 1811 to 1865"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Willement 

DB 30 May 2018

Looking east towards the organ with memorial chapel on the left.

DB 13 September 2018

Looking west towards the monument to Henry John Cokayne Cust.

Railings separating off the memorial chapel visible on the right.  

DB 13 September 2018

Monument to Henry John Cokayne Cust, born 1861, died 1917 at the west end of the north aisle.

Rod Callow, 2007

Marble effigy of her husband by Emmeline 'Nina' Cust (1867-1955).

"Emmeline 'Nina' Cust (1867-1955) was an English writer, editor, translator and sculptor.

She was a member of The Souls, an upper class circle that challenged the conventions and attitudes of their class in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries ...

On 11 October 1893, Cust married another member of The Souls, Henry John Cockayne-Cust.

She supported her husband in much of his work, including correspondence for the Central Committee for National Patriotic Organisations.

Cust was devoted to her husband, despite a reputedly unhappy marriage that lasted until his death in 1917.

Cust was a direct neighbour of sculptor Jacob Epstein when they both lived at Hyde Park Gate in London"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmeline_Cust 

DB 13 September 2018

"Sir John Brownlow, 3rd Baronet (26 June 1659 - 16 July 1697) of Belton House near Grantham in Lincolnshire, was an English Member of Parliament.

He built the grand mansion of Belton House, which survives today ...

As he died without surviving male issue, he was succeeded in his title and in most of his estates, including Belton, by his younger brother Sir William Brownlow, 4th Baronet (1665-1701), who received Belton House on condition that John's widow Alice Sherard should retain possession of it during her lifetime.

As she outlived Sir William, it therefore passed on her death in 1721 to William's son John Brownlow, 1st Viscount Tyrconnel (1690-1754)"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_John_Brownlow,_3rd_Baronet 

DB 13 September 2018

The Church Guide states :- 

""Old" Sir John Brownlow, 1st Bt of Belton (1594-1679) and his wife Alice by William Stanton (see No 2).

This touching monument, for which he received £100 in 1681, is Stanton's first recorded work at Belton, and the first of a series of Brownlow monuments by him and his son Edward"

DB 17 September 2010

A prominent Elizabethan lawyer who founded the Brownlow family fortunes.

"Richard Brownlow (1553-1638) of Belton in Lincolnshire, was a lawyer who served as Chief Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Brownlow 

This monument, by Joshua Marshall (1629-1678), was carved some time after Brownlow's death.

Richard Brownlow built the upper stage of the church tower. 

DB 13 September 2018

"Near this Place lieth the Body of Nicholas Doyle who Served this Noble Family as Chief Butler above five and twenty years. As long as Fidelity in service : Disinterested principles : a modest Obliging and Creditable Behaviour Shall be deemed reputable Qualifications, the Deceased's Name will be recorded with Praise. 

The Right Honble the Lord Viscount Tyrconnel out of his usual Regard to merit in all Stations ordered this marble to be Erected  in Memory of his most Valuable and much lamented Servant"

DB 26 September 2018

The Church Guide relates :-

"The 3rd Earl Brownlow introduced the organ in the north chancel in May 1902, acquired from the Drill Hall at Lincoln, when the waggoner, William Ogden, and 4 horses from the Home Farm using a furniture van borrowed from Halls of Grantham, collected the organ and delivered it to Belton in 1 day"

DB 5 September 2018

"North aisle has Perpendicular style roofs at the east and west ends, and panelled plaster ceiling by Wyatville to the remainder"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298472

Image shows the panelled plaster ceiling immediately outside the memorial chapel.

DB 3 October 2018

The Church Guide states :-

"An early source, Gervase Holles (1640), records two armorial windows associated with the Porter and Pakenham families.

Most of this is now lost, except for the Royal coat of arms in the north aisle west window, pre Cromwellian period"

DB 5 September 2018

"Royal arms, early C19, under a label mould"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298472 

DB 30 May 2018

Located on the south porch above the door.

The origins of this scratch dial are uncertain. It may be a sundial set into the stonework when this late-eighteenth-century porch was built.

However, it is more likely to be the remains of a mass dial from an earlier church which has been re-positioned.

For further general information refer to Mass Dials - The British Sundial Society

DB 5 September 2018

"corner pinnacles topped with wind vanes incorporating the Brownlow crest"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298472 

Two of the wind vanes have this design (heraldic symbol of a fountain taken from the Brownlow coat of arms) and two with the Belton Greyhound.

DB 26 September 2018

Decorative wooden panel fronting pews beneath and inside the tower.

DB 17 July 2019 

Second World War list of servicemen.

DB 30 May 2018

First World War list of servicemen.

DB 30 May 2018