The Lincolnshire home of scientist Sir Isaac Newton is to reopen to the public after its annual winter conservation work. He was born at Woolsthorpe Manor near Grantham in 1642 and later returned to live there during the 1660s.

Dated 1704, the letter reveals Newton’s belief that the apocalypse would occur in the mid-21st century. The scientist, also a theologian, based this prediction on his interpretation of the Bible, using mathematical calculations drawn from biblical texts.

Isaac Newton predicted when the world would likely end. His prediction was based on biblical texts, particularly the Book of Daniel.

Letters uncovered from Sir Isaac Newton in 1704 could hold the key to what the future of civilisation might look like. The physicist, who was best-known for formulating the law of gravity, was also a keen theologist,