Lincolnshire’s finest family attraction.
We love a National Trust property, but Belton House & Gardens is top of the list when it comes to impressing the whole family. Why? It has everything you need for the perfect day out. Flora and fauna is in abundance here. There is of course the gorgeous house and perfectly manicured formal gardens, but there is also woodland to explore, a maze, waterfall, lakeside walks, delicious food, and loads of space for playing too! Did I mention they are also dog friendly?
Belton House
Made famous by its appearance in the 1995 BBC series ‘Pride & Prejudice’, this majestic 17th century country house served as the perfect backdrop for the retelling of the classic Jane Austen novel of the same name. The decor has been so well looked after, it still looks as though Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet could come waltzing in at any moment. Its opulence and extensive grounds are a very intentional display of wealth by the founding owner, Sir John Brownlow (you can read more about its history on the national trust website, here). What we loved most of all about visiting the house was the addition of interactive exhibits for children. To be able to sit comfortably on an antique sofa in a real library and read books together as a family was very special. There were also miniature replicas of some of the rooms with movable furniture and accessories to explore, plus an area to create your own museum labels. The exhibits change all of the time, but the management are always sure to feature something that is inclusive for all ages and abilities. It really helps having the children occupied so that the grown-ups in the room can marvel at all of the historical details without being distracted.
Austen 250
Our visit coincided with the final weekend of the celebration marking what would have been Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. The addition of clapperboards in situ really helped visitors to imagine what it would have been like to experience the scenes from ‘Pride & Prejudice’ in real life. It also provided a learning opportunity for our son as he was able to discover what a clapperboard was! Costumes from the TV series were also on display, and historical dance performances by Bonnets and Breeches Dance Society appeared throughout the day. It was wonderful to see the estate come to life in such a way, transporting us back to times gone by in an immersive and elegant way.
The Gardens
The formal gardens are some of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. As you enter the Italian garden from the direction of the stables courtyard, you will be greeted with a picture-perfect fountain surrounded by flowers, set to a backdrop of a cast-iron conservatory and quaint little church. It really is like stepping in to a painting! But don’t be fooled, the garden continues beyond the conservatory with a stunning rose garden too. Then, to the rear of Belton House, the equally beautifully manicured Dutch garden makes for some lovely vantage points too. Continuing your walk, you can spend as long as you like wandering through the woods, towards the maze and beyond to the lakeside walk and even the wider parkland!
Worried about needing to rest your weary legs? Don’t be! Encouraging you to take a moment of reflection, the estate management team have made sure there are an abundance of places to sit, including park benches, deck chairs, swing seats and picnic tables. There are both plentiful and spread out all around the grounds making it easy to find a quiet spot for total relaxation.
Indoor Play Cafe
Perfect for a rainy day, the indoor play cafe is a popular spot with little ones, offering a safe environment for young visitors to explore whilst the adults enjoy a cup of tea and a catch up. It is not a huge space, and at busy times you may be limited to an hour of play or be asked to wait for a free table. We visited on a busy Saturday and never had a problem getting in, but I can imagine on a drizzly day in the school holidays, it would prove very popular indeed.
The Adventure Playground & Miniature Railway
By far the biggest surprise and absolute jewel in the family crown is the HUGE adventure playground. It’s suitable for all ages, with equipment varying from toddler-friendly to challenging for tweens. It has everything from assault courses to rope bridges, tunnel slides, climbing walls, tree houses and even zip-wires! Conveniently close to the estate entrance and car park, there are specific dog waiting areas, toilets and even the ‘Muddy Hands’ kiosk selling coffee, ice lollies and snacks. Another fantastic addition to this area is the miniature railway, run exclusively by enthusiastic volunteers, which operates on select days for a nominal fee to cover costs (for more information, visit the website). Although the area is outdoors, there is plenty of natural shade from the surrounding woodland, helping keep the kids cool in the summer sun. You could easily spend a few hours here, so we advise leaving it until nearer the end of your visit to the estate – you’ll never be able to tear your kids away unless they are completely exhausted!
Stables Cafe
If you’ve read any of our other National Trust articles, you will know that no visit is complete without a trip to the cafe! The Stables cafe at Belton Estate is surprisingly large! From the entrance it seems very small, with only a short queuing area and two tills, but once you have ordered and go to find your seat, you’ll be shocked by how many stables there are. There must have been a heck of a lot of horses here in years gone by! As well as room after room of tables inside, there is additional seating outside with big parasols to keep you and your four-legged friends cool or dry, climate depending. The food was tasty, there was a decent selection of hot and cold options available and the cakes were delicious! Need I say more?
Don’t forget to stop off at the neighbouring Ice Cream Parlour for delicious Bluebells ice cream in all of your favourite flavours (plus some new ones)!
Practical Info
Address: Belton Estate, Belton Village, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2LS.
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/nottinghamshire-lincolnshire/belton-estate
For opening times, events and admission prices, visit the National Trust website. Parking is included with entrance fee. Dogs allowed. Picnics allowed. Joy is unavoidable.
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In Summary
Belton Estate has it all – history, beauty, adventure, nature, ice cream… I genuinely think I may have just experienced the perfect summers day out in the UK!
Have you been to Belton Estate? What’s your favourite ice cream flavour? Tell us more – we love to hear from you!
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Our Whimsical World 
Looks like a beautiful place to visit. So great to see the playground for children.
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It’s honestly one of the biggest and best woodland play areas I have seen! And I’ve seen a few! Great that it’s shady too.
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