Belton House

Belton House is often called the perfect English country house — and it’s hard to argue. Built in the 1680s for Sir John Brownlow and home to his family for 300 years, this honey-coloured Restoration mansion near Grantham sits in 1,300 acres of ancient deer park, with treasure-filled rooms inside and one of the National Trust’s very best family days out around it.

The House and Gardens

Inside, Belton is a jewel-box: the grand Marble Hall with carvings attributed to Grinling Gibbons, dazzling silver and porcelain, hand-painted Chinese wallpaper and one of the finest country-house libraries in Britain, with over 11,000 books. There’s royal intrigue too — the Windsor Bedroom recalls Edward VIII, who visited during the abdication crisis. Outside are the formal Italian and Dutch gardens, an elegant conservatory and an orangery overlooking the fountains. Note that on term-time Tuesdays and Wednesdays only a portion of the rooms opens while conservation work goes on, so aim for other days to see the full house.

A Paradise for Children

Belton’s not-so-secret weapon is the National Trust’s largest outdoor adventure playground — a vast wonderland of towers, rope bridges and slides in the woods — plus an indoor play café and a miniature railway on busy days. Add the deer park, with its 300-strong herd of fallow deer descended from Belton’s medieval stock, and picnic-perfect parkland, and children genuinely never want to leave. In winter the estate hosts one of the region’s most spectacular Christmas light trails.

Visiting Belton House

Belton is just off the A607 three miles from Grantham (direct trains from London King’s Cross in about an hour), with parking included in admission and National Trust members free. Allow a full day for house, gardens, park and playground. It combines beautifully with Lincoln Castle up the A607, or Belvoir Castle in the beautiful Vale of Belvoir nearby.

Where to stay:   Holiday Cottages  •  Hotels