Belton Estate is one of those National Trust gems that delivers something for every family member. Set in the rolling Lincolnshire countryside just outside Grantham, it combines grand history with incredible play spaces. From exploring the elegant Belton House to letting the kids run wild in one of the best adventure playgrounds in the country, it’s the kind of day out that balances heritage and fun perfectly. Even on rainy days, there’s plenty to enjoy, with an indoor play café, House exploration and more. It’s arguably one of our favourite National Trust visits.
Place at a glance
- Cafés · Toilets · Baby changing
- Gift shop · Picnic areas · Car parking
- Indoor & outdoor play zones
- Explore Belton House and gardens
- Adventure playground and indoor play café
- Woodland and deer park walks
- Family trails and seasonal events
Where is Belton Estate located?
Belton Estate sits just outside Grantham in Lincolnshire, around an hour and a half’s drive from our home in West Yorkshire. It’s easy to find, with clear National Trust signage leading you up the grand entrance drive. Once through the gates, the sheer space opens up, sweeping parkland, grazing deer, and the elegant Belton House at its centre. Parking is plentiful, and even on a busy half-term Sunday, we found a space easily.
History of Belton Estate
Built in the 1680s for Sir John Brownlow, Belton House is one of England’s finest surviving country homes. Designed in English Baroque style, it stayed in the Brownlow family for over 300 years before joining the National Trust in 1984.
Today, the estate covers more than 1,300 acres. The National Trust have cleverely done what the National Trustdo best and that’s turn it into a landscape that’s equal parts history lesson and outdoor playground. The Trust has balanced heritage with fun beautifully, making it one of their flagship family sites.
What is there to do?
We visited on the first Sunday of the October half-term. The weather was a drizzly s. Belton is one of those places that works in any weather; we just added waterproofs and a hot coffee and carried on!
Explore Belton House
We began inside Belton House, and it’s brilliant for kids. The guides were great with Matilda and Barney, pointing out details like secret doors and family portraits. The rooms feel lived-in rather than roped off, and there are children’s trails available to keep little minds engaged. We really enjoyed the full tour and although with kids you tend to do it in ‘fast foward’ it’s still worthwhile and a great place to start.
Indoor Play – “The Ride Play Café”
Next was the indoor play area, a godsend when the weather turns. You are allocated an hour long slot and we had to queue for 10 minutes as a table we cleared and cleaned, which keeps things calm and safe. Inside, there’s soft play/wooden structure play area, a small reading nook and a relaxed café. I would say this particular cafe is just ‘ok’ and has limited choice (we find this sometimes with National Trust sites) but we enjoyed sitting and letting the kids play freely.
It’s a very good addition to a National Trust location which increases the time you can spend there (especially as a paying member).
Outdoor Adventure Playground
When the rain eased, we dashed over to the outdoor adventure playground and it’s nothing short of epic. Towering wooden forts, slides, bridges, a zip line and balancing logs stretch across the woodland. The kids could’ve spent the whole day here. There’s also a miniature train that loops the grounds (sadly not running during our visit, but worth catching in summer). We couldn’t believe the endless nature of the play area. It just kept going and going. In the end it became a bit of a running joke but it’s absolutely brilliant (pictures don’t do it justice) and worth a visit alone.
Formal Gardens & Orangery
We didn’t make it to the formal Italian-style gardens this time, but I imagine they’re beautiful when the sun’s out as Spring rears itself from the cold winter. Think sculpted hedges, fountains and quiet corners for a picnic. The historic Orangery, with its glasshouse and exotic plants, is another highlight that’s easy to miss if you’re just focused on the play areas. We will be back to explore.
Parkland Walks & Deer Park
For families who love a good wander, Belton has miles of walking routes. Paths circle lakes, meander through ancient woodland, and cross open meadows dotted with fallow deer. Many of these walks are buggy-friendly, and the scenery shifts beautifully through the seasons.
Maze, Discovery Centre & Seasonal Trails
Belton also hides a yew maze near the gardens. Again we didn’t explore it on this visit (there’s seriously too much to do) but from the website it looks fantastic. There is also a small Discovery Centre that runs changing exhibitions and craft sessions during school holidays. The National Trust often hosts Easter egg hunts, nature trails, Halloween walks and festive light events, so it’s worth checking what’s on before visiting.
Wildlife Spotting
If your children enjoy spotting animals, bring binoculars. We saw deer, rabbits and plenty of birdlife even on a grey day. In truth, we only scratched the surface. Belton is one of those places where you could visit ten times and still find something new. We are planning a camping trip nearby so we can experience it again.
Facilities:
Belton is very well equipped for families:
- Cafés: The main café near the entrance serves hot meals, sandwiches and kids’ lunch boxes. The indoor play café offers lighter bites and good coffee. There is also a cafe near the Woodland play area which was open at the time of visit.
- Toilets & Baby Changing: Clean and accessible, located across the site.
- Shop: A charming National Trust shop with toys, books and local treats.
- Picnic Areas: Plenty of picnic tables and grassy spots near both play zones and around the lake.
- Parking: Large, well-managed car park with overflow areas on busy days.
- Accessibility: Most paths are hard-packed gravel; the indoor play and café are step-free.
Would you recommend it?
Absolutely. Belton Estate is one of the best family days out we’ve had — even in the rain. It balances history, nature and play perfectly.
For adults, there’s heritage and scenery; for children, endless adventure. The combination of an indoor and outdoor play park means it’s genuinely all-weather, and you could easily spend a full day here without running out of things to do. We both agreed it’s the best National Trust play park we’ve ever visited and we can’t wait to return in sunshine to explore the gardens, maze and deer park properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a café?
Yes, three main cafés. One by the visitor centre with hot meals, another inside the indoor play zone for snacks and drinks and finally one close to the play area (toilets here too)
How much does it cost?
Free for National Trust members. Non-members pay around £18 (adults) and £9 (children); under-5s are usually free.
Are there bike trails?
There are no formal bike routes within the main estate, but families can cycle safely in surrounding lanes and bridleways. Belton itself is best enjoyed on foot.
Is parking available?
Yes, a large free car park is included in admission, with overflow parking on busy weekends.
Is Belton good for rainy days?
Yes. It’s a huge site with varied activities meaning it still works on a rainy day. Between the house tour, indoor play café and sheltered picnic areas, you can easily fill a wet day.
What was your favourite part?
The outdoor play area. Not to sound like a broken record but it’s one of the best we’ve visited. It’s huge but also well constructed. It looks as though real thought has gone into it.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs on leads are welcome in the parkland and some garden areas, but not inside the house or play zones.
Can you take a picnic?
Absolutely. We always take a picnic and the National Trust encourage picnics as part of their sustainability strategy. There’s always plenty of places to picnic throughout the site.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great play park (One of the best National Trust has to offer)
- Beautiful house and gardens
- Lovely views and varying walks
- Indoor wooden play area.
Cons
- Expensive for non-members
National Trust enjoyment rating
Last Updated on November 11, 2025 by Ryan
Hello. I am Ryan and along with my wife Beth and our two children Matilda and Barney, we love all things cycling and exploring. We spend our weekends exploring fun places to cycle and discover and wanted to help other people do the same too. There’s no better way to travel than via bike and it’s an amazing activity for the whole family to enjoy.