The Perfect English Country House?

Begun for Sir John Brownlow in 1685, Belton was certainly designed to impress and across its 300 year history, each generation of the Brownlows left their creative mark.

The work of leading designers, artists and craftsmen is evidenced in the house; from Grinling Gibbons carvings and Edward Goudge plasterwork to one of the most significant historic silver collections in the country and the second largest library held by the National Trust. Relatively compact it may be, but the quality of its collection, its setting in 36 acres of formal gardens and 1300 acres of deer park mean that Belton House is regarded as the most complete example of an English country house.

The main visitor rooms in the mansion are now closed for winter conservation work but Below Stairs tours are still running daily and timed tickets are available from the Marble Hall. A tour of the Belton basements will certainly open your eyes to the reality of life working in the the big house.

Your Day, Your Way

In 2014 we trialled a new way of opening the mansion. We got rid of the single-direction, set visitor route which often led to congestion and didn't allow people to explore in their own way or in their own time. We gave visitors the opportunity to plan their own route or simply exlpore at leisure and next year we'll be further improving the visitor journey with more themed interpretation, guided tours and rooms that enable you to delve a little deeper into the story of Belton House.