Belton House in Lincolnshire had cause to celebrate on Saturday 10 October when visitor numbers exceeded 218,500 for the 2009 season – an all-time record.

It’s 25 years since Belton House came into our care and the team at Belton are delighted that record visitor numbers coincide with its silver anniversary year.

Mary Kindred, visitor services manager at Belton, said:

'We put our success at Belton down to three things: firstly, the sheer diversity of the offer at Belton – from the superb 17th-century English country house with imaginative interpretation to our award-winning learning programme, from gorgeous gardens to Lincolnshire’s largest adventure playground.

'Second is our focus on local food, with Lincolnshire sausage casserole and our very own Belton venison featuring regularly on the restaurant menu. We’ve held a series of very popular Local Food Showcases at weekends, which have given visitors the opportunity to try before they buy. Products have included Grasmere Farm sausages, Hambleton Bakery breads and River Nene organic vegetables.

'Thirdly, there’s our varied events programme, with great opportunities for visitors to get involved whether it’s a garden or house tour, walks with our wardens, family fun trails or the Wildlife Explorers’ Club.'

Belton currently has a photographic exhibition of favourite seasonal views of Belton submitted by visitors. The Celebrating Belton exhibition is in the basement, and is open from 11am to 3.30pm, Wednesdays to Sundays, until 1 November.

There’s a lot more to come, with a programme of Halloween Happenings for families during autumn half-term, an opportunity to get into the festive spirit with the ever-popular Christmas Craft Market on 21 and 22 November and, for December weekends, a Yuletide Garden Trail and festive music.

You can also seek out inspirational Christmas gifts in the relaxed atmosphere of the gift shop and the plant and garden shop, or perhaps meet up with friends and family over a traditional Christmas lunch in the Stables restaurant.

Alec Gordon, General Manager for Belton House, said:

'I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our team of staff and volunteers at Belton for their enthusiasm, hard work and dedication.

'The special synergy between our team on the ground and our visitors is taking Belton from strength to strength. We look forward to an even better year in 2010.'