Family-friendly things to do at Belton

Children sat down on the grass in front of Belton House, playing with daisies — Get the whole family outdoors this spring | © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey

Explore our fun family day out ideas, including our indoor play area and outdoor adventure playground. Make the most of your day out with the kids at Belton.

Planning your family visit

Booking your visit is no longer required.
The Outdoor Adventure Playground is open daily, and the train is operating Friday - Sunday, 11am - 3.30pm, weather permitting. Daily service operates during school holidays.
The Ride indoor play area is open daily, 9.30am - 5.30pm. No pre-booking required. Please note that at busy times, families will be given one hour of timed play.
Baby-changing facilities are available in the parkland, Stables Café, Muddy Hands, and the Ride toilets.
Sensory bags: we have three new sensory bags available to loan at the Information and Accessibility Hub (previously visitor reception). The bags contain ear defenders, a fidget spinner, sunglasses, and other sensory items, which we hope will help create a more comfortable environment.

Two children on the rope and plank bridge in the play area at Belton House, Lincolnshire — Children exploring the play area at Belton House, Lincolnshire | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Belton’s outdoor adventure playground

Swing, dangle, wobble, climb and jump your way through, across and over the National Trust’s largest outdoor adventure playground, set within an ancient wilderness.

Play opportunities at Belton encourage challenging playful experiences in a safe environment to facilitate child development at all stages. The equipment’s designed to be challenging.

Only you know the abilities and limitations of the children in your care, so please keep a careful watch on them and make sure they’re playing safely. You’re also encouraged to play in the spaces provided so that everyone can enjoy the play experience.

The equipment is designed to be challenging

As a result, some equipment may not be suitable for all children.

Visitors enjoying a ride on the miniature railway, with a girl waving, at Belton House, Lincolnshire — Visitors enjoying a ride on the miniature railway at Belton House | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Take a train ride

Friday - Sunday, 11am - 3.30pm, weather permitting. Daily service operates during Lincolnshire school holidays.

An adult ticket costs £2 per seat, and a child ticket is £1.50. The money raised from the train is used to help us maintain and keep the train running for future generations to enjoy. Thank you for your continued support.

Attention all passengers, journeys on Belton’s miniature train are now running. Take a train ride through the adventure playground, up to the woods and back again. The train driver writes the time of the last journey of the day on the station board.

Indoor play café

Here grown-ups get the opportunity to enjoy a refreshment or two, while the kids enjoy the indoor play area. Full of challenging fun for younger children, this is adventure play, not soft play. Find us in the stable yard. No pre-booking required. Please note that at busy times, families will be given one hour of timed play.

Offering a beehive, Bellmount Tower and the Fishing Lodge, joined together with hanging walkways, cargo nets, slides and tunnels – there’s hours of fun to be had. During term times, there will be early years and sensory play equipment for younger visitors.

Belton’s favourite springtime challenges

No. 7 Fly a kite

When there's a bit of wind in the air, it's the perfect time to fly a kite. So, if you haven't flown one before, what are you waiting for? Belton’s oval lawn in front of the mansion is a great open space, where a gentle breeze will help launch your kite.

No. 19 Play pooh sticks

Pooh sticks is the perfect game for a spring afternoon by the river. Seek out the quirkiest looking twig, head to the bridge at the entrance of Belton’s outdoor adventure playground and get ready to throw your pooh stick into the water.

No. 45 Find your way with a map

Finding your way with a map might seem simple, but there's quite a lot to learn. Once you've mastered it, you'll never get lost again! Follow one of Belton’s spring walks to find your way.

No. 18 Create some wild art

When it comes to creating wild art, the only limit is your imagination. There's so much to choose from in Belton's woodland, but please make sure you're not making your art from another creature's home! What will you use, and how?