Saving Belton's Boathouse

At almost 200 years of age, to save this significant structure we need to raise £100,000 for works to restore the stickwork building back to its original 19th century splendour

Belton's boathouse in need of repair

How the appeal adds up

  • This stick work building is the only 1 of its kind cared for by the National Trust.
  • The restoration will place 1,250 fish scale tiles on the boathouse.
  • Help us reach our £100,000 target to save Belton’s boathouse.
Fishscale roof slate tiles
Belton House   Lincolnshire

Make your mark on Belton’s history

Something special’s happening this summer, something that’s never been offered at Belton before! This is your chance to leave a lasting legacy on Belton for ever.

Sponsor a slate
Belton's boathouse behind the Gothic Ruin
Belton House   Lincolnshire

Saving Belton's Boathouse

Keep up to date with the latest news about Belton's boathouse project.

How you can help

Donate to Saving Belton's Boathouse

To donate please select an amount

Watercolour on paper, a gentleman and a lady in a boat on water with Belton House in the background
£10 can help restore the lost footpaths and jetty so that we can get punting back on to the river.
£25 can help reinstate the slate fish scale tiles on the roof.
Fishscale roof slate tiles
Belton’s boathouse pre restoration
£50 can help put back the hand carved Ancaster limestone footings to support the structure.
Or enter your own amount
Water colour of Belton's Boathouse
Belton House   Lincolnshire

Sophia Cust and the boathouse

The significance of Sophia’s work is invaluable and has left an incredible legacy which informs our thinking on the restoration of Belton to its former splendour.

Discover Sophia’s influence on Belton's boathouse
A painting of the cascade approximately dated 1750, shows a rustic arch in the centre of the cascade and a ruin to the left
Belton House   Lincolnshire

Belton’s lost garden

The story of Belton's lost wilderness garden is one of evolution

Discover the story
Watercolour on paper, a gentleman and a lady in a boat on water with Belton House in the background
Belton House   Lincolnshire

Punting at Belton

Imagine lazy summers days travelling up the river, enjoying picnics in Belton's wilderness garden.

Discover how
" The boathouse is an intrinsic part of Belton’s wilderness and historic garden design. Its restoration will allow us to recreate those lazy summer days punting on the river the family used to enjoy."
- Mark Smith, Ranger and former boatman for the Brownlows, Belton House

Why give to the National Trust

As a charity, we rely on the generosity of supporters to look after the historic buildings in our care. Not only do our supporters help to conserve beautiful homes and stunning gardens. They also ensure that future generations have places where they can be inspired by stories of the past, enjoy peace and time to reflect, and make memories to treasure. Your donation will go towards this project and other vital conservation work on our buildings at this special place. With your support, we can continue to protect the irreplaceable. For ever, for everyone.

Fundraising Regulator
Donate now to help save Belton's boathouse