Wilderness by the Witham

We need your help to raise £8,000 to restore the jetty and return punting to the river so that the Wilderness can be experienced from the water once more.

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

How the appeal adds up

  • 2 punts can be handcrafted with your help.
  • The restoration will place 1 jetty will lead you to a guided punt tour.
  • Help us reach our £8,000 target to return punting to Belton.
Punting on the River Witham at Belton House, Lincolnshire
Belton House   Lincolnshire

Punting at Belton

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

Travel along the heart of Belton estate
A painting of the cascade approximately dated 1750, shows a rustic arch in the centre of the cascade and a ruin to the left. The gardens are shown with figures in the foreground.
Belton House   Lincolnshire

Belton’s lost garden

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

Discover the story

Donate to Wilderness by the Witham

To donate please select an amount

The boardwalk at Kingston Lacy
£10 can buy a non-slip plank for the boardwalk to the jetty.
£25 can buy a child’s life jacket, so younger visitors can also enjoy a punt through the Wilderness.
Watercolour on paper, a gentleman and a lady in a boat on water with Belton House in the background
£50 can contribute towards two quintessential handcrafted punts.
Or enter your own amount
Watercolour of Belton's Boathouse in the Wilderness garden
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
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
" 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
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

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 everyone, for ever.

Fundraising Regulator
Return punting to Belton