Getting ready for Christmas

This Christmas, join us to celebrate well-loved traditions and create some new ones of your own.

Our Midwinter Mystery activities have been inspired by Kitty Brownlow’s love of amateur dramatics and 1920’s glamour, so release your inner Poirot this Christmas with a visit to Belton House.

Belton will be at its Christmas best from Saturday 23 November, open every day throughout winter, except Christmas day. 

Winter grounds admission charges apply, during normal opening hours.

The magical, after-dark, illuminated trail at Belton House, Lincolnshire, in partnership with Raymond Gubbay Ltd

The magical, after-dark, illuminated trail 

For the very first time at Belton the tree-tops will glisten and the gardens will shimmer and sparkle this winter.

Belton traditions

Help us grow Belton’s garland of greenery

Garland of greenery

Help us grow Belton’s garland of greenery in the stable yard with winter cuttings from the gardens. How far can will it reach this year? FREE.

Express your feelings about Christmas through art or creative writing.

Christmas creative

Pick up a card in the Stables café and illustrate your feelings about Christmas through art or creative writing. Why not leave it with us to display on the gift shop gallery wall? FREE.

A Christmas bauble at Belton

Wish tree

Choose a bauble from the bookshop to make a special wish for the New Year and place it on the magic wish tree in the stable yard. FREE.

Visit the mansion this Christmas

Midwinter Mystery tour at Belton House, Lincolnshire

Midwinter mystery tour 

Kitty Brownlow, one of high society’s most glamorous ladies, is hosting a murder mystery play. Join a tour from basement to splendid reception rooms on your mission to find the clues and solve the crime.

Christmas in the Mansion at Belton House, Lincolnshire

Mansion at Christmas 

Enjoy visiting Belton’s main reception rooms dressed for a high society Christmas and sparkling with Art Deco style.

Admiring the Christmas decorations at Saltram, Devon

Junior detectives trail

Kitty Brownlow’s hidden special baubles around the house. Can you solve the clues to find them and work out the famous Christmas song? FREE with mansion admission.

Adult Craft Week

A Christmas crafting workshop printmaking

Prepare for the festive season as Adult Craft Week returns. Get creative with a range of Christmas crafting ideas before the holidays begin.

A Christmas wreath making workshop

Bring along a friend and enjoy a range of drop-in craft activities staring from £3.50, to get you in the festive spirit.

A Christmas decoration crafting workshop

Monday 25 – Friday 29 November 2019.

Away from it all

Enjoy a winter whodunit trail in the grounds of Belton House, Lincolnshire

Whodunnit?

The mysteries continue this Christmas with an outdoor whodunnit trail just for grown-ups. The stableboy’s found a body in the bothy, but can you solve the crime? FREE from Belton’s bookshop.

Dog enjoying a winter walk

Dog walking 

Wrap up warm and explore a variety of woodland, hills and streams with your four-legged friend. After a long stroll in the fresh air sit back and put your feet (or paws) up in the Pup & Saucer dog café.

Sheep in the frost at Belton House

Winter walks 

If it’s some quiet time you’re looking for, come and explore Belton’s gardens, pleasure grounds and 1300 acres of parkland. Even on our busiest days, there’s peace to be found here.

Family time

Visitors in the play area, walking along a fallen tree

Who stole the stollen?

The Brownlow’s Christmas stollen's been stolen from Belton’s kitchen and Agatha the cook is in a tizzy! Gather the family and complete the mystery trail through the adventure playground to identify the culprit. FREE from Muddy Hands kiosk.

Join Father Christmas and friends at Belton's Old School this winter

Father Christmas and friends 

Join us at Belton’s Old School for a fun-filled performance of festive singing and elfish high jinks before a visit from Father Christmas who comes bearing gifts.

Visitors enjoying Breakfast with Father Christmas

Breakfast with Father Christmas 

Father Christmas loves his food, especially a hearty breakfast. So as Christmas Eve gets closer, and it’s time for him to start loading his sleigh, join Father Christmas for breakfast in the Ride Café and get an early present!

There's family fun this winter at Killerton.

Advent calendar

When you arrive at Belton, don’t forget to pick a chocolate treat out of the giant advent calendar at Visitor Reception. FREE.

Visitors enjoying craft activities at Belton House, Lincolnshire

Discovery Centre 

From seasonal i-spy trails to craft making* and dressing up, there’s something for young families to enjoy every day. *Small charges may apply.

Have you sent a letter to Father Christmas this year?

Write to Father Christmas

Have you told Father Christmas about your visit to Belton House? Pick up a postcard from the Ride Play Café to tell him all about it then pop it in one of Belton’s North Pole post boxes. FREE.

Time for a treat

National Trust retail Autumn Winter collection 2019

Shopping 

Looking for something different from the high street? Visit Belton’s gift shop this winter for a range of unique gifts. With a variety of gifts, we’ve a great mix of local products as well as National Trust favourites.

A pot of tea in the stables cafe at Belton House, Lincolnshire.

Eating 

After a refreshing walk in the parkland or a visit to the mansion, warm yourself up in Belton’s new Stables Café with a hearty stew, a Ploughman's Platter or some tasty festive treats.

Upcoming events

See all events

Father Christmas and friends

Sun 15 Dec 2019
09:30-10:05
Join the elves at Belton’s Old School for a special fun-filled performance of festive singing and high jinks before a visit from Father Christmas, who comes bearing gifts.

Midwinter mystery tour in the mansion (23rd November - 22 December)

Sun 15 Dec 2019
11:00-11:50
Immerse yourself in the Jazz Age as Lady Kitty Brownlow, an amateur actress, welcomes High Society’s bright young things to join her in staging a murder mystery play, sparkling with twenties style.

Mansion at Christmas (8th - 22nd December)

Sun 15 Dec 2019
11:30-11:45
Enjoy Belton’s main reception rooms dressed for a high society Christmas. Be transported back in time to the roaring twenties with Christmas trees sparkling in Art Deco glamour, a lavishly dressed dining table and costumed house guests to greet you.

Guided parkland walk

Sun 15 Dec 2019
11:30-13:00
Meet Belton’s ranger team and find out about their work across the parkland during this 2-mile walk.

Christmas at Belton

Sun 15 Dec 2019
16:20-20:00
The magical, after-dark, illuminated trail.

Belton Estate 10k guided walk

Thu 19 Dec 2019
09:30-13:00
Explore Belton’s landscape, history and wildlife on a 10K walk across the wider estate, with the volunteer ranger team.