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Belton House
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Belton House

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Belton House
4.5
#4 of 26 things to do in Grantham
Historic Sites
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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See what travelers are saying
  • Neil W
    Nottingham, United Kingdom45 contributions
    Xmas treat
    Visited the Xmas lights last night It was freezing cold but absolutely brilliant Really well organised with a great walk though loads of lovely light displays linked to some really good music. The rubix cube and the boating lake lights were my favourite and everyone loves the light tunnel. My granddaughter meet Santa half way round and there's a hot drinks stall half way round too. Brilliant..we'll be back next year
    Visited December 2022
    Traveled with family
    Written December 16, 2022
  • Lesley Kirby
    3 contributions
    Magical Christmas event for all ages.
    We visited the Christmas light trail in the run up to Christmas (freezing cold weather), and it was outstanding. It is truly a magical event for all ages. We went with my grand children 2 & 4 yrs old. They were captivated the whole time. So well organised, from arrival in the car park, around the trail, help is always to hand if you need it. I can't recommend this event enough, for all ages. We look forward to returning next Christmas. Well done to the organisers.
    Visited December 2022
    Written January 7, 2023
  • Louise M
    3 contributions
    Excellent Christmas Light Trail
    Lovely Christmas lights again this year. Great atmosphere and the displays were really impressive especially the lake and the fireflies. Each year it just gets better! The only negative was the price of the food and drink by the external caterers; £10 for a hot dog was certainly excessive! The most we have paid for food at any event this Christmas.
    Visited December 2022
    Traveled with family
    Written January 7, 2023
  • David L
    Nottingham, United Kingdom13 contributions
    Excellent Christmas lights and experience
    Visited Christmas lights with family and toddler . It was an excellent experience. Car parking was well organised. Plenty of staff in attendance. Had nice coffee in the Stables cafe. We all enjoyed. Have read some of the negative views and I wonder if they were genuine visitors or just mischief makers.
    Visited December 2022
    Traveled with family
    Written January 11, 2023
  • David A
    West Bridgford, United Kingdom1,067 contributions
    Lovely snowdrops, shame about the cafe.
    Went her specifically to see the snowdrops as they have lots. They are just coming into bloom but ther a huge number spread across grassy areas, woodlands and round the lake. They are well worth visiting for this. In a few weeks the daffodils will be out and they have a great show of these, from previous visits. The aspect which was not very good is the cafe. The organisation is not great with customers having to pay at one station and then move to another to collect their drinks. Today only the door adjacent to the drink making station was open leading to people trying to order at the wrong place. This led to further unhappy customers. Once we got our flat white coffees and scone we found somewhere to sit. There is lots of seating both inside and out. The coffees were not very good as flat and the scones were quite flat and needed longer cooking. We did not complain because of the queues at the two stations. Such a shame as other National Trust cafes are much better.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 5, 2023
  • Lottie
    Essex, United Kingdom42 contributions
    Worthwhile Day Trip
    Visited here to see the snowdrops and its was lovely, a rather cold and overcast day but well worth it. So much to explore and very buggy friendly (had my 1 and 2 year old niece/nephew) with a lovely little cafe with indoor play area (although my 2 wear old niece is a little small so needed help up to the slide). I would caution those with little ones about the play area as some children were 8/9/10 alongside the youngest and so was a bit of a free for all! But she enjoyed it.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written February 18, 2023
  • n55ffc
    Radcliffe on Trent, United Kingdom915 contributions
    Wonderful Afternoon at Belton House & Gardens,
    We were pleasantly surprised as to how lovely Belton House & gardens are. Fabulous walks through the trees strewn with snowdrops & daffodils. The facilities suit both adults & children. We were there on Sunday which was probably considered busy but the grounds are so vast it never felt crowded at at all. Lovely miniature railway for the kids & adult kids too. There’s a really good cafe charging reasonable prices for a range of delicious food & drink. Really looking forward to visiting Belton House in the summer. Highly recommended 😊.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 28, 2023
  • machinmad
    Yaxley, United Kingdom2,461 contributions
    Go see the Spring flowers ...
    We broke our journey at Belton to stretch our legs and have a light lunch. A stroll around the gardens showed off the thousands of Daffodil bulbs in bloom which provided a cheerful yellow carpet. The lake paths weren't too muddy and the Orangery had some perfumed flowering Jasmin. Lunch was okay but rather over-priced and under-whelmed as usual at NT. We dodged the showers and enjoyed our walk, watching the deers wonder round their enclosure.
    Visited March 2023
    Written March 27, 2023
  • Marley
    Lincoln, United Kingdom13 contributions
    Well worth the visit
    Visited Belton House, the gardens were amazing, we did the snow drop trail they were very pretty, all the staff were very helpful. The restaurant was very busy but the cakes were worth the wait. The parking was plentiful with no issues. Would definitely recommend
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 28, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,155 reviews
Excellent
1,239
Very good
611
Average
148
Poor
93
Terrible
64
Dominique
United Kingdom1 contribution
So disappointed
Dec 2020 • Family
As National Trust members we booked an afternoon slot as prescribed on the NT website to walk round the gardens. We arrived to find the gardens closed at 3pm (the actual time of our pre-booked ticket). The Christmas lights do not open until 4.30pm. Very saddened to see National Trust charging for tickets to access the gardens by night and not let their paying members in by day. We deliberately booked a late slot to avoid crowds in the pandemic. Our experience today shows NT are putting profit before safety.
Written December 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara
24 contributions
Incredible house
Mar 2020 • Friends
Visited Belton house for the first time today, and will need to return to do the “below stairs tour”.
Myself and three friends enjoyed a leisurely amble through this magnificent building, admiring the beautiful architecture, art work and incredible views. Although it was early March, the gardens and well kept lawns looked very impressive.
Throughout our tour there where many volunteers in various rooms explaining the features that lay within and welcomed questions.
We were fortunate to meet Tom Bates a volunteer for the last fifteen years who accompanied us for part of our amble, and were we lucky. A charming man whose knowledge was very comprehensive and interesting. He pointed out many little features such as one of the night watchman’s clocks, which recorded his time throughout his nightly inspections in case of fire, the domed ceiling in the library, the painting of Queen Victoria aged two and many interesting little facts which we would have missed. Plus explanations of the fourteen different owners of the house and their history and connections with royalty.
We ended our visit with a trip to the gift shop then enjoyed a welcome rest in the cafe for teas and coffees which we really enjoyed.
Alternatively to the house, for children there is a small indoor play area and access to to gardens and activity centre.
Outside the perimeter of the house there is acres of open countryside to explore and run about (for free). All in all a very worthwhile visit, which we shall return to very soon.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dg061265
Harrow, UK52 contributions
If it wasn’t for the book shop this would be one star.
Aug 2021 • Solo
Best National trust book shop by far. Unfortunately goes down hill thereafter.

The grounds and everything except the house open at the 10am which gives time to look at the gardens walk around the lake and explore. Service in the cafe was so slow. Join the queue at 12 get served at 12.30. Ok it was a bank holiday weekend but staff accordingly.

Then the next queue to get in the house which did not open until 12.30. You have had visitors to the wider property since 10am, so 2 1/2 hours of lent up demand. Is it any wonder why there is a queue to let people in. Better to have timed entry I would have thought.

You get to the front of the queue (another half hour wait) and ask about some inconsistencies with the windows to be told it’s probably something to do with the window tax! That was why some were blocked up. It why there are differences. And as an aside they tell you that the upstairs of the property is closed because of covid because they can’t have visitors touching the handrails with newly sanitised hands.

As a National trust member you are told to check the website for the most up to date information. I did. The closure of 50% of the property is not mentioned anywhere. It says house open, not house open in part.
Written August 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex G
Lincoln2 contributions
Great place for a family day out, really poor cafe
Nov 2019 • Family
We regularly go to Belton House and have a great family day out. But what we have been so disappointed with in recent visits is the selection and cost of food in the cafe. The selection is minimal and too expensive, £5 for a sausage roll?? £4.95 for childrens beans on toast??? Such a shame as it is such a lovely place but can't help but feel ripped off with buying food here. Picnics for us!!
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TakosAtenpercentoyou
England110 contributions
Social distancing not good.
Jul 2020
I'm reviewing this place here because my post on Belton House's Facebook page was deleted within minutes of it being posted. The National Trust is famous of course for valuing the opinions of its members.
I visited yesterday (4th July). In the grounds, people were behaving sensibly, there being sufficient space for them to keep their distance. In the area where the shop, cafe and toilets are it was different. Visitors ignored the (small) "No Entry" signs and, even where there was space to do so, were not keeping their distance. A member of staff, from the cafe I think, was also making no effort to keep his distance from visitors queuing for the toilets.
As we drove in to confirm our booking we were wished an enjoyable visit by the staff member in charge. Could I suggest this message be amended to include a strong reminder regarding distancing, and that staff also be briefed as to their responsibility? You can't legislate against stupid and selfish people, and the NT has its fair share as members. However, better signage, more proactive staff, and less of a hurry to get the cash in might help. Censoring Facebook comments won't, that's for sure.
Written July 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
graham_harris83
uk12 contributions
Murder mystery rushed
Jan 2020
Visited for the Murder Mystery today - it's limited to an hour which is not enough to search for all the clues and come to a a conclusion. Needs to be 90 mins to be rewarding.
The rooms dressed for Christmas are dark and clues difficult to read - take a torch or use your phone torch.
We have done the basement tour in the past, and it was very good, as was the light show, but the signage left something to be desired (first time for an event in the dark?) and the cafe was slow and expensive.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom
1 contribution
Xmas ‘20 BE WARNED!
Dec 2020 • Family
Christmas lights 2020 5pm 11 Dec — TERRIBLY mismanaged and overcrowded, to the point of high stress.

Confidently reassured before going this year by (very sensible, cautious, clinically vulnerable) family that in 2019 it was peaceful, quiet; naturally socially distanced. Not in 2020.

Some people had clearly made some decisions about capacity for 2020 that they should feel deeply ashamed about.

It was like being in a cold, overcrowded tube station with no escape. Stewards did their best but had no control over the crowds of people who could not socially distance in such a tight space. No floor markings, many light shows/displays not active compared to 2019.

Car parking scary, dark, muddy, total disgrace.
Written December 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grantham girl
1 contribution
Chistmas Lights but lack of social distancing.
Dec 2020
Very disappointing experience due to the high volue of people and the lack of social distancing in all areas. Despite booking a Blue Badge parking space, none was available and we had to park in the main car park near to the entrance but much further than the proper parking. It appears that they just booked too many people in the time slots. We booked for 6pm and it was very busy but when we left at 7:30, there was less queuing. There is only a very narrow doorway at the exit from the garden to the courtyard and there was no one around to manage this bottleneck.
We are aware that this is a shared venture between a commercial company and The National Trust but this does not mean that they can ignore customer safety. It is branded by The National Trust and they need to step up to their resposibilities.
Written December 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Baggajones
45 contributions
4 for the gardens alone
Jul 2021 • Couples
Absolutely loved the grounds but house a let down, only a few rooms to see and no information anywhere about them. Queued for 20 minutes in 25 degree heat, a few umbrellas wouldnt go amiss, either in the courtyard cafe area or queuing area outside the house. Could also do with more benches dotted about for a well earned rest.
Written July 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew B
Lincoln, UK12,149 contributions
An enjoyable visit as usual - wait at stables cafe far too long
Oct 2021
We started our visit by going to the nearby Bellmount Tower - about a mile or so drive from the House - no pedestrian access from the House grounds. It has a car park for c 30 cars - free and then there is an uphill walk of c half mile to the Tower which was built in 1750, some feat in those days and is essentially a folly. The main attraction of the visit here is the wonderful views high up it affords of the surrounding countryside and a wonderful tree lined view looking down to Belton House itself. There are also some pleasant woodland walks here.

At Belton House itself there is a very large car park. I think £15 admission is a bit on the steep side although it does include entry to the House but why don't they do a gardens only admission price. From 1st Nov it reduces to £8 as the House is closed.

There are nice large grounds with two lakes to walk round and plenty of seats. It was good to see the fountain working in the nicely maintained gardens where there was still some nice colour for late October.

The Stables cafe inside has a nice ambience and unique feel to it but a wait of 30 minutes which is often the norm is just not acceptable and needs sorting out. There are good toilets here including a disabled one. There are plenty of trestle tables in the large courtyard where there is a decent shop and further toilets nearby.

We always enjoy our visits here and it is worth coming.
Written October 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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