National Trust Belton House

What will students see and do?

Sitting elegantly in formal gardens with views across country gardens and an ancient deer park, Belton is often cited as being the perfect example of an English country house estate.

Although built on a modest scale, it has an art gallery of porcelain, silver and Victorian art, a world-renowned library and fine Victorian architecture that reflects the continued wealth and cultured tastes of its former owners, the Brownlow family.

In more recent times, Belton manor house has become a popular destination for families in search of outdoor fun, with seasonal trails and the National Trust’s largest outdoor adventure playground.

Whether you are interested in art, history or the environment, Belton House has something for all ages and abilities.

Explore and discover the parkland, gardens and 17th-century mansion with your class. You will also have access to Lincolnshire’s largest outdoor adventure playground.

The parkland and gardens are open all year, with the mansion open March to October, and you can choose from a range of led workshops and tours or lead your own visit to the grounds.

Early Years Foundation Stage can take part in a treasure hunt, foraging games, lessons on the fallow deer and other wildlife, and a Belton House Christmas craft workshop.

Meanwhile, Key Stage 1 can enjoy nature walks, habitat lessons (looking at a mini-beast safari or pond dipping), and history lessons for kids about the Lord and Lady Brownlow.

Similarly, the Key Stage 2 programme can do all of that, plus more in-depth lessons on the house and grounds, and how they functioned prior to and during World War 1, providing pupils with a snapshot into the life of Victorian-era houses and its community.

Finally, secondary school students (KS3-5) can take part in a closer look at what life was like for the soldiers in the First World War at Belton Park Camp.

If you fancy leading your own visit, you can borrow all the equipment you need to go bug hunting or birdwatching from the learning and community office.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

Each tour and workshop is developed to support the National Curriculum.

Staff will help your pupils to actively engage with their environments; whether they are choosing their favourite flowers in the Victorian greenhouse, or exploring a family portrait.

The programmes provide cross-curricular, experiential learning opportunities that will inspire and excite your pupils, and the outdoor learning sessions are a fun and informative introduction to habitats and plants.

Subjects covered

Details of risk assessment

Belton House has been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOTC) Quality Badge. Information to support your risk assessments for your visit can be found in the guidance pack, available to download from the website.

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