Burghley House and Garden
Burghley House is a massive grand building from the time of Elizabeth I. With huge grounds, there's plenty to explore, with trails to keep the kids busy for a great day out.
Videos
Our Review
Burghley House is an impressive Elizabethan stately home in Lincolnshire, not far from Peterborough - though we visited while staying at the Sandringham campsite in Norfolk.
Burghley House is an impressive stately home from the time of Queen Elizabeth I
It was even built in the shape of an E originally, for Elizabeth I. Unfortunately, even though Elizabeth I was going to stay there, she never did.
However, Queen Victoria did, and you can see where she slept.
A bed fit for a queen?
There is a fantastic children's guide to Burghley House, called the "Beastly Boring Burghley". It is full of interesting facts or things to spot in the many different rooms.
The children's guide to Burghley House was excellent and in the style of the Horrid Histories series.
Burghley Gardens
Burghley House sits in an impressive 'Capability' Brown landscape.
Map of the grounds to explore around Burghley House
The owners of Burghley House knocked down an entire wing of their house to improve the view of this landscape. The Elizabethan manor is no longer in an 'E' shape, as it was when it was first built.
It looks like Burghley house sits next to a meandering river. This 'river' is an artificial lake that was dug out by hand and lined with clay that 'Capability' Brown found on the estate.
This is a manmade lake that looks like a river
You can walk from the house over to the 'lion bridge' that crosses the lake.
While the landscape is great to look at and stretch your legs, your kids will love the more modern Garden of Surprises.
One of the garden sculptures at Burghley
We visited in Halloween and followed the pumpkin trail. There was even a trail for adults to do.
The Garden of Surprises has a water garden and is a place your kids will love to get wet, so bring a towel and a change of clothes. Fountains suddenly appear, as well as doorways of water.
Be prepared for wet kids in the Water Garden
There's also a good mirror maze to get lost in.
The Garden of Surprises is full of sculptures and different themed areas, and so you can spend a good hour or two exploring it. It's also a great place to bring a picnic.
The lion bridge that crosses the lake
Lots of great places for a picnic
One of the paths around the grounds
This tower had a surprise inside if you looked up
The Garden of Surprises is full of … surprises
By the lake. Another great place to stop.
Burghley Elizabethan House
Sculptures in the Garden of Surprises
Facilities
Facilities Details
Dogs are allowed on a lead in the Park, but no dogs are allowed in the gardensOn The Map
Address
Burghley House and GardenBurghley House, Stamford
Peterborough
Lincolnshire
PE9 3JY
England
Longitude: -0.452531
Latitude: 52.642494