FAQs

Where possible we make provisions to ensure Burghley is accessible for wheelchair, mobility scooter and buggy users.

Please view our Accessibility page for all the information relating to accessibility and SEND provision at Burghley.

Dogs on leads are welcome in the Parkland. For the safety and comfort of other visitors, livestock and wildlife in the Parkland, please always keep your dog on a lead. Dogs, other than assistance dogs, are not permitted in the House, Gardens, Adventure Play, restaurants, or shops. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area at the Garden Café. We kindly request that support dogs wear their coloured harness or jacket.

Photography and filming for personal use is allowed in all areas, however tripods and lighting equipment may not be used in the House, Gardens, Adventure Play or Parkland. Selfie sticks are not permitted in the House and drones are are not permitted anywhere on the estate.

Commercial photography and filming, including lifestyle shoots are not permitted without prior permission. Please contact us to discuss your request and any applicable fees.

In order to preserve the exclusivity for the couples who choose to get married at Burghley, wedding or engagement photography is not permitted in the Parkland, House or Gardens unless you have your wedding or reception here.

We reserve the right to ask visitors taking part in wedding, engagement, lifestyle or commercial photography without permission to leave the Estate.

We recommend allowing approximately an hour and a quarter to view the State Rooms in the House. However, you are welcome to spend as much or as little time as you wish.

Drones are not permitted anywhere at Burghley.

The House, Gardens and Adventure Play and all indoor areas are non smoking. The same policy applies to visitors using electronic cigarettes.

Parking at Burghley is available at no charge.

We have four Electric Vehicle Charging points available in our main Visitor Car Park. You will need the Monta App to use our chargers. This can be downloaded in advance of your visit or by scanning the QR code on the charge point. Your own charging cable is required.

For House and Gardens visitors please follow the signs to the Disabled Parking area which is located close to the House. Disabled Parking for Adventure Play visitors is located in the main Visitor Car Park close to the Adventure Play entrance.

By Train: Our nearest station is Stamford, approximately half a mile from the entrance to the Parkland and 1.5 miles to Burghley House. For more information please visit National Rail.

By Bus: A local bus service operated by Delaine stops opposite the Main Visitor Entrance on Barnack Road. From here it is approximately 600m to The House entrance. For more timetables and further information visit Delaine Buses.

Opening times during 2025 open season (15 March to 2 November 2025) are as follows:

House: 10.30am to 4.30pm, open daily (last entry 4pm, closed Fridays)

Gardens: 10am to 5pm, open daily (last entry 4.30pm)

Adventure Play (including The Muddy Mole): 10am to 5pm, open daily (last entry 4.30pm).

Parkland: 7am to dusk, open daily

Orangery Restaurant: 10am to 5pm, open daily (excluding selected Fridays)

Garden Café: 10am to 5pm, open daily

Courtyard Shop: 10.30am to 5pm, open daily

Garden Shop: 10am to 5pm, open daily

Please be aware that opening times and dates occasionally vary. Please check our Opening Times page before your visit.

The House is open daily (excluding Fridays) from 15 March to 2 November 2025. The Gardens and Adventure Play are open daily during February Half Term (15 to 23 February 2025). Following this, they will open on weekends only until 15 March, when daily openings will resume and continue through to 2 November. From 3 to 16 November 2025, the Gardens and Adventure Play will return to weekend-only opening.

Our Restaurant, Café and Shops are open throughout the year – days and times do vary, so please check our Opening Times page before your visit.

The Parkland is open year round.

Planned Closures | The House, Gardens and Adventure Play are closed for the duration of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials 4 to 7 September 2025.

Burghley House, Gardens and Adventure Play close for essential upkeep, maintenance and conservation during winter months. 

The Orangery Restaurant serves locally sourced dishes throughout the day, including delicious breakfasts, a seasonal lunch menu and luxury afternoon teas. You can book ahead here or simply walk in on the day.

The Garden Café next to the entrance to the Gardens is the perfect location to enjoy a freshly made barista coffee, light lunch, slice of homemade cake or pick up a children’s lunch box.

The Potting Shed is the ideal takeaway spot to grab a hot drink or delicious ice-cream during your visit (open weekends and holidays only).

The Muddy Mole located in Hide & Secrets Adventure Play serves tasty hot dogs and snacks to take away, as well as hot and cold drinks.

We recommend that you check our Opening Times information to plan your visit.

Barbecues are not permitted in the Gardens, Adventure Play or Parkland.

You are welcome to bring your own food for picnics in the Parkland, Adventure Play or Gardens (excluding the Garden of Surprises area). All we ask is that visitors kindly clear up any litter. We regret that barbecues or open fires are not permitted. You are welcome to put up a gazebo in the Parkland, but please refrain from doing this in the Adventure Play or Gardens areas.

Yes! We welcome visitors on bikes in the open Parkland, look out for spectacular vistas of the House, our herd of fallow deer and an abundance of wildlife on your cycle. The Gardens and Adventure Play areas are not suitable for bikes (including balance bikes and scooters) so we kindly ask you to leave your wheels at the cycle parks provided at each entrance.

Burghley is a cashless site, we kindly ask you to pay by card or contactless device when visiting.

The Gardens cover an area of 12 acres and you are welcome to spend as much or as little time as you wish exploring. It is a beautiful space to explore or simply to take time out to pause amongst nature.

A guided tour of the House is available to ticket holders on most days, please check with our team on arrival for times and availability.

For group bookings, we have a range of interesting tours of the House and Gardens. Find out more about what is on offer and how to book on our Group Visits page.

No, the water features in the Garden of Surprises are not designed for water play.

No, the Parkland is open daily for you to explore and enjoy. Parking is available at no charge. Please view our Opening Times to help plan your visit.

No, camping and overnight parking are not permitted.

No, horse-riding is not permitted anywhere in the Estate grounds.

The Parkland is a great place to play with friends and family and you are welcome to bring balls, frisbees or other small lawn games to use in the extensive open spaces. To keep the Gardens and Hide & Secrets Adventure Play enjoyable and safe for all visitors, we don't permit ball games in these areas.

On Burghley Estate we have The Dairy luxury self-catering accommodation which accommodates groups of up to 20 people in 10 bedrooms. Exclusively located in the private estate with far-reaching views over rolling Parkland to Burghley House, The Dairy offers a special setting for friends gettogethers, family reunions and all manner of celebrations including wedding parties.

We can also recommend The William Cecil and the Bull & Swan which are located on the edge of the Parkland.

If you have a lost property query you can get in touch with us by email.

Yes, baby changing facilities are available in The Brewhouse toilets, Chestnut Courtyard toilets, Garden Café toilets and Adventure Play toilets. Use our map to see these locations and plan your visit.

We regret we do not allow prams, pushchairs or rucksack style baby carriers in the House. Side and front baby carriers are welcome.

In the Gardens, there are a mixture of surfaces including hard-surfaced paths, woodchip and grass. Some areas are very uneven without pathways.

Hide & Secrets Adventure Play has hard-surfaced path access to all areas. Play spaces which are accessed off the pathways have a woodchip surface.

Yes, our Education Department provide an extensive range of inspiring and educational learning sessions for children of all ages. Visit our Learning & School Visits section to find out more.

You can call Burghley House office on 01780 752 451 between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday or email us.

Please contact Burghley Estate Office for queries related to Estate property and lettings on 01780 752 075 or by email.

View more details on our Contact Us page.

Yes, Adult, Child and Family Annual Passes are available which entitle you to unlimited visits during the open season. The House is open daily (excluding Fridays) from 15 March to 2 November 2025. The Gardens and Adventure Play are open daily during February Half Term (15 to 23 February 2025). Following this, they will open on weekends only until 15 March, when daily openings will resume and continue through to 2 November. From 3 to 16 November 2025, the Gardens and Adventure Play will return to weekend-only opening. Burghley House, Gardens and Adventure Play close for essential upkeep, maintenance and conservation during winter months. 

Annual Passes are valid for one year from the date of purchase and you can choose a House, Gardens and Adventure Play Annual Pass or a Gardens & Adventure Play Annual Pass. You can view Annual Pass prices and options on this page.

You can view all Annual Pass options and make your purchase in the booking section of our website. Once you have selected your Annual Pass you will be requested to complete your details including the names of any individuals to be registered on the pass. Once purchased you will receive your Annual Pass by email along with details on how to book your free visits.

You can also buy an Annual Pass in person at any of our Ticket Desks. This includes upgrading a Day Ticket to an Annual Pass which is offered for 30 days after your visit.

You can view and manage your Annual Pass and any Ticket bookings in the My Account area of our website.

If it is your first time accessing your Online Account, simply click the Forgotten Password option and input the email address you provided when purchasing your Annual Pass. Then complete the instructions in the Reset Password email that comes through to access your account.

If you purchased your Annual Pass at one of our Ticket Desks and didn't provide an email at the point of purchase, we ask that you get in touch with us so we can activate your Online Account. Please email us at burghley@burghley.co.uk with your Annual Pass reference number and the email address you would like to use for your Online Account. Alternatively, you can provide your email to our team at one of our Ticket Desks who can add it to your account.

For queries related to accessing your online account, just give us a call on 01780 752 451 or email us at burghley@burghley.co.uk. Please have your Annual Pass reference number to hand when contacting us.

To book your free Annual Passholder or Friends of Burghley visits online simply go to the Book Tickets page, choose your ticket type and click 'I have an Annual Pass'. From here login to your Account, select your visit date and click Book Tickets to add your free Annual Passholder Ticket(s) to your basket. To add any additional ticket types to your transaction (for example Infant or Carer tickets), click the home button to return to the main menu and select any extra tickets via the 'Buy Tickets' option.

If it is your first time accessing your Online Account, simply click the Forgotten Password option and input the email address you provided when purchasing your Annual Pass. Then complete the instructions in the Reset Password email that comes through to access your account.

If you purchased your Annual Pass at one of our Ticket Desks and didn't provide an email at the point of purchase, we ask that you get in touch with us so we can activate your Online Account. Please email us at burghley@burghley.co.uk with your Annual Pass reference number and the email address you would like to use for your Online Account. Alternatively, you can provide your email to our team at one of our Ticket Desks who can add it to your account.

If you have any other queries related to your online account, please get in touch by email at burghley@burghley.co.uk. Please quote your Annual Pass reference number when contacting us.

We recommend all Annual Passholders pre-book a Ticket before heading to Burghley to guarantee availability and avoid disappointment on the day.

It’s quick and easy to renew your Pass online. Simply log in to your Online Account and click View Annual Passes where you will see the option to Renew your subscription. You can renew at any time up to 30 days before your pass expires and your new Annual Pass will automatically start on the date your existing pass expires.

If it is your first time accessing your Annual Pass online, simply click the Forgotten Password option and input the email address you provided when purchasing your Annual Pass. Then complete the instructions in the Reset Password email that comes through to access your account. If you have any difficulties accessing your online account, just give us a call on 01780 752 451 or email us at burghley@burghley.co.uk. Please quote your Annual Pass reference number when contacting us.

Only the named individual(s) listed at the time of purchase will be able to use your Annual Pass.

The House is open daily (excluding Fridays) from 15 March to 2 November 2025. The Gardens and Adventure Play are open daily during February Half Term (15 to 23 February 2025). Following this, they will open on weekends only until 15 March, when daily openings will resume and continue through to 2 November. From 3 to 16 November 2025, the Gardens and Adventure Play will return to weekend-only opening. Burghley House, Gardens and Adventure Play close for essential upkeep, maintenance and conservation during winter months.

Annual Passes are valid for entry to the Easter Egg Treasure Hunt, South Gardens open weeks, selected Children's Craft Workshops and the Burghley Halloween Trail.

Planned Closures | The House, Gardens and Play are closed for the duration of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials 4 to 7 September 2025.

Hide & Secrets Adventure Play is open daily during February Half Term (15 to 23 February 2025). Following this, it will open on weekends only until 15 March, when daily openings will resume and continue through to 2 November. From 3 to 16 November 2025, Adventure Play will return to weekend-only opening. We then close for essential winter maintenance.

You can book an Gardens & Adventure Play ticket online which gives you access to the full Hide & Secrets Adventure Play as well as Burghley’s Gardens. Adult, Child and Family tickets are available.

Tickets are available on site subject to availability. Popular dates fill up fast so booking online in advance is strongly recommended to guarantee availability for the date you wish to visit. Plus, you’ll save 10% by buying online in advance (discount available up to midnight the day before your visit).

To give you more flexibility, we've removed the requirement to pre-book your arrival time when buying a ticket, simply select the day you'd like to visit. Adventure Play is open from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm.

Annual Passes are available which entitle you to unlimited return visits during the open season. Adventure Play is open daily during February Half Term (15 to 23 February 2025). Following this, it will open on weekends only until 15 March, when daily openings will resume and continue through to 2 November. From 3 to 16 November 2025, Adventure Play will return to weekend-only opening. We then close for essential winter maintenance.

Annual passes are valid for one year from the date of purchase and you can purchase an Adult, Child or Family Pass. Your Adventure Play Annual Pass also includes access to the Gardens. Buy your Annual Pass here. You can also choose to upgrade your Day Ticket to an Annual Pass within 30 days of your visit. You can do this at any of our Ticket Desks. Take a look at our Annual Pass FAQs section for further information.

We recommend all Annual Passholders pre-book before visiting to ensure availability and avoid disappointment on the day. You can make your free booking for the date of your visit here. On arrival you will be required to show a valid Annual Pass for each person booked.

Hide & Secrets has a dedicated entrance located at the new visitor car park. You'll see the Hide & Secrets flags and large stone arch marking the entrance. Take a look at our Visitor Map to help plan your visit.

Hide & Secrets has been designed to offer play opportunities for children of all ages. The recommended age for the main Hidden Towers play structure is 4-12 years with the two slides suitable for those over 1.2m. There is a dedicated area for under 5s.

Yes, toilets including an assessible toilet and baby change facility are available.

Dogs, other than assistance dogs, are not permitted in the Adventure Play area. Dogs on leads are welcome in the surrounding Parkland.

Yes, The Muddy Mole serves tasty hot dogs and snacks to take away, as well as hot and cold drinks. Plenty of outdoor picnic benches are available.

You are welcome to bring your own food for picnics at Hide & Secrets Adventure Play. All we ask is that visitors kindly clear up any litter. We regret that barbecues or open fires are not permitted.

Yes, pathways at Hide & Secrets Adventure Play have been specially designed to accommodate buggies and pushchairs. Please note that play spaces which are accessed off the pathways have a woodchip surface.

The Adventure Play area is not suitable for bikes (including balance bikes) and scooters. The surrounding Parkland is ideal for these though, with plenty of space to explore. Cycle parking is available at the entrance to Hide & Secrets.

Inclusivity is an important aspect of our Adventure Play and the whole attraction has been designed with accessibility in mind.

Accessible ramps and turning circles provide level access to the lower levels of the Hidden Towers and Under 5s play structures where specially designed interactive play features are in place. One of the look-out platforms across the gorge has ramp access.

There are interactive and sensory elements throughout the wider play area to ensure that families of all ages and abilities feel immersed in the play experience and can play comfortably together.

All pathways have been designed to be wheelchair-friendly.

Disabled parking for Adventure Play visitors in located in the Visitor Car Park close to the Adventure Play entrance.

Online gift vouchers are available to purchase for Burghley Annual Passes. A Burghley Annual Pass makes a great gift, offering the recipient unlimited visits throughout our open season. Visit our Gift Voucher page to browse our vouchers.

At this time, we are unable to offer monetary gift vouchers or Day Tickets.

Gift Vouchers are available to buy for Burghley Annual Passes. We offer online vouchers only which can be purchased on our Gift Voucher page. Our Gift Vouchers are not available to buy over the phone or at one of our Ticket Desks.

To order a Burghley Gift Voucher head to our Gift Voucher page. Simply choose the voucher you would like to gift and fill out the recipient details along with a gift message where prompted.

Vouchers are emailed out straight away so you can choose for your gift to be sent immediately to the recipient or alternatively emailed to yourself to forward on when you’re ready.

Your gift recipient has 6 months from the date of issue to redeem their voucher. Their Annual Pass is valid for 12 months starting on the date the voucher is redeemed.

If you have received a Burghley Gift Voucher visit our Annual Pass & Membership page to redeem your voucher. Select the relevant Annual Pass from the list displayed then click Add to Cart. On the next page input your 13-character Gift Voucher code (you can find this on your Gift Voucher email) in the box provided and click Apply. Your Cart Total will update accordingly and from here click Checkout and input your details to set up your Annual Pass.

Please note, your Gift Voucher code is only valid for the specific Annual Pass you have been gifted.

Gift Vouchers can only be redeemed online.

You can check the status and expiry date of your voucher at any time by visiting our Gift Voucher status webpage.