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 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 video for personal use is allowed in all areas. Please contact us for permission for any commercial photography or filming requests, including lifestyle shoots.

As Burghley is a wedding venue, we are unable to allow wedding photos to be taken in the Parkland, House or Gardens unless you have your wedding or reception here.

Drones are not permitted anywhere at Burghley.

The House, Gardens and Adventure Play 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 new 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 2023 open season 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 8pm (unless dusk before), 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) until 29 October 2023. Gardens and Adventure Play are open daily until 29 October 2023 (excluding 31 August to 3 September) and weekends only from 4 November to 17 December 2023 (excluding 25 to 26 November). Burghley House, Gardens and Adventure Play will close from 18 December for essential upkeep, maintenance and conservation work, reopening to visitors on Saturday 16 March 2024.

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 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 Garden Shed is the ideal takeaway spot to grab a hot drink or delicious ice-cream during your visit.

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.

We recommend allowing one 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.

The Gardens are 24 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 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 which accommodates groups of up to 20 people with the option to book separate wings for groups of 12 or 14 guests. 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.

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.

Hide & Secrets is open daily from 10am to 5pm until 29 October 2023 (excluding 31 August to 3 September) and 10am to 3.30pm, weekends only from 4 November to 17 December (excluding 25 to 26 November), reopening 16 March 2024.

You can book an 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 times fill up fast so booking online in advance is strongly recommended to guarantee availability for the date and time you wish to visit. Plus, you’ll save 10% by buying online in advance.

To ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time, we ask you to book an arrival timeslot for your visit to Hide & Secrets Adventure Play. You can arrive at any time during your booked timeslot and once here, are welcome to stay as long as you wish.

If you miss your timeslot, we will do our best to book you on to the next available timeslot. In busy periods, there may be an extended wait for the next available entry time.

Annual Passes are available which entitle you to unlimited return visits during the open season. 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.

Yes, House or Gardens Annual Pass tickets purchased in 2022 include access to Adventure Play until the expiry date of the Pass.

We ask all Annual Passholders to pre-book an arrival timeslot before visiting to ensure availability and avoid disappointment on the day. You can make your free timeslot booking for the date and time 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.