A Brilliant Day Out with Kids: Your Guide to Family Visits
Top tips, must-sees and everything you need for a fun-filled family visit
If you’re planning a family day out this summer holiday, Burghley is full of things to discover, from climbing and exploring in the Adventure Play to hands-on crafts, storytelling and trails, there’s something new to enjoy each time you visit.
This guide brings together our summer highlights, hidden gems and practical tips to help you make the most of your day.
When to arrive
The Gardens, Adventure Play, shops and cafés open daily from 10am, with the House opening slightly later at 10.30am (it’s also closed on Fridays). Parking is free and there's plenty of spaces. Families tend to arrive early and spend around 3 to 5 hours on site. There’s plenty to do across the day and we encourage you to explore as much as possible!
🎟️ Top tip: Book online in advance to save up to 10%, and you can upgrade your day ticket to an Annual Pass after your visit.
Cecil’s Summer Adventures
This summer holidays, it’s all about Cecil’s Summer Adventures - a playful programme of play and activities inspired by Burghley’s most curious character, Cecil the Mole.
At the heart of the fun is Hide & Secrets Adventure Play, where children can follow spy-themed tasks as part of Cecil’s Summer Mole Missions (28 July – 31 August). You can also pick up a free Spymaster’s Guide from the Ticket Desk – filled with games and challenges to complete during your visit and beyond.
On selected dates, families can also enjoy:
- Cecil’s Storytime (11am, 1pm and 2pm on 8, 15, 22 August) – featuring the charming tale of Cecil and the Case of the Missing Picnic
- Drop-in Family Activities in the Gardens (1-4pm Mondays to Thursdays from 4-22 August) – take on a Minibeast Mission or Tree Detectives challenge
- Cecil’s Craft Workshops (11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-21 August) – including sessions like Slime Lab and Dragonfly Designers (you’ll need to book these before you visit)
🌟 Good to know: Drop-in activities and storytelling are included with your Admission Ticket; Workshops need to be booked in advance with an additional fee.
Adventure Play and Spy Missions
Head straight to Hide & Secrets Adventure Play, with rope bridges, giant slides, treetop towers and sensory spaces, the woodland play is designed to inspire imagination and active play. There’s a separate under 5s area for smaller explorers too.
While you’re exploring, complete Cecil’s Summer Mole Missions. From scurrying like a mole to inventing spy signals, kids can complete fun tasks on their way around the play zones. Don’t forget to grab a Spymaster’s Guide at the entrance - it’s packed with extra challenges to extend the adventure.
🧭 Top Tip: Let the kids lead - there’s no set order, so they can discover clues and complete missions at their own pace.
Lunch and refuelling
All this adventuring makes for some hungry spymasters! Grab a bite to eat or cool drink at:
- The Muddy Mole (in the heart of Hide & Secrets with outdoor seating) for coffees, snacks and kids lunch boxes
- Garden Café for light lunches with outdoor and indoor seating
- Or unpack a picnic at one of the many tables dotted around the play area
🍦Don’t miss: The Potting Shed, it's the ideal place to pick up an ice-cream before heading home.
Explore the Gardens
A firm family favourite, the Garden of Surprises is full of quirky fountains, secret pathways, and sensory features. There’s a mirror maze, misty grotto, and even a bubble-blowing obelisk!
The Sculpture Garden is an excellent place to explore with hidden trails and grassy banks to roll down. Discover curious sculpture hidden in the greenery and get the best family photo in front of the wildflowers.
🌺 Look out for: super-sized flower artworks in the Botanic Tapestry outdoor exhibition.
Venture into the House (yes, really!)
The House might seem imposing, but it’s family-friendly and full of curious stories kids will love. With a free Beastly Boring Guidebook in hand, kids can hunt down the grumpiest portraits, spot strange symbols, and learn delightfully grisly tales about Burghley’s past.
👀 Mission: Find the animals hidden in the portraits in the Billiard Room. Ask one of our friendly Guides if you need some help!
Roam in the Parkland
Wind down with a stroll (or a scoot) in Burghley’s huge Parkland - a great place to explore and look out for wildlife and the resident herd of fallow deer. There are shady spots under the trees and plenty of space for outdoor games.
💡Top tips for visiting with kids
Book online: Save up to 10% with the option to upgrade to an Annual Pass after your visit.
Arrive early: We open at 10am and there’s a lot to explore.
Toilets and baby change: available at the House, Gardens entrance and in Adventure Play.
Find your way: Use our interactive map to help plan our day.
Pushchair friendly? Yes, though some paths are uneven or rough in places. If you’re heading into the House, we have a secure room where we can store your buggy.
Need a break? Shady benches and picnic spots are everywhere - especially good near the den-building area in Hide & Secrets.
SEND visitors: download our visual stories in advance and borrow a sensory bag, just ask at any Ticket Desk.
Pop-up events: There are all sorts of Special Event Days to enjoy throughout the summer, many included with your ticket.
Rainy day? No problem – the fun continues regardless! If you'd rather stay indoors, book a Beastly Boring Tour of the House or one of Cecil’s Craft Workshops.
🎒Packing list
- Water bottles and snacks
- Comfy shoes – you’ll cover a lot of ground on your adventures
- Sun hats and sun cream or waterproofs – depending on the forecast
- Curiosity and a sense of adventure!
Don’t miss: recommended by our youngest visitors
✨Seek out the sensory wall in the Whispering Woods area of Hide & Secrets: great for tactile play and quiet moments
✨Pose as Cecil in the Hidden Towers photo spot
✨Try and catch the bubbles from the Transforming Obelisks and race to the middle of the Mirror Maze in the Garden of Surprises
✨Pop into the Burghley shops: Kids love the Cecil the Mole toys, t-shirts and pocket-money treats
Ready to plan your mission?
Book online now and don’t forget to grab your Spymaster’s Guide on arrival. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned agent, Cecil’s Summer Adventures are full of surprises!
