************* Garden Owners, Please copy this information and paste it into an email to: wb [at] armchair-travel [dot] com Please make any changes in BRIGHT RED in your email back to us. Regards, Armchair Travel Co Ltd http://www.armchair-travel.com ************* Garden Name: Belton House Last Modified: 19/01/2011 Garden ID: 0253 pic: 0253_Belton.jpg Owner: National Trust Address: Belton Grantham Postcode: NG32 2LS County: Lincolnshire tel: 01476-566116 fax: 01476 542980 website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/belton email: belton {at} nationaltrust.org.uk Features: The perfect English country house, set in its own extensive deer park, Belton was designed to impress. Built in the late 17th century for 'young' Sir John Brownlow, with family fortunes founded in law, it is one of the finest examples of restoration architecture and was, for centuries, the scene of lavish hospitality. Opulent decor, stunning silverware, imposing paintings and personal mementos convey wealth while retaining a family atmosphere. Delightful gardens, luxuriantly planted Orangery and lakeside walks ensure Belton is a pleasure to explore all year round. Featured in BBC's TV adaptation of Pride & Prejudice staring Colin Firth. Note: building work on new Visitor Reception is planned for 2010. English Heritage Grade: I Opening Times: 5th Feb - 27th Feb; Sat & Sun; 12noon - 4pm 5th Mar - 30th Oct; daily; 10.30am - 5.30pm 5th Nov - 18th Dec; Sat & Sun; 12noon - 4pm 26th Dec - 31st Dec; Mon - Sat; 12noon - 4pm Open Bank Holiday Mondays (March to October) Bellmount Woods: open daily, access from separate car park. Please note: whole property likely to close early in poor weather or light conditions. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Best Times of Year to Visit: Spring - mid-May June July onwards To see: Spring bedding in formal gardens, naturalised bulb areas with snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells Tulip tree in flower Summer bedding, lavender and icberg roses, sweet peas. Medlar trees in blossom National Collection: National Garden Scheme days: No Comments: Sat 15 May, Sat 17 July, Sat 25 Sept Normal Grounds Admission applies Parties / Coaches: Yes Comments: All Groups must be pre-booked at least 2 weeks in advance. Please contact the property office on 01476 566116 for further details. Viewing by Appointment: Yes Comments: House Open for Viewing: Yes Comments: 5th Mar - 13th Mar; Sat & Sun; 12.30 - 4pm 16th Mar - 30th Oct; Wed - Sun; 12.30 - 5pm Basements open: 5th March - 30th October; daily; 11am - 3.30pm House conservation talks 11:30 most days; open for free-flow 12:30 (guided tours may replace free-flow some days). Timed tickets to house and basement likely at busy times. Admission Prices: Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets) House and grounds: adult £11 (£9.95), child £6.75 (£5.93), family £29 (£26.15). Grounds only: adult £9 (£8.05), child £5 (£4.53), family £23 (£20.37). Winter grounds only: adult £3.75 (£3.32), child £2.50 (£1.91), family £10 (£9.09) Parking: Yes Lavatories: Yes Disabled Access: Yes Shop: Yes Plants for Sale: No Lunches: Yes Teas: Yes Refreshments: Yes Picnics: Yes Dogs allowed: No Only on Lead: No Events: Yes Other Facilities: Guided guided tours by prior arrangement with the Head Gardener (extra charge). Picnics in Park only. No dogs except guide dogs in gardens or house. Adventure playground Designer: Description of Garden: This garden reflects the formality of the late 17th century, in keeping with the period of the mansion. There are parterres and topiary, the sundial statue that inspired Helen Creswell to write ' The Moondial ', surrounded by statuesque specimen trees and adjacent sweeping lawns. The North Terrace leads to a splendid statue walk within the East Avenue of Lime Trees, to the side of which is the restored Belton Maze. The 1st Earl commissioned Jeffrey Wyattville to design the Italian sunken garden in the 1810 and successive generations have enhanced and enriched its plantings and sculpture. This is a stunning area with a fountain as its centrepiece, with borders full of vibrant colour. The Wyattville Orangery was built in 1820 and overlooks the Italian garden. Its under floor heating provides a protective environment for lush foliage and exotic blooms. Behind the Orangery, there are colourful herbaceous borders and Medlar tress enclosed by the old brick garden walls. This area is thought to be on the site of the original manor house, taken down to be replaced by the wonderful Carolean mansion. History: The original 17th-century gardens by London and Wise were devastated by flooding in mid-18th century. In the 1850s, following the fashion for a naturalised look ('Capability' Brown's Landscape Movement), the highly ornate formal gardens were removed, the only surviving feature being the small canal to the north-east of the house. The 18th-century saw the re-creation of the wilderness garden and planting of specimen trees. In the early 19th century the first Earl Brownlow commissioned Wyatville to design the orangery and sunken Italian garden. In 1880 the 3rd Earl commissioned the recreation of part replica of the early 17th-century garden and thus the Dutch garden was created to harmonise with the north front of the house. Local Inns: The Stag, Barkston Accomodation: De Vere Belton Woods, Hotel & Country Club Restaurants: Harry's Place, Great Gonerby Village/Town/Sightseeing: Near Grantham