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One of the finest 17th century country houses in Britain, Belton House epitomises the confidence and optimism of Restoration England. Elaborate plasterwork, intricate wood-carvings and glittering wall mirrors jostle with the stunning collection of paintings in the state rooms. Fine furniture, tapestries and silverware are also on show.

In the 19th century Belton enjoyed a second golden age under the charismatic 3rd Earl Brownlow, who had both house and garden restored to their Charles II splendour. Explore magnificent rooms displayed in 17th century, Regency, Victorian and 1930s style for an unforgettable experience of the past.

The peace and serenity of Belton has attracted many royal visitors over the years. King George III was entertained here and Edward VIII was often stayed here before his abdication. Visitors can share the tranquillity they enjoyed, with delightful walks in the formal gardens, lush foliage, rich fragrance and exotic blooms in the Orangery, and a magnificent landscaped park to explore.

In 1984, the present Lord Brownlow gave the house, some of its contents and the garden to the National Trust. The park and more of the house contents were purchased with a generous grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. Other items were acquired with the aid of further benefactions and grants.

Some of the more important rooms in the house include:

The Marble Hall - This grand entrance hall with its black and white marble floor is the first of the formal sequence of rooms, designed to impress visitors with the important of the house and the status of its owners. The Reynolds portrait on the right- hand wall is of Sir John Cust, Speaker of the House of Commons between 1761 and 1770. He died at 52, worn out by the political strife of the period. Over the fireplaces are ‘Old’ Sir John Brownlow, great-uncle fo the builder of the house, and his wife. Both portraits are framed by intricate limewood carvings. The one on the left with its fluid depictions of mallard and pheasant is attributed to Grinling Gibbons.

The Saloon - This magnificent room - together with the Marble Hall - forms the social and physical heart of the house around which the family lived and entertained. Ornate wood-carvings and rich giltwood mirrors contribute to the opulent atmosphere. If you stand with your back to the windows, full length portraits of Belton’s builder, ‘Young’ Sir John, and his wife, are to the right of the door from the Hall. Paintings of two of their five daughters hang over the fireplaces. The charming girl holding a basket of flowers is their youngest daughter, Margaret Brownlow, who died of smallpox on the eve of her wedding. Jane Brownlow, later Duchesss of Ancaster, faces her sister.

The Tapestry Room - the set of early 18th century English tapestries were made at the Mortlake factory and incorporate Lord Tyrconnel’s arms. They show scenes from the life of Diogenes, the Greek philosopher who renounced worldly possessions and chose to live in a barrel. (He sits in the shade of his tub, receiving a visit from the Emperor Alexander.) The whole room, including the pastiche 17th century plaster ceiling, was remodelled around 1890 to provide a suitable setting for the tapestries.

The Chinese Room - this delightful room is hung with glorious 18th century Chinese wallpaper. Birds and butterflies dart through spiky bamboo above the heads of the frieze of Chinese characters. To accord with European prejudices, the figures are all portrayed as caricatures, with topknots. The cornice, dado and other joinery are all painted to imitate bamboo. This is the room in which Edward VIII liked to stay when he visited Belton, sleeping in the mid 19th century bed with its glazed chintz hangings.

The Park and Garden:

Belton’s front entrance, with its great flight of steps leading up to the Marble Hall, looks out over the magnificent park. Form here, the main drive extends one mile in a straight line to the Londonthorpe or Lion Gates. The gardens are on the north side of the house and are largely the creation of the 1st and 3rd Earls in the early and late 19th century.

The sunken Italian Garden is presided over by Jeffry Wyatville’s Orangery, completed in 1820, and which lies approximately on the site of the old manor house with the remains of the original brick garden wall behind it. The path through the Dutch Garden immediately below the north terrace steps leads to Lord Tyrconnel’s sundial with its figure of Time by Caius Gabriel Cibber. (This sundial inspired Helen Cresswell’s book ‘The Moondial, and the film of the same name.) The vast urn near the northern border of the garden is a sentimental memorial to two of Adelaide, Countess fo Brownlow’s favourite dogs, Tip and Tina.

Bellmount Tower one of the most striking features of the park, stands at the summit of the Eastern Avenue. Built by Lord Tyrconnel in 1751, it was designed as a dramatic feature on the skyline and a vantage point from which to enjoy the view over the park.

For full details on Opening Times, Admission Prices and how to get there, why not visit their Website?

Opening Times - 2010

House:
6th - 14th March: Saturday & Sunday, 12.30 - 4 pm
17th March - 31st October: Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm

Garden/Park/Shop/Restaurant:
6th - 28th February: Saturday & Sunday, 12 - 4 pm
3rd March - 31st October: Wednesday - Sunday, 10.30 am - 5.30 pm
5th July - 5th September: daily, 10.30 am - 5.30 pm
5th November - 19th December: Friday - Sunday, 12 - 4 pm
26th - 31st December: daily, 12 - 4 pm

Adventure Playground:
3rd March - 31st October: Wednesday - Sunday, 10.30 am - 5.30 pm
5th July - 5th September: daily, 10.30 am - 5.30 pm

Open Bank Holiday Mondays. Admission 30mins before closing.

Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets) - 2010:

Adult - £10.50 (£9.45)
Child - £6.25 (£5.63)
Family - £27.50 (£24.75)
Groups - Adult (£8.25)

Grounds only:
Adult - £8.50 (£7.6.5)
Child - £4.75 (£4.31)
Family - £21.50 (£19.35)

Winter, grounds only (not adventure playground):
Adul - £3.50 (£3.18)
Child - £2 (£1.81)

'Hidden England' passport scheme: With a stamped passport, one person can obtain free admission when a full price ticket is purchased from other properties in the 'Hidden England' group

For other National Trust properties in this area please Click Here.

More information on the garden can be found on The Gardens Guide.

Images:
Exteriors - ©NTPL/Andrew Butler
Interiors - ©NTPL/Andreas von Einsiedel