Belton House

Belton House stands in parkland near Grantham, Lincolnshire. Built between 1685 and 1687 for Sir John Brownlow, it is a fine example of Carolean architecture. The house sits among formal gardens and long avenues that lead to small ornamental buildings. A wooded park surrounds the estate, giving it a quiet, secluded feel. The principal front of the house is said to have inspired the motorway signs that point to stately homes. Brownlow chose a modest design rather than a grand Baroque palace, yet fitted it with the latest features such as sash windows. The Brownlow family lived here for three centuries until 1984. Their heirs, the Cust family, became Barons Brownlow in the 18th century. In 1914 the house served as an assembly point for a new army division before the First World War. During the Second World War the grounds housed a Royal Air Force base with over 1,800 personnel. Financial pressures led the family to open the estate to visitors and later to donate it to the National Trust. Inside, the house shows layers of history from different generations. The Marble Hall is used for civil weddings, and filming has brought in extra income. The grounds include an adventure playground built to attract families. Visitors walk through the formal gardens and along the avenues to the follies. The parkland offers wide views across the Lincolnshire countryside.