Adventurous youngsters can turn into junior spymasters to dig out secrets on stately mole missions at one of England’s greatest Elizabethan houses this summer.
From 28 July to 31 August, Burghley House and Gardens is rolling out a packed calendar of family-friendly activities and events – led by its adventure play character, Cecil the Mole.
On the edge of the Georgian stone town of Stamford, in Lincolnshire, Burghley is one of the region’s top visitor attractions featuring a 500-year-old house, historic and contemporary gardens, parkland, and an epic outdoor adventure play area, Hide & Secrets.
Themed around William Cecil, the first Lord Burghley, as one of the country’s first chief spymasters, the outdoor play area combines play, exploration, and discovery, featuring six fun-packed family play zones and a spectacular Hidden Towers structure.
At the heart of the summer’s offer is Cecil’s Summer Adventures, a playful seasonal theme that links together a series of drop-in activities, hands-on workshops, storytelling sessions and outdoor play.
Cecil the Mole – the play area’s own chief spymaster – will be inviting young visitors to follow trails, crack codes and take on secret challenges.
Families can have a go at Cecil’s Summer Mole Missions, spy-themed activity tasks hidden around the woodland play area, which are aimed at encouraging curious kids to sneak, scurry and listen like moles on a mission.
Burghley will also be hosting special summer creative nature crafts and drop-in activities, including Cecil’s Storytime (8, 15, 22 August), which this year features an original tale: Cecil and the Case of the Missing Picnic.
Also staged on selected dates in August will be craft workshops – featuring everything from Cecil’s Slime Lab and Cecil’s Dragonfly Designers to Cecil’s Clay Creations.
Hide & Secrets Adventure Play is open daily from 10am to 5pm, offering tree-top thrills, rope bridges, giant slides and sensory spaces designed for exploration and discovery. Families can also pick up a Spymaster’s Guide booklet filled with activities and missions to extend the play even further.
Alongside the Cecil-themed fun, Burghley’s Sculpture Garden and grounds will see special event days, all included with any admission ticket.
They include a Living History Display (2 & 3 August); Sounds of the 40s in the Gardens (9 & 10 August), vintage vocals and nostalgia in the Sculpture Garden; Jazz in the Gardens (16 & 17 August); and the ever popular free-entry Fine Food Market (23 – 25 August).
Plus, for families visiting the House, the Beastly Boring Tours return to offer a light-hearted way to explore the State Rooms, led by costumed guides (selected dates from 4 – 23 August).
When booked in advance, Gardens and Adventure Play tickets cost £10 adults, £8 children and £32 for a family, while House, Gardens and Adventure Play tickets cost £20 adults, £9 children and £52 for a family.
For full details of opening times, all events and to book tickets, visit www.burghley.co.uk
