Burghley’s grand façade opens into a series of rooms that chart 450 years of taste and influence. From Antonio Verrio’s painted ceilings to portraits by Gainsborough and Van Dyck, every space tells part of the Cecil story. The house remains both home and heritage, open to visitors for tours and exhibitions that reveal the craft, collection and character behind its walls.

Beyond the house, Capability Brown’s parkland gives Burghley its sense of scale and stillness. Wide lawns, mirrored lakes and woodland walks frame formal gardens where sculpture and planting evolve through the seasons. The Garden of Surprises and Sculpture Garden invite slower wandering, while the surrounding park remains open year-round for walking, picnicking and perspective.

Hide & Secrets reimagines Burghley for the next generation. Built among the trees, it’s a landscape of towers, bridges and tunnels inspired by the great estate’s history and legends. Designed for discovery, it’s a place where children can climb, explore and invent their own adventures while parents pause with a coffee.

Burghley’s programme spans everything from art and design to food, music and sport. The estate hosts exhibitions, open-air concerts, artisan fairs and hands-on workshops, as well as larger gatherings and world-class competitions. Whether you come for inspiration, entertainment or atmosphere, there’s always something happening at Burghley.