If you’re looking for a family day out that genuinely wows the kids AND gives you something beautiful to look at while they run wild, Burghley House Hide & Secrets might just be your answer. Nestled in the historic grounds of one of England’s greatest Elizabethan mansions, this woodland adventure play area is seriously impressive, and in 2026 it’s open longer than ever before.
TL;DR: Hide & Secrets is Burghley House’s spy-themed woodland adventure play area near Stamford, Lincolnshire. It features the towering Hidden Towers, giant slides, rope bridges, secret tunnels, code-cracking games and a dedicated toddler zone. Open from 14 February to 1 November 2026, with tickets from £8.50 for children and £35 for a family. Your ticket also includes the Garden of Surprises and Sculpture Garden.
Whether your little ones are budding spies on the trail of Cecil the Mole or daredevils eyeing up those enormous slides, there’s honestly something here for every age. We’ve pulled together everything you need to know before you go, from what to expect inside to how to save money on tickets.
What is Burghley House Hide & Secrets?
Hide & Secrets is the woodland adventure play area at Burghley House, set within the stunning grounds of the Elizabethan mansion near Stamford, Lincolnshire. It opened to huge acclaim and has quickly become one of the most talked-about family attractions in the East Midlands.
The whole experience is built around a brilliant theme. William Cecil, the man who built Burghley House in the 16th century, was Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I and widely regarded as the country’s first Chief Spymaster. Hide & Secrets brings that story to life in the most playful way possible, turning the whole play area into a spy mission for kids.
You enter through a hidden stone arch in the historic grounds, and from that moment the adventure begins. Your mission? Follow Cecil the Mole, crack the codes, find the hidden moles dotted around the play area, and make it to the Hidden Towers.
Bear with us here! It sounds simple, but families consistently report spending three to four hours here without even noticing the time pass. One visitor put it perfectly: “Could not believe how much there was to do, blown away with how amazing it all is. So much to do for all ages!”
What’s Inside Hide & Secrets?
This is where it gets really exciting! The play area is split into different zones, each packed with things to discover. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll find:
The Hidden Towers
The centrepiece of the whole attraction, and genuinely spectacular. Inspired by the distinctive architecture of Burghley House itself, the Hidden Towers are a multi-level play structure that towers above the woodland setting.
Inside and around the Towers you’ll find:
- Two enormous slides (including a drop slide that visitors absolutely rave about)
- Climbing walls and wobbly walkways
- Lookout nests and a treetop lookout platform
- An awesome rope bridge across a deep, craggy gorge
- Whispering funnels and secret tunnels
- Code-cracking games built into the structure
One visitor summed it up brilliantly: “The drop slide provided hours of fun for my 8 and 9 year old grandsons!” Another said their granddaughter, aged 9, declared it her best day ever.
The Woodland Play Trail
The fun starts long before you reach the Towers. The trail from the entrance to the main play structure is packed with its own adventures, including den building zones, log climbing, bug houses, butterfly banks, tunnels and dens. Kids who love nature will be in their element here.
Pick up the free Spymaster’s Guide activity booklet on arrival and use it to follow the trail, spot the hidden moles and crack the codes along the way. It adds a brilliant layer of engagement for children who love a mission.
The Toddler and Pre-Schooler Zone
Got little ones under four? Think this place isn’t for you? Think again! Hide & Secrets has a dedicated area for toddlers and pre-schoolers right within the main play space, featuring a mini slide and low-level adventuring that’s perfectly pitched for tiny explorers.
| Age Group | What’s on offer |
|---|---|
| Babies and toddlers | Dedicated low-level play zone, sensory wall, wide accessible pathways |
| Pre-schoolers (3-5) | Mini slide, den areas, mole-finding trail, activity booklet |
| Primary age (5-12) | Hidden Towers, giant slides, rope bridge, climbing walls, code games |
| Older children and adults | Full Towers experience, treetop platform, rope bridge gorge crossing |
Opening Times 2026
Hide & Secrets has a longer season in 2026 than ever, starting all the way back in February! Here’s the full picture:
| Period | Dates | Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|
| February Half Term | 14 to 22 February 2026 | 10am to 5pm (last admission 4.30pm) |
| Weekend openings | 28 Feb, 1 Mar and 7-8 Mar 2026 | 10am to 5pm |
| Main season | 14 March to 1 November 2026 | 10am to 5pm daily |
It’s a popular destination for a reason! The February half term opening is a brilliant opportunity to visit when the Sculpture Garden is filled with snowdrop displays. Burghley’s Gardens Team also runs free drop-in family snowdrop planting sessions and daily winter garden tours during half term, all included with admission.
The House itself (with its spectacular State Rooms) opens on 14 March 2026, Saturday to Thursday, giving you even more reason to make a full day of it later in the season.
Burghley House Hide & Secrets Tickets and Prices
The great news is that booking online in advance saves you 10% on the door price, so it’s always worth planning ahead. Here’s what to expect:
| Ticket Type | Advance (Online) | Gift Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £11.00 | £12.10 |
| Child (3-15 years) | £8.50 | £9.35 |
| Family (2 adults + up to 3 children) | £35.00 | £38.50 |
| Under 3s | Free | Free |
What’s included? Your Hide & Secrets ticket covers access to the adventure play area, the Garden of Surprises and the Sculpture Garden. That’s 28 acres of gorgeous gardens on top of the play area itself, which makes the price feel like genuinely excellent value.
If you want to add the House (State Rooms), that’s available as an upgrade. Annual Passes are also available from £28, which is brilliant value if you’re likely to visit more than once during the season.
You can book your Burghley House Hide & Secrets tickets here and we always check prices daily so you’re getting the best deal available.
Top tip: Book online before midnight the day before your visit to secure the advance discount. On-the-door tickets cost more, so it’s an easy saving.
Accessibility at Hide & Secrets
One of the things we genuinely love about Hide & Secrets is how thoughtfully it’s been designed for all visitors. This isn’t an afterthought, it’s baked into the whole experience.
- Wide pathways throughout the play area, suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs
- Sensory wall for children with sensory needs
- Accessible platforms in the lower levels of the Hidden Towers
- Accessible lookout points across the gorge for those who can’t access the upper levels
- Centrally located toilets and baby changing so you’re never far from facilities
- Seating areas dotted throughout the play space so parents and grandparents can rest comfortably
As one visitor noted: “It’s great that the equipment is suitable for adults to move around with their children on.” That means if your child is a little nervous in a new play environment, you can accompany them and help build their confidence.
The whole attraction has been designed so that everyone can come and play, regardless of age or ability. That’s a big deal when you’re planning a day out with a mixed group.
Food, Drink and Facilities
After all that climbing, sliding and spy-mission-completing, everyone’s going to need a refuel! Burghley has you well covered on the food and drink front.
The Muddy Mole
Right in the heart of the Hide & Secrets play area, The Muddy Mole refreshment cabin serves family favourites, homemade snacks and proper barista coffees. It’s perfectly placed so parents can grab a coffee and keep an eye on the kids at the same time.
You’re also welcome to bring your own picnic and use the outdoor benches, which is a great option if you want to keep costs down.
Wider Burghley Dining
Beyond the play area, Burghley has a range of food and drink options across the estate:
- The Orangery Restaurant for a sit-down meal (bookable in advance)
- Garden Café open daily 10am to 5pm
- Potting Shed for lighter bites
Other Facilities
- Free on-site parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Gift shop
- Accessible toilets and baby changing
- Card payments accepted throughout
Dogs note: Dogs are not allowed in the gardens or play area, but they are welcome in the parkland on a lead. Worth knowing if you’re planning a family walk after your visit!
Getting to Burghley House
Burghley House is located on the edge of Stamford, Lincolnshire, right on the Lincolnshire/Northamptonshire border. It’s well signposted from the surrounding area and easy to reach from several major routes.
By Car
Burghley is well signposted from Stamford and the surrounding area. Free on-site parking is included with your ticket, so there’s no extra cost to worry about.
Address: Burghley House, Burghley Park, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 3JY
By Train
The nearest train station is Stamford, which is just half a mile from the Parkland entrance and 1.5 miles from Burghley House itself. There are bike racks available if you’d like to cycle from the station.
By Bus
The nearest bus route is with Delaine Buses, which stops outside the Main Visitor Entrance on Barnack Road.
Typical visit time: Allow 3 to 4 hours for the full experience, though many families find they could easily spend longer!
Is Burghley House Hide & Secrets Worth It?
Honestly? Absolutely yes. And the visitor reviews back that up completely.
What makes Hide & Secrets stand out from a standard adventure playground is the combination of things that work together brilliantly:
- The spy theme gives children a genuine narrative to follow, not just equipment to climb on
- The Spymaster’s Guide booklet keeps kids engaged throughout the whole visit
- The range of play genuinely caters for toddlers right through to older primary-age children
- The beautiful setting in the historic grounds of Burghley House means parents enjoy it too
- The 28 acres of gardens included in your ticket make it a full day out, not just a play session
It’s a popular destination for a reason! Families come back year after year, and with the Annual Pass starting from just £28, that’s easy to see why.
The only thing we’d say? Go on a weekday if you can, especially during school holidays. It’s a popular spot and the Towers get busy at peak times. But even on a busy day, the woodland trail and wider garden spaces give you plenty of room to breathe.
Ready to plan your visit? Check out our Burghley House Hide & Secrets attraction listing for the latest info, or go straight ahead and book your tickets here. We check prices daily and you’ll always get the best available rate!