An exciting new play area opens at Burghley House near Stamford on Saturday April 29 just in time for the bank holiday complete with some special ‘top secret’ missions for the kids.
A re-discovered woodland never before open to the public has been transformed into a thrilling new adventure play attraction with top secret appeal at one of England’s greatest Elizabethan houses.
Hide & Secrets at Burghley House and Gardens combines play, exploration, and discovery, featuring six fun-packed family play zones and a spectacular Hidden Towers structure.
Executive Chair Miranda Rock said: "I’m absolutely thrilled that after many months of hard work our new ‘Hide and Secrets’ is open! This has been a collaboration between many parties, and I think we have created something truly unique and distinctly Burghley. We are all so proud of the results and will take great pleasure in the enjoyment it will bring to our young visitors and their families."
Whether thrill-seekers or bug-hunters, youngsters can discover sky-high bug towers, clamber over giant mole hills, explore the woodland and climb a huge wooden Magpie's Nest, before tackling the Hidden Towers with its two enormous slides, climbing walls, wobbly walkways and crawl tunnels.
Themed around William Cecil, the first Lord Burghley, as one of the country’s first chief spymasters, youngsters will also be able to complete their own top-secret missions. Featuring new Burghley character Cecil the Mole - Hide & Secrets' very own chief spymaster - youngsters can join him on special missions, scurrying through tunnels, cracking the secret codes and following his sneaky trails through the play area. Super sleuths can pick up a free Spymaster’s Guide on arrival to take up the challenge.
There’s a separate toddler and pre-schooler area with low-level adventuring featuring a mini slide, rope bridge and balancing trail. For older youngsters, the Hidden Towers is a multi-level play structure with two slides – one with a dramatic daring drop – lookout nests, climbing walls and a thrilling treetop rope bridge.
The whole attraction has been designed with accessibility in mind, with wide pathways, sensory wall, accessible platforms in the lower levels of the towers and accessible lookout points.
Leading to the Hidden Towers are a series of imaginatively landscaped play zones: the Butterfly Banks, a nature haven made up of sky-high bug towers and wildflower plantings; Mole Hills & Holes, featuring giant mole hills and a network of secret tunnels below; the Whispering Woods, including the tactile Sensory Wall; Woodland Play, with a huge wooden Magpie's Nest and supersized balancing logs; Den Building, offering the chance to collect sticks and branches to build a den or hideout; and Woodhenge, a wooden storytelling circle for sharing a tale or two.
Accessed through a separate entrance – the formerly hidden stone arch, Queen Elizabeth Gate – Hide & Secrets has its own refreshment spot, The Muddy Mole, serving hot dogs and snacks to take away, as well as hot and cold drinks. There are also outdoor picnic benches amongst the woodlands.
Tickets are available for the new attraction, which offer an added value extra by including admission to Burghley’s two gardens, the Tudor inspired Garden of Surprises and the Sculpture Garden.
Adventure play tickets, when booked online in advance, cost £9 adult, £7.50 children (3-15 years, free for under three) and £30 for a family (two adults and up to three children). Annual Passes are also available offering unlimited visits throughout the open season, which cost £28 adult, £24 child and £98 for a family. Hide & Secrets is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Booking online in advance is strongly recommended to ensure availability for visit date and time.
For more details, visit www.burghley.co.uk