After a successful debut event in 2024, Belton’s Community Festival is back for its second year. Once again, Belton Estate near Grantham will be opening up access to art, heritage, and education, with a whole host of activities, talks and demonstrations running across Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September.
The National Trust site will be offering free entry throughout the weekend to enjoy all that the Estate has to offer, alongside the Festival’s array of exciting entertainment and quality stalls.
Sponsored by BEONTVUK, Chef Abul, Lincolnshire County Council and the NT Leicester Association, the Community Festival will see the historic Belton House become the backdrop to a giant stage hosting performances from circus acts, steel and blues bands, local dance schools, and operatic societies and choirs. Bonnets and Breeches, a regency dance society who were extremely well received as part of Belton’s Austen 250 celebrations this June, will also be performing.
A wide range of stalls will showcase local makers and traders selling cakes, chocolate, crafts, fragrances, soaps, sweets, jewellery, cider, artwork and more. Plus, visitors can enjoy the chance to chat with local charities and community groups, from rewilding initiatives to foster groups, Grantham Rivercare, Lincs Dog Training and others, who will all have displays during the weekend offering information about what they do.
Visitors to the Festival can enjoy sampling a variety of delicious food vendors at the Festival too, with Greek, Caribbean and Indian food available alongside a well-stocked bar.
Laura Doherty, Senior Volunteering and Community Officer at Belton Estate, said: ‘At last year’s Festival, it was really rewarding to see the community come together to celebrate the local area and learn all about what it has to offer. We already have more stallholders and performers signed up for this year’s event so I’m certain it will be both bigger and better. We’re ready to welcome even more than the thousands of visitors who attended the first Festival, who might be experiencing Belton for the first time, or introducing family and friends to a favourite haunt!’
There will also be a chance to celebrate local flora and fauna with a butterfly survey taking place across the weekend. Families and individuals alike will be able to take part by collecting a survey sheet, complete with butterfly spotting tips, to fill in as they explore the estate. The initiative has been sponsored by Lincolnshire County Council and supports biodiversity work being undertaken by the National Trust to ensure that Belton remains a rich and dynamic wildlife haven.
To find out more about the Festival, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/Belton and stay up to date by following BeltonEstateNT on Facebook and Instagram.
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