CODE breaking will be child’s play this year as the Elizabethan home of the nation’s first spymaster unveils an action-packed new season, crowned by a secret mission play attraction.

Burghley House, built more than 500 years ago by William Cecil, Elizabeth I’s most trusted minister and spy chief, re-opens on March 18 with a new look, packed calendar of events and new visitor facilities.

On the edge of the Georgian stone town of Stamford in Lincolnshire, Burghley already boasts centuries of history and a huge collection of art and furniture within its 18 state rooms.

The new play area boasts a multi-level tower featuring three impressive tall spires with ‘pepper pot’ roof detailing – reflecting the distinctive architecture of Burghley – walkways, bridges and lookout towers.

But the House and Gardens are set to offer visitors modern surprises when they re-opens this spring.

Part of the grounds will open to the public for the first time after being turned into a woodland adventure play area with its own entrance – a formerly hidden stone arch called Queen Elizabeth Gate.

The new attraction has been named Hide and Secrets and will feature a new character, Cecil the Mole, and a series of ‘play zones’ leading to the Hidden Towers play structure with slides and rope bridge.

There’ll also be a separate toddler area, and the attraction has been designed with accessibility in mind.

Themed around spymaster William Cecil, youngsters will also be able to complete their own top-secret missions – discovering hidden wooden mole carvings, and a spot of cypher code breaking.

Separate tickets will be available for the new attraction, which will include access to the Garden of Surprises and Sculpture Garden, with pricing to be announced later in the year.

Among the line-up of events will be reputedly the world’s largest gathering of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars (June 23-25 June), and the popular The TVR Car Club rally (April 2).

A different sort of horsepower will on show at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, regarded as the world’s greatest five-star equestrian event, which returns from August 31 to September 3.

The year will also see more workshops, expert-led tours and hands-on activities, alongside annual favourites such as the Battle Proms Picnic Concert (July 8), Classic Ibiza (July 29), and Fine Food Markets. Visit www.burghley.co.uk.