Burghley's woodlands are wonderfully rich and diverse. The Estate owns a total of 435 ha of woodland, of which 130 ha at Wakerley (8 miles to the South West of Burghley) are let to the Forestry Commission on a 999 year lease.

90 hectares of woods lie within the walls of Burghley Park and were originally established as part of Cabability Brown's 'designed' landscape. A narrow 'skirt' edges the park to act as a border to separate the park from the surrounding farm land and forms a picturesque backdrop to the House. Small woodland blocks within the park were also planted as game cover. All are predominantly broadleaved, i.e populated by Limes, Ash and Oaks.

The remaining woodland outside the Park is characterised by small, attractive blocks of broadleaves within an arable landscape, again planted for game but also as a source of wood and fuel.

The Estate also boasts 5 ancient semi-natural woodlands (woodlands that records suggest were planted before 1600) of which two have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.