Parking
Free parking for visitors. The main car park is located next to the entrance to the site. There are also two overflow car parks which are located further away from the main entrance.
Blue Badge Parking is available in the main car park, which is close to the shop and admissions with ramp access to the hall and tearoom.
Food and Drink
The Tea Room is located in the original kitchen of the hall. Food is freshly prepared to order and all the cakes, scones and produce are made on site. It serves a wide selection of delicious light meals including cream teas, cakes, hot and cold sandwiches, soup and baked potatoes. Or you can just enjoy a relaxing cup of tea or coffee.
Picnic Area
You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy at one of the picnic tables which are located on the grassed area off the main car park.
Shop
The gift shop sells range of inspiring English Heritage gifts, including wines and preserves, postcards, books, jewellery, homeware, and children's toys.
Toilets
Male and female toilets located in the main car park. In the summer season extra unisex portaloos are located at the castle. Baby changing facilities are in the disabled toilet at the main car park.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed in the grounds on a short lead. No dogs allowed in the hall or castle. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Exhibition
Extensive list of events throughout the year. Please see Events page for details.
Gardens
Belsay is renowned for having one of the most extraordinary picturesque garden landscapes in England. The landscape divides into formal gardens, near to the house, and the wild gardens beyond. Most remarkable are the romantic quarry gardens on the walk to the castle. Paths through the grounds are flat and accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Seating and rest areas are found in the formal gardens, East Quarry path and at the castle. It is a 1/2mile walk from the hall through the gardens to the castle. The site is around 40 acres in total.
Family Friendly
- Baby Changing Facilities
- Baby changing facilities are in the disabled toilet.
- Highchairs
- Three highchairs are available in the tearoom.
- Pushchairs Allowed
- Pushchairs are allowed on site.
Please be aware
Some rooms in the hall and castle are lit by natural light. There are some uneven floors in the hall and at the castle. Please take care when walking around the site.
International
- Foreign Language Guidebooks
- We have sheets giving a brief history of the site available in French, German and Italian.
Commercial Photography and Filming
English Heritage welcomes all photographers to our sites and we hope you will share your pictures with us on Flickr and Facebook.
We do have some restrictions at certain locations, so if photography is your main reason for visiting, please call the site ahead of your visit to check if any parts of the site are restricted.
If you are interested in using English Heritage sites for commercial photography this must be arranged in advance. Please go to: Sarah Eastel Locations (http://www.film-locations.co.uk) for more information.
