Name: Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Address: Belsay, Nr Morpeth, Northumberland, NE20 0DX. Follow route to Blacksmith's Cafe. Sat Nav: NE20 0DU
Telephone: 01661 881636

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Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

Belsay Hall is open, and operating normal winter opening hours within tier 3 restrictions. This means that indoor areas are closed, and food and drink is take-away only. Full Covid-secure measures are in place, and you need to book your visit in advance.

How to book your visit

Read our FAQs

Keeping you safe

What to expect from your visit

See full prices and opening times

Address

Belsay, Nr Morpeth, Northumberland, NE20 0DX. Follow route to Blacksmith's Cafe. Sat Nav: NE20 0DU

BOOK YOUR VISIT

The hall remains closed until atleast 16 December. The shop and toilets remain open. We will continue to review what parts of the site can open in line with reviews to government guidelines and will provide the latest information here.

What you need to know

We've made some changes to help keep you safe, and things might be a little different when you visit. Here's everything you need to know.

Do we need to Book?

Advance booking is now essential. We have introduced limits on visitor numbers to help keep everyone safe, and you won’t be able to visit without your booking confirmation. If you’re a Member, your ticket will be free, but you still need to book in advance. Make sure you've read our ticketing FAQ before you book.

Book Tickets

Booking FAQs

What parts of the site are open?

The Castle and Hall - The grounds and gardens remain open, but all indoor spaces will remain closed.

What changes have you made to your facilities?
Café - Take away food and drink is available.

Shop - The shop is closed.

Toilets - The toilets are open.

Plan your Visit

How are you keeping us safe?

We've made a number of changes to help keep you safe. Although things might be a little different when you visit, you’ll still be able to enjoy exploring the places where history really happened. And you’ll still be given a warm and safe welcome by our friendly – if socially distant – staff and volunteers.

You can visit our reopening page for information on general safety measures we've taken to help keep you safe.

General Safety Information

Do I need to wear a face covering?

Face coverings must be worn in all indoor areas. We won't be able to provide you with a face covering, so please come prepared so you don't miss out.

I still have questions.

The answers to all frequently asked questions can be found on our FAQ page.

Read our FAQs

Things to See and Do

What's On

Christmas Adventure Quest

Sat 26 Dec 2020 - Sun 3 Jan 2021 11am - 5pm
Half term explorer quest

Sat 13 - Sun 21 February 2021 11am - 4pm

Belsay Hall Timeline

1270Beleshou

Sir Richard de Middleton, Lord Chancellor to Henry III, owns the estate, known then as Beleshou.

Find out more about the history of Belsay

1317Royal Betrayal

Middleton's only heirs are hanged, drawn and quartered in London after attempting to betray the crown. The Belsay estate is forfeited.

1391Middleton Return

After a succession of owners, the marriage of John Middleton into the Stryvelyn family returns the estate to the Middletons. A new tower is probably built in celebration.

1614Early Additions

Thomas Middleton redevelops the castle and adds a Jacobean range, one of the first completely undefended buildings in the county.

C 1711Georgian Style

A plain west wing is added to counterbalance the medieval tower.

Late 18th CenturyLandscape Park

Sir William Middleton, 5th baronet, creates informal planting, a serpentine drive, a bridge over a newly formed lake and a folly.

1795-6An Early Inheritance

After the unexpected death of his brothers and father, 16 year old Charles Middleton inherits. He adopts his wealthy grandfather's last name, Monck, to inherit his Lincolnshire estate.

September 1804 - April 1806Epic Honeymoon

Monck, 25, marries his cousin and honeymoons in Europe, sketching along the way. He returns to design the New Hall in an avant-garde classic style, inspired by this trip.

1817-1867Picturesque Grounds

After moving into the completed New Hall, Monck plants exotic imported trees and creates formal terraces, a canyoned quarry garden, broad terrace walks through trees and innovative heated kitchen gardens.

1867-97Arthur Middleton

Sir Charles's grandson demolishes the Georgian west range. He rebuilds the 1614 house, re-roofs the castle, introduces exotic, colourful plants, and adds a pond and second arch to the quarry garden.

1939-1945Army Occupation

The army takes residence and the gardens are neglected. Furniture is stored in the attics and servant quarters are used for ordinary soldiers. The library becomes the officers' lounge.

1962Middletons Retire

With fewer maintenance funds, Sir Stephen Middleton, 9th baronet, moves into Swanstead, a smaller and more manageable house on the estate, where he lives until his death.

1980A Rotted Mansion

Ownership of the empty and rotting mansion is transferred to the state, who strip back wood, plasterwork and architectural features to attempt to deal with the damp.

2000Restoration Works

English Heritage replaces floors in the anteroom, housekeeper's room, estate office and Sir Charles Monck's bedroom. Formal gardens are restored to their appearance in the 1920s and 1930s.

PresentBelsay Today

Belsay Hall's stark and inspiring spaces are used for displays of contemporary fashion, furniture, decorative arts and cutting-edge sensory installations.

Learn more about the history of Belsay Hall

'Lucky Spot' by Stella McCartney at Belsay (2009)

Nearby Places
Similar Places

Heddon on the Wall Hadrian's Wall
7.6 miles from Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Aydon Castle
9.28 miles from Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Prudhoe Castle
9.38 miles from Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

Aydon Castle
9.28 miles from Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Prudhoe Castle
9.38 miles from Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Tynemouth Priory and Castle
18.47 miles from Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

Nearby Places
- Heddon on the Wall Hadrian's Wall
  7.6 miles from Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
- Aydon Castle
  9.28 miles from Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
- Prudhoe Castle
  9.38 miles from Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Similar Places
- Aydon Castle
  9.28 miles from Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
- Prudhoe Castle
  9.38 miles from Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
- Tynemouth Priory and Castle
  18.47 miles from Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens