English Heritage

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)