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

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Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

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Address

Belsay, Nr Morpeth, Northumberland, NE20 0DX. Follow the route to Blacksmith's Cafe. For Sat Nav purposes use postcode NE20 0DU

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Things to See and Do

The Quarry Garden created by Sir Charles Monck is Belsay’s greatest claim to horticultural fame

Free Hall and Garden Tours

Every Wednesday at 1pm we invite you to take a Free introductory tour through our Grade I listed gardens. Together with one of our experts you’ll learn more about the exotic plants inspired by Sir Charles Monck’s travels, the Quarry Garden’s own microclimate and the colourful Magnolia Terrace. Belsay is also home to one of the country's largest collection of Rhododendrons and a stunning formal Yew Garden. Tours are free (normal admission prices apply) and there’s no need to book!

During the summer season we also hold free guided tours of the Hall during Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11.30am, 1pm & 2.30pm. Immerse yourself in the architecture of ancient Greece in Belsay's Greek-revival mansion inspired by a honeymoon trip to Athens. Listen to our experts and learn more about the family-home built from rock carved from Belsay's very own quarry. The Hall tours are also free (normal admission prices apply) and there’s no need to book in advance.

History of Belsay

What's On

Get hands on with history - Country House

Sat 20 Jul - Sun 1 Sep 2019 11am - 5pm
Knights' Tournament

Sat 24 - Mon 26 Aug 2019 11am - 5pm
Band Sundays

Sun 1 - Sun 28 Sept 2019, Sundays only 11am - 5pm
Classic Cars

Sun 1 Sept 2019 11am - 5pm
Spooky Half Term

Sat 26 Oct - Sun 3 Nov 2019 11am - 4pm
Christmas Fair

Sat 16 - Sun 17 November 2019 11am - 3pm
An audience with Father Christmas

Sat 30 Nov - Sun 8 Dec 2019, Saturdays and Sundays only 10.30am - 4pm
Enchanted Belsay

Thu 5 - Sun 8 Dec 2019 4.30pm - 9.30pm
Enchanted Belsay

Thur 12 - Sun 15 Dec 2019 4.30pm - 9.30pm
Enchanted Belsay

Thur 19 - Sun 22 Dec 2019 4.30pm - 9.30pm
February Half term

Sat 15 - Sun 23 Feb 2020 11am - 3pm

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
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7.6 miles from Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
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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