Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens has something for everyone. Home to the Middleton family for almost 700 years, the site contains a fine medieval castle, enlarged into a mansion in the 17th century, the imposing Greek Revival villa which was built in the Regency period and the outstanding, plant-rich gardens linking the two buildings.

Take in thirty acres of picturesque landscaping, including magnificent rhodedendorons and seasonal delights such as snowdrops. Explore the magical and romantic Quarry Garden with ravines, pinnacles and sheer rock faces inspired by the quarries of Sicily. Rock from the quarry served as the source of the stone used to build the Regency Hall. Level paths and short grass make the gardens suitable for wheelchairs and there are plenty of seats to take a rest on.

Take a walk through the quarry garden and visit the castle, the original home of the Middleton family. A 14th- century castle with adjoining Jacobean mansion ruins are sure to impress. Its first-floor great chamber still displays rare traces of elaborate medieval wall-paintings. Make sure you climb right to the top of the tower for spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Belsay Hall, now displayed without furnishings, is an austerely Classical Greek Revival villa, centred around the amazing central two-storey ‘Pillar Hall’. The Middleton family moved into the hall from the castle on Christmas Day 1817, wander the rooms of their home and discover the opulent style of the day in the ornate design of the Hall.