Things To See and Do
Explore grand Belsay Hall, pop into the medieval castle, and lose yourself in 30-acres of incredible gardens at Belsay. Don't miss the Wild Man playground: a real treat for adventurous kids.
Explore Belsay Hall
Following his honeymoon, Sir Charles Monck was inspired by Greek and Italian architecture to design Belsay Hall.
Using stone quarried from the gardens to build it, the magnificent Greek Revival mansion was completed in 1817. Recently restored in English Heritage’s two-year-long ‘Conservation in Action’ project, Belsay Hall’s austere Greek Revival exterior encloses suites of rooms ranged around the imposing top-lit ‘Pillar Hall’.
Interpretation panels will guide you round the now-empty mansion, revealing how it was used by the Middleton family and their children and servants.
Look out for the coffered ceiling and elaborate decoration in the reception rooms.
The history of BelsayBelsay's enchanting gardens
Lose yourself in the vast 30-acre, Grade I-listed gardens at Belsay.
They’ve been re-invigorated by renowned garden designer Dan Pearson, with more than 80,000 new plants.
The star of the gardens is the amazing Quarry Garden, created where stone was quarried for the hall. It has its own microclimate, meaning all sorts of exotic plants grow here. Dramatic ravines and cliff-faces create backdrops for an array of amazing trees and plants, including the stupendous giant rhubarb, nicknamed ‘dinosaurs’ food’.
There is always something new to discover here, as the landscape changes with the seasons. Read more about the seasons at Belsay’s gardens here.
While you explore the gardens, look for the trail markers to find out about some of the plants and wildlife at Belsay. Then follow in the footsteps of the Wild Man trail to reach the castle.
Don't miss the chance to follow our veteran tree trail and learn more about some of the unique trees dotting the Belsay landscape.
Find out moreThe Medieval Castle
The castle at Belsay is a complete contrast to the hall. As the Middletons’ ancestral home before the hall was built, Belsay Castle is dominated by a late 14th-century ‘peel tower’, a stronghold against border raiders.
Inside, you can watch an animated video recounting Belsay’s story as told by ‘the Wild Man’, a mythical figure inspired by the Middletons’ heraldic crest.
Explore the maze of rooms and keep your eye out for rare traces of elaborate medieval wall paintings. In the 18th-century wing, you can still see the old cooking range and fireplaces.
The Wild Man Play Area
From the castle, head to Belsay’s fabulous play area, featuring towering climbing frames, a winding slide, rope nets for climbing, swings and lots more to explore.
Little explorers will love the dedicated play area for toddlers. It’s accessible directly from the Coach House Cafe, so you can enjoy a coffee and some cake while your little ones run... wild!