BELSAY CASTLE

Northumbria

Belsay Castle, Northumbria

Belsay Castle Gardens are one of Northumbria's most renowned, and with good reason; the amazing rock walk through a kind of mini-Cheddar Gorge is quite breathtaking.  The focus of attention is very much on the Gardens, unusual in an English Heritage property, but the Castle and it's attendant Hall are also quite interesting.

The Castle is attributed to John de Strivelyn and dates to around 1340 when he was granted the property by Edward III.  It is a fairly solid and quite large pele tower with a distinctly Scottish look about it (see for instance Brodick Castle on the Isle of Arran).

The Hall was built on the side of the Castle around 1620 and this became the main focus for the Castle's occupants - who were by this point the Middleton family.  The Castle and attached Hall were eventually abandoned, around 1817, for a more modern Belsay Hall which stands nearby and is also part of the English Heritage property.

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© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2001

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