Belsay Castle is a 14th
century medieval castle situated at Belsay
, Northumberland
, England
. It
is a
Scheduled Ancient
Monument and a
Grade I listed
building.
The main structure, a substantial three storey rectangular
pele tower with rounded turrets and battlements
was constructed about 1370, and was the home of the
Middleton family . In 1614 Thomas
Middleton built a new manor house attached to the tower. A west
wing was added in 1711 but was later largely demolished in 1872 by
Sir Arthur
Middleton when the remainder of the house was considerably
altered.
The castle
was abandoned as a residence by the family in the early 19th
century when Sir Charles
Monck built Belsay
Hall
close by. It is administered by
English Heritage and is open the public..
The interiors were largely removed and it was then used as a
ready-made
folly, as was fashionable among the
aristocracy at the time, serving as setting for garden parties and
other entertainments.
References
External links
Find public transport to Belsay Hall - buses
stop at Belsay Shops a short walk from the Hall