Explore with us the stunning medieval castle, quarry gardens, and stone hall at Belsay, and discover all it has to offer as a family day out in Northumberland.

About Belsay Hall, Castle, and Gardens

Originally owned by Sir Richard de Middleton in 1270, and known as Beleshou, it had a long succession of owners before returning to the Middleton family in 1391. Thomas Middleton redeveloped the castle in 1614, before the hall is added by his descendant Charles Middleton in 1806.

Finallty, in 1984 English Heritage took over the estate, and in 2000 began restoring the hall and gardens ready for visitors.

When is Belsay Hall, Castle, and Gardens open?

Wallington opening times depend on the season, so it is always worth checking the specific opening times on the website before you visit. As a rough guide, the following days and times apply:

Summer

Monday to Sunday

10am - 5pm

Winter

Saturday to Sunday

10am - 4pm

N.B Belsay Hall, Castle, and Gardens are closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.

Where can I park?

Situated in Belsay near Morpeth, Belsay Hall, Castle, and Gardens has its own car park on the estate near the Hall. Please note that while parking is free for English Heritage members, charges apply for non-members.

To find the car park, use this post code: NE20 0DU

How much does visiting Belsay Hall, Castle, and Gardens cost?

As an English Heritage site, Belsay Hall, Castle, and Gardens is free for members to visit. If you wish to head for a day out without an English Heritage membership, charges apply:

Adult tickets: £15

Child tickets: £9.50

Family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children): £39.50

Family ticket (1 adult, 3 children): £24.50

N.B. These prices are for buying standard tickets on the day of visit. You can save by ordering tickets online ahead of your visit, and by choosing off-peak dates.

What is available at Belsay Hall, Castle, and Gardens?

Let's be honest, the name kind of gives it away… but here's a little introduction to what's available at this stunning English Heritage property.

Belsay Hall

Inspired by Greek and Italian architecture, Sir Charles Monck designed Belsay Hall, building it from stone quarried from the estate gardens. The hall was completed in 1817, and to this day remains an impressive place to visit.

Belsay Castle

Do you know much about the time of Anglo-Scottish warfare? Me neither, but Belsay Castle hails from that time with a maze of rooms, old cooking ranges, fireplaces, and even medieval wall paintings.

The gardens

With 30 acres of Grade I listed gardens, there is no shortage of beautiful land to see and enjoy. Explore everything from the Quarry Garden to enchanting seasonal areas with over 3 miles of walking available here.

FAQs about our family days out

Is it suitable for children?

Definitely! Our children absolutely loved our time at Belsay Hall, Castle, and Gardens (even Peanut - despite what her face in the below photo says!) There are play areas, and activities suitable for children of all ages around the estate… and if your children are anything like mine they will find joy in the simplest of things here.

Are there facilities available?

By the Tea Room at the entrance beyond the car park you can find women's, men's, and disabled toilets as well as baby changing facilities.

Is there anywhere to eat nearby?

Whether you want to grab a hot or cold bite from the tea room just beyond the car park or take your own picnic, there are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy a bite to eat and a drink while visiting Belsay Hall, Castle, and Garden.

Belsay Hall, Castle, and Gardens is a wonderful day out for all the family. We hope you love it as much as we did on our first visit (and I know we'll definitely enjoy more visits again in the future!)

For more blog posts about exploring the beautiful outdoor spaces England has to offer, check out my days out and travel blog. Have you found somewhere amazing to visit in the Northumberland? We love to explore new spots, so feel free to share in the comments below.