Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
The Wild Man play area, a playground by the café and trails, then a walk through the old quarry garden that ends at an actual medieval castle. Probably the best all-round family castle day in the county.
The short answer
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens is in Belsay (NE20 0DX). It's looked after by English Heritage and a paid attraction. Daily 10am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm) at the time of writing. Prices vary by date and show when you pick a date on English Heritage's booking page; booking online in advance saves 15%. There's enough under a roof for a wet day.
What you actually see
The Middleton family built the tower around 1370 and added a manor house to it in 1614. In the early 1800s Sir Charles Monck built the Greek Revival hall nearby and made a garden out of the quarry between them, so the old castle became the finale of a garden walk.
Known for: The quarry garden walk from a Greek Revival hall to a medieval castle.
Tips before you go
The October half term Halloween trail and storytelling (24 October to 1 November 2026) are included with admission, and free for members.
Where Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens is
Belsay, NE20 0DX. OpenStreetMap ↗ · Directions ↗
Castles near Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Mitford Castle
6.8 miles north-east as the crow flies · Mitford · Outside only · Free
Morpeth Castle
8.4 miles north-east as the crow flies · Morpeth · Stay or eat here
Aydon Castle
9.2 miles south-west as the crow flies · Corbridge · Paid entry
Prudhoe Castle
9.4 miles south as the crow flies · Prudhoe · Free to wander · Free
Vicar's Pele, Corbridge
11 miles south-west as the crow flies · Corbridge · Outside only · Free
Bothal Castle
11 miles north-east as the crow flies · Bothal · Outside only · Free
All 39 castles on the map · Things to do in Morpeth and the south east
Events at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Thu 1 Oct to Sun 1 Nov
Bridgewater Primary art exhibition
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay · Included with normal admission; English Heritage members free
Pupils from Bridgewater Primary show nature-inspired art, including photography and collages of Belsay Hall made with local artist Lindsey Robinson. Included in a normal visit. Organiser ↗
Sat 3 Oct to Sun 1 Nov
Scurry: 400 ceramic red squirrels
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay
Artist Dan Gough's installation of 400 ceramic squirrels, made in response to the decline of the red squirrel, returns to the North East in the East Quarry Meadow. A small number of the squirrels are for sale. Organiser ↗
Sat 24 Oct to Sun 1 Nov
The Great Pumpkin Party
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay · Included with normal admission; English Heritage members free
English Heritage's half-term Halloween at Belsay, with interactive storytelling, spooky games, a themed trail and a daily fancy dress competition. Booking ahead online saves 15%. Organiser ↗
Sat 7 Nov to Sun 10 Jan
Walking with The Snowman trail
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay · Included with normal admission; English Heritage members free
Twelve giant Snowman sculptures, each decorated by a different artist on a Twelve Days of Christmas theme, are hidden around Belsay's grounds. Pick up a trail map at the visitor centre and collect the letters to spell out a Christmas message. Organiser ↗
Sat 21 Nov to Sun 22 Nov
Christmas Craft Fair at Belsay
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay · Included with normal admission; English Heritage members free
Handmade gifts, crafts and treats from local makers and independent sellers, with food traders on hand. Book ahead online for 15% off admission. Organiser ↗
Sat 5 Dec to Sun 20 Dec
Meet Father Christmas at Belsay Hall
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay · £12 per child (£9.50 members), plus admission for non-members
Storytelling with Father Christmas in the decorated hall, a photo and a traditional present for each child. One adult per child, more if space allows; arrive 15 minutes early. Organiser ↗
Sat 5 Dec to Sun 20 Dec
Festive Fun at Belsay
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay · Included with normal admission; English Heritage members free
Seasonal family activities in and around the hall on December weekends. Booking online ahead saves 15% on admission. Organiser ↗
Our guides that include Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Things to Do in Northumberland With Kids: Where to Start
Santa in Northumberland 2026: Trains, Grottos and What They Cost
October Half Term in Northumberland 2026: What's On and What's Shut
Halloween in Northumberland 2026: Pumpkin Patches and Spooky Trails
Christmas Markets and Lights in Northumberland 2026: Dates and Parking
Questions people ask about Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
How much does it cost to visit Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens?
Prices vary by date and show when you pick a date on English Heritage's booking page; booking online in advance saves 15%. Free for English Heritage members.
When is Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens open?
Daily 10am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm) at the time of writing. It stays open into winter (the tea room opens Wednesday to Sunday and the Coach House café at weekends in winter), but winter hours aren't published yet; check before you go. Halloween half term events run 24 October to 1 November 2026.
Is Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens good for kids?
The Wild Man play area, a playground by the café and trails, then a walk through the old quarry garden that ends at an actual medieval castle. Probably the best all-round family castle day in the county. Time needed: half a day at least.
Is there parking at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens?
About 115 spaces (14 accessible) on gravel, 200 metres from the entrance; free for members, charges for everyone else. Sat nav NE20 0DU.
Can you take a pushchair to Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens?
Yes, mostly. Pushchairs are allowed and the paths round the grounds are flat, but the castle and hall interiors mean stairs.
Are dogs allowed at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens?
On a short lead in the grounds; not in the hall or castle.
Is there a café at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens?
Tea room and the Coach House café (fewer days in winter); picnic tables in the stables courtyard.
Are there toilets at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens?
Near the car park before the shop, and at the Coach House café; baby changing in the accessible toilet.
Is Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens worth visiting on a rainy day?
Yes, there's enough under a roof to make it a decent wet-day option.
What is Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens famous for?
The quarry garden walk from a Greek Revival hall to a medieval castle.
Sources
- https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/
- https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/plan-your-visit/facilities/
- https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/belsay-hall-halloween-2026/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belsay_Castle
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