Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
Pinpoint
Belsay, Morpeth NE20 0DX
Telephone 01661 881813
Possible Opening hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Three sites for one ticket: a medieval tower house, a Greek Revival mansion built in the early 19th century by the same family, and quarry gardens carved out to landscape the grounds. Reviewers rate the gardens as highly as the buildings, especially the rhododendrons in late May and early June.
Worth the trip
The Quarry Garden, cut into the old stone quarry and planted up - reviewers repeatedly call it the standout over the hall and castle themselves.
Before you go
Look out for themed tours (WWII, Behind Closed Doors) which add context beyond the information boards; the parking machine takes coins only, though you can also buy a ticket at the admin building if you're without change.
Reviewers consistently praise Belsay's gardens - particularly the Quarry Garden - as the standout feature, alongside friendly and helpful staff and a good cafe and playground. Several note the hall itself is fairly sparsely furnished with empty rooms, so the main draws are the grounds and the castle at the end of the walk, which has a steep spiral staircase to a rewarding viewpoint. One reviewer admits they went in with low expectations after reading other reviews but came away pleasantly surprised.
Medieval tower house plus Greek Revival hall
“Fantastic Gardens, particularly at the end of May early June when the rhododendrons are out. Both the Crag Woods and Quarry Gardens are well worth doing. Nice Cafe and children’s playground”— Edward Bilcliffe, visitor review
Further reading
UGears - Hogwarts Castle mechanical wooden model (340pc)
Currently-sold mechanical wooden 3D model kit, 340 parts.
Find it on AmazonCubicFun - Neuschwanstein Castle 3D Puzzle (121pc)
Architectural 3D puzzle model, stocked by UK and US retailers.
Find it on Amazon
