Clan Rising
Belsay Castle today

England · Partial ruin

Belsay Castle

Belsay Castle is a medieval castle at Belsay, Northumberland, centred on a three-storey rectangular pele tower built about 1370 with a manor house added in 1614. A west wing was added in 1711 and later largely removed; the site is a Scheduled Monument and Grade I listed and is administered by English Heritage. The standing tower and attached manor survive as an evocative historic building open to the public.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1439

Its prime

1711

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1711

What Belsay Castle looked like in its prime.

A substantial three-storey rectangular pele tower of honey-coloured sandstone with rounded, battlemented corner turrets dominates the composition, linked to a lower 17th-century manor range with tall vertical mullioned windows and ashlar façades. The massing contrasts the cylindrical tower forms and crenellated parapets with the rectangular, two-storey manor block; low stone garden walls, straight gravel paths and trimmed lawns lie in the foreground and open Northumberland fields fall away beyond.

Its story

The story of Belsay Castle.

Belsay Castle is centred on a substantial three-storey rectangular pele tower with rounded turrets and battlements, built about 1370 as the home of the Middleton family. In 1614 Thomas Middleton built a new manor house attached to the tower, and a west wing followed in 1711, largely demolished in 1872 by Sir Arthur Middleton, when the remainder of the house was considerably altered.

The family abandoned the castle as a residence in the early 19th century, when Sir Charles Monck built Belsay Hall close by. The interiors were largely removed and the old castle became a ready-made folly, as was fashionable among the aristocracy at the time, serving as the setting for garden parties and other entertainments. It is now administered by English Heritage and open to the public.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1711.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Belsay Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

South-facing approach across the lawnFront façade of the 1614 manorBase and battlements of the pele towerTower rooftop and surrounding viewForecourt between tower and manorRemnant west wing (truncated wall)Low garden wall and surrounding parkland

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The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1711, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Belsay Castle.

The families that held Belsay Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Middleton

    Home of the Middleton family from the tower's construction about 1370; Sir Arthur Middleton was still altering the house in 1872.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Belsay Castle.

St James’ Park, EnglandStadiumSt James’ Park21 km awayTyne Bridge, EnglandBridgeTyne Bridge22 km awayCragside, ScotlandMuseumCragside24 km away

Questions about Belsay Castle

What is the history of Belsay Castle?

Belsay Castle has a medieval history beginning with a substantial pele tower built about 1370 as the home of the Middleton family. Thomas Middleton added a manor house in 1614, followed by a west wing in 1711. The family abandoned the castle as a residence in the early 19th century, after which its interiors were largely removed and it became a folly used for garden parties and entertainments.

Who owns Belsay Castle now?

English Heritage owns Belsay Castle. It is also administered by English Heritage, and the castle is a Scheduled Monument and a Grade I listed building.

Why was Belsay Castle built, and what was it used for?

Belsay Castle was built as a residence for the Middleton family. Its substantial pele tower was their home, and Thomas Middleton later attached a manor house to it in 1614. After the family abandoned it as a residence in the early 19th century, the castle was used as a ready-made folly and as a setting for garden parties and other entertainments.

Where is Belsay Castle?

Belsay Castle is at Belsay in Northumberland, England. It stands in the surrounding Northumberland landscape, with open fields beyond the castle and gardens.

When was Belsay Castle built?

Belsay Castle was built in the 14th century. Its main pele tower was constructed about 1370, while another recorded date gives 1439; the manor house was added in 1614 and a west wing in 1711.

Which family or clan held Belsay Castle?

The Middleton family held Belsay Castle from the construction of the tower about 1370. Sir Arthur Middleton was still altering the house in 1872, when the west wing had largely been demolished and the remainder considerably altered.

What did Belsay Castle look like in its prime?

Belsay Castle has a substantial three-storey rectangular pele tower of honey-coloured sandstone, with rounded, battlemented corner turrets. It is linked to a lower 17th-century manor range with tall vertical mullioned windows and ashlar façades, while crenellated parapets, low garden walls, gravel paths and trimmed lawns shape the setting.

Is Belsay Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Belsay Castle is partially ruined, but its three-storey pele tower and attached manor survive. The west wing was largely demolished in 1872, and the remainder of the house was considerably altered. The interiors were largely removed after the family abandoned the castle as a residence.

Can you visit Belsay Castle?

Belsay Castle is open to the public. It is administered by English Heritage and is a Scheduled Monument and Grade I listed building.

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