The Belsay estate consists of a well-preserved late-14th century tower house (with a ruined early 17th century wing) and one of the most important neo-classical houses in Britain, built half a mile away in 1807-15.
These two buildings are linked by a charming sunken garden laid out when the new house was erected and surrounded by 30 acres of landscaped park.
When Sir Charles Monck inherited Belsay the property had been in the hands of the Middleton family since the 13th century (Sir Charles had changed his name to Monck on inheriting his grandmother's Lincolnshire estate).
Following his marriage in 1804 Sir Charles went on a Continental tour which lasted two years and included a period in Greece. He was greatly influenced by Grecian architecture and on his return he set about designing a neo-classical house for Belsay.
He was aided by the in the preparation of the drawings for the house by the talented local architect John Dobson.
The house is square with mathematically calculated dimensions.
The huge Doric portico and the Doric frieze which runs around the building contrast with the stark limestone walls. Inside, the rooms are set out like those of a Greek or Roman house around a top-lit central space. These are surrounded by superimposed Ionic and Doric colonnades.
After World War II Belsay Hall was abandoned by the Middleton family and today the property is in the care of English Heritage.
The house is open to the public but the now empty rooms have a rather desolate air.
The quarry that provided the stone for the new hall is only a short distance away in the west of the park.
Sir Charles Monck transformed this into a remarkable garden with a sinuous path leading through the profusely planted ravine to the old tower house.
This building is known as the 'Castle' and it has been carefully preserved to serve as an eyecatcher.
A fortified building such as this was essential in the dangerous border region during the 14th century. After the accession of James I conditions became more peaceful in Northumberland and the Middleton family added a hall range and wing to their property, dated 1614 - 29.
However, when the 19th century house was constructed the Jacobean wing was demolished and the roof removed from the hall range. At the same time the village of Belsay was relocated close to the park gates and thus the medieval tower house was left isolated in the landscaped park.
Today Belsay is one of the most remarkable estates in Northumberland's border country.
The gardens were mostly created in the 19th century and are a mix of formal and informal.
In addition to the famous quarry garden there are terraced gardens close to the house with deep mixed borders, a magnolia terrace, a rhododendron garden and a winter garden with heathers. The sunken lawns are used for croquet tournaments.
Belsay's mature woodland includes the Cragwood Walk and a giant Douglas fir.
2008: 21 Mar-30 Sep: 10:00-17:00 Mon-Sun; Oct: 10:00-16:00 Mon-Sun ; Nov-Mar: 10:00-16:00 Mon & Thur-Sun. Closed 24-26 Dec & 1 Jan.
Tel: 01661 881636 Belsay Hall Website
