Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

House & GardenNorth EastEnglish Heritage4.7(2,723 on Google)

Book tickets Website

£16.30

non-member

Free

EH members

4.7

on Google

Open

see times

Belsay brings together a Greek Revival mansion, a medieval castle and gardens shaped from the stone quarry between them. The Middleton family's long occupation is explained through panels in the deliberately unfurnished hall, while a film in the castle introduces the Wild Man figure from their crest. The quarry garden is the highlight for many reviewers, its rocky passages and unusual planting making the journey between buildings part of the visit. Families can follow the Wild Man Trail towards the playground, and walkers can continue into Crag Wood. Visitors recommend allowing time for the gardens rather than treating Belsay as a quick house tour. There are places to pause for refreshments and a second-hand bookshop in the old stable buildings. The hall and castle are separated by a substantial walk, with step-free routes available but stairs to upper floors. Dogs are welcome on short leads in the grounds, outside the buildings.

Walking routes

Crag Wood scenic walk

Start from the visitor entrance and follow the signed Crag Wood walk within Belsay's visitor grounds. Normal admission or EH membership applies; parking is separate. Keep dogs on short leads in the grounds and follow any local route signs. Upper building floors are reached by stairs.

Dogs allowed with restrictions

Checked 2026-09-10

Opening times

Spring & summer hours

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens10:00 - 17:00

Opening time details

The hall is unfurnished. EH pages give conflicting garden acreages, so no acreage is asserted. The advertised 2026 X75 Saturday bus season ended on 5 September; do not assume it is still operating.

Open daily 10am-5pm until 24 October 2026, then 10am-4pm from 25 October to 1 November. From 2 November-20 December 2026, open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10am-4pm. Check the official calendar for holidays, later dates and event exceptions.

Last entry normally 30 minutes before closing.

EH members receive free standard admission with their membership card. National Trust membership alone does not cover admission. Advance booking is optional for ordinary admission; check special events separately.

Step-free routes and a gradient map are available at the welcome point/shop. Castle reached by about 700m of garden paths; ramped ground-floor access. Stairs to hall upper floor and castle upper levels, no lift. Trampers available for hire; contact the property. Changing Places toilet requires a key from admissions.

Parking: Visitor car park about 200m from the entrance, with gravel surfaces and 14 accessible bays. Free for EH members; non-members pay cash. Current tariff not confirmed. Follow brown signs; EH gives NE20 0DU for sat-nav rather than the postal postcode NE20 0DX.

Directions: Driving pin: Belsay Hall Visitor Car Park, matched to the public/visitor arrival parking described by EH at https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/directions/. Main attraction Google identity is stored separately. Walk from parking to admissions.

Image: Belsay Hall seen across its garden. Barbara Carr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Belsay_Hall,_Northumberland_-_geograph.org.uk_-_3345478.jpg

Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on short leads allowed in the grounds; no pet dogs in the hall or castle. Assistance dogs welcome. Detailed cafe pet access not confirmed.

Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs on short leads may explore the permitted gardens and grounds, including the outdoor paths linking hall and castle, with normal admission or EH membership.

Dog walks in the surrounding area: Not confirmed. Not confirmed: a complete, current dog-permitted route outside the visitor site, including its access point, parking and any seasonal restrictions, was not established from the checked official visitor information. Nearby greenery or visitor reviews alone do not establish access rights.

Leads: Keep dogs on short leads in permitted areas. Keep dogs under control around livestock and wildlife; site-specific livestock precautions beyond the stated guidance are not confirmed.

Seasonal dog restrictions: Not confirmed: no additional dated seasonal dog exclusions were established. Follow current signs and the year-round site restrictions.

Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome according to EH access guidance; contact the site about inaccessible areas.

Pricing

Free entry with English Heritage membership

Entry

Non-member prices

Adult

£16.30

Child (5-17)

£8.10

Concession

£15.40

Family (2 adults, up to 3 children)

£40.90

Family (1 adult, up to 3 children)

£24.50

Pricing details

Standard-day walk-up tariff without voluntary donation. Prices vary by date; advance online tickets save up to 15%. Under-5s enter free. EH members receive free standard admission with their membership card. National Trust membership alone does not cover admission. Advance booking is optional for ordinary admission; check special events separately. Adult walk-up range: £14.50 off-peak to £18.10 peak.

Parking

Parking not known

The Trust's page does not say how parking is charged.

Parking details

Visitor car park about 200m from the entrance, with gravel surfaces and 14 accessible bays. Free for EH members; non-members pay cash. Current tariff not confirmed. Follow brown signs; EH gives NE20 0DU for sat-nav rather than the postal postcode NE20 0DX.

Driving pin: Belsay Hall Visitor Car Park, matched to the public/visitor arrival parking described by EH at https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/directions/. Main attraction Google identity is stored separately. Walk from parking to admissions.

Pins

Enamel pin badges sold in the shop here, photographed by visitors.

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Facilities

CafeShopToiletsChanging Places toiletBaby changingPlay areaPicnic areaDogs on short leads in grounds