belsay hall and gardens

This is a great place to spend the day with the family. There is a large empty house to explore which also holds exhibitions. The gardens and grounds are large, interesting for the kids to explore and include a castle. There's a cafe a plenty of room for picnics.

Belsay is a little gem hidden in the Northumbrian countryside. It's good value for money, a brilliant day out for couples or families. They have great exhibitions, a great cafe, a beautiful house to explore, a quarry garden to walk around and a castle to walk to, what isn't there to like?

Belsay Hall is a beautiful place and the grounds are superb. It is well worth visiting when they have their Xmas fair on, fabulous stalls to choose from for unusual Xmas presents

We've been to Belsay on numerous occasions and we have to admit it's a very nice place. We discovered this place through our English Heritage membership and the first visit (2011-12) was good. It's nice to walk around the gardens and through the spectacular gorge all away to the castle, which is in exceptional condition although as with other historical attractions, health and safety is too over-the-top.Belsay Hall provides a snapshot of Georgian/Victorian life for the wealthy -dozens of rooms complete with a wine cellar and a grand hall. As it lacks in furniture, it's a little bit boring for those that are less interested in domestic history.The gift shop is mockingly over-priced so we always stay clear of there although there are toilet facilities, a tea room and a cafe on site; parking was not a problem.We would recommend Belsay Hall to anyone and we will definitely be returning.

Beautiful gardens and a large empty house to the north of Newcastle. Belsay was a mystery to me for many years. I'd always find out what was over those large surrounding walls. When it did open to the public I wasn't disappointed. More recently we went on a family visit and it was just like being in a magic garden. I won't spoil the surprises but I will say that for families with young children, it's ideal. The house looks fantastic too.

Went for a lovely picnic with friends In the summer, beautiful buildings and stunning land.This is a great place to visit and fall in love with especially on a warm summers day.

We've been here a lot with kids and family. There's usually something going on, and now a cafe has been added it makes a more viable place to spend a few hours. The main house is great to walk around, and watch as it's developed. It's also empty enough for the kids to run a bit wild. The green fingered visitors will like the extensive gardens, I've not a clue about these things so don't know much of what's there - but it looks nice and is well kept. At one end of the grounds is the old house/castle, it's quite a walk for younger kids, but it's flat and there's lots to see. Once there you can climb to the top of the tower for a great view, or walk around the ruined house. In the summer there's ice cream, but off season there's nothing - not even a toilet, which is a problem if you have kids with you. If you're not already an English Heritage member the ticket price can be a little bit steep. We're members, so don't mind popping up here for a few hours for the kids to have a run around. I'm not sure I'd be willing to fork out the regular price, but I suppose they want you to be members.

Tucked at the corner of the road the entrance can be missed if you are not paying attention (but there are signs to be fair).A great range of different garden types and often a display in the old Hall (which is pretty much a shell). Visit repeatedly through the year as every season brings out different things.

Many reviewers say they visit and re-visit Belsay Hall and I feel the same. I first visited decades ago before it was opened to the public. It was abandoned, the gardens were overgrown and the house was empty and looked forlorn and beyond rescue. It has space, views, walks, the Hall, the castle (more views) and especially the garden in the old quarry. The Hall has a great range of exhibitions but for me the garden and the castle are the stars. If you are interested in plants, there are some great specimens of plants such as Cornus kousa but there is always something of interest in the super quarry setting. Our grand children love wandering around there and of course, they love the castle as well. It is a controlled ruin so no grand rooms or furniture, but in its ruined state is give a hint of life in the borders on Medieval times and later. My only reservation, and it applies to many attractions, is that the admission price is high for families.

I love it here.I return as often as possible, it has just so much. A castle, a secret garden, a stately home although in disrepair and not furnished at all. It has great walks around the grounds. There are often displays of art and things going onA word of caution, check the timings of when it's open I have arrived a couple of times and it has been closed so check by ringing ..do not rely on the website as the website has been wrong and misleading in the past..!

Have been to Belsay quite a few times and can honestly say its one of the nicest places to visit, especially on a warm sunny day, the gardens are so well kept with beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees, the house is unoccupied but you can still look around at the beautiful rooms, the house gives a great feeling of the history of Belsay, one of the walks leads you to a lovely castle. well worth a visit.

The hall & castle are very interesting. The gardens are wonderful, especially the quarry garden which is unique. There is a tea room serving delicious cakes! Well worth a visit.

couple of decent café one within the garden and one on the way off the road at Belsay. Belsay village was formed when the lord built the house but didn't like the view spoilt by the old village so moved it out of the way

What an absolute sweet find. It was like walking into Downtown’s kitchen! A little cold so wrap up but definitely worth it.The cakes are made to perfection especially the sticky ginger cake.

We have been here a few times and always make time to visit the tea room which is in part of the main house. You now have to go through the English Heritage reception/gift now to gain access and pay an entrance fee if you are not English Heritage members - during the summer you could access the tea-room without going through here, and didnt need to be EH members. So, its a big price saving on a visit if you are members!Private caterers provide the meals here and this is very consistent - I can recommend the soup and scones which have been excellent each time we have been there. On Sunday they were serving turkey stotties which looked enormous and I think were only around £5 each.The setting is a little odd as the tea room is in a high-walled, windowless room but you soon get used to this as the catering is very good and the rest of the visit is so worthwhile.The gardens are fabulous and the walk through the quarry to the castle is breathtaking, taking in the diverse and wonderful varieties of plants and trees. There are a number of walks available if you have the time. Worth joining English Heritage just for this!