Belsay Castle

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Coordinates: 55°06′07″N 1°52′08″W / 55.102°N 1.869°W / 55.102; -1.869

Belsay Castle
A large stone built ruined building. The nearer part is two stories with square windows; behind is a tall square keep with turrets and battlements. In the foreground is grass with a low stone wall; in the background a blue sky with a few white clouds.
Logo of English Heritage, consisting of red stylized crenellations bounding an open square
Belsay Castle is located in Northumberland
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Belsay Castle

Red pog.svg Belsay Castle shown within Northumberland
OS grid reference NZ084785
List of places: UK • England • Northumberland

Belsay Castle is a 14th century medieval castle situated at Belsay, Northumberland, England. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade I listed building.[1]

The main structure, a substantial three story rectangular pele tower with rounded turrets and battlements was constructed about 1370, and was the home of the Middleton family. In 1614 Thomas Middleton built a new manor house attached to the tower.[1] A west wing was added in 1711 but was later largely demolished in 1872 by Sir Arthur Middleton when the remainder of the house was considerably altered.[2]

The castle was abandoned as a residence by the family in the early 19th century when Sir Charles Monck built Belsay Hall close by.[3] It is administered by English Heritage and is open the public.[4] The interiors were largely removed and it was then used as a ready-made folly, as was fashionable among the aristocracy at the time, serving as setting for garden parties and other entertainments.

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[edit] External links

Media related to Belsay Castle at Wikimedia Commons

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