Belsay Castle is a 14th-century medieval castle situated at Belsay, Northumberland, England. It is a Scheduled Monument and a Grade I listed building.[1]
| Belsay Castle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Pele tower |
| Location | Belsay |
| Coordinates | 55°06′07″N 1°52′08″W / 55.102°N 1.869°W |
| OS grid reference | NZ 08475 78554 |
| Area | Northumberland |
| Built | c. 1370 |
| Architectural style(s) | Medieval |
| Owner | English Heritage |
| Official name | Belsay tower house and attached unfortified wing, deserted medieval village, possible moated site, promontory fort and watch post |
| Designated | 17 Jan 1935 |
| Reference no. | 1015517 |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
| Official name | Belsay Castle |
| Designated | 27 Aug 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1042837 |
  Location of Belsay Castle in Northumberland | |
The main structure, a substantial three-storey 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 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] 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 the setting for garden parties and other entertainments.
The castle is administered by English Heritage and is open to the public.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Historic England. "Belsay Castle (1042837)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 December 2007.
- ^ "Belsay Castle". SINE Project, University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Archived from the original on 2 November 2005. Retrieved 21 December 2007.
- ^ Historic England. "Belsay Hall (1304489)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 21 December 2007.
- ^ "Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens". English Heritage. Retrieved 21 December 2007.
External links
editMedia related to Belsay Castle at Wikimedia Commons
- Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens - official site at English Heritage
- Bibliography of sources related to Belsay Castle