Earlier Houses: Belsay Castle [qv], a 14th century castle, with later alterations and additions, is a preserved ruin today. The earlier house was abandoned upon the completion of Belsay Hall in 1817.

House & Family History: Belsay Hall is the most "correct" Greek Revival building in Britain and is of European importance. The house was built without mortar; the stone was cut so finely that each block perfectly fits one on top of the other in the traditional ancient Greek method. The stone for all the Belsay buildings was quarried on the estate and has a distinctive honey color, punctuated with black iron deposits. The Middleton family lived here from from 1817 until 1962.

Garden & Outbuildings: The house is set in 30 acres of grand gardens, created primarily in the 19th century. The grounds are a mix of the formal and informal are are famous for their magnolia and winter gardens.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Grade I

Past Seat / Home of: Sir Charles Miles Lambert Middleton-Monck, 6th Bt., 19th century; Middleton family here from 1817 until 1962.

Current Ownership Type: English Heritage

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01661-881-636

Fax: 01661-881-043

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No