Belsay Castle - Belsay, Northumberland (EH)
Belsay Castle and Belsay Hall are the centre of an estate that has belonged to the Middleton family since the thirteenth century. They lived in the castle until 1817, and from then until 1962 in Belsay Hall. The castle today is approached through the stunning Quarry gardens, created from the extraction of stone to build the new Hall in 1807.As you emerge from the stone walls and trees, the castle sits down away to your left, and a good view of the various dates and styles of building can be seen. On the far right is the original mid-fifteenth century defensive tower, with its crenellated turrets and machicolation still visible. Joined to this on the left is the new range of 1614, built by Thomas Middleton and his wife, Dorothy. The mullioned and transomed windows of the period graphically demonstrate the changing times. Defence was no longer the primary factor, but light and a certain comfort were now required elements for a residence of this status. The castle was extended further probably in about 1711, and an engraving of 1728 shows the balanced building, fronted by formal gardens. It is interesting to note that the more recent the building, the less that remains of the castle now.
The tower, because more complete, rewards the most exploration. Slightly below the present ground level, the main room is a pointed barrel-vaulted room which was probably the kitchen; there is a large fireplace in the north wall. Going up the newel staircase, you can see a stack of garderobes, providing hygiene (of a sort) for the residents. The first floor's main room has lost its ceiling, but the projecting stone corbels show you where it was. This would have been the most important room in the tower. There is an arched lintel over the fireplace and two large windows with seats to provide light for sewing or reading. Some wall paintings with heraldic devices around the windows survive, and it is well worth taking the time to shield your eyes from the light to puzzle them out. It is a reminder that medieval castles were not the grey dark places we see today, but colourful and comfortable for those wealthy enough to rule from them. The room directly above was roofed over in 1897 and this may well have contributed to the partial survival of the wall paintings. This second floor room would have been the private solar for the lord and his immediate family, and there are further high status rooms leading off. You can go out to the roof and get a closer look at the functional defences of the castle, but views of the countryside are restricted.