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Belsay Hall and Castle Belsay has almost everything, a medieval castle, an imposing Greek style villa and some great richly planted gardens that links the two buildings together. It is the creation of the Middleton family and took more than seven centuries to complete. First came the castle, still dominated by its massive 14th-century ‘peel tower’, one of the best surviving examples in England. Though built as a refuge at a time of endemic Anglo-Scottish warfare, it was also designed to impress: its first-floor great chamber still displays rare traces of elaborate medieval wall-paintings.
They remained in the castle until 1817 when they moved into the Greek styled Hall. It was begun in 1807 and was designed by Sir Charles Monck (formerly Middleton), a man inspired by Ancient Greece, and the buildings he had seen on his honeymoon in Athens, particularly the Temple of Theseus. It had nevertheless a comfortable and up-to-date interior, arranged round its amazing central two-story ‘Pillar Hall.’ The Hall has been the setting for several Art exhibition and during my visit was hosting the 'Picture House' which featured Film, Art and Installations within the Hall and grounds of Belsay.
The vast gardens provide a magnificent setting for castle and hall with the largest being the Quarry Garden, created where stone was cut for his hall, has ravines, pinnacles and sheer rock faces inspired by the quarries of Sicily.
The whole property is now under the supervision of English Heritage who have kept the Hall unfurnished to show off the fabric of the building.
Contents are Copyright © 2008 George Ledger
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