Belsay Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Belsay Castle |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Pele tower |
| Location | Belsay |
| 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 |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
Imagine stepping back in time to a strong castle built over 600 years ago! Belsay Castle is a medieval castle found in Northumberland, England. It's a very important historical site. The government protects it as a 'Scheduled Monument' and a 'Grade I listed building.' This means it's considered a special part of England's history.
Contents
What is Belsay Castle?
Belsay Castle was built around the year 1370. It is a large, rectangular tower. This type of tower is called a pele tower. Pele towers were strong, small castles. They were built to protect families from raids. Belsay Castle has round towers at its corners. It also has battlements at the top. These are the parts of a castle wall with gaps for shooting arrows.
Who Lived at Belsay Castle?
For many centuries, Belsay Castle was the home of the Middleton family. They were an important family in the area. The castle was their main residence. It kept them safe during difficult times.
How the Castle Changed Over Time
Over the years, the castle grew and changed. In 1614, a man named Thomas Middleton built a new manor house. This house was attached to the original tower. It made the castle much bigger. Later, in 1711, a west wing was added. This was another expansion to the family home.
However, in 1872, some big changes happened. Sir Arthur Middleton, who owned the castle then, removed most of the west wing. He also made many other changes to the rest of the house.
From Home to Party Place
In the early 1800s, the Middleton family moved out. Sir Charles Monck, another family member, built a new home nearby. This new home was called Belsay Hall. After the family left, the castle's inside parts were mostly taken out.
The castle then became a kind of "folly." A folly was a building that looked old and interesting. Rich people often had them in their gardens. They were used for fun events like garden parties. So, Belsay Castle became a cool backdrop for parties and entertainment.
Visiting Belsay Castle Today
Today, English Heritage looks after Belsay Castle. English Heritage is a group that cares for historic places. The castle is open for everyone to visit. You can explore the old tower and imagine life long ago. It's a great place to learn about medieval times.
See also
