| Belsay | |
|---|---|
 Belsay Castle | |
  Belsay Location withinNorthumberland | |
| Population | 436 (2001)[1] |
| OS grid reference | NZ101786 |
| Civil parish |
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| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Newcastle Upon Tyne |
| Postcode district | NE20 |
| Dialling code | 01661 |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Northumberland |
| Ambulance | North East |
| UK Parliament | |
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Belsay is a village andcivil parish inNorthumberland, England. The village is about 5 miles (10 km) fromPonteland on theA696, which links the village withNewcastle upon Tyne andJedburgh. The population of the civil parish was 436 at the 2001 census, increasing to 518 at the 2011 Census.[2]
Scottish nobleman and doctor,John de Strivelyn, was granted the manor around 1340 byEdward III. On his death, the estate passed to his daughter Christiana, who was married to Sir John Middleton, and it has remained with the Middleton family ever since.
Belsay was formerly atownship in the parish ofBolam,[3] in 1866 Belsay became a civil parish. Belsay parish includes the former parishes ofBitchfield,Black Heddon, Bolam,Bolam Vicarage,Bradford,Gallowhill, Harnham,Newham,Shortflatt,Trewick, andWallridge[4] which were merged with Belsay on 1 April 1955.[5]
Belsay is home toBelsay Castle, a fine medieval castle, and toBelsay Hall.
Belsay Castle is a 14th-century medieval castle situated at Belsay. It is aScheduled Ancient Monument and aGrade I listed building.[6]
The main structure, a three-storey rectangularpele tower with rounded turrets and battlements, was constructed about 1370, and was the home of theMiddleton family. In 1614, Thomas Middleton built a new manor house attached to the tower.[6] A west wing was added in 1711 but was largely demolished in 1872 bySir Arthur Middleton when the remainder of the house was considerably altered.[7]
The castle was abandoned as a residence by the family in the early 19th century whenSir Charles Monck builtBelsay Hall close by.[8]
Belsay Hall is a 19th-century country mansion and a Grade Ilisted building.[8] The house was built between 1810 and 1817 forSir Charles Monck (then ofBelsay Castle close by). Sir Charles himself was the designer of the building. It is a notable early classical building. The house measures 100 feet (30 m) square with a lower kitchen wing attached to the north side. It is in two storeys.[8] The hall was the residence of theMiddleton family until 1962.[citation needed]
Belsay Castle and Belsay Hall are administered byEnglish Heritage and are open the public.[9]
15th-centuryBitchfield Tower and Shortflatt Tower are in the parish.
Aruna Ratanagiri, aBuddhist monastery of theThai Forest Tradition, lies on a hilltop 3 miles (4.8 km) to the north-west of Belsay, in the hamlet of Harnham.
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