Belsay Hall is a huge favourite of mine and I have been taking my children there since they were toddlers. It has everything – a huge mansion house, a castle and beautiful gardens and woodland which makes it perfect in all weathers. On a great day like today, everything can be enjoyed and explored and on rainy days the empty but spacious house can be used for a picnic, for games and for hide and seek – I have been known to turn up with food, colouring in books and games to entertain my girls in torrential rain!
The Hall
Belsay Hall is an amazing space and visitors get to explore the cellars, the living rooms and the bedrooms and, because they are empty, toddlers and excited children can’t do any harm. There is so much character in the house that you could imagine living there during its grander days.
The Gardens and The Castle
The empty castle is also a great space to explore with its winding stair case to the many rooms and to the roof. Younger children will need more supervision but it is perfect for them.
The Gardens provides magical pathways, rockfaces and, what we refer to as the dinosaur leaves.
With plenty of space for a picnic, Belsay is a great family day out and during the holidays there is often activities for the children as well.
The paths in the gardens are pram friendly but pack a sling as well so you can explore the castle and the house.
Belsay Hall is an English Heritage property
