In search of the crystal horse (Belsay Hall & Gardens)

Member Name: juicy_lucy

Product:	Belsay Hall & Gardens
Date:	04/11/09 (70 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great day out

Disadvantages: None

Belsay Hall

We have had quite good weather for the time of year and with our English heritage card in tow, we decided it was time to have a look round Belsay Hall and gardens. There is plenty to do at the site, and we had a thoroughly enjoyable day, since there wasn't just a castle to see, but it was a whole morning of walks sights and activities. The hall is situated in Northumberland.

**The Gardens... **

The gardens are set in thirty acres of picturesque landscaping. Just outside the hall are the terraced gardens with the fairy trail. Little Miss enjoyed looking for the fairies set in plant pots and writing their names on the sheet she was given at reception, and we weren't allowed to leave the gardens till we had found all 8! Through a gate is the Quarry Garden with ravines, and sheer rock faces inspired by the quarries of Sicily. Rock from the quarry was used to build the Regency Hall. This garden is lovely to walk through and especially in autumn because of the different coloured leaves. The garden also has clues to the crystal horse, and as we walked through, we could hear hoof beats, neighing, and found horse shoes hidden beneath the trees- a truly enjoyable walk.

**The Castle...**

After a walk through the quarry garden, is the castle, which was the original home of the Middleton family, which was built in the 14th century. When we first entered the castle, this was clearly the earliest part of the building as there are walls but no ceilings, although it's still got an old range in one of the walls. Walk through the ruins and we come to a later addition to the castle, the hall. This has ceilings and has had some restoration work done. The first-floor great chamber still has traces of medieval wall-paintings, and there are little nooks and crannies to explore, but watch your head as some bits are really low. Climb up a narrow spiral stair case to the Great Hall and we come to Stella McCartney's Lucky Spot, the crystal horse! The stair case isn't suitable for people with impaired mobility, but it is visually accessible to all visitors because there is a touch activated screen on the ground floor. The crystal horse is very magical suspended as it is in the centre of the hall, and whilst there is a low kind of fence round it, it is easy to get close enough to have a really good look at it.. Another climb up a winding stone stair case takes you to the top of the castle. Where we were able to walk around the edges and had great views of the countryside.

**The Hall... **

Belsay Hall, is a Classical Greek Revival villa, centred around the central two-storey 'Pillar Hall' and it is into this house that the Middleton family moved from the castle on Christmas Day 1817. The house has been treated for dry rot, and visitors are free to wander around the rooms, some of which still have the original wallpaper. There are some small information boards explaining what the rooms were used for, and it was interesting to see how the family used their rooms. There was also evidence of the destruction caused by the dry rot with fireplaces seemingly suspended in the upper storey walls where the floors have been destroyed.

**The tearoom...**

The tearooms are situated inside the original Victorian kitchens where homemade cakes and sandwiches, quiches and light snacks can be bought and eaten indoors or out.

**Opening Times...**:

1 Apr-30 Sep 10am-5pm All week
1 Oct-1 Nov 10am-4pm All week
2 Nov-31 Mar 10am-4pm Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
24-26 Dec and 1 Jan Closed

**How much does it cost?...**

Adult: £6.50
Children: £3.30
Concession: £5.50
Family Ticket: £16.30

**Verdict...**

We arrived at opening time and spent three very enjoyable hours here. The walks are gentle and scenic with plenty along the way to keep children amused and interested. Little Miss especially enjoyed the crystal horse trail which really made her want to find the crystal horse. It was quite eerie walking through the Quarry gardens and hearing the horses hooves galloping along behind us but once used to it, it was ok! The hall itself was, I think, shown to best advantage without furnishings because we really got a feel for the size of the rooms, and it was interesting to be able to actually touch things and see things such as the wooden shutters at every window, which all still opened and closed. The castle was about a 15 minute walk from the hall and well worth it, especially with the horse.

A really interesting day out and one which I would recommend.

Thanks for reading.

Daniela x

Summary: Day out