Belsay Hall & Castle - A Springtime Garden Walk

Steve is usually at home for 2 days during the week and whilst the kids are at school we like to try and make the most of it and venture out on a little jaunt together. Now that the weather is warming up, we are planning weekly walks to places we love or are on our list of places to visit. First up was Belsay Hall and Castle. I love visiting Belsay and as English Heritage Members we aren't charged to enter the property and gardens.

A walk past Belsay Hall through the Quarry Gardens, to the top of the Castle and back through the woods is around 1.7 miles. It's a nice and easy walk through some absolutely stunning gardens. I was so pleased we didn't have the kids with us and I could take a few snaps of the beautiful scenery without a child demanding my attention.

We didn't look inside Belsay Hall today but would highly recommend it if this is your first visit. Although unfurnished you can really feel how grand the rooms are.

We had SEVERE garden envy walking amongst the plants and flowers. There are plenty of places to sit and simply enjoy your surroundings too.

Walking through the Quarry gardens you feel as if you have been transported back to the Jurassic age. Everything is so ancient and imposing. It's really interesting. Dogs are welcome too as long as they are kept on leads.

That first glimpse of Belsay Castle as you leave the gardens really is special:-

We had packed a picnic and enjoyed it on the Picnic tables amongst the last of the daffodils behind the Castle. The peace and quiet was heaven and our only company was a small Finch who insisted on singing us a song :-)

After lunch we decided to climb to the Castle roof. There are plenty of warnings about uneven steps and they aren't wrong. Those who know me will know I'm not the steadiest on my feet so I was holding onto the rail for dear life as I climbed to the top. I am probably being a little melodramatic here mind as there were plenty of pensioners making the climb without batting an eyelid.

The views of the surrounding countryside 100% made up for the climb. Stunning!

We managed to spot the cutest little lambs following their mum around (like the lost little sheep they are). They were so sweet!

We climbed back down the `Castle stairs and then ventured back through the woods and found a lovely garden bench where this was our view for 10 minutes.....

Then of course we had to take a look at the plant sale near reception before heading home.

Belsay Hall is such a beautiful place to spend an hour or so with your loved one. They are open every day from 10am-6pm in the summer months. It's not just for grown ups to enjoy though and we have previously enjoyed a trip with the kids over Easter and LOVED their Knight's tournament in 2014.