Sarah's continuing world tour of Northumberland
Well I must need my head read trying this today but my mum and dad had a voucher to admit two for free at Belsay Hall and Gardens. The woman on the counter must have took a shine to me as she let me in for free (£16.00 saved!) it pays to be chatty!
I was very disapointed with the place though. This used to be one of the premier country gardens to visit but now, the plants are mostly low maintenance shrubs, there was a distict lack of colour (except for the Rhododenrons and Azaleas) and they've turned the place into one gigantic family fun centre. There were hordes of people, nearly everyone had a dog and most were just families with kids running amok. There was nothing peaceful about it and I had a mini meltdown with the noise.
Anyway I did take some pics but they're total rubbish, I suppose it might be interesting to some of you. There is a main hall which is done in the Greek Revival stlye, I'm not a fan personally, I think it looks very uninteresting. There is (or was) a very nice quarry garden but they don't look like they are looking after it now.
Further into the estate there is the ruin of the old hall and castle. The castle was built in 1370 and then they built a more modern mansion extension bolted onto it in 1614. Both are ruins but the castle still has it's roof and you can go inside and onto the roof which does give great views, but all I could hear was the deafening screech of wild children echoing from within so tough, not going in!
Belsay Croquet Club was setting up for their Saturday games in one of the pictures but I was to early to watch a game (see last pic). Not a bad place to play really. Croquet is a great game if you ever get the chance to play.
Anyway. I'm not sure I'm ever going to go back there. I didn't leave with fond memories. Maybe it was becasue it was a Saturday.
