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Belsay has something for everyone. A fine medieval castle; the imposing Greek Revival villa; and the outstanding, plant-rich gardens linking the two buildings. It was created by the Middleton family over seven centuries. First came the castle, still dominated by its massive 14thC ‘pele tower’, one of the best surviving examples in England. A column-entranced mansion wing was added to the castle in 1614, providing a home for the family until Christmas Day 1817, when they moved to Belsay Hall. Belsay Hall is an austerely classical Greek Revival villa arranged around the amazing central two-storey ‘Pillar Hall’. Begun in 1807, it was designed by Sir Charles Monck, a man inspired by the buildings he had seen on his honeymoon in Athens. The vast gardens were also influenced by Monck’s travels, with the rugged and romantic Quarry Garden inspired by the ravines, pinnacles and sheer rock faces of Sicily.