Bellister Castle

Bellister Castle is a National Trust owned castellated 19th-century mansion house attached to the ruinous remains of a 14th-century tower house, near Haltwhistle, Northumberland, England. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade I listed building. The house is leased as a private residence and not open to the public.

1. History

The property stands on a mound which may have been the motte of an early motte and bailey castle. A moated hall house may have existed on the site in the 13th century and a substantial tower was added to the western end in the 14th century. A survey of 1541 records a tower house occupied by Blenkinsop (of the family of nearby Blenkinsop Castle) in a 'measurable good' state of repair. The Blenkinsop family sold their estates including Bellister in 1697 and the castle was thereafter held by several different owners. In about 1699 the property was enlarged into a three-storey castellated house. A substantial rebuild by architect John Dobson in 1826 created an imposing castellated east front and further alterations took place in 1890 and in 1905 following serious fire damage in 1901. The older parts of the property were allowed to fall into decay and remain ruinous. The National Trust was gifted the property in 1976. The property is not open to the public but can be seen from public footpaths in the adjacent woods.

1. See also

Hadrian's Wall

1. References

Structures of the North East A History of Northumberland (1840) John Hodgson Pt 2 Vol 3 pp 344–6

Nearby Places View Menu

Tipalt Burn

Tipalt Burn is a burn which lies to the east of Greenhead, Northumberland. The burn passes several historical sites such as Thirlwall Castle and discharges into the River South Tyne near the village of Haltwhistle. The burn is about 10 miles (16 km) in length and is located close to the north end of the Pennine Way.

Hiking Historic Site

Haltwhistle railway station

Haltwhistle is a railway station on the Tyne Valley Line, which runs between Newcastle and Carlisle via Hexham. The station, situated 22 miles 66 chains (22.8 mi; 36.7 km) east of Carlisle, serves the market town of Haltwhistle in Northumberland, England. It is owned by Network Rail and managed by Northern Trains.

Train

Haltwhistle War Memorial Hospital

Haltwhistle War Memorial Hospital is a health facility at Greencroft Park, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, England. It is managed by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The war memorial itself, which stands in front of the hospital, is a Grade II listed structure.

Hospital Landmark

1.1 km

Burnfoot River Shingle and Wydon Nabb

Burnfoot River Shingle and Wydon Nabb is the name given to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Northumberland, North East England. Burnfoot River Shingle is a calaminarian grassland on the River South Tyne where the local flora is influenced by high levels of naturally occurring heavy metals. Wydon Nabb is an escarpment displaying the Haltwhistle Dyke, a magmatic intrusion of igneous dolerite set amidst sedimentary sandstone and shale. This protected area is owned by the National Trust, as part of its Bellister Castle estate.

Hiking Landmark