If there’s anything in life that gives me a kick, it’s a rhododendron! Find me a quarry full of rhododendrons and perhaps you can imagine the effect. So I was very happy to make a return visit to Belsay Hall in Northumberland, a week or two ago.
Managed by English Heritage, the Belsay estate dates back to 1270, when it was first bought by the Middleton family. Heritage on the grand scale, it comprises a medieval castle and a Greek Revival mansion from the 19th century, linked by some truly wonderful gardens.
As you can see, it’s not only rhododendrons vying for first place in this beauty contest. Bypassing the more than stately hall, I cannot wait to feast my eyes. Frilled tulips and those with plainer frocks, delicate iris, and a shy magnolia are just some of the blooms that greet me. The grounds are the very essence of grandeur. There’s even a croquet lawn, for that most refined of pastimes.
Tree heather lures me on and I find myself shoulder to shoulder with these beauties. Don’t they just sing with colour?
Even looking at them in photographs, I am mesmerised. But this is only a beginning. Next, the quarry, with its magical patterns of light and shade.
The colours are rich and mellow, and the quarry towers above you. It’s like a fairy glen, scaled up for a friendly giant.
Are you speechless yet? I don’t know where I’ve ever seen a better display. The castle is close by, approached through a bluebell wood.
In this serene and pastoral setting it’s hard to credit that a family would need a castle for protection. When it was constructed, in the 14th century, conflict and border disputes were commonplace between England and Scotland. The castle has one of the best preserved examples of a pele tower- built by rich families in this area in the Middle Ages for self defence.
From past experience, castles make a good subject for Paulas’s After and Before in Black and White Sunday. What do you think?
The Middleton family lived in the castle, with modifications, until the completion of their mansion, at Christmas, 1817. Inspired by a honeymoon in Greece, Belsay Hall was built with rock carved from their own quarry. Let’s stroll back round there now, past the lake and the grazing sheep. I try to get a close up of a cluster of cygnets, but they’re too far away to be more than a splash.
There was an exhibition of quilts taking place inside the hall, but I’ll save that for another day. Let’s adjourn to the tea rooms.
Directions on getting to Belsay are on their website. I hope you enjoyed our visit. Many thanks for your support and the wonderful contributions I have received again this week. Details of how to join in are always on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Let’s settle in for a good read:
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Almost missed Eunice last week, so she’s starting us off today :
Can there be anywhere lovelier for a dawdle? Thanks, Drake!
Budapest has a lot to recommend it too, as Anabel can show you :
Budapest: Margaret Island and Obuda
Jackie gets up to some strange things, doesn’t she?
Geoff, Dog and a lighthouse- I’m happy!
Ann Christine takes us back to terrible times in Irish history, but with a happy ending :
A whole heap of lovely photos from Lady Lee :
Thursday’s Special: Traces of the Past
If ever you’re needing a beautiful view, or three, tap Debbie on the shoulder. She’ll have them :
Becky uses that eagle eye of hers to good effect in the Algarve :
The Military Stairs of Alcoutim
That lass Jude knows how to make me smile. A splash or two of azalea in a National Trust garden:
Garden Portrait: Coleton Fishacre
SO excited to be sharing this from Madhu! A small part of her beautiful Indian heritage :
Kashmir – Afoot in Shehr-e-Khas
How would I describe Gabe? Warm and whimsical, I suppose. Go and see for yourself :
So lucky and privileged this week! Another wonderful share from Paula. Don’t forget to listen too!
What do you know of Peru? Not much? An interesting read here from Jill :
And, much closer to home, Carol finds me some stone circles :
That’s it for another week. All gems! Hope you enjoy your long weekend (if you’re having one). Take good care!
restlessjo 
Jo your photos are brilliant!
LikeLike
It’s such a beautiful place, Gilly. Hard to take a bad photo. 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin.
LikeLike
What a gorgeous place and I like your colourful set of photos! Bye. Kamila
LikeLike
It’s very grand Kamila and the quarry is gorgeous xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right! It is like a “fairy glen”. Wishing you happy weekend, Jo! 😃
LikeLike
The quarry is such a beautiful place. I’m so glad you like it. 🙂 Enjoy your weekend too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sending you some good company 😀 http://wp.me/p2ij8U-4Gh
LikeLike
Thank you very much! 🙂 🙂 I was just walking with Meg but I’ll change direction.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀 listen to the song too.
LikeLike
I did! Almost sang along to the chorus 🙂 🙂 Thank you!
LikeLike
It’s interesting to hear Venetian dialect which is very different from standard Italian.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jo, you do have such a lovely time don’t you! I’d be in heaven amongst all those rhododendrons – the colours are gorgeous. And a castle to boot!
LikeLike
I have some pretty good days, Suze. 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a restful walk, but that’s only because I sat on my couch the entire time! It appears you started out with mist and ended up in sunshine. So perfect 🙂
LikeLike
It was a hazy English day and I was in heaven, Susan. 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What totally blissful blooms, and a fascinating location . You’ve done us proud, but then you always do. Am a bit fed up that I’m lagging behind, taking your Monday walk on Thursday. Slow coach me!
LikeLike
Ah, but you do useful things in your garden and allotment. I’m just Jo Slouch 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jo, I was hooked at ‘a quarry full of rhododendrons’! Fairy glen is a perfect description and I wouldn’t want to leave this place – pure natural magic and the blooms are delightful. It’s interesting with the After and Before photos…the hall looks more imposing and sinister in the B/W shots; more genteel and approachable in colour! Thank you for sharing your day out, its garden and history and I look forward to reading more about the quilt exhibition later! 😀
LikeLike
Hi Annika 🙂 I seem to have had my share of dramatic settings this year, and I’m sure you’d love this one. A quick look at the quilts on Saturday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Astounding photographs of nature and blossoms..
LikeLike
Thank you very much. It’s a beautiful place 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
You know I enjoy each and everyone of your walks but this one is a real stunner. It doesn’t get much better than this Jo. 😀
LikeLike
Heck, Karen! What will I do next week? 🙂 🙂 Seriously- thank you very much. I thoroughly enjoyed being there and then sharing it with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing photos of nature and flowers^^
LikeLike
Thank you very much! 🙂 It’s a beautiful place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very impressive, Jo! You beautiful images remind me the first time I saw rhododendrons in Europe, it was at Verona. I was stunned…
Gorgeous captures. 🙂
LikeLike
It’s fabulous being surrounded by them, Amy, and the estate is beautiful. 🙂 Thanks, darlin!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those flowers are amazing, Jo. And they certainly do “sing with colour”! xxx
LikeLike
I enjoyed them so much, Dianne! I was like a kid in a sweet shop. 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Wow what an incredible display of flowers Jo! I LOVE LOVE LOVE flowers so I would have definitely been speechless and snapping away. What a beautiful place!
LikeLike
It is pretty amazing Nicole. I never saw it look better xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would be very happy to accompany you through this garden. Lots of lovely blooms and I really like the colour of that iris. Been a bit cloudy down here recently though I did manage a couple of beach visits with the granddaughters. Still not feeling good though, nauseous, dizzy and kidney pain. Sigh… and totally cannot be bothered to write any blogs. But I will try and visit some – I have been rather neglectful lately.
LikeLike
I was wondering today if you were ok. I knew you had company at the weekend but I thought they’d be gone by now, and you usually schedule when you know you’ll be busy. Sounds like you need to visit the quack’s, Jude. Not much Summer here this week but I’ve got the French to keep an eye on. Tsonga engaged in a late session right now. Sending gentle hugs 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jo. I am definitely out of sorts, but hate going to the Dr. I’ll give it until after the weekend and if I still feel bad I shall make an appointment. Hate feeling so lethargic…
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a joyous celebration of summer Jo. The medieval stones are an added bonus. And tea too 🙂 Thank you for the link back.
LikeLike
You’re very welcome, hon. 🙂 I never saw the place looking better.
LikeLike
what a gorgeous place, Jo! the flowers are exquisite, truly a feast to the eyes! thank you for a lovely tour! such a wonderful treat 🙂
LikeLike
We had a wonderful day there, LolaWi, and I’ve never seen it look more lovely. 🙂 🙂
LikeLike