Belsay

Unusually for a property that isn't a ruin, this is English Heritage rather than National Trust.  Originally there was a Castle, but a Hall was built later and the Castle has fallen into ruins.  We didn't get as far as that.  In fact it was such a lovely day - and really hot - that we just explored the gardens.  There's a ha ha surrounding the Hall, and still keeping out the hordes of marauding sheep, with a lovely rhododendron garden beyond (which we didn't get to).  There's a quarry where the stone for the Hall - and/or Castle - came from; we walked through this then turned back.  And some nice formal terraces - not extensive but beautifully kept.

There's enough here to keep us interested for the next couple of years as well!  Planning on stopping here on the way north with Sarah on Monday, see how much more we can see then.