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Bellister Castle

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

Bellister Castle is not one, but several fortifications located on the south bank of the River Tyne, across from the town of Haltwhistle. The first castle was built on the motte and bailey plan in the late 11th century. Of this, little remains beyond the earthworks and the tall mound of the motte. A second castle, or, more properly, a hall house, was built atop the mound in the 13th or 14th century. Some time later a tower was added to the stone castle, and still later, 16th and 17th century additions helped produce the structure we can see today.

Parts of the castle were rebuilt in the Victorian period, and again, in the 20th century.

According to legend, Bellister is home to the ghost of a murdered minstrel, known as the Grey Man of Bellister. The minstrel was reputedly savagely killed by the hunting dogs of the Lord of Bellister, and today he wanders the castle grounds. In the grounds is an old sycamore known as The Hanging Tree, where, during the Civil War, royalist cavaliers are reputed to have hung defeated Parliamentary troops.

The castle is owned by the National Trust, but the Trust, for reasons best known to themselves, have never opened it to the public. It is let to a tenant, but the exterior of the castle can easily be viewed from the surrounding properties.
Featherstone, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, England, TD12 4TJ

About Bellister Castle
Attraction Type: Castle
Location: Off Bellister Road and the A69 at Haltwhistle
National Trust
Location map
OS NY701629
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Blenkinsop Castle - 2.4 miles (Castle) Cawfields Roman Wall (Hadrian's Wall) - 2.5 miles (Roman) Walltown Crags Roman Wall (Hadrian's Wall) - 2.7 miles (Roman) Thirlwall Castle - 3.2 miles (Castle) Winshields Roman Wall (Hadrian's Wall) - 4.3 miles (Roman) Vindolanda Roman Fort - 4.5 miles (Roman) Poltross Burn Milecastle (Hadrian's Wall) - 4.6 miles (Roman) Willowford (Hadrian's Wall) - 5.1 miles (Roman)

Nearest Towns and Villages Haltwhistle - 2.1 miles away Haydon Bridge - 9.3 miles away Bewcastle - 11.2 miles away Wall - 13.6 miles away Chollerford - 14.5 miles away Hexham - 14.6 miles away Kirkoswald - 16.2 miles away Corbridge - 17.9 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to Bellister Castle

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Braemar - 8.9 miles from Bellister Castle Haydon Bridge, Northumberland Sleeps: 5 Stay from: £200

Gate House - 9.7 miles from Bellister Castle Allendale Town, Northumberland Sleeps: 4 Stay from: £164

Cottage No 6 - 10 miles from Bellister Castle Talkin, Cumbria Sleeps: 2 Stay from: £168

More Self Catering near Bellister Castle

Nearest Hotels

Mill Hill Farmhouse - 2 miles from Bellister Castle Haltwhistle, Northumberland Stay from: £0.00

Yew Tree Chapel - 6.7 miles from Bellister Castle Brampton, Cumbria Stay from: £70.00

Langley Castle Hotel - 8.3 miles from Bellister Castle Haydon Bridge, Northumberland Stay from: £155.00

More Hotels near Bellister Castle

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Wydon Farm B&B - 0.7 miles from Bellister Castle Haltwhistle, Northumberland From: £104.00

Manor House Inn - 0.8 miles from Bellister Castle Haltwhistle, Northumberland From: £30.00

Chare Close B&B - 1 miles from Bellister Castle Haltwhistle, Northumberland From: £55.00

More bed and breakfasts near Bellister Castle

Haltwhistle
Tourist Information Centre
Railway Station
Station Road
Haltwhistle
Northumberland
England
NE49 0HN
Tel: 01434 322002
Fax: 01434 322470
Email: haltwhistletic@btconnect.com
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