Structure Name: Bellister Castle

Description:
 

Ruined, thirteenth or fourteenth century, fortified hall house (possibly a bastle) with a later tower added to its west end. Originally the castle was defended by a moat which can be still be traced on all sides bar the southeast. Built into the ruins is a house which, although containing a datestone of 1669, is mostly post 1827.
 

Extant: Yes

Legal Status: Listed Building Grade I, Scheduled Ancient Monument

Location: Bellister Castle, NORTHUMBERLAND

Eastings: 370060m (view map)

Northings: 562970m (view map)

Position Accuracy: 50m

Positional Confidence: Absolute Certainty

Street Address
 

Bellister Road
 

Structure Types Identified: BASTLE, CASTLE, HALL HOUSE, MOAT

Historical Background
 

The mound on which Bellister Castle stands is possibly the remains of an eleventh or twelfth century motte.
 

Chronology:

• 13TH CENTURY AD   Construction of hall house.
• 14TH CENTURY AD   Addition of (possibly solar) tower to west end of hall house.
• 1600   House and tower altered.
• 1669   House rebuilt incorporating mediaeval stone in lower courses.
• 1699   Bastle modernised into 3 storey house.
• 1827   Damage from a fire led to the rebuilding of the south eastern part of the house by John Dobson.
      Entities Involved:
            Dobson, John: Alterations to Bellister Castle.
• 1890   Further alterations by John Dobson.
      Entities Involved:
            Dobson, John: Further alterations to Bellister Castle.
• 1901 - 1905   Following the fire of 1901 the entrance block was heightened from two to three storeys and a semi-octagonal stair tower was built in the angle between the entrance block and Dobson's south east wing.

References:

• Images of England
• Keys To The Past
• Northumberland SMR
• Pevsner, N., Richmond, I., Grundy, J., McCombie, G., Ryder, P. and Welfare, H. (2001) The Buildings of England: Northumberland. London, Penguin Books, p.166

The information displayed in this page has been derived from authoritative sources, including any referenced above. Although substantial efforts were made to verify this information, the SINE project cannot guarantee its correctness or completeness.

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