[2] It was built to supersede Belsay Castle and its adjoining earlier hall just a few hundred yards away, and is part of the same estate.

[3] The house was built between 1810 and 1817 for Sir Charles Monck (then of Belsay Castle close by) to his own design, possibly assisted by architect John Dobson.

Externally the house appears to have two stories, although there is an additional storey hidden within the roof space to provide servant accommodation.

The entire Belsay Hall house is unfurnished and maintained in a condition of benign decay, with only necessary structural maintenance undertaken.

[5] In 2023 English Heritage completed a two-year conservation project has included a new roof for the hall and substantial work on the gardens.