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Make and Mend at Belsay Hall
DATE
Mon 15 Sep - Mon 3 Nov 2025
TIME10am - 5pm
LOCATION
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
SUITABLE FORAdults
This autumn, Belsay Hall's library hosts a number of creatives from the Northumbria University Schools of Design and Architecture in a pop up studio.
See the development of creative projects across a range of media including textiles, furniture, photography and architectural studies. All works will draw inspiration from the Hall, exploring making traditions linked to the site, while showcasing contemporary techniques and approaches.
Belsay Hall has always inspired creativity and craft skill, and its creation was a catalyst for creative skills in the North East. The library was used as a workshop during the building of the Hall, so it’s a natural fit for a studio. Make & Mend will bring creating back to the Hall, and inspire new generations of budding creatives.
The finished products will go on display in early 2026. There will also be a number of hands-on workshops for visitors, details will be announced soon.
Creative projects include:
- A collection of homeware and lighting that explore contemporary uses of scagliola (plaster-based imitation stone, as used at Belsay Hall)
- Camouflage fabrics that draw on the colours and foliage found on the estate. The project links to how the house was occupied by the army during the Second World War
- A photographic study that explores the in-between spaces not often seen by visitors, such as landings and corridors
- Large format photography that documents the layers of decay, repair and patina found in the Hall
- A new typeface alphabet based on examples of graffiti left by soldiers based at Belsay during the Second World War
Explore a range of hands-on workshops for visitors below. The workshops are included with your site admission which you can book via the red button below, but booking is essntial. To book your place for the workshops, please email belsay.hall@english-heritage.org.uk
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Building Belsay - Puzzle Prototyping at Belsay Hall
Wed 8 Oct 2025 Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens -
Architects’ Talk at Belsay Hall - Making Space Work Harder
Fri 10 Oct 2025 Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens -
Patterns of Repair: Motif-Making from Place Workshop at Belsay Hall
Wed 15 Oct 2025 Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens -
Recrafting: Material Reuse Workshop at Belsay Hall
Wed 15 Oct 2025 Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens -
Scagliola Workshop at Belsay Hall
Fri 17 Oct 2025 Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens -
Taking Measures Physical Workshop with Sebastian Messer at Belsay Hall
Sat 18 Oct 2025 Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens -
Spatial Stitching Workshop at Belsay Hall
Thu 21 Oct 2025 Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens -
Building Belsay - Making with Minecraft
Wed 22 Oct 2025 Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens -
Second World War Graffiti Workshop at Belsay Hall
Thu 23 Oct 2025 Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Prices
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| English Heritage members | Free |
How to book
Click the ‘Book your visit to Belsay Hall' button above and select the date you want to visit during the event period. Please bring your booking confirmation with you on the day. If you’re a member, you’ll also need to bring your membership card. You can only use the member rate for people included in your membership.
How to find us
Property:
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Address:
Belsay, Nr Morpeth, NE20 0DX. Follow the brown signs. Sat Nav: NE20 0DU
Location:
Nr Morpeth, Northumberland, North East