A PROJECT is underway at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens.

Belsay Awakes is a project by English Heritage, partly funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and through smaller charitable donations.

Cheryl Moore, National Project Manager of English Heritage, said the project is intended to revive the site.

Major construction works are underway, including converting the derelict Coach House building into a new cafe.

Hexham Courant: CONSTRUCTION: The Coach House at Belsay. Image: English HeritageCONSTRUCTION: The Coach House at Belsay. Image: English Heritage

Cheryl said: "A trip to Belsay has become a bit predictable, but there's so much more on site to see and do.

"We want to unleash its potential and encourage families and children to visit, so we're making a new play area, cafe and family friendly walking trails."

The Coach House was deemed unstable as three out of the four walls were collapsing.

It's hoped renovations will draw more people to that part of the site, with more to see and do with the Castle, new play area and cafe.

Hexham Courant: ARCHIVE: A photograph of the Coach House before English Heritage took over the site. Image: English Heritage ArchivesARCHIVE: A photograph of the Coach House before English Heritage took over the site. Image: English Heritage Archives

"It will be family friendly and fully accessible for buggies and wheelchairs, the interior design will be inspired by the outdoors, but will retain original features such as the old fireplaces," Cheryl explained.

"We work based on customer feedback, and our current cafe gets very busy, noisy and it's not very accessible even though it has charm and character."

"We wanted to create something more built for purpose and user friendly, and offer a second catering outlet at the other end of the site.

"It's a long walk through the garden, and it's a long way back to get a cup of tea."

Hexham Courant: COMPLETE: An artist's impression of what the new cafe should look like once complete. Image: Simon Grundy, Interior DesignerCOMPLETE: An artist's impression of what the new cafe should look like once complete. Image: Simon Grundy, Interior Designer

The cafe will also introduce green energy, in a first both for English Heritage and for Belsay Hall, with solar panels on the Coach House's roof.

A new play area will be constructed behind the Coach House.

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Once woodland, the area has been mostly cleared save some protected trees, and provided timber and materials for the play area.

Historic Properties Restoration are the main constructor working on the cafe.

Hexham Courant: BUILD: Digging trenches about one metre apart along the length of the building. Image: English HeritageBUILD: Digging trenches about one metre apart along the length of the building. Image: English Heritage

Play equipment will reflect the landscape, and the folk legend of Belsay Hall's 'Wild Man' will be added in through themed lookout pods and climbing frames.

Outdoor seating will be available for parents to keep an eye on the play area.

The construction eventually started in March 2022 after being postponed due to the pandemic and lockdown.

It's hoped the cafe will be complete by spring 2023.