Understand
Belsay Hall invites visitors to lie on the floor to view its historic ceiling
Overview
English Heritage has installed cushions at the 210-year-old Belsay Hall in Northumberland to encourage visitors to lie on the floor and view its pillar hall ceiling. Designed by Sir Charles Monck and built between 1811 and 1817, the Greek-inspired hall features a glass-roofed courtyard with columns, offering visitors a unique architectural perspective that some have likened to stargazing.
Key points
- Belsay Hall has temporarily installed cushions allowing visitors to lie down and look up at its ceiling.
- The 210-year-old Greek-inspired building was constructed between 1811 and 1817 by designer Sir Charles Monck.
- The pillar hall features a glass roof over a Mediterranean-style courtyard to protect against Northumberland weather.
- English Heritage manages the site and is encouraging similar perspectives at other locations, though Belsay's stark architectural style is unique.
- Visitors have described the experience of looking up at the columns and ceiling from the floor as similar to stargazing.