IHBC North  Branch: The Rejuvenation and Safeguarding of a National Treasure

The Belsay Awakes Project

Join IHBC North Branch for a training day with a difference!

Thursday 6^TH November  2025

VENUE: Belsay Hall, Belsay, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE20 0DX

Please join us for IHBC North Branch’s Autumn CPD event, hosted by English Heritage at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, focusing on the Belsay Awakes project, a £9m renovation, rejuvenation and safeguarding initiative, completed in 2023.

This significant conservation initiative has revitalised the historic estate and gardens of Belsay Hall in Northumberland. It involved major conservation work to the Hall and its roof, the introduction of new visitor and education facilities including the Wild Man Play Area, the adaptive reuse of the Coach House as a café, rejuvenation of the gardens with over 80,000 new plants and the enhancement of accessibility and community involvement. Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project has created a more inclusive and adventurous experience for visitors.

The day will enable participants to experience first-hand the Charity’s challenges and successful efforts to preserve and enhance Belsay’s heritage for future generations.

Please bring outdoor clothing and footwear appropriate for walking tours of the project.

CONTENT:

Listed Buildings / Accessibility / Landscape / Building Fabric / Funding / Community engagement

KEY COMPETENCIES:

Philosophy and Practice / Legislation and Policy / Design and Technology

PROGRAMME:

09:30 Registration and coffee

10:00 IHBC Introduction

10:10 Melanie Hills, English Heritage

11:10 Bryony Roff, Spence and Dower / Xsite

12:10 Lunch

13:10 Leon Walsh, Historic England

14:00 Close

PRICE:

IHBC Members: £35

Non-members: £45

IHBC Students/Unwaged/Retired £0Includes lunch and refreshments

BOOKING;

Please book early to avoid disappointment.

For bookings please contact : michael@atkinsonarchitecture.co.uk

Please provide your IHBC membership No. (if applicable) and any dietary requirements.

SPEAKERS

 Melanie Hills, Projects Engagement Manager, English Heritage, Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens. Melanie has worked at Belsay since 2019 and played a key role in the Belsay Awakes project. She will be our host for the day.

Bryony Roff, Project Architect and Head of Conservation at Spence and Dower / Xsite. Bryony and her team were integral to the project. A particular challenge Bryony will address is how access for all was integrated successfully into this highly sensitive environment.

Leon Walsh, Head of Engineering at Historic England, delivers structural inspection, monitoring and design services for the English Heritage Trust. He has over twenty years’ experience as a Structural Engineer specialising in historic buildings within the private and public sector and will talk us through the fabric challenges presented by the project.

GETTING THERE

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE20 0DX    

By Car: Belsay Hall is located 14miles north-west of Newcastle Upon Tyne (approx. 25mins by car via the A696). It is well signed from Belsay village.

By Bus: Sadly, the excellent free X75 service from Newcastle to Belsay only runs 19th April-25th Sept. Other route options may be available at: https://travelinenortheast.info/plan-a-journey/

Parking is available within the walled garden at Belsay Hall: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/plan-your-visit/facilities/

For more information on Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens/