Overview
- The early 18th-century hall stands near Seaton Sluice on the Northumberland coast and is open to visitors under National Trust care.
- Construction concluded in 1728 after both architect Sir John Vanbrugh and patron Admiral George Delaval had died.
- A catastrophic fire in 1822 destroyed the central block, and an 1860s reroof left much of the interior as a shell that defines today’s presentation.
- The Delaval family, known as the “Gay Delavals,” built a reputation for flamboyant Georgian parties featuring theatrical performances and bold pranks.
- Public visits began by 1950, with Lord Hastings credited for key restoration efforts, and TripAdvisor reviewers now praise the architecture and distinctive partial-ruin character.