National Trust Cragside, Northumberland

Posted on by Fee Hudson

The National Trust’s many properties are all beautifully maintained glimpses in to various eras of the past, but there are some that are just a bit more special than others and Cragside is one of them.

Partly it’s the fact it is set in the stunning countryside of Northumberland, with its own extensive grounds. But mainly it’s just such a unique house. From humble beginnings as a shooting lodge it has been expanded and modernised until it came to be the imposing building it is today with its archways and chimneys.

Built as a hunting lodge by William Armstrong in 1862, the engineer and inventor then decided to enlarge the property adding various mod cons. After Armstrongs death his heirs struggled to maintain the house and death duties and taxes led to the house and grounds being sold to the National Trust in 1977. It has been open to the public since 1979.

A photo of the outside of Cragside House with various gables and windows in different architecture styles.
The archway entrance to the stables at Cragside with a clock tower above the archway.
The carriage archway under Cragside house, a person wearing a blue jacket can be seen in the distance.

The House

The self guided route around the house reveals surprise after surprise. We started in the kitchens and pantry which is always my favourite part of an old house. Cragside is the original smart house with a hydroelectric rotisserie for the meat roasting by the fire and primitive versions of a dumb waiter and dishwasher.

A photo of the large kitchen table with bowls of fake food. The far side of the room has large windows and in the left corner there is the dumb waiter with the pulley system above it.
A large white Belfast sink with the dishwasher, a silver cupboard above it which is open showing plates on racks
A large wooden table with jars of marmalade and marmalade making equipment. behind are large glass fronted cupboards with crockery and jars of preserves.

The downstairs rooms are cosy and comfortable as well as having some spectacular furniture, fireplaces and architecture. Cragside was the first house to be lit with hydroelectricity and also the first domestic room in the world to be lit with Swan’s incandescent light bulbs.

A large round wooden dining table with 8 green leather seats around it. The table is separated in to segments which is slightly open showing how the table can be expended to make it bigger.
A large ornate stone fireplace. The mantle is inscribed with 'east or west hames best'. On top of the fireplace there are 4 blue and white vases and a carriage clock.
A view of one of the rooms. In the foreground there is an octagonal black table with 2 chairs, the table is spread with books. At the back of the room is a large marble fireplace with a red sofa facing it and various chairs, pictures and lamps.

We were told not to miss going down in to the cellars and were surprised to find a miniature Turkish bath in one the basements with a elegantly Delf tiled plunge bath, hot and cold rooms, a shower and flushing toilets. This area was installed in 1870 and the rooms were heated through metal grates in the floor that covered the pipe work heated by the boiler below.

A stone room with a large stone archway on the far wall. There is a camp bed with a striped blanket on the right of the rooms and a marble table and wooden chair on the left.
The empty plunge pool with blue and white floral tiles, next to the pool is a chair in front of a stone window.
A stone room with a wooden sun lounger with a grey cushion. White bath robes are hung on the wall behind the lounger.

Further exploration of the upstairs of the house takes you through bedrooms, dressing rooms and cedar lined rooms to keep the bugs away.

A bedroom with a double bed with iron bedstead and patchwork quilt, green floral wallpaper and a green carpet. The window has yellow curtains and a blind with is closed to keep the light dim.
A photo showing a bedroom with green and red floral wallpaper and a white dressing table with mirror. To the right the bed with a white iron bedstead and pink quilt and to the left is a orange armchair. the carpet is orange and has 2 rugs.
A photo of a wooden carved fireplace with green armchair to the left and an open wooden travelling trunk to the left. The wallpaper is green floral and the carpet is a blue and pink floral design.

In preparation for a royal visit from the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1884 all rooms were installed with hot and cold running water, central heating, electric light and servant call bells.

The final part of the house is a spectacular glass ceilinged gallery diplaying many works of art which leads you in to a drawing room with the biggest carved fireplace I have ever seen.

A photo of a gallery room with a wooden barrelled ceiling. The walls are painted terracotta and there is a terracotta floral runner on the floor. The walls are lined with large oil painting in gold frames.
A photo of a large stone archway with a window behind it. There is a large marble statue on a plinth in the middle of the window alcove. In the foreground there are 2 red armchairs.
A large room with a domed ceiling with glass panels. At the far end of the room is a huge, carved marble fireplace. The walls either side of the fireplace are painted dark red and the carpet is a red patterned design. There are various chairs and tables in the room in front of the fireplace.

The tour finishes with the billiard room, complete with heated seating area for visitors and Lord Armstrong’s laboratory.

The Grounds

The grounds include the formal garden and rock garden. The pump house and power house which hold the original hydroelectric machinery. There is a 6 mile carriage drive around the estate which can be done in your car and many walking trails. We didn’t have the time to explore the grounds on our visit but will definitely be back.

A view of one of the lakes surrounded by trees in the distance, in the foreground is a large rock and several picnic benches.
A view from one of the upstairs windows of a corner of the house with the iron bridge, trees and the rock garden in the background.
The rock garden with several trees and heathers.

Food

The main cafe is in the visitor centre and located in the old stables, seating is spread out over several rooms including the actual stable stalls which is a dog friendly area. The cafe serves traditional National Trust cakes, hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and light meals.

There is also The Still Room which is in the house courtyard that serves hot and cold drinks and a smaller selection of cakes and snacks and Croziers, near the play area, for refreshments on the go.

The cafe with wooden tables in front of a large black range stove with blue and white tiles.
A plate containing a fruit scone, a small tub of Rodda's clotted cream and a small jar of jam. Behind the plate is a small silver teapot and a small white milk jug.
A refrigerated cabinet from the cafe containing sandwiches, crisps and snacks.

Shop

The shop is located in the visitor centre and sells a wide range of National Trust goodies and books. They will also stamp National Trust passports.

Accessibility

The site is large and laid out on several levels so is not ideal for those with mobility issues. There are some disabled parking spots outside of the tea rooms and there is a mini bus that will take you to various spots around the estate.

Full access information can be found here.

Child friendly

There were two house trails when we visited. The first was to find a set of bugs hidden around the house, each was a typ[e of bug that can be found in old houses and can be dangerous for the preservation of the house and contents. Each bug was about a foot long so easy to spot and came with an explanation of what they damage or eat and how they protect against them. The second trail was a series of photos a small section of a nearby object for you to find. Pip enjoyed both and it kept her engaged. As usual the staff and volunteers around the building were great at telling stories and bringing the house to life. There are also Cragside Explorer bags available for under 5s.

Outside there is an adventure play area and labyrinth.

An automated brass dinner gong on the wall with green and red flower wallpaper.
A dressmakers dummy wearing a pink floral skirt and top.
A small wooden postbox with the wording VR Letter box on a silver panel on the top and a sign saying donations only please.

We visited in September 2023.

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