Cragside House and Garden

A vast 1860's stately home set in picturesque gardens, Cragside was home to inventor, Lord Armstrong, and was the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity.       

Lord Armstrong had spring water pumped into the house, allowing him to have hot and cold running water and central heating, as well as electricity. The house was so ahead of its time that royalty and nobility stayed there to witness the advancements that had been made. Today, it is still full of original gadgets and machinery, such as a hydraulic lift, fire alarms and a Turkish bath – all revolutionary in their day. The authentically furnished rooms give visitors an insight into life in a manor house during the 1800s.  

Lord Armstrong was also a master of landscaping, and Cragside is surrounded by Europe's largest rock garden. Due to the rugged nature of the land, this part of the estate is not suitable for wheelchairs or prams. The gardens are vast however, and there are plenty of lakesides and paths, a waterfall, children's adventure playground and a rhododendron maze to explore. The gardens also contain one of the oldest iron bridges in the UK. 

  

Accessibility

The house can be accessed by wheelchairs and prams on the ground floor only. Baby slings and carry-seats are available for loan however. Many areas of the estate are accessible by car or via the free shuttle bus, but as mentioned, the gardens surrounding the house are made up of rockeries, and therefore the ground is very uneven.

Nine car parks are spread around the site, which makes exploring the estate much easier. Cragside is fifteen miles North-West of Morpeth, and is easily accessible by car. Buses run from the nearest city, which is Newcastle upon Tyne. 

Facilities

There is a cafe and gift shop at the house. The Visitors Centre is useful for finding information on the various events and places to see in the estate, and it also sells plants that can be found in Cragside's gardens. Disabled toilets and baby change facilities are available.

To make the most of a visit to Cragside, avoid a rainy day as this makes exploring the gardens difficult and in parts, dangerous. If it is necessary to bring a wheelchair or pram, it is advisable to ring ahead so that provisions can be made, such as having ramps ready for use. 

Cragside is a unique, quirky and revolutionary house, set in sprawling landscape gardens. There is plenty to see and explore, so adults and children like should be entertained during their visit. 

Contact Details:

Cragside House and Gardens,
Rothbury,
Northumberland,
NE65 7PX
Tel: 01669 620333