"Extraordinary house, gardens & estate of Cragside" Top 5 Page for this destination Alnwick Things to Do Tip by angiebabe

The revolutionary home of Lord Armstrong, Victorian inventor and landscape genius, was a wonder of its age. Built on a rocky crag high above the Debdon Burn, Cragside is crammed with ingenious gadgets and was the first house in the world lit by hydroelectricity.

The variety and scale of Cragside's gardens are also incredible. Surrounding the house on all sides is the one of the largest 'hand-made' rock gardens in Europe. In the Pinetum below, England's tallest Douglas fir soars above other woodland giants. Across the valley the Orchard House still produces fresh fruit of all varities.

Down in the valley the power house can be visited. Armstrong's amazing creation can be explored by foot and by car and though I didnt see any, provides one of the last shelters for the endangered red squirrel.

Give yourself at least a couple of hours to enjoy the house and extensive gardens which are now run by the National Trust.

Opening times for the house are daily afternoons only
(closed Mondays - except open Bank Holidays!)
March to Oct 1-5.30 pm
Oct to Nov 1-4.30 pm

Gardens (also closed Mondays - except Bank Holidays open): March to Nov 10.30-5.30
and restaurant Nov to 21 Dec 11-4pm (closed Mondays & Tuesdays)

Last admission to house 1 hour before closing

Address: Rothbury, Morpeth, Northumberland
Directions: 13 ml SW Alnwick (B6341), 15 ml NW Morpeth. Bus 416, 516 Morpeth-Thropton passing Morpeth Railway stn with connections from Newcastle. Bus 508 from Newcastle Sun only June-Oct.
othercontact: cragside@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone: 01669 620333
Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk