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Welcome to the Cragend Farm blog, where we try to keep you up to date with what is going on on the farm, the B&B, self-catering cottage and anything else we get up to.
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There are accommodation, historical and nature entries cataloguing what has happened in the past.
You can dip into a specific area of interest for example, farming, or Accommodation simply click on the title and open up the blog entry.

 

 

A great review to start the season off and give you a good idea of why we would love you to come and book to stay with us:  April 2025 A fabulous week which has gone far too quickly!  A big thank you to Shaun and Lou for being so incredibly welcoming. The kids loved feeding the goats! Alnwick Castle was brilliant (broomstick flying and trying on armour). East Cottage is the p ...

Dog Friendly holiday accommodation for you and all the family. Dogs are welcome here with over 100 acres of farm to roam and the wider countryside and beaches to explore.  In memory of Meg, Bert  and George all familiar faces over the past decade.  Wonderful Northumberland Cottages like East Cottage are a relaxing choice. Discover Holiday Cottages Northumberland like East C ...

What a view! It's the perfect destination for those seeking a sustainable, educational adventure where the beauty of nature and heritage coexist in harmony. At Cragend, we aim to blend the timeless beauty of nature with rich cultural heritage to create an unforgettable experience for our visitors.   Our commitment to sustainability and conservation makes us a leader in eco-t ...

Comfort   Enhancing the overall experience, of your stay  and ensuring that you trip is both enjoyable and stress-free is important to us.   Cragend Grange has cozy, well-equipped rooms with a comfortable bed can make all the difference in ensuring a restful night’s sleep after a day of sightseeing or exploring. East Cottage has comfortable beds and beautiful views. Sustai ...

Northumberland, located in the northeast of England, is a region rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage, making it a perfect destination for travel and tourism.  With disposable income being a deciding factor to many holidays, many tourists are drawn to this area, to allow them to explore leisure pursuits such as sightseeing, outdoor activities, and local dining. Whether ...

Cragend Farm is a charming, family-run farm located in Northumberland, situated in the picturesque countryside near the town of Rothbury. The farm is known for its scenic views and serene atmosphere, offering a great escape for visitors looking to experience rural life and natural beauty. Cragend Farm is a popular destination for those interested in outdoor activities, such a ...

Breakfast at Cragend Grange The breakfast, at Cragend Grange, offers an exceptional experience that compliments the charm and authenticity of a stay with us. Fresh free-range eggs are not only a healthier option but also offer a richer, delicious taste. Homemade granola provides a delightful balance of textures and honey sweetness, crafted with wholesome ingredients that giv ...

Bamburgh Castle is another Historic Houses membership location to visit and because of Lord Armstrong is also linked to Cragend Farm. We bought the farm from his family, The Armstrongs of Bamburgh in 2011. Lord Armstrong had remodelled Cragend Farm by the time he decided to buy Bamburgh Castle in 1894, at the great age of 84 and started renovating it. It has amazing histo ...

Stay in Rothbury Northumberland We offer Bed and Breakfast rooms and sefl-catering accommodation when you choose to stay in the Rothbury area. Our Green Tourism Credentials give you peace of mind. Near to Cragside, Alnwick, Bamburgh, Wallington and the National Park, there is plenty to see and do. We also offer tours of our own heritage and our links to Cragside. With ...

As seen on TV with Matt Baker on travels with Mum & Dad, (on Demand Series 3 More 4) you can see for yourself why a visit to Cragend Farm for a  short break or holiday might be up your street.  Nature, history and farmhouse chic. Book through our website or DM us on social media @cragendfarm   If you are interested in seeing Cragend Farm for yourself, click  here   ...

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to your fantastic farm on the Historic Houses tour on Tuesday. We both agree that it was the most interesting HHA visit we have ever done - and we have done many over the years! We had no idea of the extent of the Armstrong connection or what you have there, having visited Cragside on so many occasions in the past 50 years or so. And indeed looked down on the farm from the walks at Cragend quite recently. We particularly enjoyed ascending and descending the ladders to look at the hydraulic equipment and get an idea of how it all functioned, the beautiful and unusual buildings which had housed the cattle, and were intrigued by the contents of your "underground " loo! Peacocks and chicks, hens and a beautiful pet lamb added to the feel of the farm.

Shaun & Lou Renwick are keen to harness the farm's natural resources, using wood to heat their water, to cook with on a wood burning range, and to heat the houses on the Farm. Even if your house is not equipped to totally run on wood there are things you can do to make sure you are using the best quality wood for your fires.

Why use Seasoned Wood?

Seasoned wood is a definition for 'wood drying'. About 5% of the energy of the log is wasted through evaporation and heating the water vapour of damp logs.

Moisture effects the burning process with unburnt hydrocarbons going up the chimney, which can in time create 'sooting' in the chimney, with the possibility of a chimney fire, all of which requires specialist sweeping.

Drying the wood before burning reduces moisture content in the wood before it is used for burning,

Air drying is the most traditional method, and it takes time. usually over and above 2 years! The fire will use less energy to burn the log if the water content is below 20%. Therefore is can give OUT more energy in the form of heat!

Cragend Farm endeavours to provide their customers with the best seasoned wood possible.

if you would like further information on the process of burning wood please contact us and we will be happy to help.

Why seasoned wood?

Thank you so much Lou and Shaun for a great holiday break on your farm at Cragend last week. East Cottage was a super place to stay. Very comfortable accommodation with everything we needed for self-catering and situated next to the beautiful Cragside National Trust gardens. It was super for our dog with fields to walk across as well as a secure fenced place for her to run off lead! Such interesting history too about the farm and how you have restored the buildings, the Victorian silo and so much else of the past farming life at Cragend. We look forward to returning! J&M Nottingham.

Award Winning Accommodation