Cragside is one of the National Trust's top properties, enthralling children and adults alike. It was originally the home of Lord William Armstrong. Cragend Farm was also part of this estate, for Armstrongs prize cattle, and we are located on the south side of the estate.
Featured on Channel 5 on Tuesday 27th March 2018 with Alan Titchmarsh, it showcased the great house and gardens.
Cragside House is Grade I and the iron bridge is Grade II*. The Silo are Cragend Farm also built by Armstrong is Grade II* also.
The original building was a small shooting lodge which Armstrong built between 1862 and 1864. In 1869, he employed the architect Richard Norman Shaw to enlarge Cragside. In two phases of work between 1869 and 1882, they transformed the house into a Grand Gothic Mansion. The result was described by the architect and writer Harry Stuart Goodhart-Rendel as "one of the most dramatic compositions in all architecture".[3] Armstrong filled the house with a significant art collection; he and his wife were patrons of many 19th-century British artists. Cragside became an integral part of Armstrong's commercial operations: honoured guests under Armstrong's roof, including the Shah of Persia, the King of Siam and two future Prime Ministers of Japan, were also customers for his commercial undertakings.
Cragside is our nearest National Trust property and is located on the Alnwick Rothbury Road. Opening times are found on their website.
Find Out More About Cragend
Cragend Farm has a interesting and diverse history, from technical innovations to historic buildings. Tied in closely to the neighbouring Cragside Estate home of Victorian inventor and industrialist Lord Armstrong.