Lou is the owner of Cragend Farm with her husband Shaun, and deals with everything from Holiday Accommodation inquiries to egg collection from the chickens; she is the social media and web design finger-tapper.
Historic Tours 2021
We have been hosting Historic Tours in association with Historic Houses this year and we thought that we should let this review guide anyone wanting to book to visit us for a Tour:
"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."
B&L Northumberland
Our final tour date this year is 20th July, and so if you would like to book a tour please contact us or check the Historic Houses website.
Tours start at 11am and finish at 2pm. Sturdy footwear needed.
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
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.
Northumberland offers so many challenges and delightful scenery for the cyclist and Cragend Farm is the perfect base. Lou and Shaun will be able to offer excellent local knowledge on routes of varying lengths as well as hearty breakfasts and secure cycle storage.
R & S King, Oxon
I headed out on the first day to explore the Northumberland National Park and had the roads almost to myself (during the Easter holidays!!) Although slightly more undulating than my home in the Cotswolds, Northumberland packed in regular climbs without ever becoming too daunting. Shaun offered to show me the route of the Tour of Britain which would have been fun.
On day two, I made the most of the Cragside Estate's 6 mile carriage route and completed a few circuits of this. The Cragend Estate borders Lou and Shaun's Cragend Farm and it's great fun whizzing around the estate, passing the many lakes and varied scenery, climbing the hills steadily and whizzing down the far side and through the archway and over the cobbles of Cragside House and then passing the farm two or three times. The Cragside Loop is on Strava and I managed the 6 mile loop in just under 30 minutes. The record of 17 minutes 20 seconds will take some beating!!
On my third day, after a more informed chat with Shaun, I ventured into the Northumberland National Park again and completed a 30 mile loop with about 3000 feet of climbing. The scenery is stunning and the cycling options are so varied. The welcome at Cragend Farm is exceptional, a real treat for cyclists.
I'm already planning my next trip to Cragend Farm and either a ride to the coast or a quick dart into Scotland!!
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.