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Heritage Open Days are here for a week from 12th September for people to visit us and see our heritage at Cragend Farm. For the next week we will be showing people around and showing why we are Cragside's little neighbour with a big story to tell.  The best way to tell you about the experience is with a review: "This was a splendid visit. Lou Rennwck was extreme ...

Jesmond Dene and its association with Cragend Farm. We have been of the opinion the tree near the Cragend Farm Hydraulic Silo  is a Hungarian Oak, as Natural England came and inspected it, so we took their word for it, but on further inspection, because of the furred acorn cups it has, we have done more research.  Taking a look at them in leave and with acorns aplenty this ye ...

Things to do in Rothbury Northumberland: Invitation to View Historic Houses: Cragend Farm.  A great review about our Historic Site: Paul and I had a fascinating time at Cragend Farm on Wednesday 11 June. We joined a small group in Lou’s farmhouse kitchen, where she explained, over tea and biscuits, the geographical and historical context of the farm with the aid of old maps a ...

One of many of Cragend Farm's story from World War II Victory in Europe Day  VE Day 8th May 1945  On 8th May 2025 we commemorate VE Day not only as a nation but throughout the world, and at Cragend Farm the story of a fallen Northumbrian RAF gunner in 1944 brings to life the sacrifices those we loved made for others. Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day, marks a poignant moment ...

A pair of Delft vases depicting  eight nationally important Historic Houses that have been mentored by Norman Hudson and the team there to preserve the great buildings of our nation, have been made by Royal ceramicist Deborah Sears, known for her work at Highgrove House for King Charles II. We would like to thank Historic Houses  for including us in this amazing presentation ...

Cragside's little neighbour has a big story to tell Cragend Farm is a tourist attraction open on Tuesday and Wednesdays for tours during the summer months. Situated in the south east corner of the Cragside Estate and accessed from the B6344 it is open to visitors. Pre-Booking is required. Hosted by Historic Houses, we open our doors to Invitation to View visitors, for a t ...

As we reach the end of an amazing season of tours our thanks passes to Historic Houses for their continuing support, and we can report that we have had more people visit this year than ever before and that with The Heritage Open Day, Classic Car Club, CPRE, and Association of Industrial Archaeology, we managed to have more group tours visit as well. This is a time to reflect ...

Matt Baker:  Travels with Mum and Dad We are so excited to announce that we are going to be on the television:  Broadcast date Monday 16th September for the episode of:   Matt Baker: Travels with Mum and Dad    that we were involved in at Cragend Farm. (The One Show, Countryfile and Blue Peter)   Episode 3 – Cragside   Channel: More 4. (Freeview Channel: 18 / Sky Cha ...

Transformation: Lord Armstrong's Cragend Farm by Lou Renwick   We are pleased to announce that our book about the farm and its link to Cragside is now available to purchase. Go to website Feedaread.com , an Arts Council funded site,  or Amazon. Thank you for your support. ...

We have been shortlisted for an award! We need you help as it is a public vote. Please vote for us using this link on Heritage Open Days. Thank you. Choose North East Section: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/.../anniversary... #HeritageOpenDays ...

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