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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 ...

Christmas Cards are available to pre-order by contacting us on the contact page. They come in sets of 10 with envelopes. No orders accepted after December 1st 2024. ...

It is our vision to have a plan, and that even if the plan needs altering we can be prepared for our future generations of farmers and nature lovers.   Please take you time to read this policy document about our calculations for the future, and how we will be trying to make a difference: Environmental Sustainability and Net Zero policy for Cragend Farm 2024   Community tr ...

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 ...

Look who came to visit us today! The lovely Matt Baker, his Mum Janice and his Dad Mike came to visit the farm for their new series of Travels with Mum & Dad which goes our on More 4 Channel 4 in September 16th at 9pm. Our thanks to our his crew, especially Hannah and Rebecca at Big Circus  Productions for all their help with arranging it all. They came to see our rar ...

Exciting news: Our rare breed Bagot goats have started to have their babies! So far we have had 2 sets of twins and 2 singles. A real boost to our herd. See our socials for reels on their progress. They are conservation grazers eating on our SSSI land. ...

Environmental Sustainability and Net Zero policy for Cragend Farm 2024   Community tree planting and tour projects are the main part of our plan to offset carbon usage to the value of approximately £1000 per annum which equates to our carbon footprint we emit currently in cost terms according to reliable calculator sources. We also plan to harness the water for troughs using ...

As farmers look for cheaper ways to feed their animals as the cost of fodder and energy prices rise, we look to our listed building for inspiration as Lord Armstrong of Cragside had this idea in 1884 building two bays for silage with an industrial tower between them housing the most uptodate hydraulics to lift and press the silage. If you are interested in viewing our facilit ...

Happy New Year! Ours has got off to a good start with new kid goats born in January.  Well worth the effort! Betty, a hand reared Bagot goat has mothered the first kid ‘ Nanny’  of 2023 at Cragend Farm. A great success story, not just because she is one of only 400 breeding Bagot Nannys in the world, but she was orphaned at 3 weeks old and had to be hand-reared to make sure ...

Cragend Farm in August with sunshine and a panoramic view of the Coquet Valley. Restoration work continues on our Ancient Farm.  Booking now being taken to 2023 in our Holiday cottage and B&B rooms. Contact us using the contact form or message us. ...

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