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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.
LATE AVAILABILITY JUST ASK.
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.

 

 

Dark Skies Photography have been busy this week looking at The Milky Way and the Aurora Borealis at Cragend Farm. We are thrilled that these great photographs have been taken showing an amazing array of stars and The Milky Way. The Bortle Dark Sky Scale was between 4-3 this week which is fantastic! Our thanks to Steve and Mike for their amazing photographs. ...

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. ...

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. ...

Staying at Cragend Grange, Cragend Farm Review: Shaun and Lou are excellent hosts, making us feel quite at home. The accommodation and breakfast was first class. We enjoyed our tour of the silo and a look at all the historic artefacts that have been found whilst undergoing their renovation work. Tips for other travellers Set in open countryside with beautiful views all aroun ...

We are Visitor Ready. We have recieved this accreditation from Visit Northumberland as part of a Visit Britain campaign. ...

Late availability  We have  availability if you want to bring the children and your furry friend your dog out for a country farm stay, in late July and August. We are central to all areas of Northumberland such as Bamburgh Castle and beach, Hadrians Wall, Alnwick Castle and Gardens  and  Cragside.  Plus you can visit our rare breed animlas and experience  the history of our f ...

Only 1 mile away is Cragside House, previously owned by Lord Armstrong, it has always been a popular tourist attraction with its stunning walks, formal gardens, fantastic scenery and a beautiful house that reflects one mans dreams and inventions. Originally part of the estate, Cragend Farm retians close links. Our tours run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays most weeks. Booking essenti ...

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 ...

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