Cragside (National Trust)

Cragside
Rothbury
Northumberland
NE65 7PX
England

Website

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scripts/nthandbook.dll?ACTION=PROPERTY&PROPERTYID=178

E-mail

cragside@nationaltrust.org.uk

Telephone

01669 620333/620150

Fax

01669 620066

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

Built on a bare and rugged hillside above Rothbury by the 1st Lord Armstrong, Cragside was one of the most modern and surprising houses for its time in the country. In the 1880s the house had hot and cold running water, central heating, fire alarms, telephones, a Turkish bath suite and a passenger lift, but most remarkable of all it was the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity. No wonder it was described as ‘the Palace of a Modern Magician’. Around and below the house is one of Europe’s largest rock gardens; across the valley lies the terraced garden. Here exotic fruits were nurtured throughout the year in glasshouses, and still are today in the Orchard House. Seven million trees and bushes were planted to cover the bare hillside and create the 404ha (1000-acre) forest garden you can explore today.

Venue Type:

Historic house or home

Opening hours

House:
1 Apr–28 Sep: 13.00–17:30, Tues-Sun
30 Sep–2 Nov: 13.00–16:30, Tues-Sun

Estate:
1 Apr–2 Nov: 10:30–19.00, Tues-Sun
5 Nov–21 Dec: 11.00–16.00, Wed-Sun

Open BH Mons. Please note that on some BHols the property can be congested. Last admission to house 1hr before closing. Gardens and estate last admission 17.00. Last serving in restaurant 17.00.

Admission charges

£7.20, child £3.60, family £18. Groups (15+) £6.10.
Gardens and estate: £4.80, child £2.40, family £12. Groups (15+) £4.

General services and facilities

Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
Pre-booking service for groups
Restaurant
Shop

Children and families

Events and resources for children and families
Baby changing facilities

Disability access

Toilets for disabled
Wheelchair access to some public areas
Wheelchairs available for loan

Schools services and facilities

Direct teaching services for schools
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Primary school education service available
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
Education facilities available
Reception and lunch facilities for educational groups

Research and adult learning

Adult lectures and courses held
Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students
Library with public access

Commercial and hire services

Facilities for private functions and events
Meeting room available

Additional info

Visitors may find the uneven ground, steep footpaths and distances between various parts of the property difficult. Stout footwear advisable. Work on the rock garden and the estate water supply may cause some disruption to access.

Accessibility: House: 1 space 20yds from entrance. Drop-off point on gravel forecourt. Visitor centre: 4 spaces 10yds from entrance. Drop-off point. 9 spaces 100yds from entrance in main car park. 5 manual wheelchairs available, booking essential. Ramped entrance. Ground floor largely accessible, No wheelchair access to scullery and plunge bath. Access to other floors via lift. Tel. for details. Level entrance to shop. Level entrance to restaurant. Only one terrace is accessible. Adapted WC at visitor centre, house and Crozier area.

Cragside
Rothbury
Northumberland
NE65 7PX
England