Cragside Circular
You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.
Our walk takes us through the estate of Cragside, where the house was the first in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity, by Lord Armstrong. In 1880 the house was described as being the 'Palace of the Modern Magician', as it has all the 'mod cons' now available today.
We walk through one of Europe's largest rock gardens that surround the house, then through the rhododendrons, azaleas and woodland that cover the rocky landscape of the estate. We visit Nelly's Moss lakes, from where the water came to power the turbines, then go along the wooden flume that feeds water into the lakes. Around the top of the estate we are privy to moorland views before passing the 'basin tank', a reservoir used to supply water to the house.
Descending behind the house, we return to the old stable block, now the visitors' centre, restaurant, shop and toilets. The house is open to the public in the afternoons and the formal gardens can also be visited, where exotic fruit, a fernery and Italian terrace are among the items to be seen. A six-mile vehicular drive around the estate to visit other areas that include a labyrinth, children's play area, waterfall and thatched boathouse make this a wonderful day out for all the family, with plenty of picnic tables available all over the estate.
England - North England - Northumberland - Woodland or Forest
Features
Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Flowers, Gift Shop, Good for Kids, Industrial Archaeology, Lake/Loch, Moor, Museum, National Trust, Nature Trail, Play Area, Public Transport, Restaurant, Tea Shop, Toilets, Waterfall, Wildlife, Woodland
Walkingworld members near this walk
Accommodation
Distance away
Holidays and activities
Distance away