Cragside House

Discover the Spark at Cragside House

Cragside House, Rothbury

Cragside House is a popular National Trust property located just outside Rothbury on the B6341 – 11 miles from Alnwick and The Bondgate Boutique. The journey there, climbing over spectacular moorland and forests, is an unforgettable experience in itself. Your first views of the Cragside estate, as it emerges from the dense forest, will convince you the journey is well-worth making.

Cragside House is an impressive Victorian home on a grand scale. The country retreat of Lord and Lady Armstrong, the house is renowned as one of the most technologically advance homes of the Victorian age.

Set in miles of grounds and forest – all waiting to be explored – the house was the first building in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity. This was due to the tireless work of Lord Armstrong – a world-famous inventor and industrialist. You can see the gadgets and infrastructure created by this Victorian innovator still working today – including lights, telephones, a passenger lift, fire alarm buttons and a Turkish bath.

120 years later, the spark has returned to this historically important home. Visitors can now marvel at the Electrical Room where a new installation brings some of Lord Armstrong’s original experiments back to life.

The house also features collections of art, furnishings, ceramics and items of curiosity. Both Lord and Lady Armstrong were keen collectors. Their love, care and commitment to preserving their collections created an atmosphere still evident throughout their home today.

There’s plenty for all the family to enjoy at Cragside House. Special trails and events for children feature on a busy programme that runs throughout the year.

The gardens and grounds surrounding Cragside House are also a fantastic place to visit. Check out our next post to learn more…