A day out at Cragside
Introduction to your day out at Cragside
Peaking out of a shroud of trees on the edge of a cliff is Cragside Hall. It looks distinctively character-filled and is fine example of a mock-Tudor build originating from the Victorian times. Surrounded by thick forests and beautiful water features such as lakes, rivers and streams, it certainly has an enchanting appearance. Once built by the Armstrong family as Britain’s first ‘smart home’ to be a family retreat, it is now under the loving care of the National Trust.
I paid for a National Trust’s young person membership upon arrival which cost 42 GBP, however, if I had paid on a singular basis, it would have cost me 22 GPB. A family pass would have cost 55 GBP. Read on to find my views on a day out at Cragside and whether I would recommend it.
Cragside House
I was pleased with the number of rooms available to tour. These rooms included a kitchen, multiple bedrooms, a breakfast room, living room, ballroom, gallery and a Turkish spa. All in all, I believe it is the most impressive volume of rooms.
The rooms all had a distinguished cosy feel to them and you could imagine staying snug inside whilst the cold northern winters raged. Warm reds and dark wood were the running theme throughout.
Each room had wonderful views of the surrounding landscapes which made each a little slice of heaven, yet it was the spa which caught my eye the most… I have been to countless stately homes and yet have never once come across a private spa before. It included showers, baths, saunas and even a Turkish plunge pool.
Sadly, the Turkish aspect of the spa is not what it once was due to it being used as storage when the house was requisitioned by the army during the war. However, we have been reassured that the Trust is working on restoring the tiles to reinstate its former splendour.
The Grounds and Gardens of Cragside
The land around the house can definitely be described as having a rugged beauty. It includes dense woodland, lakes, rivers and streams as well as a formal garden. There’s much exploring to be done and lots to keep the little ones entertained as there is plenty to fill the five senses on your expedition into the grounds.
Historical Enrichment at Cragside
I learned a lot about the history of not just the house, but also about Victorian engineering and hydraulics. I touched on this briefly above, but Cragside was the first house in the world to be powered by hydroelectricity. The man behind was a Victorian engineer and industrialist meaning Cragside is filled with gadgets and inventions that were ground-breaking at the time including a lift to make the servants’ lives easier.
There are many opportunities to see Victorian hydraulic inventions in action and to learn about the science behind them both in the house and in a small museum in an outbuilding on the grounds. Once again, Cragside stands out to me due to the emphasis on the history of British engineering, technologies and inventions.
The Tearooms at Cragside
There was a wide selection of hot and cold savoury food and a few different sweet treats to choose from. I opted for a cream tea. I was slightly disappointed as the scone I had was not well risen, however, it became clear I had picked a slightly dodgy one and that the other scones were in perfect condition. Hurrah!
The café was in the most beautiful setting, right next to the lake and full of character as it was converted stables.
Disability Access at Cragside Hall
I was very pleased with some of the accessibility features in play. The grounds cover hundreds of acres and people are welcome to drive their cars through the archway of the house to different locations on the grounds or just on a general tour should you wish!
Conclusions from my day at Cragside
In conclusion, Cragside Hall is definitely a place I would recommend visiting. There’s lots to see and do both in the house and in the grounds. Top tip – if it is going to be a sunny dry day, I would recommend bringing a picnic – there are many gorgeous spots to stop for food.