Cragside


Cragside has to be one of my favourite places that I’ve visited. We visited on the way home from Northumberland, only about 20 minutes from where we were in Alnwick. Cragside is a Victorian country house built in the 19th century and was the first house in the world to be lit using hydroelectric power. It is also National Trust property, and you can pay to go into the house, gardens or both.

The House
The house has been a grade I listed building since 1953. The Victorian kitchen features a lift and a spit, both run on hydraulic power. Other rooms include the library, which has amazing views over the bridge and the formal garden, the dining room, the drawing room and the billiard room. The dining room features a large marble fireplace.


Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is one of the house's main features as it was the first in England to use this.

The Iron Bridge
Built from steel made in Middlesbrough, the bridge allows you a different view of the gardens and house behind it.


The Gardens
There are several different walks and a selection of maps to follow. The most popular walk takes you around the lake, past the Archimedean screw and the bridge, to the pump house, and then back along through the trees to the house. The rhododendrons were just starting to bloom when we were there, but I’d like to come back when they’re out and take some photos.


Share:
© SkyBlueSophie | All rights reserved.
Blog Layout Created by pipdig