Cragside has to be one of my favourite places that
I’ve visited. About 20 minutes away from 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 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.
