The Armstrong trail, Cragside
The Armstrong trail takes in some of the most dramatic scenery at Cragside. Follow the flow of water around Armstrong's man-made Tumbleton lake, stroll along the meandering path that hugs the Debdon burn and stand at the foot of some of the tallest trees in the country before climbing the stone steps of the rock garden towards the house.
Near to
CragsideStart point
Visitor centre, grid ref: NU073022Trail information
Follow the waymarkers
Green waymarkers will show you the way on the walk.
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Visitor centre, grid ref: NU073022
Stage 1
Begin at the visitor centre. When facing Tumbleton Lake take the estate drive to the right uphill. Continue uphill on the estate drive towards Tumbleton Cottage.
Stage 2
A short distance after the cottages, turn left off the estate drive and onto a gravel track that follows the curve of the lakeside. Continue on this path and cross over a small footbridge.
Stage 3
Continue to follow the path between the lakeside and the trees which will take you to a boardwalk opposite the admission hut at the main entrance. From the boardwalk, follow the road across the dam. You will see the boathouse on your left. From here you can either complete a circular walk and return to the visitor centre, or continue on to step 4.
Stage 4
Opposite the boat house is a set of steps which run parallel with the Archimedes Screw – Cragside's modern water turbine. Take these steps to a small wooden bridge at the bottom of the bank. You will see the Pump House on the right and the continuation of the path ahead of you. Follow the path into the Debdon Valley.
The Archimedes Screw at Cragside, Northumberland | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey Stage 5
After a small hill climb you will see the Iron Bridge and House ahead of you. This view is one of the most photographed on the estate with the House standing at the top of the Rock Garden. Cross the low-level rustic wooden bridge on your left and follow the stone steps up to the Iron Bridge. Turn right and cross the Iron Bridge. As you reach the end of the bridge's platform, you will see a stone-stepped path on your right that curves under the bridge towards the Pinetum. Take this path.
Stage 6
Cross the wooden bridge ahead of you – look out for 'Douglas', our leafy green giant, hidden up the bank on the right. Stroll along the meandering path under the canopy of these huge trees in the Pinetum.
Stage 7
Follow the path between the trees and the burn. After a short while you will see a stone bridge ahead of you. Cross this bridge and climb the steep bank ahead of you and down the hill on the other side to another wooden footbridge that crosses the Burn. (Top tip: If you're visiting in the summer months you could go through the Gorge instead. After the stone bridge, go through the metal kissing gate on your left and follow the stone steps into the Gorge. Keep following the path over a bridge and along a boardwalk that hugs the cliff edge. You will reach another kissing gate at the end of the route. Turn right here.)
Stage 8
Follow the gravel path and keep the burn on your right. You'll pass a wheel on your left. A building will come into view ahead of you, this is the Powerhouse.
Stage 9
After exploring the Powerhouse, walk back along the path you came along. You'll walk past the wheel once more, this time on your right. When you get to the kissing gate, walk straight ahead, uphill. This path is steep in places and includes some steps on a gravel path. At the top of the hill you will reach the edge of the rock garden. Go right onto a tarmacked road. Look left, you will see the house ahead of you.
End point
Cragside House, grid ref: NU073021
Trail map
Get to know Cragside on the Armstrong Trail | © Anonymous Design
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