Cragside

Visitors walking through the Rock Garden near Cragside House

Important notice -

Please book in advance, you will will be turned away if you arrive without a booking. Please follow government guidance on travel. The Play Area is closed while it's being extended. Carriage Drive is closed 12-25 April for essential maintenance.

Extraordinary Victorian house, gardens and woodland - the wonder of its age

Please book ahead before visiting Check availability

More about this place

Visitors walking through a garden in spring

Visiting this spring 

Our gardens, parks and countryside locations are open. Cafés are offering a takeaway service and some outdoor seating is available at cafés in England only. Some shops are open in England and Wales but remain closed in Northern Ireland. All houses are currently closed. Advance booking for visits helps us keep everyone safe and socially distanced. When space is available, particularly on weekdays, pre-booking isn't always necessary.​ But to guarantee entry please always book in advance, especially at busier times like weekends and bank holidays. Please check the property webpage before you visit and follow government guidance.

Back to top
Cragside

What's on

Cragside   Northumberland

Please book ahead before visiting

The gardens, woodland and tearoom (take-away only) at Cragside are open, but the Carriage Drive is closed for essential maintenance until Sunday 25 April. You’ll need to book tickets before you visit. Members can book for free, while non-members will need to pay when booking. We'll be releasing tickets every Friday, and you can book your tickets until 3pm the day before you visit. Please note we’ll be turning people away who arrive and haven't booked. We're looking forward to welcoming you back.

Book now

Upcoming events

See all events

Timed entry to Cragside (26 Apr - 2 May)

Mon 26 Apr 2021
10:00-16:00
Book your timed entry to visit Cragside.
Back to top
Cragside

Things to see and do

A child has her face painted with a bunny nose and whiskers

Easter egg hunts at Cragside 

Join us for an Easter adventure in nature at Cragside. Discover our family-friendly trail with fun activities for you to do along the way. Complete the trail and earn your chocolate reward.

Walking Cragside

A family walking through the woodland at Cragside

Stretch your legs... 

With over 1,000 acres to explore and 14 waymarked routes, there's plenty of walking to enjoy at Cragside. From a gentle stroll through the Pinetum to a challenging hike through the heart of the estate, you’ll find a perfect walk to suit all abilities.

Dog walking at Cragside

Visiting Cragside with your dog 

We love dogs at Cragside and they are welcome in all of our outdoor spaces on the estate. Here you will find some useful tips for your visit.

Explore the gardens at Cragside

Benches sat in front of flowers in the summer

Discover the Formal Garden at Cragside 

The Formal Garden covers a three-acre area of the estate facing south, overlooking the Coquet Valley. This impressive garden is arranged over three levels and have been sympathetically re-created to reflect the original layout of the Lord and Lady Armstrong’s vision.

Pinetum at Cragside

Experience the Pinetum 

The Pinetum is a towering collection of non-native trees on the estate which were planted to recreate a North American forest landscape in this northern valley in Northumberland.

Back to top
Cragside

History

Lord and Lady Armstrong
Cragside   Northumberland

Meet the Armstrongs

Cragside was created by two remarkable individuals, Lord William and Lady Margaret Armstrong. With Lord Armstrong’s passion for engineering and innovation mixed with Lady Armstrong's love of natural sciences; this duo created the Cragside estate we know today. Together they transformed a rocky Northumberland heathland into an efficient landscape to create the first house in the world to be lit by electricity.

Discover more about this pioneering duo
Back to top
Cragside

Wildlife

A honey bee on white flowers in the Formal Garden

Spring Wildlife at Cragside 

The daffodils are blooming, we can hear bees returning to the estate, days are getting warmer and the lighter nights are here. Spring is a great time to spot seasonal birds and discover the insects and animals coming out of hibernation.

Back to top
Cragside

Eating and shopping

A member of staff serving a cup of coffee

Treats at light bites at the tea rooms

Break up your exploration of Cragside with a bite from the tea rooms. Found at the visitor centre, the tea rooms is serving a variety of refreshments and light lunches. Grab a treat for on the go, enjoy dining al fresco on the courtyard or find a spot around the lake before discovering a new corner of Cragside. There are safety measures in place including screens at tills, collection points and waymarked routes. Your purchases help us to care for Cragside. We look forward to seeing you soon.

A table featuring the spring collection from Cragside shop

Take home a souvenir from your trip

The shop is now open at the visitor centre. Take home a souvenir from your trip to Cragside or find a gift for a loved one. The shop is filled with home accessories, kids books and toys, items by local artists and makers as well as sweet treats to take home. We have put measures in place to keep everyone safe including screens and reduced capacity. The team look forward to seeing you soon.

Back to top
Cragside

Our work

The Drawing Room with the Italian marble chimney
Cragside   Northumberland

Drawing Room Conservation Project at Cragside

The Drawing Room at Cragside is undergoing a major conservation project over the next few months to conserve two major features in this grand room; the marble fireplace and chenille carpet.

Find out more
Formal Garden at Cragside

Growing green: Gardeners blog 

Each month, Cragside Gardener Holly will take you behind the scenes and show you what's been happening in the gardens at Cragside. She'll also be sharing top tips for the garden at home and highlighting what you can see in gardens near you.

Back to top
Cragside

Art and collections

Our collections

Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Cragside on the National Trust Collections website

Search the collections
Back to top
Close

For everyone, for ever

Download the app

© National Trust Registered Charity 205846 Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2NA

We use cookies to provide you with a better service. Carry on browsing if you're happy with this, or find out how to manage cookies.