Nelly’s Moss lakes walk
Enjoy a family-friendly flat walk around two of Cragside’s historic lakes, created by Lord Armstrong in Victorian times to supply water and power to the house and gardens. Look out for frogs and toads crossing your path and even herons dipping their feet in the water. There's an alternative route for buggies and pushchairs too.
This short walk along established footpaths is quite easy and level, with some steps and there is an alternate route option for buggies and wheelchairs. Follow the blue waymark discs.
Map
Start:
Crozier car park, grid ref: NU076016
1
Head to the Estate Drive from Crozier Car Park and turn right. Cross over the stone bridge and follow the drive across the dam with the Nelly’s Moss South Lake on your left.
Nelly's Moss South Lake
From the dam, you have a fine view of Nelly’s Moss South Lake. Look out for water fowl such as coots and grebes. After the stone bridge you will see a small tower in the water. This contains a pipe and valve which would have originally carried the water to power the hydro-electric turbine at the powerhouse. The water from the South Lake also feeds the cascade at the front of the House.
2
Take the path to the left, signposted Nelly’s Moss South Lake/North Lake. Follow the path along through the trees and alongside the edge of the South Lake.
Dam
As you continue along the lake you can see large areas of exposed bedrock. The path opens along the narrow dam wall where you can see the square stone blocks used to build the dam.
3
At the end of the South Lake path turn right, keeping what is now the Nelly’s Moss North Lake on your left. Continue right around the lake until you reach the boathouse.
Herons
Herons can sometimes be seen standing in the shallow water of the South Lake, particularly when the water level is low. They will stand very still, sometimes using their wings to cast shade and so enabling them to see the fish more clearly.
4
At the boathouse there are 2 options to complete the walk. Option 1 is a level path suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs and takes you back the way you came. Option 2 has a number of small rock steps and gullies but is still passable for the adventurous buggy-pusher, and returns alongside the right-hand bank of the South Lake to Crozier Car Park.
Scots Pine
Scots Pines, (Pinus Sylvestris), native conifers that once dominated the ancient forests of the north, are here in abundance. The Scots Pine is distinguished from other pines by the reddish-orange cast to its bark, particularly noticeable higher up the tree, and the way in which mature trees grow to resemble clouds of foliage perched on candelabra branches.
5
Option 1. Turn left at the boathouse and across a short stretch of boardwalk. Turn right to retrace your previous route and hence back along the South Lake, Estate drive and Crozier Car Park.
6
Option 2. Continue straight ahead past the boathouse, and follow the stone path along the lake side to rejoin the estate drive. Turn right to return to Crozier Car Park.
End:
Crozier car park, grid ref: NU076016
