Useful information for planning your visit to Cragside

• Pricing (until 2 November)

  National Trust Members and under 5s are free.

  Cragside is not part of any free pass promotions as found in newspapers, magazines or their associated websites.

  	Entry	Entry with gift aid
  Adult	£25.00	£27.50
  Child	£12.50	£13.80
  Family	£62.50	£68.80
  Family (1 adult)	£37.50	£41.30

• Current opening times (until 2 November)

  Cragside main entrance: 10am-4pm
  Cragside House: 11am-4pm
  Tea room: 10am-5pm
  Shop: 10am-5pm
  Carriage Drive: 10am-5pm (except Thursdays 12noon-5pm)

• Quieter days to visit 

  If you would like to plan a trip to Cragside on a quieter day, we recommend visiting on a Monday or Friday (excluding bank holidays).

• Limited wifi and phone signal

  There is limited phone signal and 4G/5G at Cragside. If your group plans to split up, we recommend setting a time and meeting point in advance. If you find that a member of your group is missing, children or adults, please alert a member of staff or call 07818 240 068.
  
  Some Wi-Fi is available at the visitor centre. Log in to ‘National Trust Free Wi-Fi’ using your mobile device.

• Emergencies

  We hope everyone has a happy and safe visit, but if you require emergency assistance, please call 07818 240 068 which is staffed 24 hours a day.

  The emergency number is also in on the back of the Explore Cragside leaflet (map) that you will be given on arrival.

How to get to Cragside

• By bus

  All visitors travelling to Cragside using the Arriva X14 or the Liberty 471 bus services will receive 25% off the admission price*.

  Two local bus services stop at Cragside. The Arriva X14 bus travels from Newcastle Haymarket to Morpeth, before continuing on to Cragside, Rothbury and Thropton. The Liberty 471 has stops at Thropton, Rothbury, Cragside, Edlingham and Alnwick.

  Both buses, drop off at Cragside's main entrance where a member of the team will welcome you.

  It's £2.50 each way to visit Cragside using either bus service.

  *Terms and conditions of offer: The offer is available all year round. Offer is only available to non-National Trust Members using the Arriva X14 or Liberty 471 bus services. Visitors must have a valid bus ticket or travel pass on arrival and alight the bus at Cragside’s entrance. This discount is not available against the purchase of a National Trust Membership and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

• By bicycle

  All visitors travelling to Cragside on a bicycle will receive 25% off the admission price**.

  If you're up for cycling some of the big hills Northumberland has to offer, you can stop at Cragside. Bike racks are available to use at the visitor centre, Formal Garden and Crozier car park. Look out for the green plant containers with bike motifs.

  We ask that all cyclists use the main entrance. As well as taking payment or scanning your membership card(s), the Welcome Team can also provide you with essential information to help you with your visit.

  **Terms and conditions of offer: The offer is available all year round. Visitors must arrive at the entrance on a bicycle (not available to visitors arriving by car with bicycles on a bike rack). Offer is only available to non-National Trust Members. Offer not available against the purchase of a National Trust Membership and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

• By car

  From the A1, follow the signs for the A697. Follow the A697 through the villages of Longhorsely and Longframlington. After approximately 4-miles, take a left turn on to the B6341 at the Moorhouse Crossroads. Cragside’s entrance is 3 miles along this road on the left.

  Your SatNav may try to bring you through Cragside’s main exit. When approaching Cragside, please follow the brown signs to the main entrance.

• Visiting with a motorhome or campervan

  There are a limited number of spaces for motorhomes and campervans at the Formal Garden car park. They are available on a first come first served basis. The welcome team will direct you on arrival.

  Important: Please do not attempt to drive around the Carriage Drive in your motorhome or campervan. The road is single track and too narrow for safe passage. Maximum dimensions for vehicles 8’8 (264cm) high x 6’6 wide (195cm).

• Unable to accommodate caravans

  Unfortunately, due to narrow roads and natural infrastructure, we are unable to accommodate caravans or cars with trailers on site.

Top tips for arrival

• Arrival

  Cragside’s welcome team will greet you on the driveway on to the grounds. It’s good to have your membership cards or payment methods to hand in the car.

  If you realise that your cards are in a bag in the boot during travel, please continue along the main entrance drive towards a member of staff rather than stopping your vehicle to find them. You will have time to locate your cards on arrival.

• Parking

  There is no additional fee for parking. The largest car park is the main car park situated between the House and the visitor centre.

  You can also park at 7 other satellite car parks around the Carriage Drive. They are called Dunkirk, Cragend, Blackburn, Crozier, Nelly's Moss, Canada and Moorside.

• What is the Carriage Drive?

  The Carriage Drive is a 6-mile, one-way, single-track road around the grounds. This scenic route gives you access to the upper estate and additional car parking.

  Maximum dimensions for vehicles 8’8 high (264cm) x 6’6 wide (195cm).

• Where are the nearest toilets?

  On arrival, your nearest toilets are located at the visitor centre, next to the Stables. There is an accessible toilet and baby change.

  Additional toilets are available at the House and Crozier car park (next to the adventure play area). The car park is roughly half way around the Carriage Drive - approximately 3 miles.

Getting around Cragside

• Maps and signage

  Explore Cragside Map

  On arrival you will be given a pocket-sized Explore Cragside leaflet. Inside this leaflet is a map. While it’s not to scale, it will help you locate key features and landmarks across the grounds. Click here to pre-download a copy.

  There are larger versions of the map at all car parks, the coach park and map room at the visitor centre.

  Traffic/road signs

  We are currently upgrading our traffic signs. Look out for signs that are dark green and white and/or black and white while driving around the grounds.

  Walking signage

  There are large wooden arrowed signs at footpath junctions. These will help you find your way around Cragside on foot.

  If you are following a waymarked walk, look out for circular markers which include the coloured arrow associated with your walk and its title.

• Walking

  What to wear/bring with you

  Please wear weather appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear during your visit. The terrain is varied, with steep drops in places. Paths can be muddy and slippery underfoot. The weather in Northumberland can be changeable so it's good to come prepared. Don't forget bottles of water and hats (and sun cream on warmer days).

  More about the terain

  Cragside's is built on a crag - which gives the grounds its name. The terrain is steep, rocky and uneven with lots of gravels tracks, uneven stone steps and hills to climb.

  Waymarked walks

  There are 40-miles of footpaths that criss-cross the grounds. If you are feeling adventurous, you can choose your own route around Cragside but, if you’d like to follow a set walk, you can.

  In your Explore Cragside leaflet on the map page are four recommended walks to choose from. If you have completed these or would like to try a different route, it’s well worth visiting the map room at the visitor centre where you will find a display of all nine waymarked walks on the wall. You can also view the waymarked walks on our website in advance of your visit here.

  Look out for the starter markers at the beginning of each walk and follow the waymarkers along the route. They are circular with coloured arrows associated with your walk. They also have the title of your walk on them too.

• Shuttle Bus

  It stops at the visitor centre, main car park, Dunkirk car park, House, Formal Garden and coach park.

  The bus is available for all visitors to use. The bus is dog-friendly and it has a tail-gate lift. Look out for the red bus stops signs.

• Wheelchairs

  Wheelchairs are available to borrow. We recommend booking these in advance of your visit by calling 01669 620 333.

  The terrain

  As the name suggests, Cragside is built on a crag. The natural terrain is rugged, rocky with steep gradients in places. Most of the footpaths across the grounds include uneven stone steps, gravel paths and compacted mowed tracks.

  Accessing the lower estate

  The main car park and areas between the House and visitor centre are tarmacked. They are multi-use for vehicles, pedestrains and wheelchair users.

  Shuttle bus

  We operate a free shuttle bus between February and October. Its main stops include the visitor centre (with shop and tea room), House and Formal Garden. It's wheelchair friendly with a tail lift. Dogs are also welcome on board.

  At the visitor centre

  The visitor centre is mostly level with ramped access where needed. The shop is fully accessible with wide aisles and a low-level counter. The tea room has accessible distances between the tables and low-level counters. Some picnic benches on the flat lawn adjacent to visitor centre have extended tabletops for wheelchair access.

  Visiting the Formal Garden

  You can access the Formal Garden from its car park by using the zig-zagged, sloping path. Access into the garden is via a wide gate that opens boths ways. The Formal Garden is across three tiers with staired access to each level. Access by wheelchair is to the middle level only.

  Toilets

  Accessible toilets are available at the visitor centre, near the stables, and in the entrance to the tea room. There are also accessible toilets at the House and Crozier car park (next to the adventure play area).

  Visiting the House

  Due to the layout of the House, wheelchairs can access the ground floor only.

  Further information about visiting Cragside can be found in the Access Leaflet.

• Walking Cragside with your dog

  Dogs are very welcome at Cragside but they must be kept on a lead at all times, in all areas.

  By keeping your dog on a lead, you are helping to protect resident wildlife, supporting those who are wary of dogs, keeping your dog safe from steep drops and craggy edges on the grounds and assisting other walkers you may meet while exploring with anxious dogs.

  Further information about visiting Cragside with your four-legged friends can be found here.

Things to know before exploring the House

• Rucksacks and backpacks

  If you are carrying a rucksack or backpack the team at the House will ask you wear this on your front or carry it by your side. Bags with a cross-body strap such as handbags and satchels are fine to wear as normal. If these are fairly large you may be requested to position these across your front.

• Stairs and levels

  The House is over 5 levels and includes some stairs. There is no lift. Most of the stairs are carpeted however the steps that lead to the ‘Turkish Bath’ suite in the basement and the Scullery below the Kitchen are stone and uneven. Visitor seating is available on each floor to assist with your visit.

• Buggies and baby carriers

  Due to narrow corridors, we are unable to accommodate buggies and pushchairs in the House. Due to limited head space and to protect the items on display, please use a front carrier. We can provide a Hippy Chick baby carrier.

• Calm Corner

  We have a Calm Corner at Cragside House. The room has been specially created to allow visitors who may require a moment of privacy or calm to decompress in a comfortable and calm space, away from the hustle and bustle of the House.
  
  The room has been decorated in a soothing colour palette with comfy chairs. It’s lit with soft lighting and a large window brings in lots of natural light. Ear-defenders are available to borrow.
  
  The Calm Corner can be used by anyone who needs it. It can be found between the Kitchen and the Dining Room on the ground floor of the House. Simply remove the rope across the door and enter the room for as long as needed. You can either replace the rope or close the door entirely for privacy.

• Braille Guides

  The information boards in the House are available in Braille. Please ask a member of the team on arrival if you would like to borrow a copy.

• Guides in other languages

  We have a selection of House guides available in other languages including French, German, Portuguese, Italian and Japanese. Please ask a member of the team on arrival at the House if you would like to borrow a copy.

• Virtual Tour

  Within the House entrance is a laptop displaying a virtual guided tour of Cragside House. It includes subtitles and British Sign Language (BSL) translation. Please ask the team if you would like to view this.