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Useful information for planning your visit to Cragside

A family of four, 3 adults and a child, are walking between the trees at Cragside.  It's autumn, and the leaves on the trees are turning and the ferns lining the path are orange. The sunlight is warm and golden.
Helpful tips to help you plan your visit at Cragside. | © John Millar

Cragside is a big place and we want everyone to feel welcome and prepared for a visit to Cragside. In this article you will find some useful tips for planning your trip including where the nearest toilets are on arrival, how to borrow a wheelchair, details on how to navigate the grounds and useful information for exploring.

We're future proofing Cragside House

Cragside House is now closed until spring 2024. We are currently working on Phase1 of fire protection and infrastructure project to ensure that the House is around for years to come.

If you need further assistance, guidance, or feel that this page is missing information that would be good to know, please email cragside@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Useful downloads for your visit

Cragside map

Access Guide

Main opening times

From Monday 6 November

Cragside main entrance 11am-2pm
Cragside House - CLOSED until spring 2024
Shop 11am-3pm weekends only
Tea room - temporarily closed for counter refit until Monday 20 November. The Still Room next to the House will be serving light bites, snacks and drinks during this time.

Wifi and phone signal

There is limited phone signal and 4G/5G at Cragside. If your group is planning to split up, we recommend setting a time and meeting point. 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 wifi is available at the visitor centre. Log in to ‘National Trust Free Wifi’ using your mobile device.

Emergencies

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

Getting to Cragside

By Bus

You can get the Arriva X14 bus to Cragside. The service begins at Newcastle Haymarket and continues on to Regents Centre before joining the A1 to Morpeth. Then from there, it travels to Cragside, Rothbury and Thropton.

The bus drops you off at the entrance where the welcome team will greet you. Plus, until 31 December 2024, it's only £2 per single as part of the government's price cap scheme.

You can view the bus timetable on the Arriva website here: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/fin.../x14-newcastle-to-thropton

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

There are a limited number of spaces for motorhomes and campervans at the Formal Garden car park that are available on a first come first served basis. The welcome team will direct you on arrival. 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) x 6’6 wide (195cm).

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

A visitor in a black car is being welcomed by a member of the team at Cragside. The visitor has short curly hair and is sat in their car listening to the instruction for the team member. The team member is wearing an orange high visibility vest and show the visitor Cragside's map. They are both smiling.
The welcome team will greet you on arrival | © Sheila Rayson

Top tips for your arrival at Cragside

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.

Parking

All parking is free. The largest car park is the main car park situated between the House and the visitor centre.

A further 4 satellite car parks are available at named points around the Carriage Drive. They are called Crozier, Nelly’s Moss, Moorside and Canada.

What is the Carriage Drive?

The Carriage Drive is a 6-mile, single-track road around the grounds. Originally create for Margaret Armstrong to view the estate while horse riding and driving, this scenic route gives you access to the upper estate and Cragside’s extensive network of walks. Maximum dimensions for vehicles 8’8 (264cm) x 6’6 wide (195cm).

Where are the toilets?

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

One of the wooden arrowed sign at Cragside. The sign is in front of purple rhododendron flowers.
Look out for the arrowed signs when walking the grounds. | © Annapurna Mellor

Navigating Cragside

Signage

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.

Look out for the wooden arrowed signs at footpath junctions. These will help you find your way around Cragside on foot.

All traffic signs are green and white.

Walking

If you are feeling adventurous, you can off course 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 seven waymarked walks on the wall.

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.

The weather in Northumberland can be a little changeable so it good to come prepared. 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. Don't forget bottles of water.

Wheelchairs

There are some steep gradients at Cragside and the terrain is varried. Between the visitor centre and House is tarmacked, however most of the paths are gravelled.

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

A small white dog on a lead stood looking to camera. Its owner's feet and jeans can be seen to the left of the photo.
Explore the grounds with your dog. | © National Trust Images / Annapurna Mellor

Walking Cragside with your dog

Dogs are very welcome at Cragside but they must be kept on-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.

No barbeques or campfires

Please do not light barbeques or start campfires on your visit as these can spark fires that spread quickly. If a wildfire starts, not only will it be a danger to others, it can also destroy wildlife habitats, and cause damage to the historic buildings and wider landscape.

We have lots of benches available to use so you can enjoy a cold, preprepared picnic. Lunches and light bites are available from the tea room (re-opens on Monday 20 November) and the Still Room.

A girl in a grey top swooping down a tunnel slide head-first at Cragside. She has reach the bottom and is laughing.
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Family fun at Cragside 

Enjoy a jam-packed day with the kids on your visit to Cragside. There is lots to see, do and explore, for a fun-filled day out.

A couple are walking two dogs between the trees in the Pinetum at Cragside. The autumn sunshine looks golden as it streams through the trees. The couple are in bobble hats and light jackets.
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Things to do outdoors at Cragside 

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful stroll or a challenging hike, there is a waymarked walk for everyone at Cragside. A network of 40-miles of footpaths will take you under the canopy of towering trees, across timber bridges, between rugged rocks, along the banks of sparkling lakes and under arches of rhododendron.

A golden-coloured labrador is looking at the camera. It has a cheery face and its tongue is out. He is stood on the Rock Garden steps at Cragside.
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Visiting Cragside with your dog 

Cragside is a two pawprint rated place. With over 40 miles of footpaths, Cragside is great place to stretch your legs with your dog. Read our top tips to help make the most of your visit.

A small felt mouse decoration surrounded by colourful paper Christmas tree decorations
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Shopping and eating at Cragside 

Break up your day by visiting one of the eateries at Cragside, and pop into the shop, set in the old stable block near the tranquil Tumbleton Lake.