Cragside, near Rothbury
Northumberland
England
Circa Date: 1863-66 w/1869-83 alterations and additions
Status: Fully Extant
House Open to Public: Yes
Country House: Yes
The entrance facade
The entrance facade
The marble inglenook
The marble inglenook
The walled garden
The garden
Built / Designed For: Sir William Armstrong, later 1st Lord Armstrong
House & Family History: Cragside was built between 1863 and 1866 by an unknown architect for Sir William Armstrong (later 1st Lord Armstrong). In 1869 Armstrong engaged Norman Shaw to transform his weekend retreat into the huge fantasy house we see today. Lord Armstrong, a mechanical genius who made a fortune from armaments manufacturing, was so famous in his own time that he is believed to have been the model for George Bernard Shaw's arms magnate in his 1905 play "Major Barbara." Armstrong equipped Cragside with the latest technology of the time: hot and cold running water, central heating, fire alarms, and telephones. It was also the first house in the world to have its electricity generated by water power (in 2012 the National Trust announced that it would reinstall Cragside's 19th century hydroelectricity system, with the aim to power everything on the estate). Cragside eventually became Armstrong's primary home; in 1884 he received the Prince and Princess of Wales (later Edward VII and Queen Alexandra) for a stay at Cragside during their tour of the north. Lord Armstrong also purchased and restored Bamburgh Castle, where his descendants remain seated today.
Collections: Cragside contains a notable collection of Victorian art, with a particular emphais on Pre-Raphaelite paintings and De Morgan tiles.
Comments: The British weekly paper "The World" (published between 1874 and 1920) called Cragside "Truly the palace of a modern magician."
Garden & Outbuildings: Surrounding the house on all sides is one of the largest man made rock gardens in Europe. In the pinetum below, England's tallest Douglas Fir soars above other woodland giants. Across the valley, the orchard house still produces many varieties of fresh fruit.
Architect: Norman Shaw
Date: 1869-83Country Life: CXLVI, 1640, 1694, 1969. CLXVIII, 759, 1980.
Title: Telegraph, The (newspaper)
Author: NA
Year Published: NA
Reference: Apr 15, 2013 article on Newby Hall by Joe Shute in the Lifestyle section
Publisher: London: Telegraph Media Group Ltd.
ISBN: NA
Book Type: Newspaper
Title: National Trust Handbook 2008, The
Author: Peel, Lucy (Editor)
Year Published: 2008
Reference: pg. 320
Publisher: England: The National Trust
ISBN: 9780707804064
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Grade I
Past Seat / Home of: William George Armstrong, 1st Baron Armstrong, 1862-1900.
Current Ownership Type: The National Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction
House Open to Public: Yes
Phone: 01669-620-333
Fax: 01669-620-066
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Historic Houses Member: No