Experience Northumberland’s great contribution to saving the planet at Cragend Farm, with it’s unique buildings, arguably one of the finest purpose-built eco-agricultural buildings in the world and a brilliant example of Lord Armstrong of Cragside’s engineering innovations.
This pioneering farm houses original Victorian machinery that was seen as the cutting edge of technology in its time. It was a demonstration centre for hydraulics to show case the value of water powered machines on modern Victorian life, by showing that even agricultural work, seen as the hardest of all labour, could be made simpler. This 150 acre farm was created out of the mountain landscape of Cragend Hill where Cragside Estate sits, by inventor and arms manufacturer Lord William Armstrong, with his wife Lady Margaret Armstrong, who also renovated Bamburgh Castle in his dotage.
Winners of The Custodian Prize 2023, and runners up in The Collection Award with Historic Houses.
On your visit you are taken on a walking tour around the farm looking at its history throughout the ages from its earliest recorded settlers of the Iron Age, examining the buildings and the history they unfold from border Reivers to visiting Royalty. Seeing and touching the machinery is part of the tour, as well as the award-winning collection of artefacts and research linked to this amazing farm.
If you are visiting with kids, we also have rare breed animals in the surrounding fields that always put a smile of their faces. Budding young eco-warriors and engineers will be amazed by the size and the history of the machinery
If you're feeling hungry on your adventures, there are plenty of places to take a picnic in the surrounding fields and courtyard. There's also a selection of hot and cold refreshments for those on the tour as well.
Take home our souvenir brochure or find a gift for a loved one from our farm produce. Please wear sturdy footwear and weather appropriate clothing on your visit. The terrain at Cragend Farm is hilly, with steep drops in places. Some of the walking routes are uneven with many on gravel and stone paths.
There is a collection of non-native coniferous trees, planted especially for their scale and size at Cragend Wood, as well as many unusual deciduous tree , planted as part of Lord Armstrong’s carriage drive scheme, which you can walk through, down to the River Coquet, where you may see a kingfisher or an otter. You can enjoy a burn-side walk and hear the peaceful sound of the water burbling as The Blackburn rushes down to The Coquet, and birds tweet in nearby trees, before climbing to the Scots Pine stand and seeing The Coquet Valley in all its glory, as Upper Coquetdale’s panorama spreads out before you. The woodland is filled with rhododendron, flowering in June. Experience the change in seasons with all the beautiful trees and our Victorian Fernery.
Cragend Farm is open all year (except for The Cragside Cragend Cottages in Jan and Cragend Grange in Dec/Jan) with group tours from 11.00am - 2.00pm May to October. Booking required. Dogs are welcome. Accessibility: The access road is rugged and a steep incline. Suitable for capable adults and children. Limited access. Bus route. X14.
150 acres of epic Northumberland grounds to explore. Grounds are not accessible for wheelchair users. Tours £15pp, Self-catering accommodation and Bed and Breakfast rooms ensuite from £165pn.
T: 01669 621533
E: [email protected]
W: www.cragendfarm.co.uk