Northumbria
Long ago, Northumbria was a land at the very edge of a great empire. And even today, the wind sweeping across the hills still seems to carry the distant sounds of Roman legions marching along Hadrian’s Wall. The scenery is as unspoilt as it was in those far-off times: it will certainly appeal to those wanting to discover high and lonely places and untouched beaches. The National Trust owns a range of historic buildings in the area including Lindisfarne Castle, Wallington, Cragside and the shore- based Souter lighthouse.

Cragside
The revolutionary home of Lord Armstrong, Victorian inventor and landscape genius, was a wonder of its age. Built on a rocky crag high above the Debdon Burn, Cragside is crammed with ingenious gadgets and was the first house in the world lit by hydroelectricity. Even the variety and scale of Cragside’s gardens are incredible. Surrounding the house on all sides is one of the largest ‘hand-made’ rock gardens in Europe. In the Pinetum below, England’s tallest Douglas Fir soars above other woodland giants. Today, Armstrong’s amazing creation can be explored on foot and by car and provides one of the latest shelters for the endangered red squirrel. The lakeside walks, adventure play area and labyrinth all appeal especially to families. A superb base for exploring Northumberland with access to Alnwick Garden to the North, magnificent coastline to the East, Newcastle to the South for shopping and nightlife and the Northumberland National park to the West. Holiday Cottage guests have free access to Cragside Estate (between November and March, and Mondays throughout the year, access to parts of the estate may be restricted due to forestry and maintenance operations).

National Trust places nearby: Druridge Bay, Embleton and Newton Links, Lindisfarne Castle, Wallington. Shop and pub: Rothbury, Morpeth, Alnwick, . Tea-room/café/restaurant: restaurants at Cragside, Newton-on-the-Moor, Alnwick, Rothbury. Beach: Alnwick. Other attractions: Alnwick castle, Alnwick Garden, Newcastle, Northumberland National Park. Activities: walking, horse riding, shopping.

Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 81