 Cragside
First envisaged as a country lodge and weekend retreat for Sir William Armstrong,
this fabulous, eye-catching mansion was developed over 15 years, with
the help of Norman Shaw. Much of Shaw's architectural work, described
as 'Free Tudor', has remained unchanged since the second half of the
19th century and presents a fascinating mix of mellow, local
stone with bold 'Cheshire-style' black & white half-timbering.
The elevated position of the house, along the edge of a vast rock face,
only serves to emphasise the character and irregular charm that Cragside
symbolises. Towards the end of the 19th century, many alterations
and additions were made, overseen by both Armstrong and his great-nephew
William Watson, who was then living at Cragside and managing the estates.
Meanwhile, in 1893, Lord Armstrong purchased Bamburgh Castle.
After his death in 1900, Lord Armstrong's great-nephew inherited both Cragside and Bamburgh,
and after this time things took a gradual downhill turn. By 1908 serious
debts had been incurred by the new Lord Armstrong, which resulted in
the sale of many of his great-uncle's prized possessions, and in 1977
Cragside and a large portion of the estate passed into the Treasury's
hands in part settlement of death duties.
Today, managed by the National Trust, Cragside offers the opportunity for visitors to gain some understanding
of Lord Armstrong's incredibly inventive and scientific mind, as well
as sharing his appreciation of fine art and craftsmanship. Although trained
as a lawyer, Armstrong had a naturally inquisitive and innovative nature
that led him into engineering. Probably most renowned in the fields of
artillery and hydraulic power, Cragside was the first house to be lit
by hydroelectricity, with Armstrong building the lakes, the turbines and
the power house to provide this source of water power. There was a hydraulic
lift installed, and several domestic machines in the laundry and kitchen
all powered by water. These inventions may do little to inspire the less
technologically-minded, but the beautifully decorated Morris interiors
are certainly something to marvel at, and the exotic suite of Turkish
Baths situated beneath the Library and the Victorian Billiard Room, are
two unexpected and delightful features of Cragside
Cragside is most memorable for the massive scale of everything: the vast estate covering some 1,700
acres, the substantial lakes, the gigantic rock garden, and the extremely
grand house. Armstrong harboured fond memories of Rothbury from childhood
holidays and Cragside stands as a memorial to his determination and entrepreneurial spirit. |
