National Trust - Cragside, Northumberland (25)
National Trust Properties
Cragside, Rothbury, Northumberland
Cragside was the dream of the Victorian entrepreneur, William Armstrong. Originally trained as a solicitor, was a keen amateur scientist who then conducted experiments in electricity and hydraulics. In 1847 he left the law to set up his own company W. G. Armstrong & Co. just outside Newcastle. During the 1850’s he made his fortune supplying arms to the British Army. He was knighted in 1859.
The original house was a small shooting lodge which was built between 1862-64. In 1869 Armstrong employed the services of architect Richard Norman Shaw to enlarge Cragside, firstly in 1869 and again in 1882. Between these years the house blossomed, not only with the breath-taking architecture but the house was filled with wonderful works of art. Both of the Armstrong’s were great patrons to the Arts.
However after Armstrong’s death in 1900, Cragside ran into difficulty and in 1910 the best of the art was sold off. Eventually with heavy death duties in the 1970’s the family sold up and the National Trust in 1977. Cragside is a Grade I listed building and was opened to the public in 1979.
There is much to see both inside the house and the garden to enjoy, it is well worth a visit.
National Trust - Cragside, Northumberland (25)
National Trust Properties
Cragside, Rothbury, Northumberland
Cragside was the dream of the Victorian entrepreneur, William Armstrong. Originally trained as a solicitor, was a keen amateur scientist who then conducted experiments in electricity and hydraulics. In 1847 he left the law to set up his own company W. G. Armstrong & Co. just outside Newcastle. During the 1850’s he made his fortune supplying arms to the British Army. He was knighted in 1859.
The original house was a small shooting lodge which was built between 1862-64. In 1869 Armstrong employed the services of architect Richard Norman Shaw to enlarge Cragside, firstly in 1869 and again in 1882. Between these years the house blossomed, not only with the breath-taking architecture but the house was filled with wonderful works of art. Both of the Armstrong’s were great patrons to the Arts.
However after Armstrong’s death in 1900, Cragside ran into difficulty and in 1910 the best of the art was sold off. Eventually with heavy death duties in the 1970’s the family sold up and the National Trust in 1977. Cragside is a Grade I listed building and was opened to the public in 1979.
There is much to see both inside the house and the garden to enjoy, it is well worth a visit.