Cragside House, Morpeth pt 1

Well yesterday was a complete washout, quite literally. It rained from first thing in the morning until late afternoon. So despite the location it's grim rating is 8.76 😊 But it didn't put the rowers off so at least we had something to watch. A quiet day was spent reading and using our tablets. Martin did manage a bike ride late afternoon for some fresh air. So no post or pictures.

Today was another day, dry when we woke and for most of the morning. We are visiting Cragside House in Morpeth but on the way we stop off to visit The Angel Of The North statue. I've seen this many times on TV especially when watching 'Vera' but it is quite a sight up close, really huge, if you look at the picture you can just see Martin standing at the bottom.

Onwards to Cragside, a National Trust property which is well recommended in the Northumbria countryside hidden in the trees high above the river that feeds the turbine engine which used to provide the house with electricity. This was the first 'smart house' back in the late 1800's.

Three floors of rooms to look around plus gardens and a 6 mile carriage drive through the woodland. We didn't do that as the van was too big. We walked through the rockery garden to get to the house. It is beautifully decorated and I especially liked the use of tiles on the walls in the corridors, very practical if you think about it, hard wearing and easy to wipe down, plus little fingers can't piggle them off.Read more