Useful information for planning your visit to Cragside

• Current opening times

  Christmas opening hours
  Until Sunday 5 January
  Cragside is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

  Cragside mains entrance 11am-2pm
  Cragside House 11am-3pm (last entry 2.30pm)
  Shop 11am-3pm
  Tea room 11am-3pm
  Carriage Drive 11am-3pm

• Quieter days to visit 

  If you would like to plan a trip to Cragside on a quieter day, we recommend visiting on a Monday or Friday (excluding bank holidays).

• Limited wifi and phone signal

  There is limited phone signal and 4G/5G at Cragside. If your group is planning to split up, we recommend setting a time and meeting point. If you find that a member of your group is missing, children or adults, please alert a member of staff or call 07818 240 068.
  
  Some wifi is available at the visitor centre. Log in to ‘National Trust Free Wifi’ using your mobile device.

• Emergencies

  We hope everyone has a happy and safe visit, but if you require emergency assistance, please call 07818 240 068 which is staffed 24 hours a day.

Getting to Cragside

• By bus

  The Arriva X14 bus travels from Newcastle Haymarket to Morpeth, before continuing on to Cragside, Rothbury and Thropton. The Liberty 471 has stops at Thropton, Rothbury, Cragside, Edlingham and Alnwick.

  Both buses, drop off at Cragside's main entrance where a member of the team will welcome you. Plus, it's just £2 each way as part of the government's price cap scheme.

• By car

  From the A1, follow the signs for the A697. Follow the A697 through the villages of Longhorsely and Longframlington. After approximately 4-miles, take a left turn on to the B6341 at the Moorhouse Crossroads. Cragside’s entrance is 3 miles along this road on the left.

  Your SatNav may try to bring you through Cragside’s main exit. When approaching Cragside, please follow the brown signs to the main entrance.

• Visiting with a motorhome

  There are a limited number of spaces for motorhomes and campervans at the Formal Garden car park that are available on a first come first served basis. The welcome team will direct you on arrival. Please do not attempt to drive around the Carriage Drive in your motorhome or campervan. The road is single track and too narrow for safe passage. Maximum dimensions for vehicles 8’8 (264cm) high x 6’6 wide (195cm).

  Unfortunately, due to narrow roads and natural infrastructure, we are unable to accommodate caravans or cars with trailers on site.

Top tips for arrival

• Arrival

  Cragside’s welcome team will greet you on the driveway on to the grounds. It’s good to have your membership cards or payment methods to hand in the car.

• Parking

  All parking is free. The largest car park is the main car park situated between the House and the visitor centre.

  During the winter months additional parking is available via the Carriage Drive at Crozier and Nelly's Moss car parks.

• What is the Carriage Drive?

  The Carriage Drive is a 6-mile, one-way, single-track road around the grounds. This scenic route gives you access to the upper estate, additional car parking. Maximum dimensions for vehicles 8’8 high (264cm) x 6’6 wide (195cm).

• Where are the nearest toilets?

  On arrival, your nearest toilets are located at the visitor centre, next to the Stables. There is an accessible toilet and baby change.

Getting around Cragside

• Maps and signage

  Explore Cragside Map

  On arrival you will be given a pocket-sized Explore Cragside leaflet. Inside this leaflet is a map. While it’s not to scale, it will help you locate key features and landmarks across the grounds. Click here to pre-download a copy.

  There are larger versions of the map at all car parks, the coach park and map room at the visitor centre.

  Traffic/road signs

  We are currently upgrading our traffic signs. Looking out for signs that are dark green and white and black and white while driving around the grounds.

  Walking signage

  Look out for the wooden arrowed signs at footpath junctions. These will help you find your way around Cragside on foot.

• Walking

  There are 40-miles of footpaths that criss-cross the grounds. If you are feeling adventurous, you can choose your own route around Cragside but, if you’d like to follow a set walk, you can.

  Waymarked walks

  In your Explore Cragside leaflet on the map page are four recommended walks to choose from. If you have completed these or would like to try a different route, it’s well worth visiting the map room at the visitor centre where you will find a display of all nine waymarked walks on the wall. You can also view the waymarked walks on our website in advance of your visit here.

  Look out for the starter markers at the beginning of each walk and follow the waymarkers along the route. They are circular with coloured arrows associated with your walk. They also have the title of your walk on them too.

  What to wear

  Please wear weather appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear during your visit. The terrain is varied, with steep drops in places. Paths can be muddy and slippery underfoot. The weather in Northumberland can be changeable so it's good to come prepared. Don't forget bottles of water and hats (and sun cream on warmer days).

• Christmas Shuttle Bus (until Sunday 5 January)

  It stops at the visitor centre, main car park, House and Formal Garden.

  The bus is available for all visitors to use. The bus is dog-friendly and it has a tail-gate lift. Look out for the red bus stops signs.

• Wheelchairs

  There are some steep gradients at Cragside and the terrain is varied. Between the visitor centre and House is tarmacked, however most of the paths are gravelled or include stone steps.

  Wheelchairs are available to borrow. We recommend booking these in advance of your visit by calling 01669 620 333.

• Walking Cragside with your dog

  Dogs are very welcome at Cragside but they must be kept on a lead at all times, in all areas. By keeping your dog on a lead, you are helping to protect resident wildlife, supporting those who are wary of dogs, keeping your dog safe from steep drops and craggy edges on the grounds and assisting other walkers you may meet while exploring with anxious dogs.

  Further information about visiting Cragside with your four-legged friends can be found here.

Things to know before exploring the House

• Rucksacks and backpacks

  If you are carrying a rucksack or backpack the team at the House will ask you wear this on your front or carry it by your side. Bags with a cross-body strap such as handbags and satchels are fine to wear as normal. If these are fairly large you may be requested to position these across your front.

• Stairs and levels

  The House is over 5 levels and includes some stairs. There is no lift. Most of the stairs are carpeted however the steps that lead to the ‘Turkish Bath’ suite in the basement and the Scullery below the Kitchen are stone and uneven. Visitor seating is available on each floor to assist with your visit.

• Buggies and baby carriers

  Due to narrow corridors, we are unable to accommodate buggies and pushchairs in the House. Due to limited head space and to protect the items on display, please use a front carrier or we can provide a Hippy Chick baby carrier.

• Calm Corner

  We have a Calm Corner at Cragside House. The room has been specially created to allow visitors who may require a moment of privacy or calm to decompress in a comfortable and calm space, away from the hustle and bustle of the House.
  
  The room has been decorated in a soothing colour palette with comfy chairs, it’s lit with soft lighting and a large window brings in lots of natural light. Ear-defenders are available to borrow and there are a selection of books and children’s toys too.
  
  The Calm Corner can be used by anyone who needs it. It can be found between the Kitchen and the Dining Room on the ground floor of the House. Simply remove the rope across the door and enter the room for as long as needed. You can either replace the rope or close the door entirely for privacy.

• Braille Guides

  Braille guides are not avaialble during the festive season.

  During the main spring/summer season, which commences at February half term, there are information boards in the rooms at the House. These information boards have been translated into Braille. Please ask a member of the team on arrival if you would like to borrow a copy.

• Guides in other languages

  Guides in other languages are not available during the festive season.

  When usual opening resumes from February half term, we have a selection of House guides available in other languages including French, German, Portuguese, Italian and Japanese. Please ask a member of the team on arrival at the House if you would like to borrow a copy.

• Virtual Tour

  Within the House entrance is a laptop displaying a virtual guided tour of Cragside House. It includes subtitles and British Sign Language (BSL) translation. Please ask the team if you would like to view this.