You could be forgiven for thinking there’s a trend developing - travel day implies National Trust day. Well OK yesterday’s Aria Falls was NT so it’s only a one way relationship (”==>” in maths notation) but rather than ruin the hypothesis, we visit two. All this drivel is pertinent!
Cragside is our favourite NT by times visited, and for numerous other reasons too. Most notable being happy memories of a stunning lakeside lunch with John and Sheila Wainwright many years ago, four or five courses - we created a spectacular never since repeated. As we arrive we pass a Google Street View recorder, so must check back to see if we’ve made it!
It’s the family home of William Armstrong, a pioneering engineer who went on to be an industrialist of some repute, including arms it has to be said, but many other technical developments, many based around hydraulics such as the lifting mechanisms of Tower Bridge in London.
Back home at Cragside, the house grew as his fortune did, and became the amazing edifice it is now, as well as the first house ever to be power by hydroelectricity.
Armstrong entertained many guests here including the Prince and Princess of Wales (Edward VII and Alexandra) which gives some idea of how important he was regarded, culminating in him being the first ever engineer to be elevated, thus becoming Baron Armstrong. The suite TRHs stayed in is called the Owl Suite.
Later Armstrongs were less business-minded and the house was eventually consumed by death duties, and in the nineteen seventies NT saved it.
New to us is Wallington Manor, not far away and home of the Trevelyan family, and way back one one of King Arthur’s knights. In more recent times a Labour MP has held this baronetcy, a pioneering educator (see, the opening drivel was related to both houses!)
The house is certainly very interesting, including some of NT’s finest porcelain collections and that it once had an inner quad now covered, but what really amazes us is the huge gardens, from woodland to walled to formal and riverside. We walk the length in one direction abs the return, pick up ice cream and walk the other way as far as possible.
Moving on we find our latest hotel, and wow the entrance is something else - it’s a castle, and the approach is truly spectacular.
Dating back to C14, it’s a classic H-shaped castle which really looks the part. We’re not actually “in” the castle, their rooms are mostly in various outbuildings.
However we sit outside the battlements to enjoy our aperitif, and staff bring the menu so we can decide. Later I go into the mail hall to place our order. It’s all very well run and confidently executed.
Eventually we’re escorted through to the modern extension which is in most ways the best outcome for us. The staff are lovey, and food impeccable from beetroot and goat’s chose to pork three ways as staters, the mains are lamb and duck - both excellent. Puds are fabulous Coconut Panna Cotta and deconstructed Black Forest.
As amazing food is back on the menu it’s a shame the Internet isn’t very good, more photos will arrive when I’ve worked out a solution.
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