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| National
Trust Properties |
| Cragside |
 |
 The
National Trust property Cragside
House was formerly the home of the famous inventor William,
Lord Armstrong 1810-1900 (of Vickers-Armstrong fame). In
1878 Cragside was the first house in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity,
powered by generators on the estate. The House is magnificent and
beautiful, with a lived-in atmosphere, and is well worth a visit.
 The
beautiful grounds and gardens around Cragside form a 1000-acre
estate, with over 40 miles of footpaths. Meander past lakes, streams
and some of England's tallest trees or drive the winding, scenic
roadway. The scenery is ever changing and spectacular! (more
info)
Opening times :
House:
Summer: (Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays):
15th March - 5th October 2008 From 1pm - 5.30pm (Last admission
4.30pm)
Autumn: (Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays):
7th October - 2nd November 2008 From 1pm - 4.30pm (Last admission
3.30pm)
Winter: House closed.
Gardens, Estate, restaurant and shop:
Summer: (Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays):
15th March - 2nd November 2008: From 10.30am - 7pm (Last admission
5pm)
Winter: (Wednesdays - Sundays)
15th November - 21st December 2008: From 11am - 4pm (Last
admission 3pm)
For admission charges and more information, Tel. 01669 620333 -
or click
here.
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| Lady's
Well, Holystone |
| | Lady's
Well at Holystone, NR. Harbottle, is an ancient attractive well
or water tank thought to have been constructed by the Romans on the site of a
natural spring. Paulinus (later Bishop of York) is reputed to have baptized
2000 converts here on Easter day AD 627.
In the mid 12th century Holystone became the home of a priory of Augustinian
Canonesses, at which time the Well was repaired and adorned with a cross.
Since then the Well has been known as Lady's Well and a statue was later installed
during the 18th C. to represent Paulinus.
Access at all reasonable times.
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| Wallington
Hall |
| |
 Wallington
Hall Is situated just 15 - 20 minutes drive from Rothbury.
It boasts a superb collection of dolls' houses. The house
stands on the remnants of a former castle, the cellars of which
are incorporated into the existing house.
Wallington was last owned by the Trevelyan family and was left to
the National Trust by Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan for the nation
to enjoy. The house is beautiful, and well furnished, with superb
murals in the central hall. A walled garden half a mile from the
house is well worth the walk, passing a picturesque lake and tree
lined walkways.
Opening times 2007
House:
17th March to 4th November: (Closed Tuesdays): From 1pm.
Gardens: Daily, all year From
10 am.
Farm Shop:
Daily, all year from 17th March. From 10.30am.
Shop, Restaurant : Depends
on time of year. click
here to see details.
For more information, Tel. 01670 773600, Fax. 01670 774420
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| Other National Trust Places of interest within reach of
Rothbury: |
| |
Coast:
|
| |
Inland |
| | Other
Stately Homes |
| Floors
Castle & Gardens |
| |
Floors
Castle
The Castle is situated north
west of Rothbury taking the A697 to Coldstream, then the A698 to Kelso. Home of
the Duke and Duchess of Roxburgh, Floors is the largest inhabited castle in Scotland.(40
minutes drive)
The houses of Floors, Manderston, Mellerstain, and Paxton,
are all in the same area of the Borders between Kelso and Berwick Upon Tweed.
|
| Manderston |
| |
Manderston
Manderston its buildings, park and gardens form an ensemble which
is unique in Britain, Georgian in taste but with all the elaborate
planning for Edwardian convenience. Home to Lord and Lady Palmer,
the house was built with no expense spared and boasts the only silver
staircase in the world. Manderston is just outside Duns and
can be reached from Rothbury via the A697 to Coldstream, the A6112
to Duns then the A6105 towards Berwick Upon Tweed. (About 45 minutes)
Opening times 2007
Mid May to end of September on Thursdays and Sundays
Grounds, Gardens:
11.30 - dusk
House: from 1.30pm - 5pm....last
entry:4.15pm
|
| Mellerstain |
| | Mellerstain
Mellerstain is a superb Georgian house begun by William Adam in 1725 and completed
by his famous son Robert several years later. The interior decoration is outstanding.
To get there, take the A697 to Coldstream, then the A698 to Kelso then the A6089
Kelso to Gordon road. (About 50 minutes drive)
Opening times 2007: Varied according to season. Click
here for details.
|
| Paxton
House & Country Park |
| | Paxton
House
Paxton House was built to the
design of John and James Adam in 1758 by Patrick Home of Billie. One of the finest
Palladian country houses in Britain, Robert Adam interiors, the largest collection
of Chippendale furniture in Scotland, and fine regency furniture. A day out for
all the family. To get there, take the A697 from Rothbury towards Coldstream then
the A698 Berwick Upon Tweed road, onto the Berwick bypass A1 travelling North,
then take the B6461 signposted from the A1 for 3 miles. (About 50 minutes drive)
Opening times 2007:
1st April to 31st October: Daily
Gardens:
10.00am until sunset
House: from 11.00am - 5pm....last
tour: 4 pm
Tea rooms and shop: 10.00am
- 5.00pm
|
| |
| English
Heritage Properties |
| Brinkburn
Priory |
| |  4
miles SE of Rothbury is a perfect example of an early Gothic Priory. Brinkburn
dates back to 1135 when it was founded by Augustinian Canons. Brinkburn fell into
ruin following the dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII after 1529. The
Priory was fully restored in the 19th century. The acoustics at Brinkburn are
second to none!
Opening times 2007: Click
here for details.
For information tel. 01665 570628
For general
information on English heritage click
here
|
| Belsay
Hall, Castle & Gardens |
| | 
Belsay
Hall (30 minutes drive) was built during the 19th century by Sir Charles
Monck. The Hall was built in the grounds of a 13th century castle, which later
was converted into a Manor house. The Manor House is now a picturesque ruin. Belsay
Hall was rescued by English Heritage and saved for the nation to enjoy. The gardens,
some of which are in the shelter of the old quarry, grow many exotic and unusual
plants and trees. For opening times tel. 01661 881636.
Opening times 2007: click
here for details
|
| Harbottle
Castle [Private ownership] |
| | Harbottle
Castle was built on the orders of Henry II, by Odinel de Umfraville to
strengthen the Border defences. Work began in the latter half of the 12th century,
situated above the village of Harbottle overlooking the Reivers Way along the
Coquet Valley. The Castle was taken by the Scots in 1174 but retaken later that
year when William of Scotland was captured near Alnwick Castle. Henry VIII's sister
Margaret Tudor (widow of King James IV of Scotland) was granted asylum there in
1515. Here she gave birth to her daughter, Margaret. James V1 Scotland and 1 of
England was the great grandson of Margaret, he was responsible for uniting the
kingdoms of both countries. N.P. interpretation panel in car park. Access at all
reasonable times.
|
| Wood
Houses Bastle
[Private ownership] |
| | 10 minutes drive
from Rothbury via Hepple then Holystone road. Bastles were fortified farmhouses,
built to protect the farmer and his livestock from Border Reivers. Woodhouses
Bastle is a particularly well preserved example. A lintel above the door
is dated 1602 but the Bastle is thought to predate this. N.P. interpretation panel
in layby. Access at all reasonable times, to see the interior, contact Northumberland
National Park.
|
| Alnwick
Castle [Private ownership] |
| |
 20
mins drive from Rothbury, Seat of the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle
& Alnwick
Garden has been in the Percy family since the 14th century.
The oldest part of the keep dates from the 12th century when it was
owned by the de Vesci family. Alnwick Castle is well maintained and
the staterooms are a magnificent example of Renaissance style having
been redecorated in the 19th century by Italian craftsmen. The castle
is filled with fine china, paintings and furniture. The new Alnwick
Garden, already impressive, is currently still being built and developed
and the grounds extend into beautiful parkland. For more info. Tel.
01665 510777.
Opening times 2007:
2nd April to 28th October : Daily
Gardens: 10.00am
until 7pm in summer, 4pm in winter
Castle: from 10.00am - 6pm....last
entry: 4.30pm
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| |
| Galleries |
| | 
|
- Coquetdale
Arts Centre (Rothbury High Street) - Impressive display
of paintings and crafts. You are under no obligation and are very
welcome to browse.
Opening times April - Christmas from 10.30am - 4 pm. Tel.
01669 621557.
- Woodhorn
Colliery, a gallery of miners paintings about the lives
of
miners, this is a very interesting and illuminating insite into
the way they
lived and worked. The Colliery is also now a museum of pit life
and well
worth a visit.
Good news - the visitor centre opens 28th October 2006.
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|
|
| Other
Places of Interest |
| | Otterburn
Mill (Otterburn)
A former working woollen mill, on the outskirts
of the village of Otterburn. Displays of crafts, china, woollens, and a Tea-room/garden. |
| |
| Theatre |
| | Alnwick
Playhouse (Bondgate Without, Alnwick)
A very good local theatre,
excellent local venue for Drama, up to date Films, Music etc. Click on the link
and see their programme. |
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