During a short break in Northumberland we spent an afternoon at Cragside. This extensive National Trust property is home to the first residence to have electric light from hydroelectricity.
It was our second visit to Cragside. On our first visit some-teen years ago we had been unable to enter the house due to staff shortages. This time the arrangements were completely different. Unguided access to the house was permitted. As it was a damp day being indoors was a popular option!
Fortunately the weather improved as the day went on. After exploring the house and being impressed by its former owner’s ingenuity we had a late picnic lunch. Then we followed the signs to the labyrinth.
I was sure that labyrinth now means a single path with only one route through it. This labyrinth turned out to be a maze. We entered through one archway and left (after being directed by other explorers) by another. The nearby carriageway helped us find our bearings and return to the house. Then we had a walk through the rock garden to the iron bridge and back to the car park via a path, which turned out not to be a short cut.
There were lots of fungi. My pictures of those are littering Twitter under the hashtag #WildWebsWednesday.
Instead of driving directly to the exit we followed the carriageway for six miles around the estate.
Variegated holly
Side of the house
Side of the entrance
Autumn crocus
A waterfall
The other side
Chimneys and clocktower
Rock garden
In the frame
Debdon burn
From below
The iron bridge
