Cragside Rothbury

Cragside, Lord Armstrong's estate in Rothbury, Northumberland, is my favourite National Trust property. There is so much of interest while the location is superb. Perhaps the best time to visit is in late May or early June when the thousands of rhododendrons and azaleas are in flower, but the unique combination of architecture, interior decoration, gardens, moorland walks and engineering interest is fascinating throughout the year.

Paul Martin of "Flog It" fame was to be seen making a programme about historic houses I think, and he is stood on the little bridge at the bottom of the picture. There is a bloke holding a microphone standing below.

The garden shed.

Owl sculpture by tree sculptor and artist Tommy Craggs.

Glass panels designed by William Morris.

And now for something completely different. The buckets of a Pelton wheel water turbine. Cragside was the first house to be supplied by electricity generated using hydro power.