A Guide To National Trust Sites In The North East

The North East of England is home to some iconic historic buildings, landscapes, wildlife and more; many of which are managed by the National Trust. To inspire you to visit and plan your trip, I’ve created this guide to all of the National Trust sites in the North East.

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Do you know that the one thing that makes me really feel like an adult, you know a proper adult, is our family’s National Trust membership. Being a member of the National Trust feels like a real privilege, waving my membership card about and entering some of the most popular attractions in the UK for ‘free’. It was a trip with good friends to Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire that led us to purchasing a membership but having the opportunity to explore National Trust sites in the North East, much closer to home, has been fantastic especially for our little daughter.

Whether you’re looking for great days out taking in historic buildings, walking the dogs or letting the kids run wild, you can be sure that a National Trust site will always be one of the first places that come to mind. I’ve created this guide to pull all of the National Trust sites in the North East together and share my experiences as well as my photos to help you plan your visit or inspire you to head to the North East and see these iconic National Trust sites.

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NATIONAL TRUST SITES IN THE NORTH EAST

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CRAGSIDE

First up is quite possibly my favourite of the many National Trust sites in the North East; Cragside. Just outside Rothbury in Northumberland, this is the home and estate of Victorian inventor William Armstrong and his wife, Margaret. What the Armstrong’s created here at Cragside is nothing short of remarkable. The house was originally a fishing lodge before being transformed over time into what we say today; a lavish country home crossed with a fantasy castle surrounded by towering trees.

Not only did the home look incredible, it featured some state of the art inventions and engineering including, quite incredibly, the world’s first hydroelectric power scheme. All thanks to Lord Armstrong. Cragside is often dubbed the original smart home!

When we visited our little one couldn’t walk and, as prams aren’t allowed in the house, we spent a rainy morning exploring the paths around the estate, taking in the incredible views and warming up with coffee and a cake in the tearoom. The best views of Cragside are certainly found alongside Debdon Burn looking back up past the Iron Bridge to the home itself perched on the cliffs.

There’s so much more to see within the grounds of Cragside too including the Pump House, Powerhouse and the Archimedes Screw that continues to generate enough hydroelectricity to light the home.

Before you leave, take to the roads and drive around the entire estate. The Carriage Drive is a six-mile circular route through the stunning landscape and, if you fancy it, you can stop in one of the designated parking areas to wander some more or have a picnic.

Opening Times & Prices

As always, check with the official website for the latest information, but ordinarily the House is open 10am – 4pm and everything else is open 10am – 5pm.

Adult – £23
Child – £11.50 (Under 5’s are free)
Family – £57.50
Family (1 Adult) – £34.50

Please note that Cragside is not part of any free admission promotions, like the ones you get in the newspapers, so you’ll either need to be a National Trust member or pay the admission fees as above to enter.

Website

GIBSIDE

Whilst there is no grand stately home here at Gibside, the gardens and outdoor landscapes make it one of the top National Trust sites in the North East. With over 600 acres of Georgian landscape garden, there are plenty of views and walks to help you relax. There’s a Palladian chapel to wander around, walled gardens and the 43m high Column to Liberty at the end of an arrow straight, tree-lined avenue.

We can thank the influential Bowes Family and particularly the coal-mine owner, George Bowes, who inherited the Gibside estate in 1722 and added most of what we see today; designed to impress all of his guests. However, over the years that passed, thanks to deaths and divorce, Gibside was essentially abandoned and ultimately dismantled. It was the National Trust that saved Gibside, reassembled parts as a unified estate and now we get to enjoy the grounds as they would once have been seen! George Bowes’ great-grandson, son of Mary Eleanor, founded the fantastic Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle which is definitely worth a visit if not only to see the beautiful French-style château.

The play areas for children are excellent too especially with the brand new Strawberry Castle play area. Dogs are allowed here so make sure you bring your furry friend along with you and take advantage of the long walks around the grounds and through the Derwent Valley. It’s hard to believe that Gibside is less than 10 miles from the centre of Newcastle; it’s so peaceful.

Opening Times & Prices

Gibside is ordinarily open 10am to 5pm every day though last entry is always one hour before closing.

Adult – £15
Child – £7.50 (Under 5’s are free)
Family – £37.50
Family (1 Adult) – £22.50

Website

SEATON DELAVAL HALL

This is one of the latest National Trust sites we have visited as a family and is certainly one of the most unique up in the North East. Seaton Delaval Hall can be found just to the north of Whitley Bay only a stone’s through from the ocean. The hall was home to the Delaval Family who were known as the ‘Gay Delavals’ thanks to their flamboyant lifestyle. They were a family of pranksters and knew how to throw a good party. It’s said that visitors to the hall would often be subject to pranks that were as hilarious in Georgian times as they would be now. Can you imagine waking up to find that every item within your bedroom had been turned upside down or you were sleeping on a bed with a gaggle of geese hidden underneath. Honestly, the stories that these walls could tell!

Sadly, 200 years ago, a fire ravaged Seaton Delaval Hall practically to ruin. You can however still wander through the building which has been restored over the years – the Central Hall is magnificent. Within the West Wing, you can experience examples of the family’s bedroom pranks and stand eye to eye with the family through their portraits. The gardens surrounding the hall are great to explore with the littles ones as is the Delaval Playdium play area hidden within the woods. You can also wander across to the 11th century Church of Our Lady that was once the families private place of worship.

Opening Times & Prices

Seaton Delaval Hall is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The grounds are open from 10am to 5pm with the Central Hall opening from 11am to 5pm and the West Wing from 11am to 4:30pm.

Adult – £13
Child – £6.50 (Under 5’s are free)
Family – £32.50
Family (1 Adult) – £19.50

Website

CROOK HALL GARDENS

Durham’s city centre holds such a pleasant surprise in the form of Crook Hall Gardens; a place of serenity a short walk from the hustle and bustle of the city’s Riverwalk and high street. Here you’ll find beautiful gardens, a Georgian townhouse as well as a 14th century Jacobean Hall. The walled garden in front of the townhouse is my favourite with its colourful array of flowers whereas the further away you walk from the main area, there are secluded little spots for picnics and reading nooks for the little ones.

For a more detailed guide and more photos, head across to my guide to Crook Hall Gardens.

Opening Times & Prices

Open daily 10am to 5pm

Adult – £8.50
Child – £4.25
Family – £21.25
Family (1 Adult) – £12.75

Entry to the cafe is free
Car Park – £3.30 for up to 3 hours, Free for National Trust Members

Website

LINDISFARNE CASTLE

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is one of the most religious spots in the whole of England and is a must visit for all those that head to Northumberland. The ‘island’ is reached by a causeway that is cut off by the tide twice per day and therefore any visit requires planning and a careful watch on the safe crossing times (which you can access here).

Lindisfarne Castle is a little different to your ordinary castle. Firstly, you’ll find that it’s perched on top of a rocky crag as though it has been plucked out of a fairytale. We visited not long after sunrise and the area was so peaceful and serene. Secondly, although the castle dates back to the 1500’s, it was converted into a private holiday home in the early 1900’s by a famed architect for Edward Hudson (the founder of Country Life magazine). At the castle, you can have a wander around the inside before enjoying the Victorian walled garden and Victorian lime kilns. If you’re lucky enough you’ll be able to spot seals off the coast!

Opening Times & Prices

The times that Lindisfarne Castle is open seems to vary depending on what day and week it is. I’ve seen weekdays where it is open from 10am to 5pm but others where it closes early; I would therefore highly recommend checking the official website in advance of your visit.

Adult – £10
Child – £5
Family – £25
Family (1 Adult) – £15

Website

DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE

Northumberland is home to it’s fair share of beautiful castles and the coastline features two of my favourites; the iconic Bamburgh Castle and the stunning ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle situated between Craster and Embleton Bay.

Whilst Dunstanburgh Castle lies in ruins, it’s not hard to imagine just how much of a show of force this castle would have been when it was built back in the early 1300’s. The walk across to the castle is one of the highlights too, around 1.3 miles along the coast from the tiny village of Craster.

Opening Times & Prices

Open daily 10am to 5pm.

Dunstanburgh Castle is actually managed by English Heritage but for those who have a National Trust membership, entrance to the castle is free when you show your membership card. All of the prices below are set out as on the day prices including a donation. If you book in advance, tickets are cheaper.

Adult – £9
Concession – £8
Child – £5 (Under 5’s are free)
Family – £23
Family (1 Adult) – £14

Website

PENSHAW MONUMENT

Penshaw Monument (officially the Earl of Durham’s Monument) is one of Sunderland’s most famous landmarks and can be seen from miles around. The monument is a 70-foot high replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens and makes for a cosy Sunday walk around the grounds though keep dogs on leads as you will come across free roaming cows! From within the temple, you can enjoy brilliant views across the North East.

Opening Times & Prices

Accessible all day, all year round with free entry. Parking is free too but try to head here early as it can get busy!

Website

DURHAM COAST

Surprisingly, the Durham Coast between Seaham and Horden is actually managed by the National Trust. The coastline is unrecognisable these days after its industrial past and you can enjoy a lovely wander along sheltered bays and over the headlands. First up is Blast Beach just south of Seaham with brilliant views from Noses Point. For decades, this beach used to be the dumping ground for four mines in the local area and at one point was said to have suffered some of the worst pollution in the world – hard to believe these days thanks to the return of normality as well as plants and wildlife!

Another stunning location along this stretch of coast is Hawthorn Dene, a nature reserve with historic woodland and a viaduct which takes the railway across the valley. On Fridays to Sundays during the summer, you can grab an ice cream and a coffee from Palominos.

Website

STILL TO COME

I had thought about saving this guide back until I’d visited every single one of the National Trust sites in the North East but I’m sure you know what it’s like, life gets in the way and it takes a long time to tick things off your list. I also don’t really like to write about places that I haven’t personally been to and that I don’t have photographs of so I’ll list and link the remaining National Trust sites below so you can see what else there is in the North East. Over time, I’ll update this guide as and when I can and, hopefully, in the not so distant future I’ll have visited every single one of the National Trust sites in the North East!

Wallington
Roseberry Topping
George Stephenson’s Birthplace
Allen Banks & Staward Gorge
Hadrian’s Wall & Housesteads Fort
Farne Islands
Ormesby Hall
Washington Old Hall
Cherryburn
Souter Lighthouse & The Leas

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