Woodland path through trees on the Cragside estate, Northumberland

Where to go · Northumberland

Forest bathing at Cragside

Victorian estate above Rothbury with giant conifers in the Pinetum, rhododendron tunnels and lakes built to power the house.

Cragside is the estate William Armstrong built above Rothbury, and its woods grew up around his engineering. The lakes he made powered hydroelectricity and hydraulics for the house, and the Pinetum frames The Gorge, a rocky ravine of giant conifers and waterfalls. Rhododendrons form tunnels and arches along the Gun Walk and the Wetland Walk. With nine waymarked routes from 1.5 to 7 miles, it is easy to find a stretch of path to yourself.

For a gentle start, Nelly's Moss is a flat 1.5 mile loop around two of the old lakes, good for herons, frogs and toads; the National Trust suggests a midweek visit outside school holidays if you want it quiet. The Gorge and the Pinetum are worth the climb. Paths are rocky, uneven and often muddy, and the estate is high, so the weather can change quickly: wear sturdy footwear and take a layer. Autumn colour in the woods is a highlight.

Practical

Managed by
National Trust
Parking
Seven car parks across the estate; parking included with admission, National Trust members free
Terrain
Rocky, uneven paths, often muddy, with steep drops in places
Nearest station
Morpeth, about 30 minutes by car; buses stop at the main entrance
Facilities
Visitor centre with shop and tea room; toilets, including accessible, at the visitor centre, house and Crozier car park; free wheelchair loan
Opening and entry
Admission charge, National Trust members free; open daily
Official page
nationaltrust.org.uk

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

Guides who run sessions here

No guides listed at Cragside yet

See forest bathing guides in Northumberland, who may run sessions nearby. If you guide here, list your practice for free and add Cragside to your venues.

More woodlands in Northumberland

All venues in Northumberland
Woodland at Allen Banks in the River Allen gorge, NorthumberlandAllen Banks and Staward GorgeNorthumberland's largest ancient woodland, in the deep gorge of the River AllenBolam Lake with surrounding trees, NorthumberlandBolam Lake Country ParkDobson's lake and woods west of Morpeth, with an accessible path all the way roundWooded valley at Hareshaw Linn near Bellingham, NorthumberlandHareshaw LinnAncient woodland above Bellingham, six bridges and a nine metre waterfall at the end

Photos: Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, Anthony Foster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Bolam Lake Country Park, Clive Nicholson (CC BY-SA 2.0); Hareshaw Linn, Anthony Foster (CC BY-SA 2.0).