Cragside Park House

ROTHBURY CRAGSIDE LODGE NU 0602 23/274 Cragside Park House 22/12/8l (formerly listed as Cottage in the park at Knocklaw) GV II

House, 1864 with later C19 and early C20 extensions, for Lord Armstrong. Squared tooled stone, with raised tooled-and-margined quoins and dressings; timber-framed extensions with pebble-dashed infill; red clay tile roofs.

East elevation: Main part 1 storey + attics, 2 gabled bays. Central semi- octagonal porch, timber framed on moulded stone plinth; left-of-centre door half-glazed above linenfold panels, under basket arch; flat leaded roof with overhanging eaves. Flanking bays have triple casement windows, and attic casements in widened openings; to right of left ground floor window is small carved panel with Armstrong trebuchet. Set back early C20 north wing, timber framed on stone base.

South elevation: Main part 3 bays. Projecting centre has triple casement below and plate-glass sash under shouldered arch in gable above; on right is extruded canted former porch, with blocked pointed arch holding later casement, and blind slits on returns. Side bays have gabled roof dormers; double casement on ground floor right; flat-roofed timber-framed extension to left. Far left timber-framed extension with metal-framed casements and hipped roof.

Original house has plate-glass casements in chamfered surrounds, carved openwork bargeboards with finials and pendants, and 3 ridge stacks with diagonal shafts and moulded cornices.

Interior: Dining Room has pitch pine panelling. Later C19 openwell stair with closed strings and splat balusters. 1 bedroom has wash basin on cast- iron stand painted to resemble wood. Larder or Cheese Room has slate table and De Morgan majolica tiles.

House may have been designed by the unknown architect of the 1864 Cragside. It was often occupied by Lord Armstrong, who built several ingenious ancillary works, and is listed for historic interest.

Listing NGR: NU0691202072