Cragside Visitor Centre Tumbleton Stables

CARTINGTON CRAGSIDE NU 0702 24/14 Cragside Visitor Centre (Tumbleton 8/6/72 Stables) GV II

Stable block, now visitor centre. c.1864, extended and remodelled 1892-3 for Lord Armstrong. Architect unknown but the remodelling is in a Free Tudor style reminiscent of Norman Shaw. Snecked rock-faced stone with rock-faced- and-margined ashlar dressings; some timber-framing; red clay tile roof. Ranges around rectangular yard.

South elevation single-storey, except gate tower, 5 bays: Central tower with stepped buttresses flanking large double-chamfered 4-centred arch with hoodmould and string course above, and ornamental wrought-iron lamp bracket. 2 raised square tablets with clock above and between, all under hoodmoulds. Moulded cornice to projecting eaves; swept pyramidal roof has flat-topped dormer with four 12-pane casements, and wrought-iron finial with weathervane. On left is semi-octagonal stair turret with a stone slab roof. Flanking bays have 2-light mullioned and mullioned-and-transomed windows under straight hoodmoulds, and dormers as on tower. Gabled end bays have 3-light mullioned- and-transomed windows with slits above.

5-bay west elevation shows similar detail; central 2-storey tower with timber- framed 1st floor; panelled pitching door under 4-centred arch under corbelled- out gable with ornamental studding and bargeboards. Square ridge cupola, on swept patterned lead base, has louvred sides and swept pyramidal roof with wrought-iron finial.

Elevations to courtyard: East range, backed by cliff, has 2-storey central tower with 4-centred doorway flanked by 2-light mullioned-and-transomed windows, shouldered-arched pitching door flanked by triplets of slits, and timber-framed gable on corbels. Centre tower of west range has attached 3-step mounting block.

Interiors: Stables in both east and west ranges have cast iron and boarded stall divisions, with ball finials on posts.

Listing NGR: NU0709502692