Cragside, UK Part II-- Tumbleton Lake and Outlying Buildings

After visiting the gardens briefly, we went off to the stables of Cragside to satisfy our appetite for lunch. Don't worry! First of all, we packed a lunch. Second, the stables have been converted to a visitor centre, tea rooms, shops, and museum. No animals were harmed on this visit!

Tumbleton Lake

The converted stables

The lake was created by damming a small tributary to the nearby river Coquet. Just below the dam is a pump house that used to provide water to the house. The builder of the house, William Armstrong, was a fabulous inventor who used all sorts of machines in his house, including an elevator and electric lights, all powered by water. Part of the stables is a museum describing the history of the house and the accomplishments of Armstrong.

Museum entrance

Propaganda Informational poster

All the ways the 1860s house was far ahead of its time

J examines different types of water wheels

We shopped around a bit and then headed off to the main house, which we will see in our next post!

Exiting from the stables...

...past the workmen's houses...

...and on to the house!