The weather may be turning crisp, but autumn is still a great time to wrap up warm and get exploring outdoors - and if you’re looking for inspiration for your next day out, look no further than what the National Trust has to offer.
The Trust looks after many of the North East’s most fascinating attractions, including a number of houses that are steeped in history . Whether you’re exploring the houses themselves or taking a stroll around their picturesque grounds, these locations make for the ideal family day out with attractions suitable for all ages.
From the birthplace of Northumberland ’s greatest artist to the infamous setting of roaring Georgian parties, you’ll learn some amazing things about the North East’s history on a day out exploring one of these venues. Here are five National Trust buildings that you can visit in the region this autumn.
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These venues are generally open seven days a week between the hours of 10am and 5pm, with last admissions at 4pm. Do make sure you check the National Trust website for ticket prices and specific opening times on the day you want to visit, as these are subject to change and you may need to pre-book depending on the venue.
Cragside
Dubbed ‘Britain’s original smart home’, this stunning Victorian house was the home of inventor Lord William Armstrong and was filled with Victorian gadgets in its heyday. Illuminated by hydro-electricity and powered by hydraulics, this pioneering house is also surrounded by a breathtaking carefully realised landscape, including man-made lakes originally designed to power the home.
Visitors can enjoy a beautiful autumnal wander through the estate’s grounds, from the towering trees of the Pinetum to the weaving paths of the Rock Garden and the vibrant colours of the Formal Gardens. There’s also an adventure to be had by youngsters at Cragside as they explore the labyrinth and enjoy the newly-extended play area this autumn.
Wallington
Gifted to the National Trust by Socialist MP Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan, this 13,500-acre estate is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature with its picturesque surroundings. The landscape around Wallington boasts everything from woodland to farmland, as well as a hidden walled garden nestled in the woods that was beloved by Lady Mary Trevelyan.
There are many scenic walks to enjoy at Wallington, as well as four play areas and a wildlife hide that make this an ideal outdoorsy day out for families - as well as plenty of activities running throughout October half-term. Meanwhile, the inside of the house is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the history of Northumberland through huge pre-Raphaelite paintings, furniture collections and quirky curiosities in each room.
Seaton Delaval Hall
Once home to the Delaval family, this Georgian Hall was the setting for the family’s notoriously flamboyant and high-spirited lifestyle. From huge parties to masquerade balls and theatrical productions, Seaton Delaval Hall has one of the richest histories of any building in the North East.
Autumn is the perfect time to explore the Hall’s gardens, according to the National Trust, with the surrounding gardens packed with gorgeous golden colours from the Parterre across to the Wildflower Garden. The Hall is also throwing its annual Halloween weekend at the end of the month, with spooky storytelling, street performances and pumpkin bowling all on the agenda, as well as a half-term autumn nature trail beforehand.
Cherryburn
This unassuming cottage and farmhouse is one of the region’s real hidden gems, and is famous for being the birthplace of Northumberland artist Thomas Bewick. Set in a tranquil garden with views across the Tyne Valley, this 19th-century house is surrounded by the nature that inspired Bewick’s famous works.
Cherryburn is open on Thursdays and Fridays until 28 October, so you only have a couple of weeks left if you’d like to visit. On 28 October the museum is hosting a Halloween Storytelling event suitable for all ages, where a chilling selection of classic and contemporary ghost stories will be told to the audience.
Washington Old Hall
This manor house is famously associated with the family of George Washington, the first US President, as the building you can see today incorporates parts of the original medieval home of Washington’s ancestors. Dating back to the 13th century, the Hall was lived in by up to nine families until the 1930s and has a tremendous amount of history within its walls.
October is a great time to visit the Hall and have a wander around the lovely gardens as they change with the seasons. This month is also the last chance to visit Washington Old Hall for a while, with the grounds open from Friday to Monday until 31 October.
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