Cragside visitors see light
Nov 17 2007 by Paul James, The Journal
AN historic North-East house was lit up last night as part of this year’s Northumberland Lights Festival.
Visitors enjoyed a spectacular walk around the home that was the first in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity with the Electric Forest at Cragside, Northumberland.
The illuminations will be on display until Sunday night at the estate, near Rothbury, with the walk taking visitors alongside the Debdon burn, revealing untold aspects of Cragside’s stunning Valley Garden.
They are then led through a special route, discovering a dramatic landscape, illuminated by light and sculptures appearing through Lord Armstrong’s transatlantic conifer forest.
John O’Brien, property manager at the National Trust property, said: “We are very excited to be part of this year’s programme.
“Cragside was one of Lord Armstrong’s greatest achievements and the illumination of his spectacular landscape will highlight what was described in its Victorian heyday as ‘the palace of a modern magician’.”
The festival started last week in Blyth, and will continue at Warkworth Castle and on Hadrian’s Wall at Haltwhistle.
Phil Supple, creative designer for Northumberland Lights 2007, said: “We are hoping that together we can deliver a series of world class outdoor events that complement the unique history, culture and landscape of Northumberland.
“I am proud to continue my long association with the North-East and its wonderful people and to continue to develop some fantastic relationships with our partner organisations.
“I am honoured to have been commissioned to curate what I believe is the most exciting series of outdoor events in Britain, in some of the most beautiful places that this country has to offer.”
Cragside chalked up a record 200,002 visitors this year.
