Join Historic Buildings & Places on Tuesday 8th December 2026 for a fascinating talk with Lou Renwick, co-owner of the remarkable Cragend Farm in Northumberland, a historic farm with an extraordinary connection to Lord William Armstrong and the neighbouring Cragside estate.
Cragend Farm
Originally a medieval farm, Cragend was transformed in the 1880s by the pioneering Victorian industrialist Lord Armstrong.
Using stone from the nearby Cragend Quarry, Armstrong remodelled the farm and introduced innovative agricultural technology, including the Grade II* listed experimental hydraulic silo. Its surviving hydraulic, water-powered turbine and hoist provide a remarkable insight into the ambition and ingenuity of Victorian engineering.
But Cragend Farm’s story did not end with the Victorian era. After years of decline, the farm became derelict and was placed on the Heritage at Risk Register. In 2011, Lou and her husband Shaun took on the daunting task of bringing the historic farm back to life, undertaking its restoration independently while continuing to run it as a working farm.
In this talk, Lou will share the story of Cragend Farm, from its medieval origins and transformation under Lord Armstrong, through its years of decline, to the ongoing restoration and its new life today. She will explore:
- Cragend Farm’s origins, history and special heritage significance
- Its remarkable connection with Lord Armstrong and Cragside
- The story behind its Grade II* listed buildings and appearance on the Heritage at Risk Register
- What inspired Lou and Shaun to take on the restoration themselves
- The challenges of restoring a complex historic farm and its innovative Victorian engineering
- What they have discovered during more than a decade of research and restoration
- How Cragend Farm is being given a new future as a working farm, family home and visitor destination
Today, Cragend Farm remains a working farm, home to rare breeds of cattle, sheep and goats. It also welcomes visitors through its B&B, holiday cottage, tours and events.
This is a chance to hear first-hand what it takes to rescue and care for a remarkable historic place, and to discover the fascinating story of one of Cragside’s lesser-known neighbours.
Find out more about Cragend Farm: Cragend Farm website
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08 December 2026
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6:00pm - 7:00pm
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Online
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Cragend Farm: A Historic Blend of Heritage, Sustainability, and Countryside Charm
Nestled just outside Rothbury, Northumberland, on the south-eastern side of the renowned Cragside Estate, Cragend Farm is where history, heritage, and sustainability converge.
Lou Renwick is a heritage researcher, author and co-owner of Cragend Farm in Northumberland. Since purchasing the historic farm with her husband Shaun in 2011, she has jointly led the restoration of its unique historic buildings and researched its remarkable connections with Lord Armstrong and the neighbouring Cragside estate.
Lou is the author of Transformation: Lord Armstrong’s Cragend Farm, which documents the farm’s restoration and the discoveries made through more than a decade of research. She regularly shares her knowledge through talks, tours and heritage events, including events with the Association for Industrial Archaeology, the Council for British Archaeology and Heritage Open Days.
Tickets are free (with optional donation) for HB&P members and £4 for non-members.
If you are unable to attend the live event, a recording will be made available to all registered attendees after the session.
Refunds are available for cancellations made 7 or more business days prior to the event.
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