Day 14 - Newcastle to Kelso - 21 September 2024

Well today we woke to a very thick fog and light drizzle. It is the first hint of wet weather we have had this holiday.  We are all looking forward to seeing the Angel of the North, a spectacular monument.  In 1997, the Gateshead Council (part of Newcastle) commissioned Sir Anthony Gormley to construct a "landmark sculpture for the community".  This is the stunning result.

It is constructed in steel and is 20 metres high and the wingspan is 54 metres. It is founded on piles and the steel sculpture weighs 208 tonnes.  More than 33 million people a year look at it.  

The Angel of the North

I understand why so many people want to see this sculpture. Pictures just do not capture the sense of standing there.

Then we headed towards Scotland, however we stopped at Cragside House and Garden and then Alnwick Castle on the way. 

Cragside is an amazing place. William George Armstrong (1810 to 1900) was a brilliant engineer, inventor and businessman. He had a particular interest in hydraulics and developed a hydro power station. He owned the Elswick Works in Newcastle which employed 25,000 people. He designed the swing bridge and also sold the design of artillery equipment around the world.  He was knighted and was the first engineer to sit in the house of Lords. 

Cragside was originally a modest home but William and his wife Margaret developed it into a spectacular stately home. They both really enjoyed gardening and imported over 25,000 plants and trees from around the world.  It was the first home to be run on electricity.  They also purchased Bamburgh Castle which is still in the family.

William and Margaret did not have children and Cragside went to a nephew who made some bad investments and so to pay death duties, Cragside was handed over to the government.

Cragside

Beautiful decor

An iron bridge he built

English oak ceiling

An extra-ordinary table

An amazing kitchen

This is a beautiful place to live

The hydro-power station

We also looked at the hydro power station but they found that they could not generate enough power so installed a gas-powered generator as well. It was interesting to see.

We then dropped into Alnwick Castle on the way to Kelso. You may recognise the quidditch fields.  There is a strong Harry Potter emphasis which is obviously marketing to the children. 

Alnwick Castle

The training ground for quidditch

Statues at the top

The main ballroom

They also had a Dragon Room with lights, smoke, noise, mirrors and a lot of confusion.  We did not stay in that room for very long! They also put on shows for the use of wild flowers and plants, broomstick training, mock fighting or competitions for quoits but we did not do those things. We did venture into the dungeon where they had dummies showing how prisoners were treated and that was sad.

Then on to Kelso. It is a beautiful town and the hotel is great.