smart

This spectacular Victorian mansion is Britain’s original smart home and the world’s first hydroelectric-powered building, featuring historic gardens and starred as Lockwood Manor in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Nestled within a spectacular mountain setting, this Victorian property stands as a genuine architectural trailblazer and the very first of its kind.

Cragside in Rothbury, Northumberland, holds the title of Britain’s original smart home, and it’s utterly magnificent. From the exterior, the enormous mansion looms over the water beneath it, all asymmetrical and striking, resembling something straight out of a film.

Its multiple pointed roofs and curved brickwork give it a distinctly Tim Burton-esque quality, and indeed, it has featured in numerous productions thanks to its remarkably distinctive beauty.

It appeared in the 2018 blockbuster hit Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom as the location for Lockwood Manor.

Yet it’s truly the fact this was the world’s first building powered by hydroelectricity and operated by hydraulics that makes it such an extraordinary marvel. Rivers, lakes and even waterfalls all work together to power the property and its enchanting gardens.

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History

Cragside was brought to life through the vision of William and Margaret Armstrong, with William serving as an engineer and industrialist responsible for numerous groundbreaking inventions.

Meanwhile, Margaret had extensive expertise in botanical life, which inspired the creation of the gardens.

What began as simply a sporting lodge in 1863 gradually evolved into a sprawling estate, developed over three decades. The architectural masterpiece was expanded in three principal phases between 1870 and 1884 by architect Richard Norman Shaw.

It quickly evolved into a hub of groundbreaking innovation as the married couple developed their revolutionary vision for electricity and power generation.

The property operates through hydraulics in an entirely unique manner, standing as the world’s first water-powered home. It pioneered central heating, electric lighting, gravity-fed plumbing, water-driven machinery and a hydraulic lift, delivering unprecedented levels of domestic comfort.

Contributing to the property’s pioneering spirit is the electric lighting, which was installed in 1878 using carbon-arc lamps in the Gallery room.

Working alongside chemist Joseph Swan, they advanced this further in 1880 by enabling the first residential installation of incandescent lightbulbs.

Following years of refurbishment and innovation, the property eventually passed to their great-nephew, William Watson Armstrong, after he inherited it.

As they had no children, he became the rightful heir to the estate, and following their passing, the home remained with his family for two additional generations.

Walking

Due to its breathtaking setting, Cragside provides an excellent location for extensive walks across and surrounding the grounds, featuring two particularly lengthy routes – one called the Hydro-power Trail and the other Views of Cragside.

Stretching a lengthy 6.5 miles, these trails are closer to a hike than a leisurely stroll and could occupy the majority of your visit, but the estate serves as an excellent launch pad for the adventure.

The Hydro-power Trail is one that guides you past every aspect of the technology used to harness water power.

On the other hand, the Views of Cragside route offers panoramic views of the Northumberland hills and beyond. It leads you past the Formal Garden, where you can pause to appreciate the meticulously arranged flower beds.

There are signposts scattered throughout the estate directing you to various trails suitable for a range of abilities. The most family-friendly and considered easy to moderate is Nelly’s Moss, which takes up to an hour to complete.

Visiting the estate

To fully enjoy all that Cragside has to offer, there’s no need to pre-book, and parking is included in your entry fee – National Trust members excepted, naturally. Adults are charged £27.00, whilst children pay £13.50 upon entry.

Families consisting of two adults and up to three children can opt for a family ticket priced at £67.50. The site opens its doors from 11am, with the house closing at 3pm and the remaining facilities open until 4pm.

He didn’t miss it this time.

Luka Doncic recorded his first 50-point game of the season Thursday, hitting two late free throws as the crowd at Crypto.com Arena showered him with “MVP” chants in the fourth quarter. Doncic checked out with 1:41 remaining to a standing ovation with 51 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Lakers to a 142-130 win over the Chicago Bulls.

The Lakers (41-25) jumped into third place in the Western Conference with their seventh win in their last eight games, climbing from sixth in just one week behind Doncic’s brilliance. The NBA’s leading scorer has averaged 40.2 points in the last four games, all wins. Doncic had a chance at 50 points in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in October, but missed a late free throw that forced him to settle for 49 points.

LeBron James returned after missing three games because of elbow and hip contusions he sustained against the Denver Nuggets on March 5. He finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Austin Reaves had 30 points and seven assists, surpassing 5,000 points for his career. Center Deandre Ayton held down a short-handed big man rotation with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lakers were without starting guard Marcus Smart (right hip contusion) and backup centers Jaxson Hayes (back soreness) and Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain). Smart has been playing through the injury for several games, but with a six-game road trip starting next week, “we need it to calm down,” coach JJ Redick said. The coach expected Smart to be available Saturday when the Lakers play the Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.

The Lakers gave up a 12-3 run to end the first quarter and led the struggling Bulls (27-39) by only five at halftime. James helped give them the breathing room going into the locker room as he scored his first points of the game with 54 seconds left in the first half. His three-point play sparked a quick five-point run to end the half, which ended with a dunk from Rui Hachimura.

Lakers star LeBron James, center, drives between Chicago’s Rob Dillingham, left, and Matas Buzelis during the second half Thursday.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

James came alive in the third quarter, beginning with his dunk off a hit-ahead pass from Doncic. He returned the favor by diving out of bounds for a steal on the next possession and the save led to a three-pointer from Doncic.

Doncic made nine of 14 three-point attempts as the Lakers made 17 of 36 shots from beyond the arc, their best three-point percentage in a game since Feb. 20.

After not taking a single shot in the first quarter, James had 11 points, three rebounds and two assists in the third quarter as the Lakers’ lead grew to 22 points.

While seven league defeats have curtailed Celtic’s defence of the title, 11 draws have left Rangers frustrated in their pursuit of Hearts.

The most recent was a 2-2 draw from two down at Livingston last week while Celtic lost at home to Hibernian. The weekend before, Rangers recovered from 1-0 and 2-1 down to defeat Hearts 4-2 at Ibrox.

“My team showed character, big personality in the last couple of weeks,” Rohl added.

“Also to come back away in Celtic, in the stadium there after 1-0 down, showed that even if the game goes in one direction, what we don’t want, we always have a chance to come back.

“Yeah, we dropped two points [at Livingston]. We missed two points. But let’s turn it in a positive way. At the end, we won one point after 2-0 down.

“When you are a manager and you have the chance to play at home this kind of game, then you are also on fire. We are on fire. It was a good training week so far.

“I feel the confidence, I feel the belief. It’s not just about the shape and the tactic, but it’s also about how we go in duels, how we win the balls, how we play forward.”

The German said: “It’s a crucial game, but no team will be out after this game because there are still 27 points you can take. It’s two matchdays and you are in the title race again.

“It’s a crucial one because when you come closer and closer to the end of the season and there is more and more in, then you know every game is important.”