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Burnfoot TodayBurnfoot was a working farm until very recently, the steading being used for grain drying and storage as well as housing livestock. However, the buildings were not large enough to cope with modern farming methods and so in 2005 all farming activity ceased. Many of the surrounding fields were planted with trees and permission was granted to convert the steading for residential use. Today, with Netherton's close proximity to Northumberland National Park, tourism is becoming the prominent industry with visitor numbers increasing every year. More information about the history of the holiday cottages can be found on an information board at the mill pond, and we strongly recommend all of our guests to spend a day at Cragside House, not just to get lost in the rhododendron labyrinth and adventure playground, but to see the original hydro-electricity plants in action. There's even a working model of the turbine used at Burnfoot! Join Our Mailing ListKeep up to date with special offers, late availability and cancellations by joining our free mailing list.Book On-lineCheck our prices and availability - if the cottage you want is available you can book on-line instantly. |
The History of BurnfootEarly Settlement Lord Armstrong and Cragside Estate
The current owners are the Stienlet family, who still run their local architectural practice founded over a century ago by the celebrated Belgian architect, Pascal J Stienlet. During the works to convert the farm into holiday cottages, when the concrete was removed from the modern hard-standing to the north of the holiday cottages, the current owners re-discovered the turbine chamber. Initially, a few finely cut stone stairs were found leading down into a hole in the ground, but any further progress was blocked by two large steel girders and an accumulation of concrete and assorted farm detritus. With the aid of some machinery to clear the rubbish, and some pot-holing skill to negotiate a way past the girders, it was eventually possible to walk down an exquisitely constructed circular dressed stone cantilevered staircase into the chamber that formerly housed the turbine. The extremely high quality of construction even in this private area is typical of Lord Armstrong. The turbine itself has sadly disappeared; however the run-off channel into Scrainwood Burn can still be seen clearly, along with several stalactites and stalagmites that have formed in the many decades since it was last used. The turbine chamber is being carefully restored by Burnfoot's current owners, with the full support of the National Trust, and a feasibility study has been commissioned to investigate the possibility of powering the holiday cottages with a brand-new water turbine in the exact same location as designed by the farm's illustrious former owner.
The millpond created by Lord Armstrong to supply the turbine is just a five-minute walk from the holiday cottages; it is worth visiting for the chance to see one of the resident kingfishers. The fish pass alongside the millpond, created to allow the huge numbers of spawning salmon and sea trout to climb past the sluice gates, is now Grade II Listed and has been completely restored already. |
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Burnfoot Holiday Cottages Burnfoot, Netherton, Northumberland National Park, NE65 7EY |
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