Wallington

About the museum

Wallington stands in the Northumberland countryside near Cambo. The estate belonged to the Fenwick family until 1688, when it was sold to Sir William Blackett, a lead-mining magnate. The medieval tower house on the site was pulled down, although some early cellars survive. Between about 1735 and 1745 Sir Walter Calverley Blackett had the house rebuilt in a Palladian style to designs by Daniel Garret, with rococo plasterwork added to the main reception rooms.

In 1777 the estate passed to the Trevelyan family. In the nineteenth century Sir Walter Calverley Trevelyan, a naturalist, and his wife Pauline made Wallington a lively meeting place for writers, scientists and artists, including members of the Pre-Raphaelite circle. The painter William Bell Scott decorated the central hall with a cycle of large paintings telling the history of Northumberland.

Sir Charles Trevelyan, who inherited in 1928, gave the house and its estate and farms to the National Trust in 1942, the first gift of this kind to the charity. Today visitors can see furnished rooms, collections that include antique dolls' houses, and a stable courtyard. The grounds include parkland, woodland, river and farm walks, and a walled garden with a conservatory that has been refurbished in recent years.

Highlights

• Central hall with the Northumbrian history murals by William Bell Scott
• Rococo ceilings in the dining and drawing rooms
• Collection of antique dolls' houses
• Walled garden with a conservatory and a lawn for picnics
• Estate walks through woodland, along the river and across farmland

Founded

1942

Operated by

National Trust

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are standard admission without Gift Aid; the Gift Aid option is about 10 percent higher. National Trust members enter free. Car parking is included in the admission price for non-members. Non-members arriving by bus or bicycle receive 20 percent off standard admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The house has step-free access, a lift to the upper floor and an accessible toilet. The wider grounds are only partly accessible, with steep slopes, loose gravel and uneven woodland paths. The walled garden is about half a mile from the main car park through East Wood and is entered by a slope and ramp. Mobility aids, including two Trampers, two mobility scooters and manual wheelchairs, can be borrowed free of charge; book at least 48 hours ahead by phone or email. Accessible parking is in the main car park and beside the walled garden. Accessible toilets are in the courtyard and the Clocktower Café.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

The estate offers family activities, outdoor play areas, farm and nature events, and a cycle trail suitable for families.

Getting there & parking

By car, take the A1 north to Newcastle, then the A696 and the B6342 to Cambo (about 20 miles), or take the A1 to Morpeth and then the B6343 west (about 12 miles). Sat nav postcode NE61 4AR.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi: not available

The Clocktower Café in the courtyard serves hot and cold food and drinks and is open 10:00 to 17:00. The shop is open 11:00 to 17:00. There is no Wi-Fi on site and mobile phone signal is limited.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit