The history buffs amongst you may already know that
our building was built on the footprint of Henry Watsons 18th Century High Bridge Works.
The Newcastle-upon-Tyne heritage of Henry Watson is far reaching, into rural Northumberland where his friend and associate Lord Armstrong made Cragside his country seat. As a result,
Cragend Farm in Rothbury is home to several pieces of original Henry Watson machinary!
The discovery that Henry Watson machinery is part of the workings of Lord Williams Armstrong's model farm is of great importance.
Expert engineer Jonathan Minns states that the site represents probably one of the finest purpose-built agricultural buildings in the world, showing a brilliant example of Armstrong's engineering innovations.
Tours run during the summer for people to see the machinery and have a guided history talk about the farm, from The Stone Age through to today.