G

reen technology is nothing new. You'll realise this the moment you take a look around Cragside, a country house near the Northumberland town of Rothbury.

Despite being built way back in 1863, Cragside's owner – the inventor Lord Armstrong – kitted it out with hydroelectric power, which drew its energy from one of the lakes on the estate. Perhaps the rest of us should have taken a leaf out of his book...

From the outside, the house looks like an exotic Swiss chateau – its Tudor-style wood beams, turrets and Neo-Gothic arches built into the steep hillside that's covered in tall dark trees. And the fantasy continues when you walk through the door – the house packed with gadgets, narrow corridors and a rather magnificent inglenook fireplace on the top floor.

Leave time for the gardens, though, which are all part of the experience. There's a whopping 988 acres of lakes, woodland and rock gardens to explore – not to mention an adventure playground for the kids.

After all that lot you'll probably be ready for a refreshing cuppa in the cafe...