Sir William George Armstrong was born in 1810 and became an inventor of ingenious machinery although having no formal education in Engineering. He trained as a solicitor. Despite this, he founded an engineering and shipbuilding empire on Tyneside, Northumberland, England. which became one of the Victorian world's greatest companies. By the time of his death in 1900 his works employed 20000 people making massive guns and immense warships.Armstrong, the business man and arms baron, played a huge part in the history of Northern England. He also created landscapes within which water played an important role and which now provide recreation and pleasure for many.Cragside was Lord Armstrongs country retreat, and was built as its name indicates in the side of a massive crag. The house is built up high in the crag with its frontage facing south west into a valley. He planted over 4000 trees and shrubs and installed five artificial lakes aqueducts and cascades of running water running through the gardens around the mansion. Cragside was the first house in the world to be lit by electricity generated from water power. The estate can be visited at any time of the year as it is now owned and run by the National Trust. and I would suggest that if you are in the area you should visit, especially when the rhododendrons are in bloom al over the 40 miles of walks around the estate