About
Cherryburn is the birthplace of Thomas Bewick (1753–1828), one of Britain's most celebrated wood engravers and naturalists, preserved and managed by the National Trust in a tranquil setting beside the River Tyne in Northumberland. The modest farmhouse where Bewick was born survives largely unchanged, set within a recreated farmyard that brings the eighteenth-century rural Northumberland of his childhood vividly to life.
Thomas Bewick is one of those figures whose achievements seem almost impossibly diverse for a single lifetime. Born the son of a small farmer and colliery tenant in what was then a remote corner of Northumberland, he was apprenticed to a Newcastle engraver and proceeded to revolutionise the art of wood engraving — developing technical innovations that allowed unprecedented levels of fine detail in printed illustrations and transforming the way British books and publications were illustrated for generations. His masterworks, 'A General History of Quadrupeds' (1790) and 'A History of British Birds' (1797 and 1804), combined scientific accuracy with extraordinary artistic sensitivity, and remain among the most beautiful illustrated natural history books ever produced.
But Bewick was more than an artist and craftsman. His autobiographical 'Memoir', written in old age and published posthumously, is a remarkable literary document — a vivid, opinionated and deeply personal account of his Northumbrian childhood, his training in Newcastle, his observations of nature and society, and his views on the political and social upheavals of his lifetime. It reveals a man of fierce independence, deep humanity and passionate attachment to the Northumberland landscape he had left as a young man but never forgotten.
At Cherryburn, the National Trust interprets Bewick's life and work in the context of the farmhouse and farmyard where his sensibility was formed. A printing press demonstration shows visitors the technical process of wood engraving and printing. The farmyard, complete with rare breed animals, recreates the agricultural world of Bewick's youth and gives tangible form to the animals and landscapes that fill his engravings.
Cherryburn is a small property with an intimate, unhurried atmosphere — a perfect choice for visitors with an interest in art, natural history, printing history or the eighteenth-century rural world of northern England.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- National Trust members enter free — Cherryburn is a rewarding and peaceful addition to the Northumberland NT portfolio.
- Check the website for printing demonstration times — these are highlights of the visit that require some planning around.
- The property is seasonal and closed in winter — check opening dates carefully before visiting.
- Stocksfield station on the Tyne Valley Line is a pleasant 20-minute walk from Cherryburn — one of the few National Trust properties accessible without a car.
- Allow time to explore the farmyard and grounds — the rare breed animals and Tyne valley views are as much a draw as the cottage.
- Combine with Hadrian's Wall sites further west for a full day exploring Northumberland's heritage.
- The property is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays — plan accordingly.
- Children will enjoy the farmyard animals and can often take part in feeding sessions — check with staff on arrival.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
The Cherryburn collection focuses on Thomas Bewick's life and artistic legacy, including original editions of his published works, reproduction engravings, biographical documents and interpretive displays. The working printing press and rare breed farmyard form important elements of the visitor experience. The National Trust also holds Bewick material at other properties.
Thomas Bewick's Life and Work
Interpretation throughout the cottage and farmyard explores Bewick's childhood at Cherryburn, his apprenticeship in Newcastle, his revolutionary wood engraving technique, and his major published works including the Quadrupeds and British Birds.
The Working Printing Press
A working press demonstrates the wood engraving and printing process that Bewick mastered and transformed, with regular demonstrations for visitors.
Rare Breed Farmyard
A recreated eighteenth-century farmyard with rare breed animals including cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry, reflecting the agricultural world of Bewick's Northumbrian childhood.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.