Wallington was built on the site of a medieval castle which had been extended into a Tudor house.

Both buildings were demolished to make way for a new house in 1688.

The foundations of the medieval building formed the cellars of the new building.

The house was built for Sir William Blackest who had inherited and made a great deal of money from mines and shipping.

He already had a town house in Newcastle and bought the Wallington estate to give him a place in the country. Sir William built a square house with a courtyard at its centre but left the interior of the building fairly spartan. His son had the staircase built and employed Italian craftsmen to carry out the fine plasterwork in the principal rooms. He also built the stables and and clock tower.

[In the 18th century the Trevelyans came to Wallington from Cornwall when a Blackett heiress married a Trevelyan.

The following century Pauline, Lady Trevelyan made Wallington a salon and attracted such notable writers and artists as Swinburne, Ruskin and Millais. Ruskin suggested to Lady Trevelyan that the centre courtyard should be roofed. This was carried out and the courtyard became a picture gallery.

The pillars and arches were painted by Lady Trevelyan and her friends.

In 1942 Sir Charles Trevelyan gave the house and its contents to the National Trust but today it still retains the atmosphere of a family home.

Wallington has many unusual collections including dolls' houses, model soldiers, kitchen utensils, and Lady Wilson's Cabinet of Curiosities.

Works of art include William Bell-Scott's famous paintings of Northumberland and a splendid collection of ceramics.

The house is set in 100 acres of lawns, lakes and woodland.

There is a beautiful walled garden, an Edwardian conservatory, ornamental ponds and woodland walks.

Wallington Opening Times
2008:House: 15Mar-30Sep: 13:00-17:30 Mon,Wed-Sun; 1 Oct-2 Nov: 13:00-16:30 Mon,Wed-Sun. Walled garden: 1Feb-31Jan: Daily 10:00-16:30 (Nov-Mar) closes 19:00 Apr-Sept,closes 18:00 Oct. Grounds: all year daily dawn-dusk. Last entry to house 1hr before close
  Tel: 01670 773967 - Infoline Wallington Website