England
Sunderland Harbour (Credit J. Thomas: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en) Built up around both banks of the River Wear and with an extensive North Sea coastline we find the port city of Sunderland. The modern city is in fact the merging of three separate Anglo-Saxon era settlements: Monkwearmouth, on the northern bank of the river, and Bishopwearmouth and Sunderland to the south. In this …
England
Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, is a stunning tidal island situated just off the northeast coast of England and is a place of fascinating history. For the early medieval kingdom of Northumbria, Lindisfarne was the beating heart of the Anglo-Saxon Christian faith. What is more, the cult of St. Cuthbert drew pilgrims to the island and with-it wealth and …
England
(A Map of the Kingdom of Northumbria circa 700 AD – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_the_Kingdom_of_Northumbria_around_700_AD.svg) Northumbria was one of the most significant Anglo-Saxon kingdoms to the north of the Humber to ever exist. At its peak the Kingdom of Northumbria stretched from the Irish Sea to the North Sea with a northern border on the Firth of Forth and its southern border at …
England
The coastal towns and villages of Cumbria, famed for their beauty, have long grasped the attention of historians and archaeologists for a different reason. Throughout the Early Middle Ages both Anglo-Saxons and Vikings would call Cumbria home. The archaeology of their settlements, culture and interaction provides us as historians with a treasure trove of information with which to try and …
England
“Another Place” is an extraordinary artwork by Sir Antony Gormley that features 100 cast iron figures spread out along three kilometers of the foreshore, stretching almost one kilometer out to sea. This intriguing installation on Crosby Beach, Sefton, is both a contemplative art piece and a striking visual experience. The Installation Each figure in “Another Place” weighs 650 kilograms and …
England
The Wirral is a fascinating place which boasts stunning coastal views and is home to many quaint and beautiful village towns, but most importantly for this discussion the Wirral is teeming with evidence of its storied medieval past. In the early Middle Ages, the Wirral coastline was sought after, not for its beauty, but for its strategic importance. The Wirral …
Wales
The tiny Welsh village of Llanddulas is nestled between the slightly bigger villages of Old Colwyn and Abergele. It is part of the county of Conwy, in the North of Wales; around 23% of people in the town have at least some knowledge of the Welsh language. The mainly suburban-style settlement is so small that its population in the 2011 …
England
The Anglo-Saxons and Cumbria: The Invasion of 945 AD The territory of Cumbria was, in the Viking era (c.800-1100), part of the Brittonic kingdom of Strathclyde. Strathclyde stretched from the basin of the River Clyde down to what is now north-western England and the Cumbrian coast which met both the Solway Firth and the Irish Sea. This exquisite 160km stretch …
Wales
Situated on the northern coast of Wales, Colwyn Bay is a vibrant and picturesque seaside town with a variety of things to do and see. With a stunning beach, spectacular views, and plenty of activities overlooking the Irish Sea, Colwyn Bay is the perfect destination for a family holiday or a day trip. History Colwyn Bay has a long and …
England
Today Bridlington is a popular tourist town during the Summer months jam-packed with history. But the area has been settled for over 1000 years, and there’s something for everyone here. It doesn’t matter if you like nature or history, you can find both in this beautiful coastal Yorkshire town. It’s a busy place, with plenty of activities and events on …
