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Aerial view of Sunderland South Docks in June 1969, showing the extensive dockyard area, surrounding city, and the nearby river flowing into the sea.

Sunderland: A Coastal City with a Colourful History

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

Lindisfarne: The Most Important Island in Early Medieval Anglo-Saxon Christianity

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

The ruins of Lindisfarne Priory rise amidst a field of wildflowers under a clear blue sky. The structure features large archways and tall walls, indicating its historic significance. A bird can be seen flying above the ruins, and a large tree stands to the right.

Northumbria: A coastline of castles, creativity and culture

(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

Irton Cross

Symbols of Anglo-Saxon Culture in Cumbria’s Coastal Towns: The Crosses of Irton, Gosforth and Waberthwaite

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

another place statue

Another Place, Crosby Beach, Sefton: A Unique Seaside Experience

“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

St Barnabas Churchyard Cross

The Wirral Peninsula: It’s Anglo-Saxon Past and the Battle of Brunanburh

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

llanddulas village from cefn-yr-ogof hill wales

Llanddulas – a quaint Welsh village with beautiful nature

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

Cumbrian_coast

Shores of Conquest: Anglo-Saxon Encounters on the Cumbrian Coast

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

Colwyn Bay – from award-winning gardens to quirky festivals

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

Bridlington statue Gansey Girl(1)

Bridlington – The Perfect Yorkshire Seaside Town

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

Jacksons_Bay

Barry, Barry Island and the home of Gavin and Stacey

Barry is a small coastal town located in the Vale of Glamorgan, a county in the southeast of Wales. Barry is rich with history, once a significant port, and is now a thriving seaside resort. In easy reach of Cardiff – only 9 miles south – it is the perfect beach escape from the busy city. Barry had a population

Holmpton_Village

Holmpton – An Old Coastal Village in Yorkshire

The name Holmpton derives from Homletone, a name that comes from a combination of Old Norse and Old English. Holmpton is a small hamlet with a population of 228, and it lies on the East Yorkshire coast, not far from Hull. Like the rest of the coastal towns and villages in this area, Holmpton suffers from drastic coastal erosion. The

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Britain’s Top 100 Outstanding Lighthouses

The coastline of the United Kingdom is one of the country’s most prominent features, having contributed greatly to British heritage …

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Protecting Our Oceans

Protecting Our Oceans is a campaign and mission statement by the National Trust which supports the designation, and effective management, …

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The National Trust – Its Role in Protecting the British Coastline

The National Trust is a charity that owns and maintains large areas of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the …

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Dover to Dundee: A coastal tour of British culture

Top coastal museums and galleries Historic Dockyard Chatham Chatham - Kent - England Based in the charming ex-military town of …

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