The ‘Stinky’ Gas Light Tour: Tyneside’s ‘Fart’ Lamps
They were nicknamed ‘fart lamps’ in Edwardian times and caused quite a stink in their day. The gas sewer lamps of North Tyneside were unusual engineering wonders.
Starlight Castle – Northumberland’s Ruined Folly
Starlight Castle is an intriguing name. It sounds like a Romantic castle or a Gothic house perched high on a hill in a novel by Mary Shelley or Bram Stoker. But what’s the story behind this mysterious castle not far from where I live in North East England? […]
Jupiter Artland – Edinburgh’s Landscape Art
Have you ever discovered something so weird and wonderful on your travels that you’ve had to pinch yourself? Jupiter Artland is a great destination which I found completely by accident. It’s a fantastic and unexpected place, full of surprises and strange discoveries. Jupiter has a dream-like quality – […]
St Abb’s Head – Seabird ‘City’
St Abbs is a strong contender for the title of Scotland’s prettiest village. It lies in a stunning location, nestled on the coast below dramatic cliffs with spectacular views across the sea. This is a place with something for everyone with its picturesque harbour, spectacular coastal walks, undersea adventures and abundance of […]
Eyemouth – Ships, Smugglers and Seals
Eyemouth is something of an undiscovered treasure. This busy fishing port is tucked away on the Berwickshire coast and it’s easy to miss if you’re heading to St Abb’s Head, its picturesque neighbour. This authentic coastal town is worth a visit, even if it is a little rough around the edges. […]
Money, Money, Money – Scotland’s Savings Banks Museum
Money makes the world go round, and if you visit Ruthwell, a small village in Scotland, you’ll find out why. This sleepy village seems an unlikely place for a major revolution in banking, but that is its claim to fame. Blink and you’d miss a white cottage on the high street, […]
Aldborough’s Hidden Roman Town
It’s hard to imagine that the sleepy town of Aldborough was once on the front line of the mighty Roman Empire. Today, it’s a charming but sleepy backwater in north Yorkshire, by-passed by motorists who zoom past on the A1 on their journeys to bigger places. But back in the 2nd Century, Aldborough was […]
Denmark – Holiday Heaven for Art Lovers
Looking to travel somewhere bursting with awesome art? My advice is you can’t go wrong with a holiday or short break in Denmark. Not only is Denmark just a short hop from the UK, it’s an art lover’s paradise with a ‘gluttony’ of galleries, museums and attractions. Copenhagen isn’t the only cultural […]
Paul Nash – Tate Britain London – War and Peace
Walking into the Paul Nash exhibition at Tate Britain is like going back in time to explore the big themes of the 20th Century. War and peace. Nash lived through the two defining wars of that century. He fought as a soldier in the First World War and painted as an official war artist […]
Great English Travel Destinations
Looking back over the last 12 months, I was struck my how many great breaks I’ve enjoyed in the UK. I’ve not had the chance to get abroad much this year so short holiday trips close to home have been a treat. From the wilds of Dorset and the craggy coasts of Cornwall […]
