All posts filed under: Medieval

Penkridge in Staffordshire has a wealth of heritage

Penkridge in Staffordshire is an old market town which had a collegiate church. The Domesday Book 1086 notes the town’s economy as agricultural and it had a watermill. The town has a wealth of Listed buildings and several timber-framed buildings. Parish Church Penkridge There has been a church on the site of St Michael and […]

The four step Market Cross

Surrounded by beautiful North Dorset countryside, Sturminster Newton lies in the heart of Blackmore Vale.

The town’s name reflects two features of the town: the River Stour, and the Minster. The town, which dates from before the Domesday Book, grew as a market for local agricultural products, especially dairy products. Henry III granted the town a charter for a market in 1219. The market, which closed in 1998 was once […]

Chester Cathedral Rob Farrow

Chester in Cheshire steeped in architecture and archaeology

The Romans founded Chester in the C1st AD. The city was the fortress of the 20th Legion. There are extensive Roman walls of local red sandstone. Outside the walls are the remains of the largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain. Storyhouse Today’s theatre lovers can also enjoy an indoor experience at Chester’s Storyhouse. The recently opened […]

Leatherhead station

Leatherhead, the gateway to the Surrey Hills

Leatherhead, a historic market town, is the gateway to the beautiful Surrey Hills. This includes Box Hill on the route of the 2012 Olympic road cycle race. The town is a busy business and shopping centre. The High Street is traffic free making it a relaxing and pleasant place to shop. Here you will find […]

St Albans Cathedral

St Albans, Hertfordshire, an ancient settlement with a breathtaking heritage on display

St Albans has fascinating history from the Iron Age onward. In Roman times, the town was one of the largest towns in Roman Britain until Budicca destroyed it. Notable former residents of the town include Samuel Ryder (1858-1936). They named the Ryder Cup after him. He ran his gardening business from St Albans, selling his […]

Nantwich Cathedral - the Cathedral of cheshire

Nantwich a thriving market town

Nantwich is a lively medieval market town on the banks of the River Weaver in Cheshire. The town is famous for its medieval timbered buildings. It is also proud of its markets, its International Cheese Show and Food Festival, and its Civil War history. Music festivals, such as the Blues and Jazz Festival and Acoustics […]

Ely by edubarros on Pixabay
Ely by edubarros on Pixabay

Historic Ely, home of Oliver Cromwell

Ely in Cambridgeshire, takes its name from its history of trading in eels. Set in marshes, the Fens, eels were for many years the mainstay of the local economy. If you are interested in the life cycle of the eel then follow the Eel Trail. This self-guided circular tour connects 5 pieces of art which […]

Wye Bridge © Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
Wye Bridge © Visit Herefordshire

Hereford a walled city where the street plan is almost exactly as it was in medieval times.

The modern city of Hereford, on the boarder between England and Wales, is a treasure trove of historic buildings and artefacts. While the Old Market is an up-to-the-minute, and buzzing, shopping destination. Hereford Cathedral The see of Hereford dates from AD 676, and the present Cathedral from C11th-C12th. The columns and arches in the nave […]

Arundel Castle © Visual Air
Arundel Castle © Visual Air

Arundel’s Castle overlooking the River Arun, celebrates 950 years of history in 2018

Roger Montgomery built Arundel Castle in the C11th, and it is now one of the oldest and most complete castles in England. It stands in superb grounds which look over the River Arun in West Sussex. And this year it celebrates the 950th anniversary, and today is the family home of the 18th Duke of […]

Burton on Trent - Market Square and St.Modwens Parish Church
Burton on Trent - Market Square and St.Modwens Parish Church - © Alan Heardman

Burton-Upon-Trent – The Brewing Capital of Britain

Brewing is an art in Burton-Upon-Trent which at one time produced one in four pints of beer sold in Britain. Now less so but still known as the capital of brewing today. Despite this Burton is home to the National Brewery Museum, which reopened in 2010. The town sits above the National Forest and on the River […]