All posts filed under: Castle

Pontefract Liquorice Festival © Wakefield Council
The Pontefract liquorice festival © Wakefield Council

Re-discover liquorice in the bustling market town of Pontefract in West Yorkshire

Pontefract in West Yorkshire is an ancient settlement, but little is known of the area before the Norman occupation. Known as Kirby in Saxon times, the town eventually became Pontefract, the home of liquorice. The origin of the name is a mystery as there appears not to have ever been a bridge, let alone a […]

Alnwick ©www.visitnorthumberland.com

The bustling Northumbrian market town of Alnwick

Alnwick ©www.visitnorthumberland.com Alnwick in Northumberland is a bustling market town. A medieval town, it has a wealth of twisting cobbled streets full of local shops and well known brands. A market is held on Thursdays and Saturdays 9 – 4 at Alnwick Market Place, NE66 1TN. On the Great North Road, the town was an […]

Amble clock Tower, Northumberland

Amble, the friendliest port and a haven for bird watchers

Amble town centre ©www.visitnorthumberland.com and Richard Moran Amble is a waterfront town on the river Coquet estuary, and gateway to the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and an SSSI. It is now a popular place for holidays; with a pleasant harbour, a marina, a nearby castle and nearby beautiful beaches. A mile off […]

WSR train and Dunster Castle ©Julia Aimes Green Photography
West Somerset Railway Train with Dunster Castle and village in the background. ©Julia Aimes Green Photogra

Step back in time to the village of Dunster in Somerset

Dunster, in Somerset, is a quaint old medieval English village in a country setting. As the best-preserved medieval village in England it punches well above its weight for interesting heritage features. There’s an ancient castle, a watermill, the stunning Old Yarn Market built in 1609, and a C16th tithe barn. The ancient eight-gabled Yarn Market […]

Welcome to Wetherby © Wetherby Town Council
Welcome to Wetherby © Wetherby Town Council

Wetherby in West Yorkshire – mid way between Edinburgh and London

Wetherby in West Yorkshire stands half way between Edinburgh and London and was on the Great North Road. In the past it was an important staging post. In 1837 the Angel Inn, now on the High Street, served two coaches daily. There was, briefly, a castle here. In 1140 the Percy family built a castle […]

Morpeth in Northumberland ©www.visitnorthumberland.com
Morpeth in Northumberland ©www.visitnorthumberland.com

Morpeth the historic county town of Northumberland

Morpeth lies on the river Wansbeck. A market town, which has a rich history to explore, it is the historic county town of Northumberland. It is a good base from which to explore the county of Northumbria. Markets Morpeth’s Farmers’ Market takes place on the first Friday of every month 9 – 2pm in the […]

Aerial view of Lincoln Cathedra © Visit Lincoln
Aerial view of Lincoln Cathedral © Visit Lincoln

The historic City of Lincoln in Lincolnshire

Lincoln sits on the site of a Roman fortress. The Romans grouped the local people together in great cities such as Lincoln (and York for example). Enclosed by great walls, the local people in the cities governed themselves but paid taxes to the Romans. Great roads linked the cities. The Roman road known as Ermine […]

A view across the roof tops of kendal with the castle in the background © www.golakes.co.uk
Kendal town with the Castle behind © Ben Barden/ www.golakes.co.u

Kendal a green and beautiful town!

Kendal was already a settlement when the Romans arrived. The local people, the Brigantes, provided goods and services for the newcomers. The Romans built a fort at Watercrook which is just south of the present settlement in a bend of the River Kent. They remained for about 400 years. At the time of the Norman […]

Helmsley, the only market town on the North York Moor

Helmsley is on the North York Moor equi-distant between Thirsk and Pickering. There is evidence of settlement here since 3000BC, including Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman and Viking. The town is one of the 17 with a mention in Magna Carta. The medieval Canon Garth, the vicarage, is the oldest surviving house in Helmsley. Helmsley […]

Market Place Devizes, Wiltshire. © www.visitwilthshire.co.uk

The historic Market town of Devizes in Wiltshire

Devizes is a vibrant market town with a medieval past, wealth of history and architectural heritage. National Express recently quizzed the nation to uncover the top 15 UK streets you need to see. The people they questioned rated Devizes Market Place one of the prettiest streets in Britain. A Roman settlement existed here and several […]