All posts filed under: Historic Towns

Bournemouth Beach and Pier
Bournemouth Beach © Visit Bournemouth

Bournemouth – Seven miles of award winning golden sandy beaches

Bournemouth is a great place for those who enjoy exploring the outdoors, it has several gardens and walks along the coast to discover. Visitors can also get close to nature by visiting nearby Poole harbour and its islands or visiting the New Forest.

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 […]

Lichfield Cathedral by Stephen Craven

Lichfield, in Staffordshire, the birthplace of Samuel Johnson, lexicographer and ‘a harmless drudge’

Lichfield Cathedral In 669 the missionary, Chad, established Lichfield as the centre of Christianity in Mercia, the greatest kingdom in the land. King Offa, king of Mercia, had the bishop raised to an archbishop. Although, the high status was lost when Offa died. Chad founded the Cathedral in the same year when he became the […]

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 […]

Lytham Hall © Fylde Council
Lytham Hall © Fylde Borough Council

Enjoy the sandy beaches at Lytham on the Fylde coast where the Ribble meets the sea

Lytham, was a fishing village and appeared in the Domesday Book 1086. But, in the C17th coastal retreats became popular as people the looked for the healthy properties of sea water. The town began to grow and popularity was bound to increase with the coming of the railways. Today the town has architectural features which […]

© Stephen Mckay on Geograph

Taunton in Somerset – a treasure which is waiting to be discovered

Taunton, the county town of Somerset, is a treasure which is waiting to be discovered. The menus in the cafes, bars and restaurants reflects the rich soils in the Vale of Taunton. The weekly farmers’ market offers the chance to explore the best of the local produce. The town has the benefit of many independent charming […]