Cragside was the home of the 1st Baron Armstrong, arms manufacturer and dealer, and is a showcase of Victorian grandeur and innovation. Notably, it was the first house globally to use hydroelectricity. The extensive estate offers various walks, gardens, and a 6-mile circular drive with waymarked walks at various points.
The ruins of the Brocolitia Mithraeum, a 3rd-century temple dedicated to Mithras, are close to the site of the Roman fort of Brocolitia on Hadrian’s Wall. The fort was once home to a garrison of 500 soldiers, but all that can be seen now are grassy mounds.
Temple of Mithras, Brocolitia Read More »
The Battle of Heavenfield, fought between Christian Northumbrians led by King Oswald and pagan Britons under Cadwallon took place in about 634AD. Oswald’s victory resulted in the unification of Northumbria. The site includes a small chapel dedicated to St Oswald.
Alnmouth is a charming coastal resort at the River Aln’s mouth, featuring sandy beaches, an ancient golf course, and a small museum. Once a busy port for grain and timber, its fortunes declined after a storm in 1806 altered the river’s course. Today, it is a popular place to visit.
Raby Castle, a formidable 14th-century fortress of the Neville family, was modernized by the Vanes in the 17th century and remains the residence of Lord Barnard. Open seasonally, it features rich history, luxurious interiors, a horse-drawn carriage collection, a deer park, a walled garden, tearooms, and a woodland play area.
Clifford’s Tower, the last remnant of York’s medieval fortress, features a unique quadrilobate shape from the late 13th century. The origin of its name is unclear, linked possibly to Roger de Clifford. Notably, it was the site of a mass suicide by persecuted Jews in 1190.
Little Moreton Hall, which looks like the original crooked house, was built around 1504. It showcases medieval design and is renowned for its distinctive timber-framed architecture. The house is named after the Moreton family and has an intriguing interior with carvings and wall paintings, though it is relatively small and often crowded.
Little Moreton Hall Read More »
Beamish is a remarkable open-air museum in North East England, showcasing life from the 1820s to the 1950s. Founded by Dr. Frank Atkinson, it preserves the region’s industrial heritage across 300 acres. Visitors can explore various historical settings, including a 1900s town and a 1940s farm, enhanced by working exhibits and costumed re-enactors.
Durham Cathedral, formally known as ‘the Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham’, was founded in 1093. Historically significant and renowned for its Romanesque arches, it features the shrine of St Cuthbert and is a World Heritage Site, alongside Durham Castle.
Egglestone Abbey, founded in the late 12th century, is a ruined Premonstratensian monastery overlooking the River Tees. It was a poor house and had to survive damage by both Scots and English. It was dissolved in 1540 and yet its remains evoke a serene, historic atmosphere.
Durham Castle, built by the Normans in 1072, served as the home for the powerful Prince-Bishops of Durham. Following its ruin in the 17th-century civil wars, it became a hospital and was later restored. Today, it houses University College, Durham University, with limited public access.
Roman Dere Street crossed the River Tees at Piercebridge where remnants of an ancient bridge are visible. Nearby, a Roman fort once guarded the crossing, and a civilian settlement developed in the 2nd century. Portions of the fort’s foundations can still be seen.
Piercebridge Roman remains Read More »
