DURHAM

 Durham is one of England's most memorable small cities - primarily for its enormous cathedral. The country's finest piece of ecclesiastical Norman architecture erupts out of thickly wooded banks on a bend of the Wear River. Largely traffic-free lanes around the peninsula, riverside paths and, in summer, river cruises and rowing boats for rent, add to the city's appeal. Durham University is the third oldest and most prestigoius in England, after Oxford and Cambridge.

 The bulk of the present day cathedral was built between 1093 and 1133, in unadulterated Norman style, most tangible in the nave's colossal pillars still incized with chevron patterns. The church's sheer size was made possible by the groundbreaking use of rib vaulting and pointed arches. It dominates the view from the water, the town, the railroad and the countryside for miles around.

TYNE AND WEAR

 The landscape of Tyne and Wear is dominated by the River Tyne and River Wear characterized by the river bridges, including the icon Tyne Bridge, and the modern Millennium Bridge and complemented by green belts around the main conurbations. The main populations are centred in the cities of Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, Gateshead, South Shields and Tynemouth.

 Sunderland * Tyne and Wear * South Shields
Cullercoats * Whitley Bay * North Shields

  

For a long time a great coal-producing center and worldleader in shipbuilding and engineering, Newcastle-upon-Tyne has suffered in the post-industrial age. First impressions are not promising, yet the city has a distinctive, austere beauty, while its heavily-accented citizens, called "Geordies", seem to have a permanent twinkle in their eye. Six great bridges span the Tyne. The city took its name from the "new castle" built in 1080; a later Norman keep can still be seen.

BEADNELL

Beadnell is a small village set at the end of a sheltered, horseshoe-shaped beach called Beadnell Bay. This sweeping crescent of beach is fun for everyone, with golden sand perfect for sand castle building, beach cricket, and water sports. With its protected waters and stunning beach, Beadnell is a watersports paradise.

The harbour walls of Beadnell were built in the 1790's and the lime kilns of that date still remain. Stretching from the harbour is the long golden sweep of Beadnell bay with the ruined Dunstanburgh Castle in the distance. This sheltered bay makes an ideal location for some of the best sailing and wind surfing on the Northumberland coast. The village provides a range of pubs and cafes. There is an historic church dedicated to St Ebba. The church is popular with local residents and holds many memorials to local families.

 

 BEADNELL HARBOUR

 

The entrance to Beadnell harbour actually faces west making it the only west-facing on the east coast of England. This combination of charm and accessibility makes Beadnell a popular holiday village on the north east coast. Walkers and ramblers will enjoy visiting Beadnell, it has miles of perfect walking routes along the beautiful coastline.

 

Received from Thomas Goatherd, Northamptonshire

YORKSHIRE COAST

 A hauntingly beautiful region, Yorkshire is the largest of England’s historic counties (and its proud inhabitants would say it’s the only one worth visiting). The coastline of the North York Moors offers a dramatic view of spectacular white cliffs covered in pink heather, which plummet down to the dark sea hundreds of feet below. Cottages pile on top of each other in a glorious jumble round the tiny harbor of Staithes. Runswick Bay, also a fishing  village, is more ordered in its red-roofed, white-washed , cliff-clinging cottages above a fine, sandy beach. 

Bridlington * Staithes * Whitby
Robin Hood's Bay * Runswick Bay * Thornwick Bay

In precarious clifftop site with steep flights of steps and narrow passages, Robin Hood's Bay is yet another lovely fishing village. Though associations with the famous outlaw are tenuous, smuggling stories are readily authenticated. Low tide reveals vast sand, rock-pools and fossils. A Norwegian whalebone arch reminds you that Whitby was once an important whaling centre; now interest lies in the old town on the east side of the Esk River, with tea and antique stores, and jewelers selling the gemstone jet.
 

BLACKPOOL

Lancashire's famous resort of Blackpool still have a working-class flavor. Candy floss and donkey rides on the beach, fish and chips and "Kiss Me Quick" hats, nightclubs and fairgrounds, guest houses run by matronly landladies - the North's top seaside resort is unashamedly unpretentious and brash. More famous than its 7 miles of sandy beaches and its three piers are the landmark Blackpool Tower modelled on the Eiffel Tower in Paris; Blackpool Pleasure Beach with 140 rides and entertainments including a dozen rollercoasters; in September and October, the glittering light show of the Blackpool Illuminations. With an abundance of award-winning attractions, Blackpool has something for everyone.

BLACKPOOL TOWER AND ILLUMINATIONS

Built in 1894, The Blackpool Tower is one of the most iconic buildings in the UK and one of Britain’s best-loved landmarks. It houses five amazing attractions, perfect for a fun-packed day for all to enjoy. A beautiful brick building and iconic tower which is worth visiting for the architecture as much as the attractions within. Great views from the top and the glass walkway is always a good test of your nerves.

Received from Thomas Goatherd

Visit Blackpool

THE LAKE DISTRICT

The Lake District is a beautiful part of Great Britain and many writers and poets have lived there. It has England's finest mountain scenery, with over 60 summits, called "fells", of over 2,500 feet. Beneath the peaks lie lush stone-walled pastures and the lakes themselves, either glinting in the sunlight or moody and ruffled in the frequent rainstorms.

 SUNSET OVER GREAT GABLE, LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK

The Lake District has some of the best walking in Britain. Most fells are accessible to the averagely fit. You need a good map and a good pair of walking shoes. For over two hundred years tourists have been coming here: the resident William Wordsworth complained bitterly about it. Now the "Lake Poets" (Wordsworth , Coleridge, Southey) add to the area's appeal.

SUNRISE, RYDAL WATER, LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK

People come here for beautiful scenery, clean fresh air and to enjoy the lakes.The lakes are known as "waters" or "meres". Spring and fall are the best times to visit: in summer, roads and villages are packed with vacationers and the lovely country-house hotels can be full.

Received from Thomas, Northamptonshire

LIVERPOOL

Liverpool is one of the largest cities on England. People started living on Liverpool on 1207. It became a city in 1880. Liverpool is on the River Mersey with easy access to the Atlantic. It became a major sea port in the 18th century.
Blighted by urban decay after decades of economic decline, Liverpool may not sound like an appealing place to visit, yet the resilient Liverpudlians (or "Scousers"), the twin modern cathedrals, the first-rate art galleries and score of museums, the musical and maritime heritage, make this one of England's most engrossing cities.

 

Mersey Tunnel Entrance. St. George's Hall. Cathedral. Landing Stage

The neo-Gothic Anglican cathedral, the largest of its denomination in the world, and biggest church in England, is the masterpiece of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Begun in 1904, it was finished three-quarters of a century later.
St. George's Hall - one of the country's finest neo-classical buildings and tone-setter for the surrounding, undeniably impressive cityscape.

Liverpool is a city with unique attractions, exciting events, world class sport offerings, unrivalled musical heritage and famously warm welcomes, Liverpool is the ideal destination to visit and explore:

VISITLIVERPOOL 2018

LEEDS

Situated in the middle of the United Kingdom, with a diverse population of 751,500, Leeds is the third largest and one of the fastest growing, greenest cities in the UK. Metropolitan district’s current population actually makes it the second biggest in England after Birmingham. The city center holds a flamboyant variety of Victorian architecture, in ornate shopping malls and proud  public buildings such as the Corn Exchange and Town Hall. The City Art Gallery excels in its Victorian and 20th-century British art (notably sculpture by Henry Moore). while Armley Mills Museum and Thwaite Mills recall the city's industrial heritage.

Roundhay Park * Civic Hall * Merrion Centre * Boar Lane

The city’s coat of arms has three stars taken from the coat of arms of Sir Thomas Danby, its first mayor; fleece to symbolise the wool industry and three owls taken from the coat of arms of Sir John Saville, who was the first Alderman of Leeds. Leeds’ motto of ‘Pro rege et lege’ is latin and means ‘For king and the law’.