I must admit I have a love-hate relationship with London. I love many aspects of this massive conglomerate, particularly the highlights set out below, but I hate the noise, the traffic fumes, and the general hustle and bustle – all headache-inducing. My answer is to visit at the weekend. Almost everyone has returned to their leafy […]
Many people pass very close to Brodsworth Hall and Cusworth Hall when travelling along the A1 through South Yorkshire, but few pause to visit. A great pity! Brodsworth Hall is one of the finest examples in England of a Victorian country house and is surrounded by gardens that have been restored to their Victorian splendour. […]
Update September 2014: New photographs have been added at the end of this article. York is an internationally recognised tourist destination, Leeds is well-known as the 24 hour city and the spa town of Harrogate is a popular conference centre. Close by is the picturesque but little known town of Knaresborough. Make time to visit […]
I’d read many reports about how Liverpool has undergone major regeneration over the last few years, stimulated in part by it being the European City of Culture in 2008. I decided it was about time to check the changes for myself, having previously visited during the bleak days of the 1990s when industrial disputes and social decay […]
When considering a visit to Birmingham, I had visions of heavy industry, busy roads and a dated, unimpressive city centre. Not exactly Short Break territory. A little research soon showed that to be a completely unfair view of modern Birmingham. Over the last few years the central area has greatly improved as the 20 year Big City Plan rolls forward. The city […]
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Holy Island, Lindisfarne – Off the Beaten Track
Millions of people every year see the distinctive shape of Lindisfarne Castle as they speed by on the main railway line between London and Edinburgh, or drive along the parallel A1 trunk road. But few stop to check out the rich heritage of Lindisfarne island; maybe they are put off by the tide-dependent access to the island. Lindisfarne off […]