Steve's World Blog » United Kingdom

Darlington County Durham

needahand — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:37:39 +0000

Darlington County Durham – Darlington is a town in the north-east of England, not far from Durham. In 1974, this town was gathered with other localities to form the borough of Darlington in County Durham. Since 1st April 1997, the Borough of Darlington has the status of unitary authority that made it independent from the county of Durham. Darlington is two hours and forty minutes train ride from London by the East Coast Main Line. Darlington is twinned with Amiens (France). The local newspaper is the daily newspaper The Northern Echo. The town is proud of its railway heritage. The Darlington Borough Council and Morrison Supermarkets commissioned the artist David Mach in 1994 to create a large-scale sculpture entitled “Train”, to be installed on the Darlington site to commemorate the first British railway, the line from Stockton to Darlington. At 40 m long, this is the largest outdoor sculpture ever made in England and was opened on June 24, 1997.

Aylesbury Train Station Map

needahand — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:52:21 +0000

Aylesbury Train Station Map:

View larger map

Above you will find a handy map of Aylesbury Train Station (Aylesbury Railway Station), which is on the main line to London Marylebone, the operator is Chiltern Railways and trains run via Amersham and via High Wycombe (both to London Marylebone). You can book tickets for the train from Aylesbury to London online and get cheap rates: CLICK HERE.

Redbourn Hertfordshire

needahand — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:56:50 +0000

Redbourn Hertfordshire – A village located to the north-east of Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, Redbourn has a population of about six thousand inhabitants and has a history going back at least to the times of the Saxons, when a settlement existed there. Redbourn was considered important enough to be listed in the Domesday Book and by the twelfth century its St Mary’s parish church was built, followed closely by the foundation of a priory on Redbourn Common. Evidence of early settlement is taken from its proximity to “The Aubreys”, site of an Iron Age hillfort. Redbourn was later a significant coaching stop and was renowned for its large number of pubs and inns, built to service these passing travellers. Redbourn is close to St Albans, Harpenden and Hemel Hempstead.

Liverpool Merseyside

needahand — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:20:20 +0000

Liverpool Merseyside – Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of Merseyside, in the western region of England, on the east side of the estuary of the River Mersey, bordered to the north by the metropolitan municipality of Sefton , East by that of Knowsley, south and west by the Mersey river. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and had that status until 1880, when it received the title of city. According to the latest official census, dating from 2001 , Liverpool had a population of 439,473 inhabitants. The city lies at the heart of Liverpool Metropolitan Area, which has a population of 816,216 inhabitants. Liverpool city centre is a lively vibrant place with good shopping, great nightlife and friendly atmosphere.

Mousehole Cornwall

needahand — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:45:56 +0000

Mousehole Cornwall – Mousehole (meaning “island harbour”) is a village with about 850 inhabitants located in the south-west England (UK). Mousehole lies at the south-western tip of Britain in the former District of Penwith, within the county of Cornwall, between Penzance and Land’s End, set in a spacious bay on the southern English coast. Administratively, Mousehole is one of the five boroughs of Penzance. A delightful little fishing village, Mousehole has a nice beach where you can head when the weather is nice, it also has a wild bird hospital which is worth a visit. You can visit Mousehole if you are staying in Newlyn, Penzance, St Just, Marazion of Sennen.

Cornwall Map.

Clovelly Devon

needahand — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:24:12 +0000

Clovelly Devon – Clovelly is a fishing village on the north coast of Devon in the UK. It was primarily known through the novel Westward Ho by Charles Kingsley. Even Charles Dickens describes in his book A Message From the Sea, the rugged area around Clovelly. With its picturesque location Clovelly attracts many tourists. However, the site itself can be visited only on foot, as cars are not allowed due to the steep slope. For older people, however, there is the possibility to use a Land Rover with a service charge, which carries the people down at the harbour. An 800 metre long road with cobblestones leads down to the harbour, where there is a quay wall from the 14th Century. There are two chapels in the village, restaurants, gift shops and craft shops. Clovelly has a small beach, where many visitors head when the weather is fine. The village has about 400 inhabitants, many of which still survive through traditional fishing, as demonstrated by the white fishermen’s houses. Clovelly is close to the Hartland Peninsular and nearby towns include Holsworthy, Putford, Bude and Bideford.

Basildon Essex

needahand — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:13:54 +0000

Basildon Essex – Basildon is a new town in Essex, created in 1949 after the Second World War, it was intended to house those who suffered due to the bombing in London and the destruction of many of its neighbourhoods. Part of its population comes from East London, near the docks. Basildon was created from four small villages, Pitsea, Basildon, Laindon and Vange. The first reference to Basildon in historical annals is in the Domesday Book, (records of 1086) being referred to as “Belesduna”. Basildon’s name means “the hill” and the words come from Anglo-Saxon, “Beorhtel” and “dun.” Throughout the centuries and in different historical documents, Basildon will be called in different names such as: Berdlesdon, Batlesdon and Belesduna. Within the district of Billericay, we can see a house dating from 1620 where the Pilgrim Fathers met, before emigrating to America on the Mayflower. Basildon today has a population of 185,000, it is situated to the south-east of Brentwood, to the south-east of Billericay and to the north-west of Southend-on-Sea, South Benfleet and Canvey Island.

Mortehoe North Devon

needahand — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 07:37:07 +0000

Mortehoe North Devon – A pretty little North Devon village which is steeped in history, Mortehoe is situated high above the town of Woolacombe and surrounded by protected land owned by the National Trust. Located a little inland from Morte Point (a peninsular notorious for shipwrecks), Mortehoe is a charming place with delightful tea rooms, shops, and friendly pubs. Its church (St Mary) dates from Norman times and it also boasts a Heritage Centre which outlines the rich maritime history of the area. Mortehoe is close to Woolacombe, Ilfracombe, Braunton and Barnstaple and is a popular tourist destination for those visiting this rugged coast of Devon.

Devon Map.

Combe Martin and Hele Bay

needahand — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:16:05 +0000

Combe Martin and Hele Bay – A couple of attractive little villages and good spots to visit if you are in North Devon, Combe Martin and Hele Bay are situated to the east of Ilfracombe, on the coast and both minor holiday resorts which attract a number of tourists to the area, both are also on the western edge of the Exmoor National Park. Combe Martin is a delightful village with a long High Street once thought to be the longest village street in England (it isn’t!), it also has a small sheltered cove with a nice little beach. Hele Bay is even smaller but also has a nice little beach and is sheltered by surrounding hills.

Truro Cornwall

needahand — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:56:56 +0000

Truro Cornwall – Truro is a city of 20,920 British residents (2001), and capital of the county of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The town is located on the banks of Truro river near its mouth in the English Channel. Industries in Truro include the ceramic industry, textile, wood and food production. The most prominent monument is the Truro Cathedral (Gothic Revival), which reaches a height of 76 metres, and was begun in 1880 and was completed in 1910, it was built on the site of the former St. Mary’s Church, consecrated six hundred years before. Truro is the only city in the county of Cornwall. Truro has a busy tourist industry with thousands visiting the Cornish coastal resorts and looking for a place to visit when the weather is not so good. Truro has good shopping and a number of interesting tourist attractions. Truro is to the east of Redruth and to the north of Falmouth, it is a 27 miles drive from Penzance.

Sherborne Dorset

needahand — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:26:11 +0000

Sherborne Dorset – Sherborne is a small town in the county of Dorset in southern England, located on the River Yeo, 6 kilometres from the town of Yeovil (Somerset). Sherborne had 9,350 inhabitants in 2001, it is in the District of West Dorset and has a variety of historic buildings and schools, the best known of which is Sherborne School. The town takes its name from scir burne (Old English) as “a clear river source”. Origins of the town date back to the 7th Century, Sherborne was an important town and religious centre of Wessex, one of the seven kingdoms of England. Saxonian King Alfred’s older brothers Athelbald of Wessex and Athelberht of Wessex are buried in the abbey (Sherborne Abbey). Sherborne is located close to Dorset’s border with Somerset, to the east of Yeovil and to the north of Dorchester. Sherborne is the 9th largest town in Dorset.

Dorking Surrey

needahand — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:52:22 +0000

Dorking Surrey – Dorking is a town in England, below the North Downs in Surrey, about 40 kilometres south of London. The town has 17,000 inhabitants and belongs to the district of Mole Valley. Dorking began as a small postal station on Stane Street, the Roman road from London to Chichester. In the 11th Century, this Surrey town was listed in the Domesday Book as the Manor of Dorchinges. The landlords were the Dukes of Norfolk, who lived in Dorking, until they moved to Arundel. In the Middle Ages, Dorking, was a prosperous agricultural market, which benefited from its location on a variety of important roads. In 1750 the building of the Turnpike Road made Dorking a post station on the way to Brighton and the coast. This position was lost with the construction of the railway. Dorking is situated south of the town of Leatherhead and west of the town of Reigate, in the county of Surrey.

Harlow Essex

needahand — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:25:27 +0000

Harlow Essex – Harlow is a town in Essex in south-east England. It was created in 1947 as a New Town from the towns of Harlow, Great Parndon, Latton, Little Parndon and Netteswell and today with some 80,000 inhabitants, is one of the largest north-eastern suburbs of London. Administratively, Harlow is both a town and district in Essex. Harlow was the first British town, which was equipped with a pedestrian zone in the town, also here in 1951 was the first residential tower in the country, now a listed building. Harlow is located approximately 30 km northeast of London’s city centre. It has a highway access to the M11 (London-Cambridge) and a station on the London-Cambridge line.The Harlow area has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, in Parndon was found an axe, which was dated to about 6000 BC. The place name Harlow indicates a foundation by the Anglo-Saxons. Harlow was in the Magna Carta and was mentioned as a typical rural village. Harlow is situated to the north-west of Chelmsford and also to the north-west of Brentwood.

Aberdeen Scotland

needahand — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:58:55 +0000

Aberdeen Scotland – Aberdeen the third city of Scotland , is located in north-east of Britain, on the shores of the North Sea, through which it is the European capital of offshore oil. Since 1891, Aberdeen has the official city status. This is one of the richest cities in the UK. In 2009, houses in the suburbs of Aberdeen were ranked the most expensive in Scotland. Aberdeen has several nicknames: The Granite City, The Grey City and The Silver City, together with Golden Sands. These nicknames are taken from the granite used to construct buildings in Aberdeen, and sand of its shores. Since the discovery of oil in the North Sea during the 1970’s, sometimes it is nicknamed The Oil Capital of Europe or The Energy Capital of Europe. Aberdeen has won 10 times the competition of cities and villages in bloom the United Kingdom. To drive from Aberdeen to Edinburgh is 126 miles and to drive from Aberdeen to Glasgow is 146 miles.

Kelso Borders Scotland

needahand — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:30:40 +0000

Kelso Scotland – Kelso is a small town in Scotland located in the region of Scottish Borders to the south-east of Edinburgh, on the banks of the Tweed. The settlement moved after the founding of the Abbey of Kelso in 1128. Its name comes from the chalky soil where there was an existing plant then called Calkou. It is famous for its streets and its main square which is fully paved, its Georgian houses, which Sir Walter Scott , the famous British writer who was a student in the local high school, said was “the most beautiful and perhaps be the most romantic village in Scotland”. The local rugby club, Kelso RFC , is one of the most famous of Scotland. Kelso is also known for its racecourse which has meetings for National Hunt horse racing. Kelso is to the south-east of Edinburgh.

Northallerton North Yorkshire

needahand — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:32:19 +0000

Northallerton North Yorkshire – Northallerton is a market town and civil parish of England in the district of Hambleton, North Yorkshire . It is in the Mowbray Valley and its population amounts to about 16,000 people. It was formerly the capital of the North Riding of Yorkshire, and since 1974 it has become part of North Yorkshire. The region has been inhabited since Roman times, but the town has gained importance only since the 11th century when William II of England gave the land to the Bishop of Durham. Under the authority of the bishop, Northallerton became a major religious centre. It is also located in the heart of the conflict between the kingdoms of England and Scotland, notably at the Battle of the Standard, in 1138, during which 12,000 men were killed. More recently trade and transport have taken on new importance in the town. Its location on the main road between Scotland and London makes an important stop for buses that travel the route. Northallerton is quite close to the North Yorks Moors and is a good base for touring this popular area, it is roughly midway between Darlington and Thirsk (location of the famous racecourse) and is about thirty two miles from York.

Catterick North Yorkshire

needahand — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:14:29 +0000

Catterick North Yorkshire – Catterick is a village and civil parish in the district of Richmondshire in North Yorkshire, England. It dates back to Roman times, when Cataractonium was a Roman fort protecting the crossing of the Great North Road and Dere Street, over the River Swale. It has 2,743 inhabitants (2001). Around the year AD 600, Catterick was the scene of a battle between the Britons and the Angles of Bernicia, recounted in the poem Y Gododdin. Catterick was then the seat of the kingdom of Rheged. North-west of Catterick is the well known Catterick Racecourse a flat and National Hunt horse racing circuit. Catterick is situated just off the A1 motorway between Richmond and Bedale, it is about 43 miles from York.

Herne Bay Kent

needahand — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:05:07 +0000

Herne Bay Kent – Herne Bay is a coastal town in north-eastern Kent in England, United Kingdom. It is part of the Canterbury district and has a population of about 35,000 inhabitants. The town is situated at the estuary of the River Thames 7 km north of the city of Canterbury and 2 km east of the town of Whitstable. The seafront of Herne Bay houses a clock tower built in 1837. Until 1978, Herne Bay had the second longest pier in the UK. The town of Herne Bay began as a small port that received goods and passengers from London en route to Canterbury and Dover. The town then developed as a spa town since the early 19 th century after construction by investors of its pier and promenade.

Bridlington Yorkshire

needahand — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:00:23 +0000

Bridlington Yorkshire – Bridlington is a town and civil parish in East Yorkshire, England. It has a population of over 33,000 (which greatly increases in summer months due to an influx of tourists). Bridlington is a seaside resort area and fishing port on the coast of the North Sea. The town lies just south of the promontory of Flamborough Head. It is served by Bridlington railway station which is on the line of the Yorkshire coast that runs between Hull and Scarborough. Bridlington sits on the Holderness coast, an area of high coastal erosion. Bridlington has two distinct areas, the Old Town, location of Bridlington Priory and the ancient market, and Bridlington Quay, the site of the fishing harbour and modern tourist areas. Bridlington is 11 miles to the south of Filey.

Penrith Cumbria

needahand — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:05:32 +0000

Penrith Cumbria – Penrith is an English town in the county of Cumbria, which in the past was in Cumberland. Penrith lies north of the River Eamont in the Eden Valley and is less than 5 miles outside the boundary of the Lake District National Park. The Lowther and Petteril are other rivers that flow around the town. Petteril and Eamont are partially offset by a manmade waterway connected, which flows through the town centre and known as a “Thacka Beck” has been there for several centuries and provided the town with water. Penrith lies north-west of Appleby-in-Westmorland which is on the River Eden.