I came across this odd landmark a few years ago doing geocaching. Having never seen or heard of one…read morein the UK before I found it rather intriguing. What it is, is a sulphur spring right beside the river tees. The smell of rotten eggs greats you as you approach down a small path but after about 5 minuets the smell no longer seems to be there however if you move away some distance and return it's back like a bad smell. Apparently it has some healing properties according to the Victorians who flocked to taste the waters. Having had a little taste my self it wasn't that inviting. The original fountain was replaced in 2000 but still looks the part (see images). If you are heading up teesdale via Barnard Castle then it's on the way. A small lay-by is provided to park in and then it's just a short 100m walk down a path.

Legend has it that the Abbey on Inchcolm Island in the Forth, began when King Alexander I was…read moreshipwrecked in 1123, and took shelter in a hermit's hovel. After the hermit saved his life, the King decided to build a priory on the Island. In any case it was definitely a priory by the mid 13th century when in 1235 it became an Abbey and grew from there. Inchcolm Abbey is regarded as one of the best preserved medieval monastic building complexes. It really is impressive. To get here you need to get one of two ferry services from Queensferry (make you sure you choose the option to get off at the Island and don't just pay for the cruise) which takes about thirty minutes. Once there you are free to explore the Abbey (and the rest of the island). It really is a great trip, if you're anything like me and generally like ruined piles of stone. But in all seriousness so much of it is still intact, that you really get a feel for the place. Actually it can become a bit maze like with all its stairs and many floors. One particular nerve racking part involves a steep climb up some very small winding stairs. These monks really were midgets! In fact I'm quite surprised Historic Scotland still lets visitors climb these precarious heights, but I'm glad they do. From the top of the tower you get a fantastic view of the Island and across the Forth. It also makes a great family day out, especially with the cruise to boot. Kids love to run around the Island and if its a nice day it makes a perfect picnic venue.

Just because we live in Edinburgh doesn't mean we can't enjoy the city. The folks who run the city…read morecentre (Waverley Bridge) bus tours also run a boat to Inchcolm Abbey. Go for it - an absolutely brilliant and fascinating day out. Couple of tips, buy coffee on board, if you get off at Inchcolm (do, it's amazing) either take a picnic or have a meal before or after the cruise. They only have very expensive bottled drinks and biscuits and chocolate on the island. Take your camera, wear flat shoes and comfy clothes and go for a paddle if its warm. Look out for the seals, so cute. Fantastic day out for all ages.

Capernwray Hall, stately home and residence of the Founder…read moreof Toarch Bearer Community, Major Ian Thomas. After World War II where he served as an army officer in Germany with the British Army of The Rhine, he dedicated his life and his fortune, mainly his residence and whole property, the Lord Lieutenant of the county of Lancaster home Capernwray Hall, to serve as the central unit to all his enormous religious activities, founding lots of bible school places and establishing regional and local sections of his Toarch Bearer Fellowship all over the world. Here it all began, in 1946, when he set out to buy the castle and to converte it into what it is now, the heart of his sacred movement.

On our way south we stopped by the Easby Abbey. And it was a surprisingly great place to visit. A…read morelot bigger than it looked online. Parking is very limited on the carpark - park elsewhere or wait to get lucky. We waited...and got lucky after around 15-20mins. Easby is one of the best preserved monasteries of the Premonstratensian 'white canons'. Founded in 1152, Easby Abbey was suppressed in 1536 and within two years most of its buildings had been stripped and demolished. And the remains still stand here today. And there are lot of them to explore. The whole grounds are free to roam around with only few restrictions. And it's quite a large area. Dogs are welcome as well. We enjoyed our visit very much - and lots of signs giving interesting insights in the history of the Abbey. There was a good number of visitors, but didn't feel crowded, because of the grounds size. Many times we tried to imagine how big and impressive it must have been when it was still standing in all its glory. Because the ruins are already impressive. It must have been an amazing sight back then. A really enjoyable visit. And it's even free to enter. Surprisingly. For the carpark there's an honesty box, a donation is appreciated.

Atmospheric ruined Abbey - what's not to like. There were no other visitors and we got some great…read moreshots of the buildings, some of us climbing and lounging on steps and nooks and cranny. I could imagine myself a Canon in another life, contemplating in the sun. The only masonry on the site which can be dated to the mid-12th century is a reused doorway in the west range of the cloister. The surviving fragments of the abbey church probably date to the 1170s or 1180s. Easby seems to have prospered in the later 12th and early 13th centuries, as the number of canons increased.

Review 500! Wowzers…read more I'm chuffed that it's this local landmark, as we walked up to Peel Monument on what was probably the loveliest, sunniest first day of Spring that I can remember. Occupying a prominent position on Holcome Hill, you can see the monument from miles around and it serves as a beacon for walkers or those of us that just enjoying getting up to it "because it's there". It's a memorial to Sir Robert Peel, born in Bury, who twice served as Prime Minister and is regarded as the father of the modern British police. On a clear day, which we were lucky coincided with our visit, you can look out across the Greater Manchester landscape to the towns, villages and moorlands beyond. Sit down on the grass and take it all in. There are public footpaths leading up to it from Ramsbottom; we didn't need a map as you could see it above you most of the time. Alternatively, there are lanes you can park on further up the hill as it's a bit of a climb, but definitely worth visiting.

We visited September 2024, on a Last Kingdom pilgrimage from London to Bamburgh. Whitby was a must…read moresee for us, having been established by the Abbess Hild, who was portrayed in TLK. Even though liberties were taken with her timeline in the show it made sense to add Whitby Abbey a stop on our tour. The Abbey is a typical medieval Norman structure, one of many torn down by the **** Henry VIII when he had enough of Catholics. The state of ruin though adds to the mystique of the place. Its magnificent unmistakable shape seen for miles around atop the cliffs of Whitby, looking over the mouth of River Esk. We were lucky with the weather, a cool but clear sunny day. I can imagine it gets pretty cold and blustery up here, so pack accordingly, just in case. Its a fair bit of walking too, much of it up hill, even from the adjacent parking lot. So leave plenty of time if you are a slow huff-and-puff walker like me. If you're feeling fit then theres the 199 steps up from the town below. There is a great museum that covers a great deal of history of the area and the Abbey. Of course all the Bram Stoker and Dracula associations are noted and observed. As are lots of the other literary dignitaries linked to this place. Theres a very nice gift shop too with a good array of nick nacks and local fare. One thing miss from the North East is the mead. We got hooked on mead on our trip and they have a good selection in the Abbey shop. While you are there St Marys Church is just across the way (see my other review of that). Its a must see. While we were there, the ticket machine at the parking lot was not working, so we went without paying for a ticket. We didnt get towed or anything, I don't know how much they patrol the lot. Other than that the lot is pretty huge, loads of open spots. We were there later in the day midweek after schools were back, and there were only a few people visiting. I cant imagine the Abbey on a busy Saturday, the solitude added to the isolated ambience so I'm glad for that. Overall a must see, wherever you are from or heading to, make a point of getting up here at least once in your life.

Whitby Abbey is probably the most impressive Abbey we've visited yet. Sitting high above charming…read moreWhitby. The location and the Abbey have a long and interesting history. Some facts: Communities have lived on this headland for over 3,000 years and it has long been an important holy place and seat of power. In AD 657 Abbess Hild founded a monastery for men and women at Whitby, on land given by King Oswiu. It was Whitby's first monastic site. The Benedictine monk Reinfrid established a new community on the site in 1078. The Benedictine monastery was suppressed by Henry VIII in 1539 and its ruins are the ones we see on Whitby headland today. And Bram Stoker set part of Dracula here. The ruins are nothing short of breathtaking. The architecture, the countless details. You can spend a whole day here is still find more things to explore. And to imagine how the Abbey must have been when it was still in one piece. It's already an impressive sight now. But back then it must have been incredible. You can walk on the grounds and inside the Abbey freely. Dogs are also allowed on the site. There's lots of room and space for all visitors. Never felt crowded. If you arrive from the carpark on Abbey Lane then you will get some spectacular views of the Abbey from the little pond. The whole site is also wheelchair friendly, it's all pretty flat and easy to get around. EH members enter free of charge. A fantastic visit. And make sure to visit Whitby itself. It's probably packed as usual, but worth a visit.

- [x] Walmgate Bar (cat trail)     - [x] Fishergate Bar…read more    - [x] Fishergate Postern Tower     - [x] Clifford tower - [x] Skeldergate bridge - [x] Baile Hill     - [x] Victoria Bar     - [x] Micklegate Bar (Tansy beetle mural nearby) - [x] Lendal bridge, Lendal tower, Barker Tower (judi dench walk nearby)   - [x] Multangular Tower in museum gardens where you'll find st Mary's abbey and the hospitium) - [x] Bootham bar - [x] Robin Hood tower - [x] Monk bar (5 mins to minster) - [x] Layerthorpe bridge (15 mins to minster) - [x] The red tower

Walk a portion or all 2.6 miles of the medieval walls that encircle the City of York. We walked the…read morenorth corner in clockwise direction and had neat aerial sights of York Minster. The walkway is relatively flat with a couple of dedicated viewpoints and benches. Entry is free from stairs at various points that are typically open from 8 AM until dusk.

Good because Eleanor's narration left us wanting more. Inside was out of bounds so we were left…read morewith a half hour outside tour and the mini museum of the witches. We were thirsty for much more history than was given but what was given was great. Eleanor was a born story teller and there is so much more to this history than was given. For 2 pound 50 it was a bargain. What stories this castle could tell.

You'd be silly to come all the way to Lancaster without seeing the castle!…read more The castle is still a working court and prison, but you can take tours there seven days a week if you head around back (near the requisite gift shop.) The keep dates to the 12th century and the history of the castle is very interesting. The guides are well informed and fun to listen to, and there are events here throughout the year. When you finish, it's worth heading out front, putting the castle at your back and taking a walk down the street towards town. On the right, you'll see a sign for the Nice Cafe, and inside that building is the tourism office, which always has more info on things to see locally. If you go a few feet further and look left, you will find the Merchant's Pub, one of the oldest and coolest pubs in town. Grab a burger and a pint and enjoy their patio!

A great place to visit the owner is really friendly and great value for money , see my full review…read moreand photos at http://www.kevinsimon.co.uk/?p=2303