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.

Gawthorpe Hall is an Elizabethan stately home with extensive grounds on the outskirts of Burnley,…read morenow in the care of the National Trust in partnership with Lancashire County Council. It is well worth visiting if you are in the area. The origins of the building lie with the Shuttleworth family, who had owned a nearby manor since the 12th century. They erected a "pele" or "peel tower", a simple but strong defensive structure to defend against incursions by the Scots. In 1600, Richard Shuttleworth began building a new hall, using the original tower as its core (it now forms the staircase). The architect was reputedly Robert Smythson, better known for houses such as Longleat and Hardwick Hall. In 1849, Sir James Kay-Shuttleworth commisioned Sir Charles Barry (the architect behind the Houses of Parliament) to restore the house and add modern amenities. The present house is therefore a blend of 17th and 19th century elements. The exterior is an impressive example of an Elizabethan hall, marking the transition from Gothic to Renaissance architecture. The main areas of interest inside are the dining room and drawing room on the ground floor, and the Elizabethan long gallery upstairs. These are largely in their original form, with the drawing room and gallery retaining impressive 17th century panelling, fireplaces, ceilings and friezes. The bedrooms also have some original furnishings, including an impressive Elizabethan four-poster bed. The rooms and hall are home to paintings on loan from the National Portrait Gallery from the 16th-18th centuries - the largest such collection in the north west of England. The house also contains a selection of the extensive historic textile collection of Miss Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth. These are displayed museum-style, alongside changing exhibitions. The hall is set in extensive grounds, with lovely views down to the River Calder. The extensive outbuildings include an impressive barn and farmhouse, both contemporaneous with the house, although they are not normally open to the public. There is a tea-room - check website for opening times, which vary through the year. The house is open Wednesday-Saturday. There are 4 steps up to the entrance and thereafter level access to the ground floor rooms only: the staircase to the upper floors is narrow - large bags and pushchairs need to be folded and lodged at reception. Light levels are kept low to preserve the fabric of the building; large print and braille guides are available. The reception in the house has a small retail area selling guides and souvenirs. The grounds at Gawthorpe Hall are open every day. There are toilets (including a disabled toilet) in the outbuildings and a large free car park.

A good atmosphere for studing/working on things when your out in nature. You can also fish on the…read moreriver and explore there is a lot to do here

Towering 160m above both what was once the old-money village of Alderly Edge (now a mecca for…read morePremiership footballers and Wags) and the Cheshire Plain in general, the edge has some of the best views of anywhere in the area thanks to the dramatic edge - a steep cliff-like drop. The edge has historic associations with, somewhat incongruously, mining and wizardry, but these days it's a great place to go for a walk with either the kids, the dog, visitors or even a solitary stroll. There are car parks at both the foot of the edge and the top (the latter is the main one) giving the option of a quick trip to the edge itself and back or a longer, more demanding up-and-down walk.

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 my to do list of must sees in liverpool was the Three Graces - The fundamental international…read moresymbol for Liverpool, is the Royal Liver Building, as well as The Cunard and the Port of Liverpool buildings. They are all side by side located on The Pier head in Liverpool. Stunning architecture, all majestic in their own right.

This is the first building you see when your ship arrives at the cruise port. One of the famous…read moreThree Graces it stands out more than the other two. On top of the two towers of the building are statues of Liver Birds which are said to be good luck to sailors and the city. probably one of the most iconic buildings in Liverpool. It is a must see when you visit.

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!

On the side of the road just off the A59 in the tiny hamlet of Sawley is the remains of an ancient…read morecistercian abbey which was founded in 1147. Today very little of the original structure still stands however it is a place of tranquility and stands on the banks of the river ribble on the edge of the forest of Bowland. This is an area of outstanding beauty in my opinion and not as busy with tourists as the nearby lake district.It is an English Heritage site and entry in free.

I went to Sawley on Sunday on my way home from holiday, as a personal pilgrimage. I was touched by…read morethe story of Sawley in the Tudors and the fact that it was a simple, but important small abbey at the heart of a spiritual, close, country community and I was also moved to see that it still is. The site is lovely and majestic. It was also personally moving as it was the site of trauma and drama during the Pilgrimage of Grace, with the abbey being disolved, then restored and then forced into surrender by a royal army, with its abbot hung, drawn and quartered in Lancaster in 1537. I was struck by the extent of the damage caused by both the destruction in the reformation and also the years since, but I was also struck by the beauty of the remains. The abbey is in a lovely setting and it is quiet, not a lot of people there, but at the same time, there were a few children playing in the grounds from the local houses, giving the abbey an air of life, after it had been taken from it all those centuries ago. I was also shocked that the ruins were so full of mourning for the loss of the prayers and songs of days gone by, but I was equally moved by the calm and simple harmony of the sense of place that remained. Lovely, serene, beautiful, and well worth a visit.

The Alan Turing Building is the location where the School of Mathematics of The University of…read moreManchester is based; it also houses the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics. As everyone can imagine, it's named after the famous British mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing. It's quite a new building, completed only a few years ago, in 2007. Many facilities are provided: spacious and well-lit lecture theatres, a cafe on the ground floor, a small library, computer rooms and even showers. The bridge across the atrium is the common room for mathematics academics and graduate students, where morning coffee is served.

The Alan Turing is the place where I spend most of my mathematical life. It's a great building!!…read moreThe worst thing about the building is that some of the offices (including mine) have no windows. However it's not hard to pop out into the main foyer, which with a glass roof certainly does not lack for natural light. There are plenty of top quality teaching rooms with particularly nice blackboards. My favorite thing about the ATB is the atrium bridge area. It a place where staff and postgrads can relax, chat and get away from maths (although you may struggle to avoid mathematical conversation). It location makes in easy to see from the upper level so you can quickly check who's about from your office (and then decided if you want to sit with them)

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

Beautiful. A genuine ancient and historical old house which has many areas free and open to the…read morepublic to walk around, complete with information in each room about the history of the house and its inhabitants, as well as mentions of the ghosts which apparently haunt the property! It also now ends in a nice cafe/tearoom where you can enjoy a hot drink and a cake, or a bit of a light lunch for a good price, and even purchase souvenirs of the house itself. It sits in pleasant grounds near the Smithills Farm, and has a free car park, and pleasant areas to walk, both for short walks and long walks, as indicated by markers around the grounds. A pleasant day out for everyone, especially history buffs.

As a Horwich person. do you know of anybody wanting there VHS videos converting to a DVD, as I can…read moredo the art work on the DVD & Covers according to what is on the video, I have done quiet a few Wedding video's for people, my email address. familybooth@writeme.com