Cumbria & The Lake District – Stephen Liddell

The betrayal that ended the old British kingdom of Rheged

One of the eras of history I most enjoy is that bit of British history after the Romans and before the arrival of those pesky Normans. When the land was split between numerous kingdoms who battled for control and eventual a land of many kingdoms became one of few. It seems at least some of these… Continue reading The betrayal that ended the old British kingdom of Rheged

An eerie journey along old Corpse Roads

Can anyone believe that I have written Halloween (related posts for 7 years now. When I started this blog I thought I’d be lucky to still be going in a month. As with everything else, I always try to keep my Halloween posts grounded as I think that makes them more realistic and also more… Continue reading An eerie journey along old Corpse Roads

A peek inside possibly the second smallest home in the U.K.

In my line of work I spend a lot of time walking round palaces, great houses and cathedrals but last week I had the opportunity to revisit one of the smallest houses imaginable in the beautiful Lake District in the country of Cumbria. What makes this house extra special is not just its tiny size… Continue reading A peek inside possibly the second smallest home in the U.K.

Walking Hadrian’s Wall For Cancer Research

A different sort of post just for a change. This week is the birthday of my Mother whose death occurred almost 5 years ago. She suffered from cancer on several occasions and so my wife, uncle and I have decided that we are going to do something positive in her memory. We’re going to walk… Continue reading Walking Hadrian’s Wall For Cancer Research

The home of Beatrix Potter & the wonderful world of Peter Rabbit

Following my exertions in the early part of my holiday a few weeks ago, I thought it would be a good idea to have an easier sort of day. That didn’t mean it wouldn’t be a very full one however, just a little less strenuous. The first part of my day was set aside with… Continue reading The home of Beatrix Potter & the wonderful world of Peter Rabbit

Hardknott Pass & Hardknott Fort – Perhaps the most remote Roman outpost in the Empire.

Following my climb up Skiddaw on the first day of my holiday, I fancied something a little bit more sedate, though at times no less hair-raising. After visiting Castlerigg Stonecircle and in keeping with my both laid back approach and fiercely testing idea of approaching my first days off in the year, I decided that I would visit the… Continue reading Hardknott Pass & Hardknott Fort – Perhaps the most remote Roman outpost in the Empire.

A close encounter with a Brocken Spectre

Fear not, this isn’t an early Halloween posting though the word ‘Spectre’ is accurate in the spooky image that it relates to. In my last post on climbing Skiddaw, I neglected to mention that I was lucky enough to see a Brocken Spectre. These are rather rare natural occurrences though I am fortunate to have… Continue reading A close encounter with a Brocken Spectre

I climbed Skiddaw – Englands 6th tallest peak

For the week of October 1st -8th, I actually had my first days off from giving tours since February. I was exhausted and quite ill, and a week on, I still am though slightly less on both counts. Longer time readers will remember that I like to escape London to go to the quietest and… Continue reading I climbed Skiddaw – Englands 6th tallest peak

Visiting the magical land behind a waterfall and underground caving!

So far on our holiday no two days had been the same and this was to be no different. After doing a soot of shopping in Alston, the highest market town in England, we headed east over the Peninnes and moors into neighbouring County Durham. Though perhaps common place in larger or less densely populated… Continue reading Visiting the magical land behind a waterfall and underground caving!

Castlerigg Stone Circle and the Lakes

Following my early morning walk to the abandoned mine, we headed out for a day of touring. We headed towards The Lake District, a large area designated a National Park containing many of England’s highest mountains and numerous large lakes as well as smaller lakes or tarns situated high up in the mountains as a… Continue reading Castlerigg Stone Circle and the Lakes