Good reasons to visit Barnard Castle! But maybe not now Dominic Cummings

Over the weekend all hell has blown up in the Westminster media bubble due to the ‘loathed’ Dominic Cummings chief advisor to Boris Johnson seeking a hideout in County Durham, 260 miles away from London. To me, I don’t really see what the big deal is and it is curious that those accusing someone of… Continue reading Good reasons to visit Barnard Castle! But maybe not now Dominic Cummings

The Buttermarket of Barnard Castle

Along with Middleton-In-Teesdale, Barnard Castle is one of the two principal towns in beautiful Teesdale.  Whilst being a local shopping centre; it also is home to one of the most fantastic ruined castle Barnard Castle  and the even more magnificent Bowes Museum with its magical silver swan. More modest in scope though none the less beautiful… Continue reading The Buttermarket of Barnard Castle

Mary Ann Cotton – Dark Angel

As we reach All Hallows Eve, it has become a tradition that I write a post related to Halloween or at least, things that go bump in the night.  Last year I wrote about the apparently true events portrayed in  The Enfield Poltergeist so I thought that today I would also write about true events, that… Continue reading Mary Ann Cotton – Dark Angel

Barnard Castle and the Silver Swan at The Bowes Museum

Some of you may remember back in October I went on holiday to the north of England and made a number of popular posts on my trip into old mines, behind waterfalls and along Hadrians Wall amongst other places.  I always had one more day to post so a little late, here it is. On… Continue reading Barnard Castle and the Silver Swan at The Bowes Museum

Day 5 of my holiday – Killhope Lead Mine

As I mentioned in previous holiday posts, the entire area of NorthEast England is rich in heavy industry and particularly mining history. Despite there being centuries more material underground, most mines are now closed as it is somehow supposedly more economical to get raw materials from China or Australia. Just a 3 or 4 miles… Continue reading Day 5 of my holiday – Killhope Lead Mine

Holiday day 3… The Beamish Open Air museum

It’s often said that one never visits the touristic places near to where one lives. I never went on the London Eye until a family from Chicago paid me too. The Beamish Open Air Museum is a likely unique museum dedicated to preserving and informing future generations about the special industrial heritage of working class… Continue reading Holiday day 3… The Beamish Open Air museum

The beautiful, magical Silver Swan Automaton at The Bowes Museum

Every now and then when you go travelling, you come across something out of the ordinary.  If you are very lucky, you might see something unique and quite amazing, the Silver Swan is such a sight. The Silver Swan Automaton is housed in the Bowes Museum, just outside the small but pretty market-town of Barnards… Continue reading The beautiful, magical Silver Swan Automaton at The Bowes Museum