Thornhill was designed to be a staging post on the road between Dumfries and Glasgow – which was planned in 1714. As a result, several of the town’s 18th-century coaching inns are still active. Drumlanrig Castle was home to the Douglas Family, who have a dramatic history. James Douglas was one of the Lords responsible […]
It is 200 years since the birth of Queen Victoria, and there’s a range of celebrations after 118 years after her 64-year reign. Distinctive Victorian architecture is now a major genre, and included all manner of imposing palace buildings – and a collection of impressive clock towers, quite a few of which survive as town […]
South Norwood is located within the London Borough of Croydon. South Norwood Country Park is one of the most popular bird watching sites in south London. More open space comes in the form of South Norwood Lake and Grounds. The Lake was originally created as a reservoir for the Croydon canal – which ran between […]
Woolwich is perhaps best known for The Royal Arsenal, which has been at the centre of Woolwich life since 1696, when fireworks began to be manufactured there. The Napoleonic and Crimean Wars necessitated expansion, and production peak was reached during World War One, when it employed almost 80,000 people. Now, the historic buildings are being […]
Ilford in east London was historically a small rural settlement. It expanded significantly with the arrival of the railway in 1839 and became a municipal borough in 1926. Since 1965 it has been part of Greater London. In its centre is an impressive Victorian Town Hall. The main hall was originally the Council Chamber – […]
Twickenham sits in the borough of Richmond. It is, of course, famous for being home to the world’s largest rugby stadium. But it also has a rich history – for example, the historic riverside area is replete with 18th-century buildings and pleasure grounds. It is home to Strawberry Hill House, which was erected as a […]
Tooting developed during the late Victorian period. It remains a vibrant community, but with exciting things to do and see! Tooting Bec Lido is the largest pool in the UK by surface area. It sits on Tooting Bec Common, between Tooting and Streatham. At 91.5 metres, it is almost twice the length of an Olympic-size […]
Leyton was recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 as having a population of 43. Today, it is over 14,000. It is the home to Leyton Orient FC, who play in the National League, and the Brisbane Road stadium. It also holds Leyton Cricket Ground, and the wooden pavilion building stands as a Grade II […]
Kingston was first recorded in a Royal Charter in 838. Relics from its history remain – it is home to Clattern Bridge (London’s oldest bridge). It has held a weekly market since the 13thcentury, which is still active today, and seven Saxon Kings are thought to have been crowned here. Eadweard Muybridge, the pioneering photographer, […]
Penkridge in Staffordshire is an old market town which had a collegiate church. The Domesday Book 1086 notes the town’s economy as agricultural and it had a watermill. The town has a wealth of Listed buildings and several timber-framed buildings. Parish Church Penkridge There has been a church on the site of St Michael and […]