Churches
St Mary’s Abbey, York
On a quick, work-related trip to York in December 2020, I took the opportunity to walk through the Museum Gardens. With many restrictions in place due to Covid, I thought it safer to explore an outdoor setting while I waited for the train back to Newcastle. And what a wonderful setting it is! …
Read MoreSt David’s Cathedral
St David’s is the United Kingdom’s smallest city in population (population of 1841 in 2011). It is also the resting place of St David, patron saint of Wales. And the magnificent St David’s Cathedral is located here, on the Northern edge of the city. So, it is no surprise then that visiting St David’s…
Read MoreChurch in the Attic, Amsterdam
I’m off to explore a historical secret! This has been on my bucket list for a while, so I’m very excited to be able to go on this excursion. The secret? A Catholic Church hidden in the attic of a residential house in the heart of Amsterdam. Let me explain a bit of background,…
Read MoreTynemouth Priory and Castle
With lockdown restrictions easing evermore in England, it has become possible to start history exploring again – thank goodness! Some heritage sites are starting to open, although one has to book a timeslot in advance. This is exactly what I did, so I was one of the first (post-lockdown) visitors to Tynemouth Priory and…
Read MoreSt Andrew’s Church, Newcastle
As lockdown measures in England are slowly being lifted, I was delighted to be able to start visiting the inside of historical sites. So, for my first “proper” history exploration in over three months, I decided to visit the Church of St Andrews in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. A sunny day meant that I could take a…
Read MoreDe Oude Kerk Amsterdam
We’ve been looking forward to this trip for a while. I love Amsterdam. It is a city with a rich and diverse history and we visit a few times every year. But this time was different. This time, I could finally visit the oldest church in the city – De Oude Kerk (the Old Church).…
Read MoreSt Mary’s Chapel Jesmond
Years before the Norman conquest, just North-East of the city centre of Newcastle, an apparition of the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus appeared. This great event quickly became known far and wide. The area became known as “Jessemougth” or “Jesusmound” on account of the rock or mound the apparition appeared at. Jesusmound changed to Jesmond as…
Read MoreSt Nicholas’ Church, West Boldon
As part of the Heritage Trail, I visited the delightful Grade I listed St Nicholas Church in the North East of England. It was a sunny day and walking through the churchyard, I loved the sun streaks flooding between the large trees. Peaceful. And beautiful. I do love churchyards. And this one really kept me busy…
Read MorePeebles Cross Kirk, Scotland
After several hours on the road, we were starting to get desperate for a coffee stop. So, as we drove into the lovely town of Peebles, we started looking out for somewhere to stop for refreshments. And as it always is in an unfamiliar town, you only spot the coffee shop once you are virtually past it! …
Read MoreJedburgh Abbey, Scotland
Breath-taking. Truly breath-taking. As we travelled around a curve in the A68, coming into Jedburgh from the South, we were absolutely awestruck. To the left of the main road, on higher ground, stands the majestic Jedburgh Abbey. I had to pull over and just drink it all in. It is possibly one of the most awesome…
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