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Gilesgate

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Gilesgate is a suburb of the City of Durham, less than a mile to the east of the centre. It is a pretty place, but is just a bit too far out to get the tourists. I had driven through it a few times; today I got the chance to stop. At the eastern end is the Queens Head, where the road forks, to become Sherbuin Road and Sunderland Road. On the other side, are these houses. As we head west, there is an open area on the south side. The blue plaque is for Daisy Edis, a pioneering photographer active from 1901 to 1964. Back on the north side; you can see this is an eclectic mix of houses. As we get further west, the road slopes downwards. The houses do too, but so not quickly. The church of St Giles is set back from the road a bit, and easy to miss. Very modest compared to the cathedral. It was built in 1112, as a chapel for the hospital; no other part of the hospital survives. The road takes it name from the hospital. The church hall is not so quaint. Back to the road as it continues to des...
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Grassington

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 Grassington is a pretty town in Wharfedale, about eight miles north of Skipton, that was more than a little reminiscent of Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter video game. The B6265 runs through the town, and we start where it meets Main Street. This is looking up Main Street. Why is there a Christmas shop there in June? Backtracking for a moment, to the left of that, on the B road, this is the most modern commercial building I saw. Most of the shops target tourists. Now heading up Main Street, this is the view looking back. And from the same place, looking up the road. There was a curious rabbit theme at one point, with a shop owned by Robert Bunney. And next door, the Rustic Rabbit, and beside that the Hutch. On the other side of the road is the market square. A royal charter in 1280 gave it the right to hold a market and fair; the market ended around 1860. Featuring a grade II listed pump and trough. Further up is the Devonshire Arms, the Duke of Devonshire owning much land here. You ...
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Wolsingham

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Wolsingham is a small market town about 15 miles west of Durham, on the River Wear. It is a charming place, with very few modern buildings - I guess it is just a bit too far from the big cities for an easy commute. There is a wonderful collection of buildings, seemingly every one aligned to a different angle. This is looking west along Front Street, which is what they call the High Street in County Durham. At the back you can see the Black Bull, grade II listed and built mid-eighteenth century. On the other side, and slightly further along, is the war memorial. To the right of it is the town hall, built 1861. Now the library. The Baptist church. I think these are the oldest houses in the town, dating to 1677. Stepping back, and you can also see Kiln House; built as recently as 1740, and so apparently does not warrant getting listed. This is on the corner of the Causeway, which heads west to the river, and then the old station. A short way down - as far as we ventured - is the remains o...
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Bootle

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Bootle is in Liverpool, north of the centre. Originally for the wealthy to avoid the masses in Liverpool, it was later popular with Irish dock workers. The docks lie to the west of the town. Arguably a less attractive area, there is not much you can see of them as access is restricted. Back from the docks is the north-south running Derby Road, A565. I assume the road is named after the Earl of Derby, and not because it goes to the city - he will crop up again. This is a major service road for the docks, and there are some examples of the office buildings of the old dock companies. As well as facilities for the dock workers.... Many now closed. I also found the Garden of Rest. This was the site of St Mary's Church, which had its own graveyard. I think the church was bombed during the war, and there is nothing of it now, but apparently the graves are still there. Note how brown the grass is; we have not had rain for several weeks. Behind Derby Road is the Leeds Liverpool canal. I was...
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