Not Around Preston

Bedale (pronounced BEE-dale) is a small market town in North Yorkshire, about 11 miles north of Ripon, and just off the A1. The main street runs north to south, with the central section being Market Place, and the two ends being North End and South End. The church is sat at the north end of North End. Parts of the crypt date to the nineth century, but the visible sections are twelve century, with alterations and additions at various times since. On the other side of the road in Bedale Hall, built mostly in the eighteenth century, though parts are earlier. The district council purchased the building in 1951, and now features a library and museum among other things. There was a market in the grounds when we were there. The road is wide, about 130' wide, and would have been the site of the market, but much of it is now used for parking, which does not help the photos. However, this gives a good view looking south. This is from the west side, near the hall, which is notably higher. The...

The Penshaw Monument was built between 1844 and 1845 to commemorate John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham, who died in 1840. It resembles a Greek temple, specifically the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens, on top of a small hill, and it is visible for miles around. This does mean it is a bit of a trek to the top, but there is a small town, Penshaw, to the southwest, and you can park there. Although it is further than the official car park, you are already halfway up the hill. This is the view looking towards Durham. The large flat green area of the left used to be Herrington Colliery. The town beyond that is Houghton-le-Spring. And towards Sunderland - the North Sea is just visible on the horizon at the right. The white spike middle-right is the tower of the bridge where the A19 crosses the Wear. Inside the monument. It never had a roof. The columns are hollow, and one has a door in it, allowing access to the top.  At one time visitors could walk around the top. I get the impression t...