Northern England’s inspiring landscapes
Northern England has every right to be proud of its inspiring landscapes: remote castles teeming with history, stately houses filled with fashionable furniture, mighty mills still powered by steam and water and a countryside blanketed with rolling valleys, rocky outcrops and hauntingly beautiful moors. Northern landscapeshave fired the imagination of writers, artistsand film directors for centuries, helping to build an incredible cultural legacy that Northerners are extremely proud of.
Walk through sand dunes to Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
One of England’s largest inhabited castles and most iconic landmarks, Bamburgh Castle dominates a wild stretch of the Northumbrian coastline,towering above grass-covered sand dunes. The remote setting has attracted a number of A-listers to film here, including director Roman Polanski and actor Richard Burton. Climb the imposing keep, built to survive raids in the 12th century, before bathing in the opulence of the King’s Hall – a Victorian masterpiece made for elaborate banquets and balls. Don’t miss out on the dramatic view inside the castle walls, looking out across the beach and out to the Farne Islands, home to puffins and seals.
Soak up the splendour of Tatton Park, Cheshire
Tatton Park is a grand Victorian estate set amid 50 acres of manicured landscaped gardens and endlesslyrolling parkland. Thanks to its glorious setting, the richly furnished mansion landed astarring role in the 1981 British TV series of Brideshead Revisited. Wander at leisure through the ancient deer park and dive into Tatton’s well-maintained gardens, including spectacular Italian and Japanese gardens and a neatly planted kitchen garden. Enjoy top Cheshire produce and traditional English afternoon teas in the idyllic Gardener’s Cottage tea rooms and don’t forget to pay a visit to the special rare breed animals down at the working farm.
Admire the views from Stanage Edge, Derbyshire
Gazing out across the meandering valleys of the Peak District National Park, Stanage Edge is Britain’s longest and finest rocky outcrop (and it seems that even Oscar-nominated actresses can’t compete with the drama of its views). Stretching on for roughly 3.5 miles, film fans may recognise its craggy rock face from 2005’s Pride & Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley. It’s a great place to soak up the surrounding views and as you do, look out for the 16th century North Lees Hall, which features in the film and is also thought to be the model for Thornfield Hall in Charlotte Brontë’s famous novel Jane Eyre.
Go behind the scenes at Castle Howard, Yorkshire
You might recognise Castle Howard as the backdrop to Brideshead Revisited (both the 2008 film and 1981 TV series) where filmmakers used the estateto capture quintessential northern English countryside at its grandest. Explore the world-renowned collections and stunning architecture, learning about the Howard family, who have called the castle their home for 300 years. A conducted tour covers its connections to England’s greatest artists, architects, statesmen and rulers. Stroll among the roses in the splendid 18th century Walled Garden and don’t miss out on visiting the Temple of the Four Winds, where current owner, the Hon Simon Howard, was married.
Go on a guided tour of Wordsworth's most famous home, Cumbria
It was while living in Dove Cottage from 1799 to 1808 that William Wordsworth wrote the most famous and best-loved of his poems including I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud (or Daffodils). Visit the cottage, in the cute village of Grasmere, and find out how the beautiful Lake District landscape inspired him. Go on a guided tour of the property and hear about the Wordsworth family’s daily life and entertaining stories about their famous visitors. Entry includes a visit to the Wordsworth Museum and Art Gallery, with changing displays and exhibitions of historic artefacts, original manuscripts and wonderful pictures by artists.
Walk in the footsteps of the Brontë sisters, Yorkshire
The Brontë sisters moved to Haworth in 1820, a small village surrounded by dramatic moorland. Wander among the cobbled streets and follow in their footsteps, visiting familiar sites like the Old Apothecary and Black Bull pub. At the Bronte Parsonage Museum, you can poke around the beautifully preserved rooms of the Brontë family home and discover some of Charlotte’s personal possessions, including her dresses and the table where she sat and wrote her famous novel Jane Eyre.
Follow the Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle trail
Yorkshire is thebirthplace of two of England’s most important modern sculptors, Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. Honourtheir legacyat four leading cultural venues in Yorkshire. Spread out across 500 acres of luscious parkland, Yorkshire Sculpture Park in West Bretton has over 100 sculptures to explore. The Hepworth in Wakefield celebrates the work of Barbara Hepworth in the city where she was born, while Leeds Art Gallery houses one of the best collections of 20th century art outside of London, with more talks, events and exhibitions taking place at the Henry Moore Institute next door.
Gaze up in awe at The Angel of the North, Gateshead
The UK’s best-known piece of public art, Antony Gormley’sAngel of the North towers over windswept countryside in northeast England. This awe-inspiring sculpture first spread its wings in February 1998 and over 150,000 people visit it every year. Linger in its massive shadow and you’llunderstand why – it’s colossal, yet peaceful, and is a photographer’s dream. At 54m (177ft) wide and 20m (66ft) high, it’s taller than four double-decker buses and has a wingspan as wide as a jumbo jet. Made of steel, it weighs 200 tonnes – the body 100 tonnes and the wings 50 tonnes each. Now that’s a hefty load!
Explore Lancashire’s rich industrial history
During the Industrial Revolution, Lancashirewas one of the wealthiest and most important places in the world. The mighty wooden waterwheel at Helmshore Mills Textile Museum shows how nature was harnessed to turn raw cotton into thread. At Queen Street Mill Museum, the steam engine Peace powers the world’s last surviving steam powered mill, spinning cotton into fabric. Both mills were used as filming locations for the 2010 blockbuster The King’s Speech with Colin Firth. Find Europe’s largest collection of Tiffany glass at the Haworth Art Gallery and a treasure trove of quirky objects at Blackburn Museum.
What’s new?
In 2016, the Bronte Parsonage museum ( continue with its five-yearBrontë200 programme, celebrating the 200th birthday of Charlotte Brontë (21 April 1816 – 31 March 1855) with a variety of special events including a new exhibition by the world-renowned writer Tracy Chevalier called ‘I Shall Go Off Like a Bombshell’. Watch out also for the first of their Victorian Summer Fairs – a free festival of performances, revelry and fun set in the beautiful village of Haworth where the Brontës once lived.
2016 also sees the 150th anniversary of the birth of the children’s book author Beatrix Potter, who writing was inspired by childhood holidays in the Lake District. Fans of famous tales like The Story of Peter Rabbit will relish the chance to dive into a whole array of events planned by the National Trust, Cumbria Tourism and the World of Beatrix Potter attraction. These will include a children’s literary festival at Wray Castle, a brand new guide to tell the story of her life, story telling events and, of course, a special birthday party on 28 July.
It’salso the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alf Wight, whom many know as author James Herriot, whose country vet adventures inspired the much beloved TV adaptation All Creatures Great and Small that is on the cards to be remade by HBO. A Visit to James Herriot World in Thirsk allows visitors to immerse themselves in the life and times of James Herriot ( From the original home of the Veterinary practice at 23 Kirkgate, lovingly restored to its 1940s glory, the Alf Wight statue, wartime bunker, farriers workshop, memorabilia and instruments on display and a chance to go behind the scenes on the BBC adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small there is much to do at this wonderful attraction.
For a literary break with a twist, Baggins yourself a room at Shire House, a cottage straight out of the pages of Tolkien’sThe Hobbit, when it opens its doors in Redcar and Cleveland in the North York Moors. Built by Carol Hopkinson and her partner Karl Wragg at Golden Hill Farm ( near Liverton, the cottage sleeps six people in cosy surroundings.
Widely regarded as the jewel in the crown of city’s many festivals, York Early Music Festival welcomes visitors and musicians from across the world to the UK’s premier festival of early music and the 2016 festival takes the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare as its starting point, with music from the Elizabethan Theatre and pieces inspired by the Shakespearean themes of magic, mystery and the supernatural (8-16 July;
Finally, in 2017 Hull becomes the UK City of Culture ( during which time its streets, buildings, rivers, parks, bridges and sky play host to the imagination of the world’s finest artists. That means over 1,500 events in just 365 days that are anywhere and everywhere, featuring a host of acts that blend Hull’s distinctive character, culture and creativity with world-class performance.