Visit Manchester England, UK

 

Manchester is a large industrial city in Northwest England. The city is part of an urban county known as Greater Manchester within the historic county of Lancashire.

In the 2011 census, the Greater Manchester Population was 2,682, 528.

I arrived at Victoria Station from Liverpool and stayed downtown. After stowing my luggage, I took the bus to the Imperial War Museum-North. It's worth a visit if you are interested in the history of Britain at war since 1900.

Outside the museum, you see the river and bridge at the top of this page. I walked over to the Lowry Centre and couldn't resist the bargains.

Manchester has a lot to offer. I spent several hours at the Manchester Art Gallery.

Photo: The Chariot Race c 1882 by Alexander von Wagner

Photo: Writing desk c 1865

One fascinating place is the John Rylands Research Institute and Library known as The Rylands. The founder was Enriqueta Rylands. Enriqueta was born in Cuba in 1843. After the death of her parents, she went to England and was a companion to Martha Rylands who died in 1875. She then married John Ryland who made his millions in cotton manufacturing. Following John Rylands' death, Enriqueta build the Library, which opened in 1900. In 1972, it became part of the University of Manchester.

On another day, I took a trip up to Bury. There's a lot to see in Bury--including a ride on the historic East Lancashire Railway.

And the nearby Bury Transport Museum

So, there's a lot more to see in Manchester.

 The National Football Museum (Soccer for US friends)

 Science and Industry Museum

 The Manchester Museum

 People's History Museum

 Manchester Cathedral

 And there are parks, canals, and places to shop

Click on the highlighted links to learn more of my visit to Manchester

Google Map of Manchester

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If you are interested in British-American culture, you might be interested in Mind the Gap

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Middleton Railway in Leeds England, UK

 

I visited the Middleton Railway on 31 October 2021 and took a ride on a steam train. This post includes photos from the Railway and a YouTube video. If you love trains, the Middleton Railway is worth a visit.

I arrived just before the train was scheduled to leave so I jumped on the guards van.

At the end of the short journey, we got off for a short break before the return.

The engine was decoupled, reversed, and coupled to the van where I was standing for the return trip.

Here's a photo of the platform when we arrived at Middleton station.

I traded cameras with a passenger to get this photo.

You walk through the shed between the train and the entrance where there are a few engines.

This is the building you are looking for when you arrive. I walked from the nearest bus stop.

Despite the heavy rain, I enjoyed the ride.

Here's a short edited video to give you a better feel for the experience.

From my YouTube Channel SuttonTravels https://youtu.be/D13IJPtojyQ

About the Middleton Railway

This railway is the oldest railway in continuous use in the world. It began in 1758 as a waggonway. Horses pulled wagon loads of coal to Leeds, which fueled their industries.

In 1812, the railway began using steam locomotives, which used a large rack wheel connected to cogs.

Their success led to the manufacture of steam locomotives in Leeds.

Notes

Most of the videos were taken with my Lumix 4K Digital Camera

Most of the photos were taken with my Google Pixel Phone

There's a collection of locomotives onsite.

You can buy books and souvenirs.

There are special events throughout the year.

Link to the Middleton Railway website

Google Map Middleton Railway

My website www.suttong.com

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Watercress Line

Bury Transport Museum

The Tube - London Underground

Bury Transport Museum England

 

The Bury Transport Museum is packed with historic vehicles as advertised. The collection is housed in the building pictured above--the restored Castlecroft Goods Warehouse dated 1848. I recommend a visit if you are in the area. The museum is across the street from the East Lancashire Railway--the Bury Bolton Street Station.

Storyboard provide information on the history of British Transport in this area.

The large collection includes Rail...

Lorries

Busses and coaches

Automobiles

And more...

Notes

Entrance Fee - Free admission, donations requested

Google Map Link

Museum Website 

There is a small Gift shop

A few items are outdoors

Mayflower Site Plymouth England, UK

The British and American flags mark the dock where the Mayflower left England for American in 1620. The dock is in the city of Plymouth, which is in the historic county of Devon, England.

It was 16 September 1620 when 102 passengers and crew boarded the three-masted ship, which was about 100 feet long. 
 

The journey had begun in the summer in London at Rotherhithe on the Thames but there were complications along the way with the second ship, the Speedwell.

It was 19 November 1620 when they saw what is now Cape Cod. Eventually, they landed at Plimoth in Massachusetts USA 21 December 1620.

Near the dock, you can stock up on Mayflower gifts.

Enjoy an ice cream

or some other sweets

Ad. Learn about British-American Language and Culture in Mind the Gap

available on AMAZON  and GOOGLE

Read more about The Mayflower Story at this UK Plymouth Site

See the dock site in Google Maps

Visit Liverpool England, UK

The photo above is a scene from the Royal Albert Dock where there are shops and museums.

 This classic Anglican Cathedral is open to the public

Liverpool museum contains some great finds- worth a visit.

There are plenty of shopping opportunities in downtown Liverpool.

The Liverpool skyline varies as you cruise along the Mersey River-- Recommended Activity

The Catholic Cathedral is a large and welcoming sacred space.

St Luke's Bombed Out Church was severely damaged in the 6 May 1941 Blitz. After work on the site, it is now a venue for community events.

Liverpool - the home of The Beatles - photo of the Cavern Club

The Tate Liverpool has a great collection of artworks.

The Liverpool World Museum houses many classic treasures.

The Maritime Museum at the Royal Albert Dock includes a Black Lives Matter floor as well as maritime exhibits including the Lusitania and the Titanic.

The Lime Street Liverpool Station is busy and centrally located. In 2021, I arrived from London. My next stop was Manchester.

Here is a nearly 3 minute video of the Mersey Cruise I took on 25 October 2021.

It is from my YouTube Channel, SuttonTravels

Resources

Google Map Liverpool England

The Lime Street Railway Station, Liverpool

Visit Cambridge, England

 

River Cam / Geoff Sutton 2021

Cambridge is the home to Cambridge University, which seems to dominate the city. It’s a beautiful old city where you can enjoy fine food, a punt on the River Cam, peaceful walks, modern shopping, historic buildings, and many museums.

[A Concise History of the University of Cambridge]

As of 2021, Cambridge was the home of more Nobel Prize winners than any other city.

The city has a long history with finds dating to the Bronze Age. Many artefacts document the Roman and Viking times. Henry I granted a town charter around 1120. The university was founded in1209. The construction of King’s College chapel began in 1446 under King Henry VI and continued for several years—eventually, it was completed during the reign of King Henry VIII. It has become a symbol of both the university and the city.

I stopped by Hobson’s Conduit, which is the location of the fresh water brought to the city in the 1600s. Later, the town was a significant site during the Civil War and under control of Oliver Cromwell.

Hobsons Conduit/ Geoff Sutton 2021

The city expanded in the 1800s. Rail service began in 1845. I arrived by rail during my most recent visit.

 Cambridge was an important centre during World War II. The RAF had a training centre and a 1944 meeting at Trinity College included plans for the invasion of Europe.

Codebreaker, Alan Turing, Remembered

Nearby is the only American Cemetery in the UK. The land was given to the United States by Cambridge University--  3,811 American soldiers are buried here. And, 5,127 names are listed on the Walls of the Missing. Link to the US website.

American Cemetery Chapel Cambridge /Geoff Sutton 2021

Left-USAF Veteran John McClaran /Geoff Sutton 2021

Museums

 In a sense, the university is a museum as you observe the magnificent buildings. But there are several museums containing a variety of collections—some focused on a specific discipline.

 Fitzwilliam Museum: A magnificent structure housing a great variety of paintings, art objects, books and manuscripts and more. [Fitzwilliam Museum books]

Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambidge / Geoff Sutton 2021

Museum of Zoology: A small but interesting collection of birds, sea animals, insects, and other animals from around the globe. It’s housed in the David Attenborough building. One of the collections on display includes some contributions from Charles Darwin. [Book: Darwin's Fossils]

Darwin's Octopus, Museum of Zoology

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: The displays in 2021 emphasised the diversity of cultures around the world along with local finds like the Trumpington Cross.

Trumpington Cross

The Polar Museum: This unique museum, Scott Polar Research Institute, focuses on arctic and Antarctic explorations. A copy of a Shackleton expedition lifeboat is outside. [Book: Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage]

 

Shackleton Lifeboat Replica

There are several other museums as well.

Churches

Cambridge is home to several historic churches.

Great St Mary's church has been the university church since 1209. It is a Church of England parish in the Diocese of Ely. [Guidebook and History]

Great St Mary's Church, Cambridge

St Bene't's Church has been a place of Christian worship since about 1020.

St Bene't's Church Cambridge

More About Cambridge

 The River Cam offers attractive scenery and an opportunity for boating. There are paths for walkers and famous bridges including the notable mathematical bridge designed by William Etheridge, a master carpenter, in 1748.

River Cam/ Geoff Sutton 2021

There are several streets for shopping throughout the city as well as a market centre and a Grand Arcade on St Andrews Street anchored by John Lewis & Partners. There's a great variety of cafe's, pubs, and restaurants too.

 

Market Centre, Cambridge UK

I enjoyed Nanna's Burrito

Eagle Pub, Cambridge UK

Also, there are several parks and many trails to enjoy.

One example is the Cherry Hinton Brook and Pond by Cherry Hinton Hall close to where I stayed.

Travel Resources

Day Trip: Cambridge is about 60 miles north of London and can be visited as a day trip. I spent part of three days there in 2021 and had visited before.

Visitcamridge.org

Toilets: In addition to pubs and restaurants, toilets can be found in the Grand Arcade and most museums.

Rail Service

I arrived at the historic Cambridge railway station on a Greater Anglia train. The station is CBG on Station Road. The postcode is CB1 2JW. It is a mile SE of the city centre. The station was built in 1845. In 2021, the trip from Kings Cross in London takes about an hour.

Bus Service is available. In 2021, I got around on a Day Saver pass.

Google Map of Cambridge

My web page www.suttong.com