The UK Blog

Don’t leave Oxford without seeing…

1. The Bridge of Sighs

Named after the one in Venice, Oxford’s Bridge of Sighs is arguably more beautiful, and happily lacking in the wretched connotations of that in Venice.

Image by UGArdener on Flickr.

2.  The Natural History Museum

Oxford’s answer to London’s Natural History Museum, you’ll find this fun and interactive museum stuffed full of dinosaur bones, fossils and much more.  But its real hidden gem is the Pitt Rivers Museum, the entrance to which can be found at the back of the Natural History Museum.  From shrunken heads to totem poles, this is the most bizarre collection of artifacts you’re likely to find.

(Image by Prabhu B on Flickr)

3.  The Botantic Gardens

A tranquil haven, the Botanic Gardens are home to an eclectic collection of plants from all round the world, some of which are housed in impressive old-fashioned glass-houses.  There’s also a lovely view of Magdalen College Tower, and you can enjoy a stroll beside the river.

(Image by UGArdener on Flickr)

4.  The Radcliffe Camera

Part of the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera is off-limits to tourists but an impressive photo opportunity nonetheless.

(Image by Lawrence OP on Flickr)

5.  Punting on the River Cherwell

The perfect way to spend a summer’s afternoon in Oxford, punting is a relaxing activity if you have someone who knows what they’re doing at the helm.  Don’t forget some Pimms and a picnic!

(Image by UGArdner on Flickr)

6. University Church

Ascend the spire of the University Church for stunning 360 degree views of the city, including a bird’s eye view of the Radcliffe Camera.

(Image by Lawrence OP on Flickr)

7. Christ Church

Counting numerous British Prime Ministers and Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll among its prestigious alumni, Christ Church is known for being one of the filming locations of the enormously successful Harry Potter films. It’s also home to the city’s cathedral, and immensely popular with tourists.

(Image by Max-Design on Flickr)

8. South Park

One of the best places in Oxford for photos of the dreaming spires, and also a great place to relax on a sunny day or sledge on a snowy day.

(Image by James-Hetherington on Flickr)

Sunderland is a city on the north-east coast of England, an important hub of the Tyne and Wear region. The area has some stunning coastal views and some world-class scenery, while the city itself has excellent shopping facilities, as well as places to visit. The coast is attracting increasing numbers of surfers, who are drawn to the area by its impressive waves.

Sunderland’s history dates back to Anglo Saxon times, when the town fell within the area of Monkwearmouth. The name means ‘sundered land’,which refers to the separation from the estates of the monasteries of Monkwearmouth rather than a literal separation of the land. In 1719 Sunderland became its own parish, and in 1897 the situation was reversed and Monkwearmouth became part of Sunderland town. The official designation of Sunderland as a city occurred in 1992.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the population of the area increased tenfold as the wealth of Wearside coal and the need for ships to transport it made Sunderland into one of the biggest ship building towns in the world. By the middle of the 20th century, the town produced more than a quarter of the nation’s total tonnage of merchant and naval ships for World War Two. In 1988 the ship building industry finally left the banks of the River Wear, and the area is now home to the Riverside Sculpture Trail and National Glass Centre. Elements of the area’s former wealth can be seen in the architecture and parks of the city.

During the Civil War, nearby Newcastle had been staunchly Royalist, while Sunderland had supported the Parliamentarians under Oliver Cromwell. This rivalry was of strategic importance, as Newcastle supplied the majority of London’s coal. If Sunderland had also given the Royalist cause their support, the vital supply of coal to London would have been almost stopped and this may have led to a very different outcome to the conflict.

Although the area may have become wealthy due to coal and shipping, it also has a history going back to Anglo Saxon times as a centre of learning, creativity and culture. Sunderland’s patron saint, Benedict Biscop, established a centre of learning in the monastic settlement of St Peter’s and St Paul’s. Here the Venerable Bede wrote the first history of England, the Codex Amiatinus (Saxon Bible) was produced and the art of glass making was introduced to Britain. The quiet life of St Peter’s Monkwearmouth ended in the 9th century during raids by Viking pirates Hubba and Hingmar. The sites were later re-established by the Normans as monastic cells for the cathedral at Durham. St Peter’s Church and St Paul’s Church are part of the twin Anglo-Saxon monastery which will be the UK’s nomination for World Heritage Site status in 2011.

Today, Sunderland is a focus for local business, with the Rainton Bridge Business Park being launched in 2005 on a 55 acre park, providing offices in Sunderland to such companies as Nissan, Nike, Royal Sun Alliance (RSA), Barclays, EDF Energy and Arriva. N-Power moved to the site in 2009 in its own facility. The presence of such high-fliers is surely indicative of the well-documented regeneration efforts going on in Sunderland, which began in the 1980s and continue today.

Are you from Sunderland? Do you have any interesting local anecodotes or family history of life in Reading? Then we’d love to hear from you! Please do leave a comment and get talking about Sunderland!

Image credit: iknow-uk

Founded by the Saxons in 800 AD, Reading grew up in what was an ideal location. Its proximity to the Thames and the Kennet rivers gave it excellent transport links for its market to develop, meaning that it could supply the Thames Valley and London, which lies just 41 miles away to the east.

It was originally called Reada Ingas, which means ‘people of Reada’. Reada was a tribal Saxon leader who settled in the area. The area suffered invasion and capture over the years by both the Vikings and the Normans, and by the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, it still only numbered some 600 residents. But by the Middle Ages, Reading had begun to prosper in earnest. It was a popular stopping off place on the journey from London to Bristol, which took travellers several days to complete. At this time, the local economy was based around sheep farming and wool and cloth making.

Over the next two hundred years, Reading’s economy began to change. Wool making declined and was replaced by manufacturing concerns such as pin, wire and nail making. During the Civil War in the 17th century, the town was occupied by both the Royalists and the Parliamentarians at different times, and like many other towns it suffered greatly during various outbreaks of the plague.

As the Industrial Revolution set in, large parts of the town were rebuilt in a grander and more elegant style. The cloth industry had failed by this time, but large businesses were flourishing, such as Simonds’ Brewery, the corn and seed supplier Suttons and the biscuit factory of Huntley and Palmer. This trio of employers was so important to Reading that it became known as the town of three Bs: beer, bulbs and biscuits!

Yet nothing stays the same, and by the later 20th century, two of these major employers had shut their doors for good and the brewery had moved out towards the edge of the town. However, high London rents and rates were encouraging many companies to leave the capital and Reading was conveniently close to benefit from the migration. Nowadays, Reading is one of Southern England’s most important commercial areas, containing headquarters of British companies along with the UK offices of various foreign multinationals. In a twist to its old tag, it’s now referred to as the town of three Is: insurance, IT and investment.

Some of the best known of these businesses, including Wrigleys and Vodafone, have located within Arlington Business Park. Set in attractively landscaped grounds, the park is situated close to junction 12 of the M4 and provides high quality offices in Reading, which surround a three-acre lake.

Are you from Reading? Have you got a Reading local history story to share with us, or just an anecdote on life in Reading? Then please leave a comment and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!

Image credit: tristrambrelstaff

The earliest signs of a settlement in Birmingham date back to the Bronze Age. The current city has its origins in an Anglo-Saxon development of 700 AD; however the city grew to prominence in the industrial revolution. Birmingham has long been associated with trade and manufacturing and this has been the key reason for its growth.

Birmingham’s market place was central to its growth. Traders flocked to the market and it soon developed a reputation as one of the leading trading places in the area. Manufacturing grew alongside this, focusing initially on cloth and metal goods. However, in later years the city became particularly well known for its iron and metalworking, developing a reputation for quality goods.

Birmingham merchants were innovators:  one of the first instances of mass-produced goods occurred in a Birmingham toy factory. However, it was the harnessing of developing technology which allowed the city to really boom.

The city was one of the first to use canals to transport goods. The ability to move heavy goods easily to London and the ports really opened trade opportunities and new markets for Birmingham merchants. For the first time they could easily transport heavy metal goods around the world cheaply and easily. The resulting growth in the city meant that it was also one of the first to have train links.

As the city grew in prosperity, it also developed facilities and amenities to match. Parks were built, as were an art gallery, a museum, libraries and entertainment venues. Some of Birmingham’s most significant buildings were created in this age of prosperity, including the elaborate university buildings.
Birmingham’s links with transport continued, and it became home to Britain’s motor industry. The city was also of major importance during the world wars. In World War I it was a major producer or machine guns, while in World War II the city became the centre of the aircraft industry. Many of the hurricanes and spitfires were built in Birmingham, and as such it became a prime target for German bombing raids.

After the war Birmingham was quick to welcome the new wave of Caribbean and Asian immigrants. The resulting change in demographics to a mixed race city also led to it becoming a strong multi-cultural centre.

After the war damage inflicted on the city, the rebuilding was very concrete and utilitarian. However, things have changed during the past few decades, and the city centre has been rejuvenated with projects such as the Bullring shopping centre.

This regeneration is also linked with changing the face of business in Birmingham from manufacturing. Two projects which illustrate this are the Birmingham Business Park and the Eastside Locks Business Park. The Birmingham Business Park was established 20 years ago in the Solihull area as out of town offices in Birmingham. The park is occupied by some major businesses, which are attracted by the excellent facilities, beautiful landscaped gardens and modern office space.

Eastside Locks Business Park also provides Birmingham office space and is one of the largest regeneration schemes within walking distance of a city centre in the UK, intended for mixed use.

Birmingham is an innovative city built on business and this continues to be seen today.

Are you from Birmingham?  Do you have any interesting anecdotes or family history tales about life in Birmingham?  Then we’d love to hear from you!  Please leave a comment below and get talking about Birmingham life!

Image credit: Steve Oliver Imagery

Although opinions regarding the origins of Oxford vary, archaeological finds suggest that the original settlement in Oxford was Neolithic, possibly dating back to as early as 4000 BC.

Mostly ignored by the Roman conquerors during their invasion, Oxford did not become a significant location until later. However, by the time of the Saxon rule Oxford had gained an abbey and found itself situated on a major trade route between the powerful Saxon kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex. The importance of Oxford at this time was therefore based on its geographical location.

Oxford’s history was further developed and enhanced by King Alfred the Great, King of Wessex and the ruler responsible for leading the Saxons against Danish Viking invaders. To keep the Danish out and the towns and their population safe, King Alfred developed the Saxon system of “burhs”, or fortified towns. In 911, Oxford became a burh and received royal protection.

By the late 11th or early 12th century, and in spite of a major fire that devastated the city, Oxford had become a centre of learning for training clerics. By the 13th century it had become an academic centre that attracted students from Europe and its population was estimated at over 5,000. The University in Oxford developed during this period and soon became famous for its legal studies.

However, tragedy struck Oxford in the 14th century, as the city was heavily affected by the Black Plague. Although the wealthy were often able to escape to safety, many of the poor were not so lucky, and as a result, the population fell dramatically.

During the later reign of Henry VIII, the dissolution of religious institutions led to more unsettled times, and Protestant martyrs were burned in Oxford under the reign of Mary I. Many stayed away from attending the University, and again the population and growth of Oxford suffered.

However, as a result of the reorganisation of the church in 1542, Oxford was granted the status of a city.

With Elizabeth I on the throne, Oxford’s development changed yet again, with a renewed demand for an effective education system. During the 17th century, new buildings were commissioned which addressed both academic and urban needs.

The 18th century saw years of reform and key modernisation, including the construction of the canal in 1790, which enabled the city to become a centre of canal transportation from London to the Midlands. By 1844 the city was also connected by rail.

By the end of the nineteenth century, although largely dependent on the University, Oxford was benefiting from increased tourism and an ever-increasing population, as it still does today.

Now, in the 21st century, Oxford’s industrial links and economy have grown stronger, whilst the city has shown its ability to adapt to changing environmental and economic needs. Improvements have been made to public transport, and the park-and-ride scheme makes the city easier to access. Businesses have also thrived, and with the opening of Oxford Business Park, the prime location of bespoke offices in Oxford offer even more opportunities for the city’s development and growth.

Are you from Oxford?  Do you have an interesting anecdote or family history story about life in Oxford?  Then we’d love to hear from you!  Let us know your tales of Oxford life by leaving a comment below.

Image Source: ugardener

As the cultural, commercial, legal and financial hub of West Yorkshire, Leeds is second only to London in the scale of its business scene.  It’s difficult to imagine nowadays that the original name of Leeds – ‘Loidis’ – actually derives from the area of forest that originally covered this region.  As time passed, the focus of this name became more specific, with the name morphing into Leodis, Ledes, and eventually the name with which we are familiar today, the city of Leeds.

In 1207, a small town grew alongside a river crossing that linked the church and the corn mills. Through this town ran a new road that was known as Briggate, which literally meant ‘the road that leads to a bridge.’ When the cloth market moved into Briggate in 1684, the centre of what was eventually to become the city was born.
By the start of the 18th century the population of the Leedes stood at over 10,000, and by its end, this figure had trebled. This urban centre now had a hospital, several places of worship and an Assembly Rooms. It was also one of the most financially successful areas in Britain.
The Industrial Revolution was crucial to the prosperity of Leeds, and it was during this period that the city became a centre of manufacturing, marketing and communication. Waterways were very important in linking the city with the sea, the river Ouse and the Humber.
The city was ideally placed as a centre of engineering, manufacturing tools, steam engines and machinery. Leeds was also involved in the production of textiles, leather, pottery, chemicals and coal. Its Middleton Railway was the very first commercial railway, carrying coal from the mines into the heart of the city to fuel the factories which were producing these goods.
In 1893, Leeds was officially recognised as a city. After the Great War came to an end in 1918, the city gradually changed to become a centre of teaching and study with the formation of the University in 1904.  Following World War Two, the city was re-built and thousands of homes considered to be slums were demolished and replaced.
In keeping with the business success this area has long enjoyed, Leeds now benefits from two substantial business parks that offer multinational and UK companies the opportunity of a convenient base in the north of England. With its impressive architecture and environmentally friendly design, Leeds Valley Business Park provides offices in Leeds to many high profile international companies.  Coupled with the impressive landscaped settings of Lawnswood Business Park, just ten minutes from the centre of Leeds, the city and its businesses are well provided for.

Are you from Leeds?  Do you have an interesting story or family anecdote about life in Leeds?  Then we’d love to hear from you – please feel free to leave a comment and get talking about Leeds!

Image Credit: Sovietuk