The English Borderland - views of Northumberland & Cumbria

Once, 1,600 years ago, the north western limit of the Roman Empire and then, until the last 500 years, the much disputed border between Scotland and England, the counties of Northumberland and Cumbria show the scars of their past in the monuments built for their defence. In contrast, this was once the heart of a unique flowering of Christianity that many believe has much to teach us today. Both Counties contain outstanding beauty and some of the last remnants of wild Britain.

Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland - This impressive fortress has the sea shore as its eastern moat. According to legend, this site was once the stronghold of Lancelot, Arthur's finest warrior and Guinevere's champion

Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland - The most famous Castilian of Dunstanburgh was John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV

Housesteads Roman Fort, Northumberland - once home to a large Roman garrison, excavations here have provided much written material that has increased our understanding of life in those times

Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland - Much of the Roman wall has gone but even the remains give some idea of what it must have been like.

Abbey, Holy Island (Lindisfarne), Northumberland - Oswald, King of Saxon Northumbria gave Lindisfarne to a community of  monks from Iona (off the western Scottish coast) led by Aidan, where they established a centre of Celtic worship around 635 AD

Castle, Holy Island, Northumberland - this castle, seen in the background in the picture to the left, commands the southern tip of Lindisfarne

Celtic Cross & Statue, Holy Island, Northumberland - even today Lindisfarne is a place sough out by those who desire a form of Christianity that embraces nature

Craster Harbour, Northumberland - This small fishing port close to Dunstanburgh Castle is famous for its crabs and locally smoked kippers

Seal, Farne Isles, Northumberland - Once the special retreat of Saint's such as Aidan, the Islands are the breeding ground of seals and birds such as Puffins and Eider Duck

Wallington House, Northumberland - Property managed by the National Trust with fine gardens

Tower Bank Arms, Cumbria - Familiar from drawings that Beatrix Potter used to illustrate her children's story, Jemima Puddle Duck

Lake Windermere, Cumbria - this picture captures the haunting beauty of Cumbria's longest lake