A Trip to the North of England (2)

The Heavenly Lake District 

 Green meadows,(prados) cloud-capped (cubiertos) mountains and dozens of lovely lakes give the Lake District some of England’s most picturesque landscapes. The area receives more than 10 million visitors each year, and traffic jams (atascos) are frequent during the peak tourist season, which is why experts on the area will tell you to put on a pair of hiking boots (botas de montaña) and head into (dirigirse a) the more remote areas that are practically devoid (desprovisto) of traffic.

The Lake District consists of an area running from the north of Lancaster to the Scottish border. Rugged mountains contrast with green wooded (arboladas) areas, where sheep dogs happily chase after flocks (rebaños) of sheep in meadows enclosed by dry-stone walls.(muro de piedra sin argamasa)

Many famous writers and other personalities have been inspired by the beauty of the landscape, notably the poet William Wordsworth. Among the most popular attractions are Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount, two places where Wordsworth lived, as well as the Wordsworth Museum.

The ultimate experience in the Lake District is going for a cruise on one of the lakes and the most famous cruise is the one around Lake Windermere. Some of the most relaxing towns include Bowness-on-Windermere, which has nice shops and hotels. There are several other quaint (pintoresco) towns, including Windermere and Hawkshead.

North of the Lake District before you reach the Scottish border you will find the lovely city of Carlisle, a former Roman camp and not far from Hadrian’s Wall. To get a glimpse (para vislumbrar) of the city’s historical legacy, a visit to the Tullie House Museum and Gallery is highly recommended.

South of the Lake District, on the Irish Sea coast, sits the old port city of Lancaster. Lancaster’s history goes back to the Roman period. Its importance as a seaport can be appreciated in the Lancaster Maritime Museum. It also contains the Norman Lancaster Castle, which is officially owned by the Queen of England and has a functioning prison. Near Lancaster you will find some picturesque seaside resorts such as Blackpool, which has its own tower that imitates the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The “Wall” – A Must-See

There is nothing like the ruins of Hadrian’s Wall to give you a sense of the history of the North of England, and how much fighting and struggle (lucha) it entailed (suponer) The wall was built by the Romans in the second century AD to keep out invaders from the north. It ran across the whole width of Britain, for about 120 kilometres, from the mouth of the Solway Firth waterway in the west to the Tyne River near Newcastle in the east.

Today, you can visit some forts that were placed at regular intervals along the Wall, as well as museums and visitor’s centres where you can see remains (restos) and objects that the Romans left behind.

If you want to see Hadrian’s Wall from east to west you can walk the Hadrian’s Wall Path which runs along the Wall, or you can take the Hadrian’s Wall Bus, which takes you along the whole length of the Wall from coast to coast.

 Northumbria (The Northeast)

Northumbria traces its beginnings back to 604, when two Anglo-Saxon kingdoms – Deira and Bernicia – were united. The name Northumbria derives from the fact that this portion of England lies to the north of the River Humber. Historians and dreamers will be happy in the Northumbria region, also known as the Northeast. This area is full of castles and battlefields used during centuries of fighting with Scottish neighbours. Over the centuries, the area has also been a centre for religious scholarship and artistic creation. It became part of England after William the Conqueror’s invasion in 1066, yet it retains many of its own customs and traditions, which can be seen in its unique sword (espada) dance and the Northumbrian smallpipes (similar to Scottish bagpipes).(gaitas)

 

The largest city in the region is Newcastle, originally constructed by the Normans in the second century AD. Once a centre for the coal industry (industria del carbón), it is now known for its neoclassical architecture and beautiful urban streets, many of which wind (serpentea) along the River Tyne, as well as some spectacularly constructed modern bridges across the river. The locals are known as “Geordies”, and are renowned for their sociability and love of sport. The St. James’ Park Stadium, home to the Newcastle United football team, is the predominate structure in the south of the city.

As you can see, there are many interesting places to visit in the North of England, where you can discover everything from the country’s Roman and Saxon heritage to the post-industrial renaissance of cities like Manchester. Wherever you are, you are never far from the countryside and some of the most beautiful national parks in Britain. You cannot guarantee good weather, so be prepared for a little rain at any time of the year – but you will definitely not be bored by a trip up North.