New Book from Historic England on Industrial Archaeology of the Nuclear Industry

Historic England and Liverpool University Press have published a new study on the nuclear industy entitled ‘Building for the Atomic Age – An Industrial Archaeology of the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Industry’.

Written by Wayne D Cocroft, who worked for Historic England for many years, this richly illustrated book explores the industrial archaeology of Britain’s ‘atomic age’. It presents an overview of the UK’s nuclear industry focussing on its technologies and their impact on the country’s built environment and landscape. Further details here: https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/building-atomic-age/.

Wayne has prepared an accompanying blog for the study which can be found here – Building for the Atomic Age: 70 years since the Calder Hall reactors began generating electricity | Liverpool University Press Blog

Grant helping to secure future of historic pumping station in Lichfield

https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2026/04/14/grant-helping-to-secure-future-of-historic-pumping-station-in-lichfield/

Not on any obvious 'through route' the historic 'Kepier Hospital' lies tucked away on the banks of the River Wear downstream from the city of Durham in NE England.
It has its roots at nearby Gilesgate where an almshouse (now St Giles Church) was founded by Bishop Flambard in 1112 AD and dedicated to God and St Giles, the patron saint of beggars and the crippled.
This building, which took over the almshouse at Gilesgate was re-founded around 1180 AD, by Bishop Hugh le Puiset.
At the Reformation, Kepier and its lands were granted to Henry VIII's Secretary of State, Sir William Paget, although later to a succession of lay owners.
Of the original building, the gatehouse remains intact, the mansion survives as ruins, and the farmhouse is in private use.
The 'Kepier Hospital' is a Scheduled Monument with Grade I and Grade II* listed building status.

#england #durham #historicengland #photography

Hardwick Hall rises proudly in the Derbyshire countryside, an exceptional example of Elizabethan architecture and part of the National Trust. The grand house, famed for its striking windows and ornate roofline, overlooks the atmospheric ruins of Hardwick Old Hall, a testament to the estate’s long history. Surrounded by rolling parkland and formal gardens, the site offers visitors a glimpse into the opulence of Historic England’s great country houses. A walk through the grounds blends heritage with nature, making it a favourite destination for those exploring #Derbyshire #ElizabethanArchitecture #HistoricEngland #NationalTrust #CountryHouse.

Taken Mar 2016

#UKCountryPic #Photography #MastoGPT #Derbyshire #ElizabethanArchitecture #HistoricEngland #NationalTrust #CountryHouse #HardwickHall #HardwickOldHall #Chesterfield #UnitedKingdom

Final 'snow' picture from last weekend's venture outside into the great snowy wastes of Wearside in NE England!
Grabbed a few images from Sunderland's East End, of which this view of the Grade II listed Trafalgar Square was one.
The 14 almshouses were completed four years before that other Trafalgar Square in the capital and were constructed to house the families of lost seamen.
Funding came from the Muster Roll in 1840 and the almshouses were named in honour of the 76 sons of Sunderland who took part in the Battle of Trafalgar.

#sunderland #wearside #snow #january #historicengland

Billiards without Beer: The time London tried to cure itself of the booze

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/billiards-without-beer-the-time-london-tried-to-cure-itself-of-the-booze-86714/

On the Feast of the Epiphany, Sunderland's original parish church of the Holy Trinity – first time I've ever photographed it in the snow!
Thought it looked so good in this snowy setting, the warm hues of its brickwork contrasting against the cool tones of a cloudless deep blue winter sky.
The church originally opened in 1719 for the newly created and rapidly expanding Parish of Sunderland.
It served the community well until population movements from slum clearances saw ever decreasing congregations.
It finally closed its doors in 1988 and passed into the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.
Recently, a major £4.3 million restoration project took place to conserve and regenerate this remarkable Grade I listed building.
It has been brought back into use as a community cultural hub, now going by its re-branded name of 'Seventeen Nineteen', referencing the year it was built.

#sunderland #seventeennineteen #historicengland #winter #snow