Leeds is an old established and historic English city. It dates back to the 5th century when the area was covered by the Forest of Loidis from which the city gets its name. Leeds is the third largest city in the UK with a population of over 750,000.
From humble beginnings as Manorial Borough in the 13th century, Leeds became an important centre for the Wool trade during the Industrial Revolution. This led to the birth of other industries such as engineering, iron foundries and printing. The population exploded and by the mid 20th century it had experienced phenomenal growth.
By 1801 most of the population of Leeds lived on the outskirts of the city or township as it then was. With shortages of water, poor housing conditions and outbreaks of Cholera the authorities built three new reservoirs and encouraged the development of better housing for the workers who were often housed in damp and crowded back-to-backs.
Leeds today is a vibrant city ranked as a gamma world city and home to three universities, a large legal and financial economy and home to over 30 national and international banks. Call centres have also done well here and provide employment for thousands of workers. Leeds has attracted inward investment and the city centre has been renewed with many large development projects and luxury housing in the city centre.
The retail trade is buoyant here and there are several impressive arcades in the city centre and a host of independent and branded names. There is a busy market and some fine buildings to be admired as well as several museums. You can easily spend more than a day in Leeds. This fine city has a lot to offer. Whilst it does not benefit from the picturesque medieval backdrop that York has to offer it holds its own in terms of a clean modern city with lots to offer the visitor.
For more photos of Leeds click here or view on You Tube
The village of Muston in North Yorkshire is situated just 1.5 miles from the town of Filey. The village is listed as Mustone in the Domesday Book where it was recorded as seven households with just 21 villagers, six small holders and ten plough lands. It was still mainly a farming village in the 1860's when farming went through some particularly hard times and many farmers were poor and some unfortunate souls made destitute.
By 1823 the village population had increaed to some 350 citizens of which fourteen were farmers. The Parish Church was completely rebuilt in 1863 although a church would have been situated here since the 12th century. The current All Saints Church is a Grade II listed building.
The village of Hunmanby in Yorkshire is situated on the edge of the wolds about 3 miles from Filey. The name originates from the Danish, having been entered in the Domesday Book as "Hundemanbi" meaning Hounds Men which actually relates to the hunting of Wolves on the Yorkshire Wolds.
With its own railways station and direct routes to Hull and Scarborough, the village is an old established settlement which would have been an agricultural community until very recent times. Hunmanby Hall dates from the 11th century and the Domesday Book of 1086 refers to the church and its priest which dates it at over 900 years old.
Hunmanby won a Brtain in Bloom award in 2010. You can see old photos of Hunmanby at this website: www.hunmanby.com/
Filey is a small town on the North Yorkshire coast and is situated between Scarborough and Bridlington. Originally a busy fishing village, Filey is now a popular tourist destination in its own right. Filey also benefits from receiving visitors from Scarborough who escape to Filey for some peace and quiet in the summer months when Scarborough can become very crowded with tourists.
The last working fishing trawler in Filey was relocated to Scarborough in 2013 ending a long history of fishing. There is an excellent resource about the Fisherman of Filey and their families. It can be found at:
www.exploringfileyspast.co.uk/
Filey has a 12th century parish church in the north of the town which is a grade I listed building and easily the oldest building in Filey. With is small independent shops and impressive beach, Filey is definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in this neck of the woods.
For photos of Filey click here or view on You Tube
Bridlington is situated along the Gypsey Race River, around 24 miles north of Kingston upon Hull, on the North Sea Coast of Yorkshire. The town still has a working harbour and is noted for its shellfish. This is an old settlement that dates back to the Bronze Age and Roman times.
Whilst Bridlington has a good beach and tourist potential this has not been fully maximised and the town is a poor neighbour by comparison with Scarborough. The emphasis seems to have been on capturing the lower end of the tourist market with amusement arcades and economical eating places along the sea front.
The long promenade, its award winning sandy beaches and the harbour still make this location appealing.
For photos of Bridlington click here or view on You Tube
