OUT SKERRIES, SHETLAND, SCOTLAND

OUT SKERRIES are an archipelago about 10 miles (16km) east of the Shetland. Covering about 1.5 square miles (4 sq km), the two biggest islands are linked by a bridge and between them support a population of 76. Boasting the UK's smallest secondary school, this community of fisherman (including fish farm workers) is accessed by a 2.5 hour ferry journey from Lerwick though Shetland Island Council also runs a 20 minute flight three days a week (return fare £43 (£22 for pensioners), request stop at Whalsay) The house on the picture belongs to what we call a croft. Crofts are, in fact, a species of small-holding unique to the north and west of Scotland, particularly the islands. The typical croft is about 5 to 10 acres (2-4ha) and located in a "township" of, typically, 10 to 20 crofts. As well as their individual holdings where their crops were grown and animals wintered (known as "in-bye"), the crofters in a township share a much larger surrounding area called the "common grazing". This can be hundreds or even thousands of acres.

SELSDON, SURREY

Selsdon is an area located in South London in the London Borough of Croydon. The suburb was developed during the inter-war period during the 1920s and 1930s, and is remarkable for its many Art Deco houses. It is also well known for the Selsdon Park Hotel, the venue of a 1970 meeting of the Conservative Shadow Cabinet to settle the party manifesto for the impending general election. Labour Party leader Harold Wilson coined the phrase Selsdon Man to describe the free market approach which was agreed. The park is of absolute beauty.

LLANRWST, NORTH WALES

This is the Tu Hwnt l'r Bont tearoom in the Conwy valley, Snowdonia. The old cottage's name translates as 'beyond the bridge'. This wonderful picture was taken by Paul Kingston.Here on the west bank of the flowing River Conwy is the award winning, family run Tu Hwnt i’r Bont. Built as a residential dwelling in 1480, it is actually considerably older than the Inigo Jones bridge it stands beside. Some years later the building was used as the Courthouse for the surrounding area. From here the most serious offenders could have been taken to Tan y Craig in Llanrwst where they could be hanged outside the old gaol!

BRORA, SCOTLAND

This is Brora in Scotland. The name Brora is derived from ancient Norse, meaning 'river with a bridge.' A small industrial village having at one time a coal pit, boat building, salt pans, fish curing, lemonade factory, the new Clynelish Distillery (as well as the old Clynelish distillery which is now called the Brora distillery), wool mill, bricks and a stone quarry. Stone from the quarry was used in the construction of London Bridge, Liverpool Cathedral and Dunrobin Castle. When in operation, the coalmine was the most northerly coalmine in the UK. Brora was the first place in the north of Scotland to have electricity thanks to its wool industry.

CUBONE CHURCH, SOMERSET

Culbone Church, located in the village of Culbone in Somerset, is said to be the smallest church in England. The church, dedicated to the Welsh Saint Beuno, has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building and the churchyard cross is Grade II*. This beautiful church is recorded in the Domesday Book.

NORWICH, NORFOLK

Norwich is a city on the River Wensum in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom. Until the Industrial Revolution, Norwich was the capital of the most populous county in England.

LINCOLN CASTLE, LINCOLNSHIRE

William the Conqueror built Lincoln Castle, in 1068, on a strategic site that had once been used by the Romans. The castle unusually has two mottes, one is topped by a 12th century shell keep called the Lucy Tower, and the other is topped by a 19th century tower that was used as an observatory. A full circuit of curtain walls remain, most of which can be walked on.
The buildings that remain within the castle are from its later use as a prison and court. The Victorian court is still used today, but the prison is no longer in use and can be visited. The prison has the world's only surviving 'Pentonville System' chapel, where prisoners were kept apart in separate cells. Many of the prisoners who were executed at the castle where buried at the base of the Tower mound or inside the Lucy Tower. The castle also has one of the four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta, which can be viewed in an exhibition area in the old prison building.

WINDSOR, BERKSHIRE

Windsor is one of England's premier tourist and weekend break destinations.Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the Castle remains a working palace today. The town of Windsor has a population of over 31,000 people and is situated beside the river Thames in Berkshire. It is arguably one of Berkshire's prettiest towns.

ARGYLL, SCOTLAND

Argyll is situated in the west part of Scotland. Here you'll find the magic of the west: sea-lochs and mossy, lush woodlands, long views to a horizon where the sun sinks behind the islands. This is a beguiling and romantic kind of place.

DERWENTWATER LAKE, CUMBRIA

Derwentwater is one of the principal bodies of water in the Lake District National Park in north west England. It lies in the county of Cumbria. The lake is both fed and drained by the River Derwent. It measures approximately 3 miles long by 1 mile wide and is some 72 feet (22 m) deep. There are several islands within the lake, one of which is inhabited. Derwent Island House, an 18th-century residence, is a tenanted National Trust property open to the public on five days each year.

Derwentwater is a place of considerable scenic value.