Northwest nature and history

St Patrick’s Chapel

Perched dramatically on its rocky headland, overlooking the wild expanse of Morecambe Bay, the ruins of St Patrick’s Chapel are one of the most evocative early medieval sites in the British Isles.

Opisthograptis luteolata, the Brimstone Moth

Adult Brimstones are typically on the wing from April to October. In southern regions, there are often two or even three overlapping generations, while in our cooler northern parts this may reduce to a single brood. The species is strongly attracted to light and can often be found resting on walls or fences near outdoor lamps.

Challenging the Consensus: Is Building More Homes Really the Solution to Britain’s Housing Crisis?

The prevailing view in British politics and media holds that the country suffers from a severe housing shortage, necessitating the construction of hundreds of thousands of new homes each year, often pegged at 300,000 or more, to address population growth, household formation, and affordability issues.

This narrative suggests that ramping up supply would ease prices, rents, and homelessness, yet a detailed review of the evidence paints a more complex reality.

Common Bistort

The pink flower spikes of Common Bistort, towering over other wildflowers on their tall, straight stems, are a familiar sight to many of us who have walked the highways and byways of Northwest England in spring and early summer.

The Pinnacle, Part Two

In the shadow of Clitheroe Castle, standing alone on its Limestone mount watching over the Ribble Valley, stands a rather unlikely monument: a tall, ornate gothic spire that once graced a very different skyline.

A Brief History of Lancashire Cheese Production

Lancashire cheese is one of Britain’s most traditional cow’s-milk cheeses and renowned for its distinctive creamy-to-crumbly texture and a mild, buttery flavour that develops complexity with age.

Here we look at the history of this cheese’s production from the earliest records to the modern day, concluding with a nice, simple recipe for a traditional cheese & onion pie.

Mute Swans: Graceful Guardians of the Water

Mute swans (Cygnus olor), with their snowy white plumage, elegant S-curved neck, and bright orange bill topped with a black knob, are one of Britain’s most iconic waterbirds and particularly fond of our 2,700-odd miles of canals.

Here in the Northwest we are lucky enough to have over 438 miles of these waterways, namely the Lancaster, Leeds & Liverpool, Bridgewater, Macclesfield, and Manchester Ship canals, upon which these majestic birds are a common and welcome sight, even in the heart of our largest and busiest cities.

Speckled Woods

Speckled Woods are a familiar butterfly to most of us here in Britain yet are often overlooked in favour of flashier species like the Peacock or Red Admiral.

Understated and widespread they may even appear dowdy compared to their lepidopteran cousins yet, as with any wild creature, patient observation reveals them to possess more beauty and character than you would ever suspect.