In the distance

Looking back from the village to the power station.

This way or that way

Vintage signpost in Ratcliffe.

Bus stop

Bus waiting area in Ratcliffe.

Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station

Get your electricity here.

Ratcliffe-on-Soar

Ratcliffe-on-Soar is a village on the Nottinghamshire-Leicestershire border.

Houses next to the churchyard

Information
County:	Nottinghamshire
District:	Rushcliffe
Population:	141 (2011 census)

The name of the village is derived from the Brittonic name for ramparts, rath. The village is located on the river Soar hence the modern day suffix.

The village has Saxon origins, being known as Radeclive in the Domesday Book. The area has been inhabited since Mesolithic times as flints and scrapers have been found. Remains of a Roman villa have also been found in the area. The village church of the Holy Trinity dates from the 12th century (and was built on the site of an earlier Saxon church). 

The area around the village is mostly agricultural though near to the village, and clearly visible, is the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station. Also near the village is East Midlands Parkway railway station which opened in 2009.

Holy Trinity

The council

Offices of South Staffordshire council in Codsall.

Parish rooms

In Codsall.

The Crown Joules

Pub in Codsall.

St Nicholas

The parish church.

Codsall

Codsall is a village in the south of the county near to Wolverhampton.

View from the churchyard

Information
County:	Staffordshire
District:	South Staffordshire
Population:	7582 (2011 census)

Codsall is possibly derived from the Old English Cod's Halh or "Cod's Land". In the Domesday Book Cosdall is listed as a tiny hamlet with just a small number of inhabitants. The village remained small and mostly agricultural for centuries. There are still farms around the village.

However, as with so many places, Codsall changed after the arrival of the railways in 1849. Codsall station became the business hub of the village with a goods yard and cattle pens. Wealthy businessmen from elsewhere like Wolverhampton had large houses built in the village. Nowadays, Codsall has the headquarters of South Staffordshire district council.

St Nicholas's church is Codsall's oldest building which dates from the 11th century though little remains of it's Norman beginnings. Most of the existing church dates from later centuries including the 14th century tower.

St Nicholas' church

Looking up towards some shops

The tower

The tower of St Chad church.

City nearby

Although it seems to be very rural, the city of Birmingham is just over the horizon!

Headstones

Headstones in the graveyard of St Chad.

St Chad

The parish church of St Chad.

Wishaw

Wishaw is a parish and small village in the far north-west of Warwickshire near to Sutton Coldfield and Curdworth.

Country lane in Wishaw

Information
County:	Warwickshire
District:	North Warwickshire
Population:	125 (2011 census)

The manor of Wishaw predates the Domesday Book and in the Norman period was subordinate to the Earls of Warwick. Later on, the Ryland family had their Moxhull Park stately home in Wishaw until it was burnt down in the early 20th century. On the site was built the famous Belfry golf resort which has held the Ryder Cup and other major competitions.

A notable building in Wishaw is the parish church of St Chad which has 13th century origins though much of the church is from later centuries including the south arcade and chancel (14th century) and tower (17th). Nowadays, the church is a popular venue for weddings due to it's apparent rural surroundings though in actuality close proximity to Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.

Although there are a few scattered houses and small businesses throughout Wishaw, most of it is agricultural.

St Chad

Phillips Memorial Cloister

A memorial to local born Jack Phillips, the radio operator of the Titanic who stayed at his post sending distress signals as the ship sank.

Wey and Godalming Navigation

The Wey in Godalming.

Covered way

Fine half-timbered buildings in Godaming.

The Star

Pub in Godalming.

Godalming

The market town of Godalming is in the South West of Surrey near to Guildford.

Godalming

Information
County:	Surrey
District:	Waverley
Population:	21,804 (Parish, 2011 census)

The town has Saxon origins, the first mention as Godelmingum dates from about 900CE. By the time of the Domesday Book it was known as Godelminge. The name probably refers to the Godheim family in Old English.

The town gained a market charter in 1300 and also gained the right to hold a yearly fair. The production of woollen cloth was the major industry in the town until the 17th century. Other fabric production and leatherwork also became important to the town as did the production of paper.

On the route between London and Portsmouth, Godalming was also a popular stop off for travellers. The town was affluent enough by the 19th century for it to be larger than Guildford. In 1881 Godalming became the first town in the world to have a public electricity supply though the town had to revert back to gas lighting in 1884 until electricity returned in 1903.

The town is now an affluent commuter town, located on the London to Portsmouth railway line, the railway station opened in 1859. The parish church dedicated to St Peter and St Paul dates from the 12th century, and was built on the site of an earlier Saxon church.

A shopping street

House in Godalming

St Peter & St Paul

Viewing the church from across the park

Aspley Guise railway station

Fairly basic facilities.

St Botolph

Aspley Guise's parish church.

Through the gap

A fine big house, viewed through a gap in the wall!