A year ago, my wife ran in the Liverpool half-marathon. My daughter and I went to accompany and support her, taking in a mini-break staying in the city for two nights. Although I have been to Liverpool before, I have not been able to sight-see or wander around, so although this trip was brief, and largely centred around the running event, I did get to see a little bit of the character of the place.
This week’s selection of doors and buildings are from the dockland area around the start and finish line for the event, I hope you enjoy them:
Fancy door and window, Exchange Street East, Liverpool, March 2026Tower Building (the Royal Liver Building), George’s Dock Gates, Liverpool, March 2025
This is an iconic building in Liverpool and indeed England. The birds at the top are known as the Liver Birds, and appear on the badge for the Liverpool football team.
Tower Building (the Royal Liver Building), George’s Dock Gates, Liverpool, March 2025Main entrance to the Tower Building (the Royal Liver Building), George’s Dock Gates, Liverpool, March 2025Portaloos for the runners – lots of doors, George’s Dock Gates, Liverpool, March 2025Portaloos for the runners – lots of doors, George’s Dock Gates, Liverpool, March 2025Door on a building of the Graving Docks, Liverpool, March 2025Door to a small building on Canning Island, Tide Dock, Liverpool, March 2025Open doorway to an old London bus repurposed as a mobile food outlet, Liverpool, March 2025
This bus is the same model that I used to get to and from school when I was a kid. The bus was the number 43 that went from Muswell Hill to Highgate Tube Station, and I would hop on and off with all the skill of the Artful Dodger, with my cap and satchel, even if the bus was moving slowly. Of course, I would sit on the upper deck and try to avoid paying for my ticket, smiling angelically at the conductor when he came round. If successful, I would spend the 2 pence on sweets in the local tobacconist on my way home.
That’s it for this week, and there will be more from Liverpool next time. See you then.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.
Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve, East Sussex, England, March 2026
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Rolling chalk grassland
stretching to seven white cliffs
iconic England
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by Scooj
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On 19 March 2026, King Charles III announced the declaration of the Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve (13th of 25 in the King’s Series of NNRs) and launch of the King Charles III England Coast Path, a significant event for nature, access and communities across England. You might have seen coverage of the event on the BBC or other news outlets.
Doors 346 – Doors from the City of York, (Part VII), June 2024
Today I bring you the final selection of doors from York, which were mostly photographed in the area around Monk Bar, a gate and tower north of the city centre – the following is a synopsis of Monk Bar from the excellent Jorvik website:
Monk Bar is the tallest and most elaborately designed of York’s four Bars, standing 19.2 metres high and forming the north-east entrance to the city. Built mainly in the early 14th century, with a fourth storey added in 1484 by King Richard III, it was designed so that each of its four levels could be defended independently. It once included a barbican (demolished in 1825) and still contains the city’s only working portcullis, which was last lowered in 1953 for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
The rooms above the gateway originally provided access to murder holes used to attack enemies, but today they house the Richard III Museum. Over time the upper floors have also served as a jail and a policeman’s residence, remaining inhabited until 1914. Later alterations included the addition of side arches in 1820 and the widening of the main arch for traffic in 1861, although the narrow, low stairwell leading inside the Bar remains unchanged.
It has been fun sharing these doors from York, and I’ll be moving on to pastures new next time, enjoy!
Monk Bar, city gate, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Monk Bar, city gate, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Entrance door to the city wall, Monk Bar, city gate, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Upper door to the city wall, Monk Bar, city gate, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Well-worn stable door from the city wall, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Shop door put to good use, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Pair of white panelled doors, spot the differences, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Door of the Black Swan pub, note the black cat above the door, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
When walking around York, if you look up at the buildings (something I do a lot of), you’ll see a number of cats on walls or resting on ledges – this is another wonderful curiosity of the city, and there is a cat trail that you can go on to find all 51 of them. I found a few on my trip, but at the time didn’t realise it was a thing, so wasn’t really looking for them. There is one above the door in the last picture.
I now have the joyful challenge of deciding what to dig out of my archive for next time, until then, have a great weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.
Doors 345 – Doors from the City of York, (Part VI), June 2024
This week I am sharing the penultimate set of doors in this series from the City of York. I was only there for one night, arriving late afternoon on one day, and in a meeting for the next before returning home to Bristol. All of these doors were photographed during a short window of time in the evening and early morning of the two days.
While I enjoy the ‘on tour’ days of my job, I only ever really get a superficial glimpse of the places I go to, but mark them up for potential fuller visits in my retirement. Photographing the doors offers me a tantalising taster, which I hope comes across in these Thursday Doors posts. I hope you enjoy this week’s selection:
St William’s College, College street, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Panelled archway door to St William’s College, College street, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Built in 1465 beside York Minster, St William’s College originally housed the Minster’s chantry priests, who were paid to pray for the souls of benefactors, and was named after Archbishop William Fitzherbert. After centuries of changing uses, from private flats and a Civil War printing press to near-derelict slum housing, the Grade I listed medieval building was restored and today is used as a historic venue for events, dining, and public visits.
Shop door, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
The Snickleway Inn with its distinctive red door, Goodramgate, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Blue door and protruding window, Goodramgate, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Stunning brick house with cream door, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Teal door and wonky door frame, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Next time will be the conclusion of doors from York, and I am getting rather excited about what to share then. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.
Doors 344 – Doors from the City of York, (Part V), June 2024
I have only limited time to write this post as I was in London yesterday and have a busy day ahead today. York is a wonderful city, and popular with tourists too, and you can see why. It is full of winding, narrow streets and architecture from many periods. The Minster (featured last week) is the most famous building in the city, and it is complemented by so many interesting and beautiful houses and structures. This week’s doors are from the area near the Minster, I hope you like them.
Fabulous door and steps (and delivery), York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Door to Minster Library, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Plaque next to the door of Minster Library, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Door and slim windows, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Gates and door to beautiful house, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Black door and flat awning, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
St Michael le Belfrey church, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Side door to St Michael le Belfrey church?, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
I have a few more doors to share from York, before moving on to somewhere else – I am slowly working through my archives of doors, without adding to them at the moment, but I think I’ll have plenty of trips this spring and summer to top up my reserves. Until next time, have a great weekend etc.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.
Doors 343 – Doors from the City of York, York Minster, (Part IV), June 2024
This week I am concentrating on one building in York and its many external doors, the world-famous York Minster. I shall let the Interweb do some of the heavy lifting on a description of York Minster, in the interests of time efficiency and (likely) accuracy.
York Minster is one of the largest and most magnificent Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. Its origins date back to 627 AD, when a small wooden church was built on the site to baptize King Edwin of Northumbria. Over the centuries, this early structure was replaced by stone churches, including a Norman cathedral erected after the Norman Conquest. Following a devastating fire in 1220, the current Gothic minster began to take shape, with construction continuing for over 250 years until its completion in 1472.
Architecturally, York Minster is a masterpiece of medieval English Gothic design, showcasing Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular styles. Its vast nave, intricate stone vaulting, and soaring pointed arches create a powerful sense of verticality and light. The cathedral is renowned for its extraordinary stained glass, including the Great East Window—one of the largest expanses of medieval stained glass in the world—and the famous Rose Window in the south transept.
The building’s central tower rises above the city of York, serving as a dominant landmark and symbol of ecclesiastical authority. Inside, finely carved choir stalls, detailed tracery, and an impressive chapter house with its octagonal design highlight the craftsmanship of medieval masons. Together, its layered history and architectural grandeur make York Minster not only a place of worship but also a monument to centuries of religious, political, and artistic development in England.
When I visited York, I didn’t have time to go inside the Minster, instead I walked around the outside snapping away. The building is large, and with the proximity of surrounding shops and houses it was difficult to take pictures without using the wide-angle lens, leaving some of the photographs looking a little distorted. I hope you enjoy these pictures of one of the great buildings of England.
View of York Minster from the city wall, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
West front of York Minster with three entrances, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
West front of York Minster with three entrances, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Left-hand door and entrance on the west front of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Central doors on the west front of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Right-hand door on the west front of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
South side and transept of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Doors to the diocesan registry and chapter clerk’s office, York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
The north elevation of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
The north elevation of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Small door in the north elevation of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
Hidden door on the north elevation of York Minster, York, North Yorkshire, June 2024
It is a pity that the skies were a little overcast during my visit, but I don’t think that it diminishes the impressiveness of the building at all. When I visit again, I must make time to go inside. Next time, some more doors from the streets of York, until then, have a great weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s weekly Thursday Doors post and his Sunday recap.
Doors 318 – Doors of Godalming, Surrey, March 2025 (Part IV)
Rather remarkably, I have remembered that Dan is taking a Thursday Doors holiday this week, but I have decided to press ahead with this week’s selection as I have a little bit of time (last night in fact) to write this post and I might as well make hay while the sun shines.
This is the fourth and penultimate selection of doors from Godalming in Surrey, photographed on a work trip overnight stay. This week’s doors are mostly from the High Street running through the centre of the town. Enjoy.
Beautiful timber frame building with Specsavers shopfront and dull grey door, High Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Timber frame house and wonky black door, High Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Wonky black door, High Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Tudor archway, Crown Court, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Yard double door and archway dated 1836, High Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Grand entrance to The King’s Arms and Royal Hotel, High Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
A roof door at The King’s Arms and Royal Hotel, High Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Classic door with porch and twin trees, High Street, Godalming, Surrey, March 2025
Godalming High Street, like so many other high streets in English towns, is stuffed full of little gems and wonderful history, heritage and architecture. It is all too easy to keep your head down and not look at what is around you. Having an interest in doors acts like a portal (no pun intended) into this world of curiosity of your surroundings, and it has certainly prompted me to look at the places where I happen to be through a different lens. One more selection and then I move on to another place. See you next time.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
Doors 284 – Doors from Exeter, Devon – Part II, October 2023
Another quick stroll through Exeter this week with a few more doors that I photographed on a 2 hour stay there last October. I hope you enjoy them:
Black door – white door, Exeter, October 2023
Blue door, Exeter, October 2023
Blue gate with artwork from None Here, Exeter, October 2023
Church door with characteristic Devon red sand stone walls, Exeter, October 2023
Grand green arched door, Exeter, October 2023
Recessed green door, Exeter, October 2023
Different doors in a shared doorway, Exeter, October 2023
Sorry, but a really quick one today. More from Exeter next time – may I wish you a spooky Halloween.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
Natural adventures 