I am Stephen Wood, author and traveller. I was born and brought up on Tyneside in the north east of England, educated at Barnard Castle School on the Yorkshire/Durham border, and then at De Montfort University, Leicester where I gained an Honours degree in Law. A career in the city of Norwich followed, during which I became a senior partner of a local law firm.
I am now retired from legal practice, and continue to live in Norwich with my wife Gillian.
I enjoy contemporary rock music, art and literature of almost any genre, golf, good beer and fell and coastal walking and that worthy British institution – the pub. The north east of Northumberland and the mountains of the Lake District are my favourite places.
My writing is focused on the north east of England, and on Northumberland in particular, the place of my birth and childhood.
I am the author of:
Northumberland: the Coastal Pubs & Inns – encounters with the landscapes, histories and contemporary settings of Northumberland’s coastal pubs & inns.
30 pubs, over 100 photographs and more pints than you could throw a stick at
The Castles of Northumberland – the histories, evolution and contemporary settings of over 36 of Northumberland’s great castles. With 180 pages and over 120 colour photos the book includes location and visitor information.
Each castle has a story to tell – of Norman rule, border feuds and battles with cannon and sword, and how they have come to survive in the modern day
“In Search of a Northern Soul”- a travelogue set in the north east following the lines of my ancestry and the landscape of Durham, Tyneside and Northumberland. For this book click above
“The Cat Who Lives in an Igloo” – Discovering Home”, in collaboration with illustrator Steven Appleton. This is the first book in a series designed for 4 – 8 year olds, which will follow Lulu’s adventures as she discovers the world around her. For this book click above
“Northumberland: the coast” – Northumberland is the northernmost county in England, the least populated and one of the most dramatic, abundant with sand, sea and castles, remote bays and headlands.
Travel with the author from the southern border of Northumberland to its northern boundary with Scotland, from the river Tyne and the resorts of Tynemouth and Whitley Bay, through the lighter industry of Blyth to the wide expanse of Druridge Bay. Past Amble the coast is speckled with the villages of Alnmouth, Boulmer, Craster, Embleton, Low Newton, Beadnell, Seahouses, Bamburgh and Lindisfarne to arrive at Berwick, the northern boundary of the county and the Scottish border. Amidst the villages are scattered the bays, promontories, coves and sands of this sparsely populated landscape.
This is a journey that will invoke memories, curiosity and enthusiasm for this wonderful Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It will amuse and inspire, engage and surprise. And there are plenty of pubs too.
“A wonderful record of a journey through a fabulous landscape”
For my journey click here
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Stephen Wood 