North Yorkshire Poetry

Eleven years ago this month, the fire in the Redcar blast furnace went out. The town didn't go with it. That gap, between what a place loses and what it keeps, is one of the hardest things a poet can try to write. Lean one way and you get nostalgia: rusting gantries in soft golden light, and everything better back then. Lean the other and you get the holiday brochure, where all is well now because there is ice cream. Neither is fair to the people who live there. Below you wil

A curved cliff in the Yorkshire Dales, a grieving Victorian poet, and three habits for any writer trying to put on the page something that is no longer there. Stand at the foot of Malham Cove and you get a strange feeling. You are looking at a waterfall. It has the height, the width, and the curved lip at the top. It is only missing the water. In my last article, beneath the broken tower at Helmsley, I argued that most ruins have human hands behind them, but that sometimes th

Time takes the blame for every ruin. At Helmsley, somebody gave the order. Last week we stood on the East Cliff at Whitby. This week we go inland, to a market town on the southern edge of the North York Moors, where the River Rye comes down out of the hills, and to a castle that was broken on purpose. There are two poems here. The first is more than four hundred years old and is spoken by a city that has vanished. The second is my own, about Helmsley Castle, from North Yorksh

Two ruins by water. Poe's drowned city fell silent; Whitby Abbey never did. A Whitby Abbey poem, Poe's The City in the Sea, and a craft question for anyone who writes about place.

Words by Alden Carrow Welcome back to British Counties in Verse. Today, I want to take you somewhere quiet — the market town of Bedale, in North Yorkshire — and argue something a little bold: that this small place is not smaller than the world. It might even be larger. An artistic illustration of Bedale at dawn Provincialism vs. Parochialism The Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh once drew a sharp line between two words we tend to confuse. Provincialism, he said, always looks toward

This poetic journey invites listeners to experience the heart of North Yorkshire, from its windswept dales to its rugged coastlines.

Yorkshire has a rich history of poetry that reflects its rugged landscapes, hardworking people, and deep connection to nature.

Alden Carrow - British Counties In Verse. When I wander through the rolling dales and rugged moors of North Yorkshire, I feel a deep connection to the land and its stories. The air carries whispers of ancient tales, and the landscape itself seems to hum with poetic rhythm. This region, rich in history and natural beauty, has inspired countless verses and continues to fuel my own creative spirit. If you love poetry that breathes life into place, you’ll find something truly spe

Alden Carrow - British Counties In Verse. When I first wandered through the rolling dales and rugged moors of North Yorkshire, I felt a deep connection to the land. The gentle rustle of leaves, the distant call of curlews, and the soft murmur of streams seemed to whisper stories waiting to be told. It was here that I found my inspiration, and through my poetry, I sought to capture the very essence of this enchanting region. If you love the beauty of nature and the warmth of h

Alden Carrow - British Counties In Verse. When I first wandered through the rolling dales and rugged moors of North Yorkshire, I felt a deep connection to the land. The gentle rustle of leaves, the distant call of a curlew, and the soft hues of heather under a fading sun all whispered stories waiting to be told. These moments inspired me to capture the essence of this enchanting region through poetry. If you love the charm of the English countryside, you’ll find something tru

Alden Carrow - British Counties In Verse. North Yorkshire is a stunningly beautiful region rich in history and culture, and now you can experience it in a whole new way—through poetry! We are excited to announce that North Yorkshire In Verse - Moor To Shore In Poetry is now available for purchase as both an ebook and a paperback on Amazon. This collection serves as a poetic exploration of the region's market towns, coastlines, and countryside, inviting readers to immerse them

North Yorkshire is a land of stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. It is a place where the beauty of nature meets the depth of human emotion. In this blog post, we will explore a unique poetry collection that captures the essence of North Yorkshire. This collection not only reflects the beauty of the region but also tells stories that resonate with many.

Alden Carrow - British Counties In Verse. North Yorkshire is a land rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. From the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales to the rugged coastline of Whitby, this region has inspired countless writers and poets. One unique way to explore this heritage is through prose poems. These short, lyrical pieces blend the narrative style of prose with the emotional depth of poetry. In this blog post, we will uncover how prose poems can help us disco