Spirit of the North

Photographer John Kippin gives us a glimpse into his thinking and his approach as he rises to the challenge of capturing the "Spirit of the North" for Historic England's Exhibition. 

The ancient history of the North of England has left its mark on the landscape and the culture. We explore the legacy of stone circles, winding rivers, and stories of giants.

From the Industrial Revolution to the end of the 20th Century, huge swathes of The North revolved around coal and heavy industry. From Woodhorn Colliery to Jarrow Town Hall and Orgreave, the workers and the communities left a profound mark on their buildings and their landscape.

The North of England has spawned some of the world’s most influential music, and the artists of Manchester and Liverpool have left their indelible mark on the buildings as well as the culture. We explore the influence of music and art on the Northern character with artist-photographer John Kippin and guests.

From Sheffield’s Steel to Bradford’s textiles, manufacturing heritage is still a core part of the North’s physical and emotional identity. John Kippin explores the places he photographed to reflect the North of England’s trading history.

From Liverpool’s historic waterfront, to the shipyards of Newcastle and Yorkshire beaches, the coast has shaped the identity of the North of England. With artist and photographer John Kippin, we explore the history, the people and the character of the Northern coastline.