Great Britain Alphabetically - Part S Quiz

Answer: Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury has existed since around AD800, and the town centre streets still have a mostly medieval layout. The biologist Charles Darwin is one of the town's most famous sons.

Answer: St Ives

Situated on the northern coast of Cornwall, St Ives became a major tourist destination with the expansion of the Great Western Railway in 1877. The Tate St Ives opened in 1993.

Answer: Stoke-on-Trent

The Staffordshire city of Stoke-on-Trent was created in 1910 by a federation of six towns - the original Stoke, plus Burslem, Hanley, Fenton, Longton and Tunstall. Pottery has been made in the area for around 3,500 years. The modern pottery industry expanded in the 18th century, after Josiah Wedgwood began producing affordable crockery in the area.

Answer: St Andrews

The governing body of golf, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, was founded in St Andrews in 1754. The town's university is the oldest in Scotland, having been founded in 1410.

Answer: Saffron Walden

This Essex town was originally known simply as Walden, the Saffron part being added to reflect the town's production of that by-product of the crocus flower.

Answer: Sheffield

Cutlery has been made in Sheffield since the 14th century. Steel-making on a large scale began during the Industrial revolution of the 18th century.

Answer: Southend-on-Sea

Situated on the Thames estuary in Essex, Southend grew as a seaside resort in the late 19th century when paddle steamers brought day-trippers downstream from London. The pier is 2,158 metres long, and recently re-opened after a 2005 fire.

Answer: Swansea

Swansea grew rapidly during the 18th century Industrial Revolution. The city centre was largely destroyed by German bombs during World War 2, since when the city has been reborn as a holiday destination and commercial centre.

Answer: Salisbury

Sometimes known as New Sarum, the Wiltshire city of Salisbury sits on the edge of Salisbury Plain, around eight miles from Stonehenge. The cathedral was built in the 13th century, and the spire is 123 metres high.

Answer: Sunderland

Sunderland was part of County Durham until 1974, when it became part of the new metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear. The shipbuilding industry has declined in recent decades, to be replaced by modern industries such as electronics.

Answer: Stirling

Stirling, which was granted city status in 2002, was the county town of Stirlingshire until 1974, when it became part of the new Central Region. In 1994, it became part of the new Stirling council area. The castle changed hands between the Scots and English numerous times until becoming a permanent Scottish possession in 1342. Bannockburn, site of a famous battle in 1314 when Robert Bruce defeated English King Edward II, is a small village immediately south of Stirling.

Answer: Scarborough

Scarborough sits around two bays, known as North Bay and South Bay. The ruined 12th century Scarborough Castle overlooks the town.

Answer: St Albans

St Albans has existed for over 2,000 years. The modern name for the town comes from the earliest known British Christian martyr, St Alban, to whom the 8th century abbey in the town is dedicated.

Answer: Southampton

Southampton, in Hampshire, has been one of Britain's leading ports for over 1,000 years. The Pilgrim Fathers originally sailed on the Mayflower from Southampton - they called in at Plymouth after sister ship, the Speedwell, developed a leak. The Titanic set sail on her ill-fated maiden voyage from Southampton on April 10th, 1912, calling at Cherbourg and Queenstown, before heading across the Atlantic.

Answer: Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare was born in the Warwickshire town of Stratford-upon-Avon in April, 1564. The town is a major tourist destination, with the Royal Shakespeare Company performing at two theatres in the town throughout the year.