Luan Hanratty

Penbal is a history and heritage brand exploring the stories, people and places of Tyneside, Northumberland and Durham. Its work brings regional history to life through engaging articles on subjects ranging from Roman Britain, Vikings and medieval legends to shipwrecks, industry, wartime events and influential local figures. The site also shares archival material, photographs, maps, talks and guided tours, offering different ways to discover the area’s past and landscape.

Alongside its editorial content, Penbal offers art, gifts and maps inspired by the North East. Its shop features framed historical images and inscriptions, as well as clothing with designs celebrating local places, communities and heritage, including T-shirts connected with North Shields, Northumberland and South Shields. The overall focus is on making the region’s often overlooked histories accessible and memorable, pairing careful storytelling with visual and practical keepsakes. From the remains of Hadrian’s Wall to coastal shipwrecks and the legacy of shipbuilding, Penbal presents a varied portrait of the North East and the people who shaped it.