UK

'Rain pelted down on the back of my neck and saltwater rushed down my throat as I tried to breathe into a wave. A foghorn started (read more)

'Rain pelted down on the back of my neck and saltwater rushed down my throat as I tried to breathe into a wave. A foghorn started booming from a lighthouse in the distance. For a moment I thought it was a rescue siren for me.

Imagine if I got rescued on day two! That would be embarrassing.' In June 2013 Sean Conway set out from Land's End in his bid to be the first person to swim the length of Britain. It was a challenge so extreme that not only had it never been attempted before, but most of the sponsors Sean approached turned him down as they were worried that he would die trying. Landlocked Cheltenham - Sean's hometown - isn't really the ideal place to train for a long sea swim, and he only managed three miles in a local pool before setting off from Land's End. (hide)

The thriving city of Liverpool has become particularly well known over the last century for its maritime industry, contributions (read more)

The thriving city of Liverpool has become particularly well known over the last century for its maritime industry, contributions to sport and, of course, its legendary musical heritage. However, this city has a history that stretches back hundreds of years, right back to the early thirteenth century when it was formed as a borough by King John in 1207. It was soon after this that Liverpool's first streets were constructed. (hide)

A familiar sight on the Thames at London Bridge, HMS Belfast is a Royal Navy light cruiser, launched in March 1938. Belfast was part (read more)

A familiar sight on the Thames at London Bridge, HMS Belfast is a Royal Navy light cruiser, launched in March 1938. Belfast was part of the British naval blockade against Germany and from November 1942 escorted Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union and assisted in the destruction of the German warship Scharnhorst. In June 1944 Belfast supported the Normandy landings and in 1945 was redeployed to the British Pacific Fleet. (hide)

A pack of 12 charts covering the North and West coasts of Wales. In A2 format suitable for small chart tables and compatible with (read more)

A pack of 12 charts covering the North and West coasts of Wales. In A2 format suitable for small chart tables and compatible with Yeoman plotters. The pack includes: 2700.1 Liverpool Bay to Anglesey (1: 280 000 WGS 84) Plans: Holyhead 2700.2 Anglesey and Menai (1: 145 000 WGS 84) Plans: Conwy Bay, Conwy 2700.3 Southern Anglesey and Lleyn Peninsula (1: 145 000 WGS 84) Plans: Porth Dinllaen 2700.4 Cardigan Bay to South East of Ireland (1: 300 000 WGS 84) 2700.5 Cardigan Bay (1: 145 000 WGS 84) 2700.6 Aberaeron to St David's (1: 155 000 WGS 84) 2700.7 St George's Channel (1: 280 000 WGS 84) Plans: Kilmore Quay 2700.8 Menai Strait and The Swellies (1: 70 000 WGS 84) Plans: Bangor and Beaumaris, The Swellies, Port Dinorwic, Caernarfon, Llanddwyn Island 2700.9 Cardigan Bay Plans (1: various WGS 84) Plans: Abersoch, Pwllheli, Porthmadog, Mochras Lagoon, Barmouth, Aberdovey, Aberystwyth, Aberaeron, New Quay, Aberporth, Cardigan, Newport Bay, Fishguard 2700.10 Tremadog Bay (1: 80 000 WGS 84) 2700.11 Dublin Bay to Anglesey (1: 280 000 WGS 84) Plans: Dublin Bay 2700.12 Liverpool Bay (1: 145 000 WGS 84) Plans: Liverpool For this May 2016 edition the chart pack has been fully updated throughout with the latest known depth surveys and up to date Wind Farm information.
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'Evocatively written and charming' - CountryfileThe January Man is the story of a year of walks that was inspired by a song, Dave (read more)

'Evocatively written and charming' - CountryfileThe January Man is the story of a year of walks that was inspired by a song, Dave Goulder's `The January Man'. Month by month, season by season and region by region, Christopher Somerville walks the British Isles, following routes that continually bring his father to mind. As he travels the country - from the winter floodlands of the River Severn to the lambing pastures of Nidderdale, the towering seabird cliffs on the Shetland Isle of Foula in June and the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest in autumn - he describes the history, wildlife, landscapes and people he encounters, down back lanes and old paths, in rain and fair weather. (hide)

Why did London have to wait so long for a main-line railway beneath its streets? For a few years in the mid-nineteenth century, Isambard (read more)

Why did London have to wait so long for a main-line railway beneath its streets? For a few years in the mid-nineteenth century, Isambard Kingdom Brunel's broad-gauge Great Western trains ran from Reading to Faringdon. Now, after many false starts, his vision is being realised as the Elizabeth Line prepares to carry passengers from Reading to the City once again, and beyond to Essex and Kent, using engineering that would have earned the admiration of the greatest Victorian engineers. London historian Stephen Halliday presents an engaging discussion of Crossrail's fascinating origins and the heroic engineering that made it all possible.

Published:26 Nov 2018 (hide)

Published on 15/11/2015 - Journey through Lancashire, England, to visit 155 places where strange history meets creepy modern times. (read more)

Published on 15/11/2015 - Journey through Lancashire, England, to visit 155 places where strange history meets creepy modern times. Arranged alphabetically by town and place, the stories tell of ghosts, witches, fairies, dragons, and altercations with the Devil (who is not as clever as he thinks!) Legends connected to ancient monuments, holy wells, and the locations of Green Man carvings are also included. Sometimes these tales echo history and sometimes they come from a deeper folklore.

Sometimes ghost stories are discredited...sometimes they are not. A useful guidebook for tourists and travelers, this book is also an invaluable compendium for serious researchers. Stories are indexed by type and a separate index lists postcodes and Ordnance Survey map references for those who wish to visit the locations for themselves. (hide)

The book provides a comprehensive history of the third-largest Jewish community in Britain and fills an acknowledged gap in both (read more)

The book provides a comprehensive history of the third-largest Jewish community in Britain and fills an acknowledged gap in both Jewish and urban historiography. Bringing together the latest research and building on earlier local studies, the book provides an analysis of the special features which shaped the community in Leeds. Organised in three sections, Context, Chronology and Contours, the book demonstrates how Jews have influenced the city and how the city has influenced the community.

Published:29 Mar 2019 (hide)

England and Wales have long been captivated by the lighthouse, with many of the towers built at the countries' extremities seen as (read more)

England and Wales have long been captivated by the lighthouse, with many of the towers built at the countries' extremities seen as iconic structures. Lighthouses have seized the imagination for centuries, and have cut striking figures wherever they stand. Newly revised and wholly redesigned, Lighthouses of England and Wales is a complete guide to the lighthouses of England, Wales and the Channel Islands in one spectacular volume. (hide)

No other city in the world is as well known or loved for its vibrant and definitive musical history as Liverpool. In "2002, Guinness (read more)

No other city in the world is as well known or loved for its vibrant and definitive musical history as Liverpool. In "2002, Guinness World Records": British Hit Singles voted Liverpool 'World Capital of Pop' recognising that Liverpool's homegrown talent has produced more number one hit singles per capita than anywhere else in the world. In 2008, Liverpool will celebrate its crown as European Capital of Culture.

Paul Du Noyer's acclaimed book takes us on a tour of the rich musical history of his hometown, from the world-famous Cavern Club in Mathew Street, host to the Beatles' debut performance in 1961, to the city's musical future with contemporary bands like The Zutons. Featuring interviews with key figures of the music scene, this book reveals the creative impulse behind Britain's most musical city. Find out why Liverpool is not just a place where music happens.

The city is the reason music happens. (hide)