UK

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)

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)

If you love Liverpool, then you will love colouring it in! Liverpool has charmed visitors for centuries, and this collection of intricate (read more)

If you love Liverpool, then you will love colouring it in! Liverpool has charmed visitors for centuries, and this collection of intricate illustrations is a celebration of the city's unique appeal. Featuring a range of picturesque vistas, from iconic architecture and waterways, to the city's musical and maritime heritage, each scene is full of intriguing detail sure to fire the imagination and make you reach for your colouring pencils. There are absolutely no rules - you can choose any combination of colours you like to bring these images to life. (hide)

From its humble 13th-century origins, Liverpool grew rapidly to become the greatest port in the British Empire outside London., but (read more)

From its humble 13th-century origins, Liverpool grew rapidly to become the greatest port in the British Empire outside London., but by 1980 the city was in seemingly terminal decline: its population had more than halved, its infrastructure and economy were decaying, and its political leaders were leading the city towards complete collapse. Today, though, Liverpool is experiencing a renaissance: it has one of the fastest-growing economies in Britain, it has been a European Capital of Culture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Liverpool's proud and distinctive identity is embodied in the buildings that have shaped the city.

Liverpool in 50 Buildings explores the extraordinary history of this rich and vibrant community through a selection of its greatest architectural treasures. From the Royal Liver Building to the legendary Cavern Club and from the Tate Liverpool to Anfield, this unique study celebrates the city's architectural heritage in a new and accessible way. Well-known local author Ken Pye guides the reader on a tour of the city's historic buildings and its modern architectural marvels. (hide)

Liverpool has gained a national and international reputation for popular music, most recently recognised in its designation as a (read more)

Liverpool has gained a national and international reputation for popular music, most recently recognised in its designation as a UNESCO City of Music. This book examines Liverpool's popular music through the history of the places where it has been performed and examines their role and significance. It explores the richness of Liverpool's live performance scene and tells a story of changing music sites, sounds and experiences.

In doing so it highlights music's contribution to the city's history and identity, and in turn shows how the city's architectural and urban form has shaped its musical life and character. The book shows how music is bound up with changes in the social, cultural and economic life of cities more generally, particularly provincial, `post-industrial' cities in the UK, Europe and US. It also highlights the significance of places that enable people to come together and collectively participate in music events. (hide)

Connecting people with places, London's distinctive Blue Plaque scheme highlights the buildings where some of the most remarkable (read more)

Connecting people with places, London's distinctive Blue Plaque scheme highlights the buildings where some of the most remarkable men and women in our history and culture have lived and worked. From Richard Burton to Karl Marx, Marie Stopes to Jimi Hendrix, this fully updated 4th edition of The London Blue Plaque Guide has over 900 entries and provides an essential companion to the famous people who have made their homes in the city. It includes updated maps and a useful list of names by profession as well as location.

As the definitive guide to the fascinating historical figures who have lived in London, it will be invaluable to residents and tourists alike. (hide)

On 4th October 1966 eleven young bus enthusiasts met in Central London to look for ways to develop their shared interest in preserving (read more)

On 4th October 1966 eleven young bus enthusiasts met in Central London to look for ways to develop their shared interest in preserving some old London buses. They couldn't know then that their meeting was the beginning of a volunteer-run organisation which would grow to a membership of around 800 owning a world-class museum. This is the London Bus Museum at Brooklands in Surrey with its unique collection of buses spanning more than a century.

This book describes the first 50 years of the London Bus Preservation Group/Trust, including the many years at its Cobham Bus Museum premises, and also shows how the London bus developed from the horse-bus through many stages to today's latest all-electric double-deckers. It's a fascinating journey through time as, indeed, are many of the stories about the vehicles in the London Bus Museum's collection.
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Features 120 bite-size ideas for things to do and places to visit in London in under an hour. Organised around the range of activities (read more)

Features 120 bite-size ideas for things to do and places to visit in London in under an hour. Organised around the range of activities London has to offer, with chapters to help you find original and diverting suggestions for things to do, as well as a few places to eat and drink. Including how to squeeze in some culture or some exercise; find the best places to buy a birthday present or go for a quick pampering; discover outdoor spaces or quiet hideaways to escape the chaos; avoid the typical al desco lunch; make the most of your mornings; and turn a spare hour in-between a meeting or at a train station into an hour well spent.

Will also include top ten lists for those really pushed for time and comprehensive indices by location and activity type to help you find what you need, quickly. Whether you're a visitor, on a family day out or a busy working Londoner, London in an Hour will transform your experience of the city.

Pub Date:17/03/2016 (hide)