Secret (Amberley Publishing)
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Secret Stoke-on-Trent
by Mervyn Edwards
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Why did the young girls of Longton rush to touch lamp posts, iron pillars or railings whenever they saw the local rector? Who were the Potteries 'resurrectionists' involved in body-snatching from St John's churchyard, Burslem, in 1831? Why did some Hanley people fear that the world was about to end in 1835? In which Potteries town did rat-baiting take place in 1867? And which fine vocalist was banned from singing at Goldenhill church on account of his being a boxer? This is no pub quiz, nor is it a book of tall stories, but a unique insight into the city of Stoke-on-Trent. Here is a feast of little-known facts relating to the city's history 'below the surface'. By turns quirky, shocking, investigative and always original, it reveals much about the Potteries of the past and proves the old adage that fact is far stranger than fiction. Local historian Mervyn Edwards has been collecting ephemera on Stoke for twenty-five years. Now he shares it with the public.
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Secret Newport
by Andrew Hemmings
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The South Wales town of Newport, on the River Usk, was a powerhouse of Britain's Industrial Revolution; social change, characterised by the Chartist movement and new technologies built from steel and powered by coal, combined to create a new way of life. Author Andrew Hemmings shows how the city left behind its Roman and medieval past to develop into a modern commercial and industrial centre, proud of its docks and shipping industry. Along the way he tells the story of Tredegar House, a Restoration mansion that was the home of the flamboyant Morgan family, with tales of riotous parties, dark arts, war heroism and various animal menageries.In more recent times, the city has opened up the Newport Wetlands and Wales Coast Path to visitors, as well as providing filming locations for Doctor Who and The Man from Uncle. Secret Newport delves beneath the surface of this fascinating town, revealing hidden facts that even most local people don't know.
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Secret Barnard Castle & Teesdale
by Andrew Graham Stables
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Teesdale is the second largest designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales, and has a population of over 25,000. There is also a vast amount history contained within its picturesque valleys, which have attracted many writers and artists: Sir Walter Scott hid in a secret cave by the River Greta to pen some of his verses, and Charles Dickens took inspiration for his books following a visit. For centuries a fertile land under attack by the Scots, yet a king of Scotland was born here in an English castle. Richard III left a permanent legacy, but did he also ensconce the murderer of the princes in this northern dale? Sir Winston Churchill inspected the troops as secret preparations were undertaken for D-Day and only fragments remain of the Queen Mother's childhood castle. Add to this one of the finest museums in the North built in the style of a French chateau, the largest waterfall in England and villages lost under reservoirs and you will be amazed at the secrets Teesdale will reveal.
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Secret Guildford
by Marion Field
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Guildford is a fascinating town dating from Saxon times. William I built the Norman castle overlooking the town from where his soldiers could dominate his Saxon subjects. By the twelfth century Guildford had become a wealthy town as a result of the flourishing wool trade. The austere castle was transformed into a luxurious palace visited by kings and queens over the following centuries. The seventeenth-century Abbot's Hospital was probably the first 'sheltered housing' in the country. The Angel in the High Street, a posting house and livery stables, was visited by many famous people from Sir Francis Drake to Oliver Cromwell, who billeted his soldiers there during the Civil War. There is a reminder of another resident, Lewis Carroll, in some delightful 'Alice' sculptures by the River Wey. The twentieth-century cathedral built high above the town was the first to be built since the Reformation. Over the centuries Guildford has played host to a number of colourful characters, has survived dramatic events and continues to flourish in the twenty-first century. Secret Guildford incorporates many of the little-known stories of these characters and reveals its hidden past in this fascinating book full of quirky anecdotes and lesser-known facts.
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Secret Rutland
by Daniel J. Codd
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Rutland is at the very heart of England. It is England's smallest historic county, less than 20 miles in distance from north to south or east to west, and a patchwork of incredibly picturesque and peaceful villages. At its centre is Rutland Water, by surface area the largest reservoir in the country, covering more than 3,000 acres of land, which has matured over the past thirty years into a sanctuary for wildlife and a major tourist attraction. Secret Rutland goes behind the façades of the familiar to discover the lesser-known parts of the county's long and illustrious past. Join Daniel J. Codd on a journey through the hidden secrets of Rutland, its deserted settlements, history, folklore, antiquities and street names with interesting stories to be told.
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Secret Maidstone
by Dean Hollands
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Maidstone, the county town of Kent, has a colourful history shaped by battles, royalty, revolts, witches, mad priests, industrialists, brewers and Victorian benefactors. Situated between Dover and London and located on the River Medway, the town on a main route for pilgrimages was once a bustling centre for local and national trade. Despite many changes throughout the centuries, the ambience of old Maidstone can still be experienced. Its history is unusual and intriguing and has everything from dinosaurs and megalithic structures to Cold War bunkers, Egyptian mummies, supernatural occurrences, tales of killer hail, gruesome executions and a prison that has seen many executions and riots and housed some of Britain's most notorious villains. Secret Maidstone explores the lesser-known episodes and people in the history of the town through the centuries. With tales of remarkable characters, tucked-away buildings and unusual events, this fully illustrated book will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of Kent's county town.
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Secret Dumfries
by Mary Smith
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Dumfries, in south-west Scotland, has a long history, much of it well recorded. However, as with most places there are more than a few secrets hidden away. First referred to as the Queen of the South by local poet David Dunbar in 1857, the name stuck and was later adopted by the local football team. Not many know that this makes it the only football team in the world mentioned in the Bible. Darker aspects of the town's history include the burning of nine witches on the Whitesands in 1659 and the last public hanging of a woman in Scotland, Mary Timney, was held in Dumfries in 1862. There are tales of plague victims being exiled to Scabbit Isle, of murderers and grave robbers. Not all its secrets are so dark: there's Patrick Miller and his introduction of turnips courtesy of King Gustav III of Sweden, and the exiled Norwegian Army making its home in Dumfries during the Second World War. And what is the significance of the finials depicting telescopes and anchors on the railings along the Whitesands?Local author Mary Smith and photographer Keith Kirk take the reader on a fascinating journey through the town's past, unearthing tales of intrigue and grisly goings-on as they provide a glimpse into some of the lesser-known aspects of the town's history.
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Secret Gloucester
by Christine Jordan
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Sheltered by the Cotswolds, the streets of Gloucester hide many secrets. Using vast knowledge Christine Jordan explores the rich heritage that can be seen embedded throughout the streets of this historic city. From visually obvious fragments of the past that still line Gloucester's streets to those lesser-known facts there is something here to suit anyone's tastes, such as the sale of wives in the eighteenth century, to hidden Roman ruins. Varying from the momentous to the outlandish, this little book brings together past and present to offer a taste of Gloucester. Written by someone who knows what makes Gloucester tick, the author highlights that Gloucester is, indeed, no ordinary city. From locals looking for a nostalgic look back into their district to touring visitors, this book provides an excellent alternative view into the clandestine aspects of Gloucester city, and perhaps even those who think they know everything about their hometown will discover something new and fascinating.
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Secret Aldershot
by Paul H. Vickers
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Famous as the 'Home of the British Army', the Hampshire town of Aldershot has a long and fascinating history. Local author Paul Vickers takes the reader on an enlightening and entertaining journey through the town's past, delving beneath the surface to reveal dark deeds and strange tales with long-forgotten facts and amusing stories. Here you'll meet notorious highwaymen, uncover the secret plans for defending Aldershot in time of war, find out what it was like inside the infamous 'Glass House' prison, and discover what happened when Charlie Chaplin, The Beatles and the Olympics came to town. Secret Aldershot lifts the lid on the hidden secrets that even most local people don't know.
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Secret Cotswolds
by Sue Hazeldine
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The Area of Outstanding National Beauty known as the Cotswolds is famous for its range of rolling green hills and quaint English towns and villages, filled with honey-coloured stone cottages and hosting bustling weekend markets. This beautiful vast expanse stretches across five counties in southern England and has a rich history that reaches right back to the Neolithic Age.Join Sue Hazeldine as she covers a wide variety of topics from people and animals, to places and buildings, all relevant to the Cotswold area and illustrated with colour photographs and her own wonderful hand-drawn illustrations.
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Secret St Andrews
by Gregor Stewart
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Although known worldwide as the 'Home of Golf', St Andrews was also the ecclesiastical powerhouse in Scotland for centuries prior to the Reformation. Author Gregor Stewart takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the town's past, unearthing tales of double crossing and infighting while introducing the reader to the nefarious characters who were jostling for power. He reveals connections between St Andrews and the order of the Knights of St John, who owned buildings in the town, and James Gregory, who laid a meridian line from his laboratory that pre-dates Greenwich by 200 years and is now widely credited as the 'place where time began'. The book also explores the macabre: St Andrews was a centre for execution, using an early version of the guillotine, and there are descriptions of the fates of those accused of witchcraft and heresy. Secret St Andrews delves beneath the surface of this attractive university town, revealing a lesser-known and less savoury history that even most local residents don't know.
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Secret Barry Island
by Mark Lambert
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Secret Barry Island offers a unique insight into this fascinating seaside resort in the Vale of Glamorgan, delving into its lesser-known past. Thoroughly researched, within these pages local authors and lifelong residents of the area Mark and Jonathan Lambert explore Barry Island's vast history. They cover a wide range of topics – from prehistory to pilgrimage, smugglers, and the advent of tourism – taking the reader beneath the surface to uncover the hidden secrets of this popular location.
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Secret Birmingham
by Tony A. J. Hewitt
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
England's second biggest city stands at the very heart of the country, geographically and historically. Birmingham grew from a modest market town in medieval times to being hailed as 'the first manufacturing town in the world' in 1791. The city was at the very heart of the Industrial Revolution, responsible for many scientific and technological advances that would lay the foundations of the modern industrial society. Indeed, the most important invention in British history, the industrial steam engine, happened in Birmingham. Secret Birmingham offers a unique insight into this Midlands metropolis, highlighting the lesser-known aspects of its history and revealing intriguing facts that even most Brummies don't know.
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Secret Lewes
by Terry Philpot
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Lewes appears to be a tranquil and attractive place but its alleyways and buildings conceal many stories. The town's origins can be traced back to prehistory and the Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Normans have all left their mark. Author Terry Philpot takes the reader on a fascinating journey through streets that have been walked by artists like Eric Gill and writers from John Evelyn to Virginia Woolf, as well as revolutionaries and reformers from Thomas Paine to Eamon de Valera, and some remarkable local people. The annual Bonfire Night, when an effigy of the Pope is burned, is a reminder of a vibrant religious history that includes the Norman foundation of the Priory of St Pancras to the execution of seventeen Protestant martyrs in the sixteenth century. From the decisive battle of the Second Barons' War, England's 'unknown' civil war of the thirteenth century, to its prison, which held Finnish soldiers captured during the Crimean War 600 years later, English history echoes in Lewes. But it is also a place where eccentrics have had a place, inventors and pioneers have thrived, and entrepreneurs, whose names are now known in today's fashionable shopping places, have flourished. Donminated by castle and prison and once a major port, Lewes' past, sometimes violent, sometimes inventive, and sometimes creative but always engrossing, is ever present all around you.
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Secret Penrith
by Andrew Graham Stables
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Secret Penrith goes behind the façades of the familiar to discover the lesser-known aspects of the town's fascinating past. Penrith has many secrets, and as you walk along the streets, you are walking through history. There are clear reminders of the town's past everywhere, waiting for you to stop, look and listen to their intriguing stories. Join author Andrew Graham Stables on a journey through this beautiful town and its history. You may think you know Penrith, but take another look around and you will find more than you could possibly imagine.
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Secret Chatham
by Philip MacDougall
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
In these days of ubiquitous, non-stop media and information you would think that there were few secrets anywhere left to reveal, but when it comes to Chatham there remain a surprising number of facts and idiosyncrasies that, over the years, have remained obscure. Secret Chatham is a journey through the past of this former Royal Dockyard home, unearthing many fascinating and little-known details about the Medway town that will entertain, inform and horrify visitors as well as its current inhabitants in equal measure, many of whom probably thought they knew it all. The book gives a unique perspective on the many less-obvious aspects of Chatham's history and will go a long way to explaining why today's town is as it is, and how it may develop in the future.
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Secret Grantham
by John Pinchbeck
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The market town of Grantham has always been an important centre in Lincolnshire because of its position alongside the Great North Road, the main north–south route through England, now the modern-day A1 road. Its wealth in medieval times is shown by the large parish church of St Wulfram's, which has one of the tallest spires in the country. The coming of the railways in the 1850s gave another boost to the town's economy and it has grown significantly in the last two centuries. In that period it has become a centre for engineering as well as food processing. During the Second World War the town was home to the Bomber Command HQ responsible for planning the Dambusters raid, as well as a Troop Carrier Command section of the USAAF's Ninth Air Force's IX. The town is also renowned as place where the scientist and mathematician Isaac Newton attended school, for being the birthplace of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and also where the first policewoman in England served. It also boasts the oldest surviving inn in England as well as the only living pub sign in the country (a hive of bees).Secret Grantham explores the lesser-known episodes and faces of the town's history. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away historical buildings, Secret Grantham will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this Lincolnshire town.
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Secret Leith
by Jack Gillon
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Leith has played a long and prominent role in Scottish history. As the major port serving Edinburgh, it has been the stage on which many significant events in the nation's past have taken place, from housing the Scottish court to witnessing civil war, acting as the port of call for royal arrivals and becoming its own burgh until the amalgamation with Edinburgh in 1920. The 1950s brought the final days of the old and ancient thoroughfares in the heart of Leith: the Kirkgate, St Andrew Street, Tolbooth Wynd, Bridge Street and many more would disappear in the coming decade. However, the town retains a passionate sense of individuality and its people a proud sense of identity. Leith has seen it all. In Secret Leith, local author and historian Jack Gillon delves into the town's past and offers an insight into some of the lesser-known aspects of its long and distinguished history.
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Secret Bristol
by James MacVeigh
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Illustrated with memorable photographs throughout, Secret Bristol peels away the gloss which covers inconvenient historic events to reveal truths about the city that are sometimes horrific, brutal, or merely odd. From prehistory to the present, it takes us on a fascinating journey through the inhuman aspects of early trade, through slavery, piracy, struggles for social justice portrayed as criminal riots and the cruelties inflicted in city institutions. Bristol's contribution to aircraft and automobile design and manufacture is chronicled, and the contempt felt for ordinary people by First World War generals and Whitehall bigwigs is exposed, as is the way opposition to the pointless conflict was swept under the carpet of history. The book describes how Bristol's medieval heart, largely destroyed in the Blitz, was forgotten with the connivance of the government and finished off by post-war planners. The 'Whites Only' employment policy on Bristol buses in the early '60s and the 1980 St Paul's riots take us up to Bristol today.
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Secret Harrogate
by Paul Chrystal
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
In these days of ubiquitous, non-stop media and information you would think that there were few secrets anywhere left to reveal: but when it comes to Harrogate there remain a surprising number of facts and idiosyncrasies which, over the years, have remained obscure, to say the least. Secret Harrogate is an historical journey through one of England's most visited towns, unearthing nuggets of its early history and spectacular development into one of Europe's foremost spas.This book reveals and unravels scores of fascinating and little-known details about Harrogate that will fascinate and inform its many visitors as well as its current inhabitants, many of whom probably thought they knew it all. The book gives a unique perspective on the many less-obvious aspects of Harrogate's history and will go a long way to explaining why today's Harrogate is as it is, and how it may develop in the future.
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Secret Derby
by Maxwell Craven
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Derby's history goes back almost 2,000 years, despite a refoundation on a revised site in the tenth century. It is a county town but in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries it was home to a number scientific and entrepreneurial innovators. Their efforts led to a radical transformation of the borough in the Regency period, which was followed by the introduction of heavy industry: iron founding, railways and textiles. In the twentieth century, some of the older industries went into eclipse and were succeeded by new, high-tech ones. Derby became the focus of a new diocese in 1927, was elevated to city-status in 1977 and entered the present century much expanded and with a lot to look forward to. Yet Derby retains much of its historic core and is full of neglected corners, lost elements and little-known aspects, some of which were once crucial components of its long history, such as missing medieval churches, impressive ancient houses, unexpected survivals and partly unrealised 1930s' urban renewals. If you think you know your Derby – think again!
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Secret Rotherham
by Melvyn Jones
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Secret Rotherham offers a unique insight into this bustling, modern South Yorkshire town through a series of little-known and forgotten stories, facts and anecdotes from its past. The town has an enviable industrial history: Nelson's HMS Victory was armed with Walker cannons made at Masbrough, the iron plates for Isambard Brunel's steamship the Great Eastern were manufactured at Parkgate Iron & Steel Works, and the firm of Guest & Chrimes invented the modern screw-down tap. Over the centuries the Rotherham area has also had its fair share of famous residents and visitors. It was the home of the Earl of Strafford, who was beheaded in 1641; John Wesley, the 'Father of Methodism', was a fairly frequent (if not always welcome) visitor to the area; Ebenezer Elliott, the 'Corn Law Rhymer', was born and bought up in the town; and the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams spent many a summer in one of the outlying villages.In Secret Rotherham Melvyn Jones and Anthony Dodsworth pull back the curtains of history to peer into the borough's distant and not so distant past to reveal the forgotten, the strange and the unlikely.
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Secret Cork
by Kieran Mccarthy
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Cork City, Ireland's southern capital, is a place of tradition, continuity, change and legacy. It is a place of direction and experiment by people of ambition and determination, experiences and learning, of ingenuity and innovation, and of nostalgia and memory. Cork's urban landscape is filled with messages about the past, and the nearby harbour and surrounding towns hold many secrets. Well-known local author Kieran McCarthy takes the reader on a fascinating journey through Cork's history, unearthing tales of double-crossing and infighting and introducing us to many nefarious characters along the way.
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Secret Peebles
by Liz Hanson
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The history of Peebles spans nine centuries, so it is inevitable that there is a wealth of history in which to delve for nuggets of interest. David I of Scotland used to visit Peebles Castle in the late 1100s to hunt, the parish church of St Andrew was founded in 1195, and the town was made into a royal burgh by David II in 1367. The River Tweed did not have a bridge at Peebles until 1467, just a few years after burgh records were started during the reign of James II. In the sixteenth century, the town was surrounded by a wall with defensive bastel houses, remains of which can still be seen. The social history changed dramatically with the arrival of the railways in the nineteenth century as woollen mills took advantage of both the fast flow of the river and easy transportation of goods; the trains also brought flocks of tourists to the picturesque setting, establishing Peebles as a holiday location. Traces of the town's fascinating history are visible to the enquiring eye and local author Liz Hanson endeavours to uncover some of the secrets of Peebles.
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Secret Gillingham
by Philip MacDougall
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The modern town of Gillingham grew up on the banks of the River Medway around the Royal Naval Dockyard of Chatham, most of which actually lay within Gillingham. The sixteenth century saw the expansion of the one-time fishing and farming village of 'Jyllingham' into a town. The population of the town expanded as the dockyard, with its accompanying fortifications around the Medway, grew, and today Gillingham is the largest town in the Medway area. In this book Philip MacDougall investigates Gillingham's past, including many lesser-known and secret events, including a hidden English warship sunk by the Dutch when they invaded the Medway and that was still under the foundations of the dockyard; the prison hulks for convicts and prisoners of war moored in the River Medway, off Gillingham; an attempt to turn the town into a seaside resort to rival Margate; Jezreel's Tower and the unusual sect that built it; the country's worst death toll from a single bomb dropped in the First World War; and failure to prepare the town for the threatened mass bombing of the Second World War. Secret Gillingham explores the lesser-known episodes and characters in the history of Gillingham through the centuries. With tales of remarkable people and unusual events, and fully illustrated, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in this town in Kent.
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Secret Richmond & Swaledale
by Andrew Graham Stables
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Richmond is one of the most scenic towns in Britain, well known for its magnificent castle, bustling marketplace and Georgian Theatre Royal, while Swaledale is one of the country's most beautiful and inspirational rural areas.Secret Richmond & Swaledale looks beyond the familiar to discover the lesser-known parts of the town and the surrounding area's long and illustrious past. Local author Andrew Graham Stables takes the reader on an enlightening and entertaining journey through the past, delving beneath the surface to reveal dark deeds and strange tales with long-forgotten facts and amusing stories. This book will lift the lid on the hidden secrets that even most local people don't know.
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Secret Bideford
by Peter Christie
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Secret Bideford goes behind the façade of the familiar medieval town to discover lesser-known aspects of its fascinating past. Bideford has many secrets, ranging from its strategic Anglo-Saxon importance to its high-profile witch trials in the seventeenth century. There are clear reminders of the town's past in its streets, waiting for you to stop, look and listen to their intriguing stories. On a journey through this ancient town, local historian Peter Christie tells these forgotten or untold tales. From its chapels, churches and graveyards to its former patrons and men of industry, Bideford is revealed to be a town of historic importance. You may think that you know Bideford, but take another look around and you will find more than you could possibly imagine.
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Secret Crawley and Gatwick
by Tina Brown
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The Crawley and Gatwick area is fascinating and both have seen a great many changes. Gatwick Airport is central to this area, but has anyone stopped to think about its ancient Roman ironworks and how Crawley developed as a market town from the thirteenth century onwards? Crawley has always been known as a trade route with good connections both to the city of London and the coast at Brighton, so its location has always been important. The coming of the railways brought prosperity to Crawley and saw its first major expansion, as well as the development of Gatwick Racecourse and the original Gatwick airfield, which has now been swallowed by today's airport. After the Second World War, the town was designated a 'new town' and saw a vast increase in population and building, becoming one of the most important business and employment centres in south-east England. Crawley also has many buildings of historical importance dating back to the fifteenth century, and many Grade I and II listed buildings. Settlements close by on the Weald that are served by Crawley also have many secrets and stories connected to them, including numerous historical churches and manor houses. Secret Crawley & Gatwick brings the history of this area to life, highlighting that there is a whole lot more to it than just the airport.
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Secret Forest of Dean
by Mark Turner
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Gloucestershire's majestic Forest of Dean lies within a triangle between the River Severn on its east side and the famous Wye Valley on its west. Evidence of the first humans here is provided by the presence of megalithic standing stones from the Bronze Age; several hillforts survive from the Iron Age; and there are numerous signs of Roman occupation as they set about exploiting the area's natural reserves, iron-smelting and coal mining. In the medieval period, the Forest was used mainly as a royal hunting ground. By the seventeenth century, however, it was primarily used to provide timber for the ships of the Royal Navy. It was in this century, too, that the district became the setting for military activity and conflict during Civil War. From the eighteenth century, coal mining grew rapidly, providing employment for many. For most of the district's inhabitants, however, the Forest was a place of toil, danger and grinding poverty. A network of tramroads and railways through the Forest was created in the nineteenth century. As the twentieth century progressed, the economic mining of Forest coal became less viable, and by the mid-1960s the last of the big pits had closed. Most of the Forest's railway lines, too, have closed. Today the district is a popular base for visitors seeking to explore the ancient Forest and neighbouring Wye Valley. Secret Forest of Dean picks out significant aspects of the area's history and landscape and explores its lesser-known episodes and characters.
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Secret Hereford
by David Phelps
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The history of Hereford began with the establishment of the Saxon St Guthlac's Monastery on the site of what is now Castle Green. Slightly later came the building of the cathedral, around AD 680. The cathedral city, destroyed by the Welsh and repaired by the Normans after 1066, was visited by Charles I, but its royal connections don't end there. Nell Gwynne, actress and mistress of Charles II, is said to have been born here in 1650. Today, Hereford extends far beyond the medieval walls. In Secret Hereford local author David Phelps takes the reader on an enlightening and entertaining journey through the city's lesser-known history, delving beneath the surface to reveal dark deeds and strange tales with long-forgotten facts and amusing stories. This book lifts the lid on the hidden secrets that even most local people don't know.
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Secret Oxford
by Andrew Sargent
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Oxford is identified with its university, and the university has certainly played a huge role in shaping the town. But the history of Oxford is much more than just a footnote to its colleges. The town was already old when the first scholars gathered there, and it has seen many major non-academic milestones, such as the founding of the hugely influential Morris works at Cowley by Lord Nuffield. Secret Oxford explores town and gown, the little-known facts as well as the well-known ones, and directs the reader – tourist or resident – to key locations and visible remains. Each well-illustrated chapter ends with a list of related things that must be seen. There are also a number of self-guided walks to help the reader experience the diverse flavour of the city and its history.
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Secret Northallerton
by Andrew Graham Stables
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Northallerton is the county town of North Yorkshire, and its location – situated in James Herriot Country and between the two national parks of the North Yorkshire Moors and the Yorkshire Dales – makes it a popular destination for visitors. As well as being a thriving market town, it has a long and impressive history stretching back to Roman times. Northallerton suffered over the years from raids by the Scots and it was near to the town that English forces assembled in 1138 for the Battle of the Standard, a significant battle in the long-running conflict with the Scots. Although William I chose to base his army here in 1068, it was the powerful Bishops of Durham who made the town an important ecclesiastical administration centre and built a residence to take full advantage of its location on the main route between Durham and York. Northallerton's position on the Great North Road also meant that it became a stopping point for coaches between London and Scotland. It developed into a centre for trade and communications, something that continued with the arrival of the railways in the 1840s. In Secret Northallerton author Andrew Graham Stables delves deep into the rich heritage of the town to uncover the stories and some lesser-known facts about the place, its people and events across the centuries. This book will explore the sites of the early history of the town and how this affects its layout today, will reveal evidence of these early buildings and highlight some of the important and notable people who have contributed to the town's history.
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Secret Chislehurst
by Joanna Friel
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The name Chislehurst literally means 'a stony place in the woods'. A somewhat appropriate name to keep in mind as Joanna Friel explores the secrets of Chislehurst. Evidence of Chislehurst's rich heritage can be seen embedded throughout the streets of this district, highlighting that Chislehurst remains a special place of distinctive character. It is, indeed, no ordinary suburb. Using vast knowledge of the area, Joanna Friel provides her readers with a brilliant look into the secrets of the area. From visually obvious fragments of the past that still exist to those lesser-known facts. For instance, did you know that an ingenious communication system erected on the town's highest hill supposedly prevented an invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte, or that a local death sparked the ruin of a leader of the Irish Home Rule Movement? From locals looking for a nostalgic look back into their district to touring visitors, this book provides an excellent alternative view into the covert aspects of Chislehurst.
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Secret Pinner
by Thamar Maciver
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Pinner is now part of Greater London, but for most of its history it was an agricultural backwater, though one which experienced great changes. Pinner's past has many fascinating aspects. In the Middle Ages it was part of the Archbishop of Canterbury's huge manor of Harrow, and Headstone Manor and Pinner Park Farm preserve relics from this time. By the early nineteenth century Pinner had its own workhouse, toll gate and a stagecoach service to London. The railways brought prosperous Victorian and Edwardian commuters, whose families made Pinner their rural idyll. As others followed, the area was transformed with new stations, shopping centres and residential areas. Famous people associated with Pinner include Mrs Beeton and names associated with the arts and comedy such as William Heath Robinson and Ronnie Barker. Secret Pinner explores lesser-known episodes in Pinner's history including its first policemen, suffragettes and the family of agricultural labourers who gave their name to Rayners Lane. With tales of remarkable people, unusual events and tucked-away historical buildings, it will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this London suburb.
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Secret Loughton
by Michael Foley
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Loughton has a long history dating back to an Iron Age hill fort, Loughton Camp. The town also had an important role in the Tudor period when Loughton Hall was owned by Mary Tudor before she became Queen. The area was part of Epping Forest and was the site of a series of crimes associated with such a rural landscape. Being on the route of regular coaches from London to Cambridge, it was also an ideal place for highwaymen. The lure of easy money by robbery on the highway was too much of a temptation for a local butcher, Dick Turpin, who supposedly roasted a local widow over her own fire to find out where she had hidden her money.The area expanded in the nineteenth century with the coming of the railway. However the refusal of the company to offer cheap workingman's tickets led to the area remaining very middle class. During the Victorian period Loughton became popular with those of artistic and scientific interests, and some political reformers.Join author Michael Foley as he delves beneath the surface to reveal the real Secret Loughton.
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Secret Preston
by Keith Johnson
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The Anglo-Saxon town of Preston, whose name comes from the Old English for 'priest settlement', boasts evidence of even earlier Roman activity, such as the Roman road that led to Walton-le-Dale. Once home to a booming centuries-old cotton manufacturing centre, the decline of this industry after the First World War saw the city's fortunes decline markedly. Over the twentieth century, Preston, the buildings and the inhabitants have witnessed countless changes. From the fire that destroyed the Victorian town hall in 1947 to the modern Guild Hall built in 1972, Preston contains many interesting gems, both old and new. Secret Preston goes behind the familiar scenes to discover the lesser-known stories of the city's fascinating past, brought to life by revealing images of the past and present.
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Secret Middlesbrough
by Paul Chrystal
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Middlesbrough may have only been a hamlet in the early nineteenth century, but that all changed with the arrival of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, which led to the former farmstead soon becoming a cauldron of industrial activity. It is also home to many impressive works of architecture that are recognised the world over, including the truly iconic Transporter Bridge and Tees Newport Bridge, both living, and still working, testaments to the town's industrial past. Middlesbrough can also boast an impressive musical and artistic heritage, being the birthplace of Chris Rea and Paul Rodgers, and home to the world-famous Linthorpe Pottery gallery and the unique Christopher Dresser collection in the Dorman Museum. Yet there is much that is less well known and more obscure in this historical town by the Tees: Secret Middlesbrough delves into this hidden past and reveals tantalising tales, traditions and trivia that will fascinate and inform anyone interested in what is still one of the great towns of the north.
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Secret Colchester
by Patrick Denney
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Much has been written about Colchester's rich historical past, from the Iron Age settlement and the coming of the Romans, the Norman castle, the woollen cloth trade, the Siege of Colchester and many more notable events through to the present day. But the town's history has so much more to offer, particularly with regard to its more recent past, and in this present volume the reader will be taken off the beaten track and into the less well-known aspects of the town's history.From tales of interesting characters, both respectable and otherwise, strange events and hidden-away architectural gems, Secret Colchester will prove to be a must-have for everyone's bookshelf. Author Patrick Denney is a leading local historian and the book will certainly appeal to those with an interest in the history of Colchester, but also very much to the casual reader who wishes to learn more about this fascinating and historical corner of Essex.
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Secret Sheffield
by Ian D. Rotherham
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Sheffield is the fourth largest city in England and was where the Industrial Revolution began in earnest. It is renowned for its high-quality steel and fine cutlery, for its two large universities and for having the biggest shopping centre in Europe, yet there is so much more to know about this proud South Yorkshire city. In Secret Sheffield, the authors pull back the carpet of history to reveal what lurks beneath. They delve into Sheffield's murky and mysterious past, its dark secrets and forgotten tales, introducing us to some interesting characters along the way.
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Secret Southwark and Blackfriars
by Kristina Bedford
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Intimately linked as twin hubs of the Elizabethan entertainment industry north and south of the Thames, Blackfriars' and Southwark's shared history emerged from opposing forces and ancient geographic personalities. First settled by the Romans, and surviving numerous invasions and conflagrations, the 'Town of Southwark' enjoyed independent self-government until granted to the City of London by King Edward III in 1327, to empower the extradition of felons taking sanctuary south of the river, while Bankside fell under the less restrictive jurisdiction of the Bishop of Winchester, making it a magnet for pleasure seekers. By contrast, the piecemeal selling and leasing of medieval Blackfriars Priory following the Dissolution of the Monasteries led to one wing's transformation into an indoor theatre opposite the open-air Globe, with both closed in 1642 at the outbreak of Civil War. In Secret Southwark and Blackfriars author Kristina Bedford explores pleasure, politics and much more, rediscovering a past that bubbles under the present-day cityscape.
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Secret Seaford
by Kevin Gordon
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The quiet Sussex town of Seaford, halfway between Eastbourne and Brighton, is often overlooked as a holiday destination but it has an abundant and fascinating history. Seaford can boast an Iron Age hill fort on the cliffs at Seaford Head. Over the centuries the town has been a bustling Cinque Port, a quiet seaside backwater, a centre for education, a garrison town, and a target for enemy action. At one time the people of Seaford were known as the 'cormorants' or 'shags' because of their enthusiasm for looting ships wrecked in the bay, and local legend has it that residents would, on occasion, cause ships to run aground by placing fake harbour lights on the cliffs.Local author and historian Kevin Gordon takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the town's past, unearthing tales of intrigue and grisly goings-on as he reveals the murkier side of Seaford's heritage. Along the way we are introduced to the great, the good and the bad, and the famous and infamous characters who have all played a part in its lore and legends.
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Secret Yeovil
by Bob Osborn
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The Somerset town of Yeovil has deep historical roots, and its ancient streets hide many secrets. Well-known local author Bob Osborn takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the town's past, unearthing tales of intrigue and grisly goings-on as he reveals the murkier side of Yeovil's heritage. Along the way we are introduced to the great, the good and the bad, and the famous and infamous characters who have all played a part in its lore and legends. Fully illustrated with photographs from the past and present, Secret Yeovil delves beneath the surface of this old glove-making town, revealing a lesser-known past that even most local people don't know.
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Secret Falkirk
by Jack Gillon
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Falkirk is a small town with a big history. Its strategic location, at the crossroads of lowland Scotland, contributed to its key role in Scotland's history. The Romans were the first to make a significant mark on the district, William Wallace and Bonnie Prince Charlie fought the English nearby, cattle were driven from all over Scotland to the great trysts in the area, central Scotland's canals came together at Camelon, and local foundries fuelled the Industrial Revolution. Secret Falkirk delves into the town's past and offers an insight into aspects of its fascinating history that may not be familiar to many Falkirk Bairns.
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Secret Chelmsford
by Jim Reeve
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The city of Chelmsford has, over the centuries, had its fair share of secrets. Secret Chelmsford sets out to uncover some of these and bring them out into the light of day, including secrets of the first prisons in Chelmsford, built in 1658 by the side of where the stone bridge is now. The original cathedral, which was built in the thirteenth century, stood tall and proud until darkness fell on 17 January 1800 when gravediggers became responsible for the collapse of the church roof. In Secret Chelmsford Jim Reeve takes the reader on a unique journey to discover the history of this famous city.
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Secret Scunthorpe
by Morgan Broadbent
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Scunthorpe is the third largest settlement in Lincolnshire and is the administrative centre of the North Lincolnshire unitary authority. People have been living in the area for hundreds of years and making use of the local natural resource of ironstone. The town really began to thrive from the mid-nineteenth century thanks to the Industrial Revolution – between 1851 and 1901 the population had grown from 1,245 to 11,167. However, Scunthorpe has far more to it than its industrial heritage. It actually has a, perhaps unexpected, past that dates right back to the Stone Age. In Secret Scunthorpe local author Morgan Broadbent delves into this long history, revealing little-known stories and shedding light on aspects that deserve a greater amount of historical appreciation.
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Secret Inverness
by Gregor Stewart
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The city of Inverness sits at the northerly end of the Great Glen, a fault line in the earth's crust that runs from one side of Scotland to the other. The current city's origins date back to Pictish times; however there is evidence of the area being habited long before then, with the Clava Cairns, which sit just a short distance from the city, dating back to between 1500 and 200 BC, giving it a long and often forgotten history. Inverness has connections with several major figures in early Scottish history including St Columba, who 'tamed' the fabled Loch Ness Monster; MacBeth, who lived in a castle in the city; and David I, who built the first stone castle on the site of the earlier timber stronghold. The city grew to become an important trading port, which in turn brought conflict with others including the Vikings and Clan MacDonald, the Earls of the Isles. Despite this the city continued to grow, yet due to its remoteness from Edinburgh it was notable for not bowing to the political powers of the country. This was perhaps best demonstrated when Mary, Queen of Scots visited and was forced to stay in a small house after having been refused entry to the castle.The 'Capital of the Highlands' has many secrets just waiting to be discovered. In Secret Inverness, author Gregor Stewart pulls back the curtains of history to peer into the distant and not-so-distant past to reveal the forgotten, the strange and the unlikely.
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Secret Swansea
by Lisa Tippings
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
The history of the south Wales city of Swansea stretches back to the establishment of a Viking trading post at the mouth of the River Tawe, and the settlement was granted a charter following the Norman Conquest. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the town grew rapidly through the development of coal mining and copper smelting in the area and is today the second largest city in Wales. In this book local author Lisa Tippings reveals the hidden history of Swansea, from its medieval and industrial past to the present day. From stories of intrigue and murder, shipwrecks off the coast, the Victorian asylum, the many places of worship and drinking establishments, to its literary and artistic connections, not least Dylan Thomas, its role in the women's suffrage movement and its industrial heritage in which pottery played an important role alongside copper production, Swansea has a rich and varied past. Secret Swansea explores the lesser-known episodes and characters in the history of the city through the centuries. With tales of remarkable people and unusual events and fully illustrated throughout, it will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this city in south Wales.
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Secret Greenwich
by David C. Ramzan
Part of the Secret (Amberley Publishing) series
Greenwich's position on the River Thames has drawn many people to this fascinating area of south-east London over the years. This book delves into the history of Greenwich, detailing intriguing and lesser-known facts associated with many of its famous landmarks and intriguing sites. Topics covered include royal localities and the little-told stories behind them; green spaces including gardens, parks and graveyards; underground tunnels, caves and hideaways; residents of Greenwich noted for their heroics or villainy; river traders upon which Greenwich's maritime and trading enterprises depended; and its sporting heritage, including the origins of sports that evolved and were first established in Greenwich.Secret Greenwich, by local historian David C. Ramzan, contains many colourful stories to enliven these little-known facts about Greenwich.