Ye Olde Guide

Welcome to Nottingham, where rebellion runs deep.  In this first part of our mini-series, we dive into the city's tangled history of politics and protest, from Nottingham Castle's royal showdowns to Luddite uprisings in Market Square, riots in St Ann's and the rise of justice in unexpected places.  We meet England's first black magistrate, explore the Galleries of Justice, and uncover how Nottingham helped spark the English Civil War.Visit our website yeoldeguide.com for details of all our episodes.  Don't forget to leave feedback.Send us a text

In this special episode of YeOldeGuide, we delve into the fascinating history of England's forgotten settlements. Despite being a small and crowded island, some important towns have faded into obscurity or vanished entirely. Where were these missing settlements, and why did they disappear?Join us as we welcome historian Daniel Gooch back to the studio for an insightful discussion on the Lost Cities of England.  Our discussion includes:Dunwich: Once a thriving settlement with a population of over 3000, Dunwich now has only 84 residents. Coastal erosion has dramatically reshaped this town, making it a shadow of its former self.Old Sarum: Now an English Heritage site, Old Sarum was once a significant settlement. Discover its history and why it became virtually non-existent.Silchester: With a current population of 921, Silchester has Roman roots and significant wallsWinchelsea: Although not entirely lost, Winchelsea never grew to the aspirations of its planners.  Today it offers a great opportunity to see a planned town layout.  Join us for an enjoyable exploration of these intriguing locations. Are these settlements truly lost, or do they still hold a place in England's historical tapestry? Tune in to find out!Send us a text

Brighton – the regency city by the sea, which grew from a sleepy fishing town into a centre of Georgian leisure, initially as a spa town, but later as a centre for entertainment favoured by the Prince Regent himself.  As train loads of tourists replaced royalty, Brighton grew into one of England's largest Victorian seaside resorts. In part 2 we discuss Arts & Culture and Urban LandscapeFollowing from part 1, where we learned how Brighton became a top seaside resort, we talk about its cultural influence: a place of music, film, LGBT culture and food.  We then discuss the architecture of Brighton including the Royal Pavilion and piers and the regency estates.Visit yeoldeguide.com to find out more about the podcast and hear other episodesSend us a text

Brighton – the regency city by the sea, which grew from a sleepy fishing town into a centre of Georgian leisure, initially as a spa town, but later as a centre for entertainment favoured by the Prince Regent himself.  As train loads of tourists replaced royalty, Brighton grew into one of England's largest Victorian seaside resorts. In part 1 we discuss Politics and War, and Science and Industry. In this episode we explore the royal connections, and the sometimes dubious medicinal industry that attracted visitors in the 18th century.  Perhaps less well known, is Brighton's connection with an earlier King and one of the greatest escapes of all time.   The second episode will cover Culture and the Urban Landscape of Brighton, and will be released in two weeks.Visit yeoldeguide.com to find out more about the podcast and hear other episodesSend us a text

From 1066 to 1500 towns and cities in England transformed beyond recognition.  The Norman conquest brought stability, trade and resources and the construction of large castles and cathedrals.   Towns became the economic focus of their rural hinterlands. Meanwhile, a generation of hundreds of planned towns emerged with involvement from  King Edward I himself. Medieval towns had to survive the Black Death, Fires and dramatic changes in economic fortunes.  We will discover the largest settlements in the medieval period and see how their fortunes  changed.Whilst cathedrals, castles, guildhalls and town walls would dominate architecturally, ordinary citizens lived in filth and squalor with limited sanitation and constant risk to health.  This was however a period in which early governance emerged and towns developed limited autonomy.Join us on our exploration of the origins and development of English cities.  If you haven't listened already, the episode Settling in Stone: Tracing the First Steps of British Towns traces the very beginning of settlement in Great Britain.Send us a text

After a brief historical overview our podcast explores the city in four categories:Politics & War: the royal connections to the ancient cathedral including Catherine of Aragon and Mary Queen of ScotsScience & Industry: a city expanded by railway industry, brickmaking, and engines. Two pioneering female scientists.Arts & Culture: The Peterborough Chronicle, a key national record, and insight into the evolution of the English languageUrban landscape: a new town joined onto a historic city centre home to one of the great cathedrals of EnglandAs ever, we will give our opinions on the city and scores for historic interest.Send us a text

Join us on a historical tour of Liverpool.  World famous for The Beatles and its football clubs, Liverpool has a rich and influential history and magnificent architectural heritage.  Ye Olde Guide explores the history of English towns and cities in four categories: Politics & War, Arts & Culture, Science & Industry, and Urban Landscape.  In the fourth of four parts covering Liverpool we'll explore the rich architecture of the city, including the monumental Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture.  Liverpool has one of the largest Georgian centres in the country, a mercantile banking district and the famous three graces by the waterfront.  We will discuss St Georges Hall, the two magnificent cathedrals, and the legacy of the enormous shipping industry.  We will explore how housing conditions changed over the centuries.We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on the episode.  Please get in touch by visiting yeoldeguide.com or tweet us @yeoldeguideSend us a text

Join us on a historical tour of Liverpool.  World famous for The Beatles and its football clubs, Liverpool has a rich and influential history and magnificent architectural heritage.  Ye Olde Guide explores the history of English towns and cities in four categories: Politics & War, Arts & Culture, Science & Industry, and Urban Landscape.  In the third of four parts on Liverpool we'll be covering the industrial history of Liverpool, including the essential role of Liverpool's docks in world trade.  The wealth brought by the docks led to large infrastructure development such as the Liveprool Overhead Railway and numerous tunnels.Don't miss episodes one and two, which told the story of migration, the role of Liverpool in the second world war and enormous musical influence.We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on the episode.  Please get in touch by visiting yeoldeguide.com or tweet us @yeoldeguideSend us a Text Message.

Explore the fascinating history of the impact of the Olympic games on English towns and cities. The history of venues from the groundbreaking White City Stadium built for the 1908 Olympics, to the 2012 Aquatics Centre. Delve into the transformation of venues over the years, including the use of military facilities in the 1948 "Austerity Olympics" and the extensive regeneration projects for the 2012 London Games. Discover the stories behind iconic locations like Wembley Stadium, the role of private clubs, and the lasting legacies of these monumental events. Join us for an engaging journey through Olympic history, architecture, and urban development.Ye Olde Guide is a podcast is a living history of the towns and cities of England.  Find out more, and get in touch at yeoldeguide.comSend us a Text Message.

Join us on a historical tour of Liverpool.  World famous for The Beatles and its football clubs, Liverpool has a rich and influential history and magnificent architectural heritage.  Ye Olde Guide explores the history of English towns and cities in four categories: Politics & War, Arts & Culture, Science & Industry, and Urban Landscape.  In the second of four parts on Liverpool we'll be covering the incredible musical history of Liverpool including Merseybeat and waves of musical innovation covering half a century.  We will also be talking about the football teams, horseracing and Liverpool's fantastic art.   Don't miss episode one, which told the story of migration, the role of Liverpool in the second world war and the turbulent politics of the cityIn later episodes we will be exploring the industry of Liverpool's vast docks, and remarkable architecture around the city.  We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on the episode.  Please get in touch by visiting yeoldeguide.com or tweet us @yeoldeguideSend us a Text Message.

Join us on a historical tour of Liverpool.  World famous for The Beatles and its football clubs, Liverpool has a rich and influential history and magnificent architectural heritage.  Ye Olde Guide explores the history of English towns and cities in four categories: Politics & War, Arts & Culture, Science & Industry,  and Urban Landscape.  In the first of four parts on Liverpool we will be giving a brief historical overview before exploring our first category Politics and War.  We will discuss the role of immigration on Liverpool, giving rise to its large Irish, Caribbean and Chinese communities amongst others.  We will discuss the politics of twentieth century Liverpool and its legacy both in local urban planning and national politics.  We will be discussing the crucial role Liverpool played in the second world war and historical associations with the American Civil War.  In later episodes we will be exploring the music of Liverpool, the vast docks, and remarkable architecture around the city.  We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on the episode.  Please get in touch by visiting yeoldeguide.com or tweet us @yeoldeguide

Museums are at the heart of storytelling for towns and cities.  We discuss how the scope, excitement and emersion of local museums helps narrate the history of urban development and culture.  Our conversation explores the significance of local museums in preserving culture and democratising history. It delves into the presentation of town history, highlighting examples such as York Castle Museum and Sea City in Southampton. Fun and uniqueness aspects are also discussed, featuring Ipswich Museum and Black Country Living Museum. Additionally, the podcast touches on the scope of museums, including their coverage of various topics beyond local matters such as Coventry and Hull transport museums, and the immersive experiences offered by museums like Milestones in Basingstoke and Black Country Living Museum.

Discover Southampton's rich history – from its Saxon roots and pivotal role in medieval trade to its emergence as a major port in the 19th century. Explore the city's political ties, maritime connections, and the profound impact of the Titanic sinking. Southampton's cultural landscape includes the influential International Boat Show, connections to entertainment through Benny Hill and UK Garage. While medieval remnants add historical charm, post-war rebuilding has altered the city's visual continuity. Join us as we delve into Southampton's past, present, and its unique identity as a maritime hub.For more details visit yeoldeguide.com

Embark on a journey through time with Ye Olde Guide as we delve into the origins of English towns. In this episode, we unravel the practical and theoretical definitions of urban life, tracing its evolution from the late Stone Age to the Norman Conquest. Discover how early communities transformed from nomadic tribal settlements to clustered focal points with hints of unified governance. Explore the archaeological evidence that sheds light on prehistoric permanent housing, causewayed enclosures, Bronze Age settlements, Iron Age hillforts, and Roman towns. Uncover the stories behind Roman civitates, Saxon burghs, and trading wics, and witness how towns shaped the landscape before and after the Norman conquest. Join us as we uncover the foundations of English towns, where communal living and urban planning began to shape the course of history.

Welcome to Ye Olde Guide.  In this episode we are exploring Stoke-on-Trent including:Its renowned pottery industry, which thrived due to the factory system and the influence of Josiah Wedgwood. Pottery played a significant role in shaping the city's population and character. A proud musical legacy, with famous musicians like Robbie Williams hailing from Stoke-on-Trent. Williams' connection to his hometown is evident in his songs and his support for the local football club, Port Vale.Exploring a unique polycentric city, formed by the federation of six separate towns. The political decision to unify the towns was driven by the need for coordinated public services and amenities.Inevitably, we will mention a famous footballer...Visit www.yeoldeguide.com for more information about the podcast

From its esteemed position in political history to its thriving cultural scene, Cambridge has something for everyone. In this episode, we'll take you on a journey through five categories that showcase the city's unique heritage:Politics & War: Discover how Cambridge played a key role in British politics and produced 14 prime ministers.   Plus, a gruesome artefact of another leader...Culture: a major influence on British comedy and sport.Science and Industry: Cambridge is home to some of the most important scientific discoveries in history, which are celebrated in a range of world-class museums and institutions.Urban Landscape: Cambridge is a city dominated by university buildings that represent nearly all styles of architecture to be found in Britain. We'll take a closer look at some of the city's most iconic landmarks and how the university shaped its urban landscape.Reality vs expectations.  How does Cambridge match up to its fame?Comments and feedback are always welcome on our website yeoldeguide.com or on Twitter @yeoldeguide.Join us for an insightful and entertaining journey through the history of Cambridge!

What are the festive traditions of the towns and cities of England?  We revisit some of the towns we've visited on the podcast to explore how Christmas has been celebrated over the ages.We wish all our listeners a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

A podcast guide to the history and heritage of Warrington.Warrington is not usually on the tourist trail but nevertheless boasts abundant history:A key river crossing point leading to the town being a key location in the English Civil war The centre of many industries which have left a legacy on the Warrington skylineThe location of early innovations in water and rail transportHome of a famous horseA town greatly expanded in the twentieth century, but with an architecturally rich Victorian core 

Welcome to Ye Olde Guide, a fact-filled historical tour of the towns and cities of England.In this episode we are visiting the contiguous towns of Windsor and Eton.  Windsor has been the centre of royal power in Britain for much of the past millennium, while Eton's scholars have occupied a central place in political and cultural life. In this episode we will discover:- The history of Windsor Castle and its royal occupants- How Eton College was pivotal in the codification of sport- The role of tourism in Windsor - from pilgrimage to LegoAnd much more.We hope you enjoy the episode

Welcome to Ye Olde Guide to Kingston Upon Hull, usually known simply as Hull.  This podcast guide to Hull provides a historical guide to Hull including places to see in the city todayIn this episode we will discover:-        Hull's famous MP William Wilberforce, who spearheaded the abolition of slavery, and who's home became a fantastic museum-        The history of one of Britain's most important ports and the industry that sprung around it-        Cream phone boxes and the world's longest bridge span-        An eclectic range of musicians such as The Beautiful South and famous poets such as Phillip Larkin-        How a remarkable Old Town sits alongside modern architecture rising from the ashes of the Blitz-        An array from architectural gems including Hull Minster and The Deep

Join Ye Olde Guide on an historic tour of Shrewsbury. A town which may have one of the best preserved historic centres in England, numerous listed buildings of interest and the birthplace of one of the greatest scientists in history.The podcast explores the history of Shrewsbury in five categories:Politics & War: how the geography of Shrewsbury led to it being at the heart of historic Anglo-Welsh conflict, and the site of numerous gruesome battlesScience & Industry: the birthplace of Charles Darwin, an important pre-industrial market centre, and  the grandfather of skyscrapersArts & Culture: Flowers, Georgian flaneurs and an esteemed literary traditionUrban Landscape: a guide to the large medieval street plan and timber framed Tudor buildings of Shrewsbury, its castle, abbey and numerous important buildings.Relatively vs expectations: how we enjoyed a visit to Shrewsbury.  Did it live up to expectations?Please leave any comments, suggestions and ideas at yeoldeguide.com

Ye Olde Guide is visiting Lancaster, a city with a famous name, ancient history, well known for its castle, yet almost forgotten as a centre of global trading power.In politics & war - the House of Lancaster is a recognisable name, but Lancaster saw little action in the Wars of the Roses.  It was a bigger stage in Anglo-Scottish conflict including a raid by Robert the Bruce.For culture we explore the legacy of the Pendle Witch trials, where the testimony of children was allowed for the first time and fed a trans-Atlantic hysteria.  Today its historic buildings host music and arts festivals.For science & industry we focus on Lancaster's maritime history, explored so well today in its museums and the Slave Trade, Abolition and Fair Trade trailFinally we visit Lancaster's stunning Georgian heritage and remarkable buildings including the Lancaster Castle and Ashton MemorialPlease leave your thoughts on the episode, and anything we've missed on Lancaster on the website yeoldeguide.com

Join us as we visit Lincoln.Famous for its castle and cathedral we explore the history of Lincoln.  Boasting what may well have been the world's tallest building, the nation's steepest urban hill, and the site of key battles in the history of England, Lincoln is a city packed with historical buildings.  Please see our website yeoldeguide.com for more details and to leave feedback

Welcome to Ye Olde Guide, a podcast about the history of English towns and cities.In this episode we visit Birtain's oldest town founded by the Romans, who built some of the largest and best preserved ancient buildings in Britain.  We discuss the incredible city walls, the Norman castle, Roman theatres, and a fantastic variety of museums to keep any visitor entertained.Ye Olde Guide explores Colchester in five categories to find the less well known stories:Culture: the birth of nursery rhymes and major Britpop bandPolitics & war - where to start??? Britain's first town, and town affected by wars and destruction ever sinceScience & Industry: Oysters and the man who redefined the structure of planet EarthUrban Landscape: the incredible Roman buildings, castle and museums you can visit todayAnd much more...Please visit our website yeoldeguide.com and don't forget to subscribe

Join us as we explore the history of Wakefield

Ye Olde Guide is a podcast tour of the history of English towns, including buildings, museums and attractions you can visit today.  In Great Yarmouth episode we explore the unique and historic seaside resort stretching along a golden mile of Norfolk coast.  Beyond the the incredible seaside attractions, we will learn about the world leading Herring trade, which made Yarmouth one of the wealthiest towns in the land in the middle ages. Our trip to the seaside includes:- A ride one of the world's most unique and historic roller coasters- Exploring the massive Herring industry- World's oldest football stand in use- The original Nelson's column celebrating the local naval hero- A visit to a medieval town centre and city wallsCheck out our website yeoldeguide.com

Ye Olde Guide is a podcast about the history of English towns and cities.Join us in Chester, a city where the history is embedded in the buildings you can see.We will be discussing Chester's status as a key Roman fort, its significance as a regional capital throughout the Saxon period and beyond.  We will discuss the remains of Roman Chester, its city walls and its unique multi-storey shopping arcades.  Plus much more.Visit out website: yeoldeguide.com

Ye Olde Guide is a podcast about the history of English towns and cities.A superbly preserved Georgian resort town owing its existence to unique geology, Bath is one of the most visited cities in England.  We will explore its incredible architecture and much more including :How the city provided creative scenery throughout the ages, from Saxon poetry, to Jane Austen, Thomas Gainsborough and Les Misérables;The event in Bath that provided the blueprint for the British coronation ceremonies to this day;The first discovery of a new planet in a Bath back garden.And of course the unique buildings that form the most complete surviving Georgian city, and how they came to be.Visit us at yeoldeguide.com

Ye Olde Guide is a podcast about the history of English towns and cities.In this episode we're alighting at Swindon. In the first category Culture, we'll discover England's first lending library and the industrial pop album inspired by Swindon's railway heritage.For Politics & War we'll hear about prisoners of war, and how a Swindon institution inspired the foundation of the NHS.In Science & Industry, we'll discover Swindon's place in railway history and how the railway works literally created the modern town.For Urban Heritage, the remarkable, multifunctional preservation of Swindon's railway heritage.And yes, we will be talking a lot about trains in this episode as well as giving our all-important scores in each category.  Let us know what you think of the podcast and check out the website companion yeoldeguide.com.  But now all aboard and journey with us to Swindon.

Ye Olde Guide is a podcast about the history of English towns and cities.In this episode we're uncovering the hidden history of Reading, Berkshire. We'll discuss Oscar Wilde's imprisonment, Jane Austen's school and one of the oldest popular music festivals in the world. We'll uncover the lost burial place of an English King, and the only major battle in the last successful invasion of Britain.We'll hear about the legacy of Huntley & Palmers, once the largest biscuit manufacturer in the world, visit the regenerated Abbey Quarter, Reading Gaol and the exceptional patterned brickwork that adorns Reading's buildingsThis episode contains some real surprises.  So join us as we celebrate our own festival of Reading.

Ye Olde Guide is a podcast about the history of English towns and cities.  In this first episode we're visiting the midlands city of Coventry.   See the extensive show notes and guide map at yeoldeguide.com  In the first category culture we will discuss Lady Godiva's naked ride through the city, the birth of two-tone, and Coventry's essential place in the history of British multiculturalism.  For politics and war we'll be talking The Blitz, the world wars and the turbulent period when Coventry was said to have acted as the capital of England!  In the third category science and industry we'll hear how Coventry's rise and fall in car manufacturing gained it the label ‘the Detroit of England'.Finally for urban heritage we bring you the tale of three cathedrals, not quite-lost medieval heritage and ground-breaking 20th century urban regenerationThank you for joining us and we really hope you enjoy this first episode as we send you to Coventry.

Start here! This short introduction explains how we plan to structure the podcast.For more details see the website: yeoldeguide.com