Christopher Winn – författare

The inspiration for the primetime ITV series on Great Britain, this is the ultimate journey around Scotland from bestselling author Christopher Winn. Travelling county by county, this irresistible miscellany unearths the enthralling stories, firsts, birthplaces, legends and inventions that shape the country's rich and majestic history. To uncover the spellbinding tales that lie hidden within Scotland's wild and romantic shores, to experience what inspired the country's powerful literature and towering castles, and to tread in the footsteps of her villains and victors, is to capture the spirit of this fascinating country and bring every place you visit to life. You will discover the story of the original 'sweetheart', John Balliol, whose embalmed heart is buried beside his devoted wife Devorgilla at Sweetheart Abbey in Kirkcudbrightshire. In Aberdeen you will find the only granite cathedral in the world. And you will hear the haunting echo of the Bear Gates of Traquair House in Peeblesshire were slammed shut when Bonnie Prince Charlie left Scotland in 1746 - legend has it that they will never be re-opened until a Stuart King once more sits on the throne. This beautifully illustrated treasure trove of interesting facts about the history of Scotland is the perfect gift, and will act as an eye-opening guide to this thrilling, alluring and ever-bewitching country.

Bestselling author Christopher Winn takes us on a captivating journey around London to discover the unknown tales of our capital's history. Travelling through the villages and districts that make up the world's most dynamic metropolis I Never Knew That About London unearths the hidden gems of legends, firsts, inventions, adventures and birthplaces that shape the city's compelling, and at times, turbulent past. See the Chelsea river views that inspired Turner in his final years and find out where London's first nude statue is. Explore London's finest country house in Charlton and unearth the secrets of the Mother of Parliaments . Spy out the village that gave its name to a car and the Russian word for railway station. Discover which church steeple gave us the design of the traditional wedding cake, where the sandwich was invented and where in Bond Street you can see London's oldest artefact. Visit the house where Handel and Jimi Hendrix both lived. Climb the famous 311 steps of the Monument, go from East to West and back again at Greenwich and fly the world's biggest big wheel.Brimming with facts, stories and snippets providing a spellbinding insight into the history of London, this beautifully illustrated gem of a book is guaranteed to inform and amuse in equal measure.

Bestselling author Christopher Winn takes us on an intriguing journey through Britain's largest county, uncovering the hidden places, legends, secrets and fascinating characters of this unique and compelling piece of England. From England's largest vale and northern Europe's largest gothic cathedral to Britain's oldest city, Yorkshire is home to some of Britain's best architecture, most ravishing scenery and is the cradle of some of our country's most influential and individual characters. You will discover the only clog factory in the world, the first English actor to win an Oscar, the world's oldest association football club and largest expanse of medievel stained glass. This gem of a book will act as a wonderfully surprising and highly entertaining guide to one of England's best loved counties.

Bestselling author Christopher Winn takes us on a fascinating journey through the Lake District, that majestic landscape in Cumbria beloved of poets and tourists, hill walkers, seekers of scenic beauty and those who mess about in boats. Learn about the hidden places, the secrets and legends, wild characters and human stories that haunt England's most mountainous region - from England's wettest place to the country's highest point, from the birthplace of Postman Pat to the resting place of Poet Laureates.

Take the ultimate trip around IrelandBestselling author Christopher Winn takes us on a fascinating journey around Ireland, to discover the tales buried deep in Irish history. Packed full of myths and legends, firsts, birthplaces, inventions and adventures, this fact book visits each of the four provinces - Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connaught - and unearths the hidden gems that each county in these provinces holds. Discover where people and ideas were born, where dreams were inspired and where the unforgettable figures of Ireland's past now slumber. You'll be able to visit the holy mountain, Croagh Patrick in Country Mayo, where St Patrick is said to have driven all the snakes in Ireland into the sea. At Lismore Castle in County Waterford you will uncover the bathroom dedicated to Fred Astaire, whose sister Adele was the hugely popular Chatelaine of Lismore in the 1930s and 40s. On the winter solstice you can bathe in the sunlight that fills the burial chamber at Newgrange, County Meath - the oldest solar observatory in the world. This irresistible compendium of facts and stories will give you a captivating insight into the Irish, and the ideas and events that have shaped the individual identity of every place you visit, and will have you exclaiming again and again: 'Well, I never knew that!'

Bestselling author Christopher Winn takes us on a captivating journey out of London along the banks of the River Thames to discover the secrets and stories of England's most famous waterway. Discover the Thames's literary heritage at Pangbourne, near Reading, famous as the home of The Wind in the Willows's Kenneth Grahame, then explore Mapledurham House, the inspiration for its famous Toad Hall. Explore Henley-on-Thames, where the first Oxford and Cambridge boat races were held, then marvel at Southend Pier, the longest pleasure pier in the world.As he follows the river from source to sea, visiting its towns, villages and places of interest, Winn unearths a fascinating array of facts, folklore, landmarks and legends that are guaranteed to have you exclaiming 'I Never Knew That!'. Illustrated with line drawings this charming gem of a book is guaranteed to inform and delight in equal measure.

This delightful guide to England, organised county by county, is now published in lavishly illustrated format. Alongside the charming black and white drawings of the original edition now sit gorgeous colour photographs of rolling hills, famous monuments and hidden treasures, plus quirky posters from a bygone age.Crammed with interesting facts and enthralling stories, Christopher Winn once again takes us on a journey round England, celebrating the people and places that make up the country - from history, legends and firsts to birthplaces and gossip. From Oakley Court in Berkshire, which served as the headquarters of French resistance during WW2, to Burghley House in Northamptonshire which grew the first tomatoes in Britain and north to Ripon, Britain's oldest city, this book offers a spellbinding insight into England, its people and its history.

Praise for the I Never Knew That Series'I never knew there was so much I never knew!' - GYLES BRANDRETH'Winn's touch is always light, and unfailingly interesting' - THE GUARDIANDiscover the incredible trivia and hidden stories of one of Britain's best loved destinations, Devon and CornwallDid you know…… The world’s first lift was installed at the Tresavean Mine in Cornwall in 1842… The oldest working lighthouse in England can be found in Devon… The first transatlantic radio signals were sent from CornwallWith more than 700 miles of coastline, two national parks and a never-ending debate over the correct way to prepare a cream tea, Devon and Cornwall are two of the best loved counties in Britain.In the latest in his bestselling I Never Knew That trivia series, Christopher Winn goes beyond the famous landmarks to root out the hidden places, legends and human stories of Devon and Cornwall.Featuring amazing facts as well as illustrations by artist Mai Osawa, this entertaining guide is the perfect holiday accompaniment to Britain’s favourite destination.

Praise for the I Never Knew That Series'I never knew there was so much I never knew!' - GYLES BRANDRETH'Winn's touch is always light, and unfailingly interesting' - THE GUARDIANEmbark on a spellbinding journey around Wales with bestselling author Christopher WinnDid you know…… The Gower peninsula was the first British landscape to be named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty… The last invasion of Britain took place at Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, in 1797… The Menai Bridge connecting Anglesey to Bangor is the world’s first iron suspension bridgeVisit St David’s, Britain's smallest city with its own twelfth-century cathedral slumbering in a sleepy hollow near the sea. Explore castles and fortresses from Chepstow and Beuamaris to Caernarvon, birthplace of the first Prince of Wales. Or browse through the world famous ‘town of books’ Hay-on-Wye.This irresistible compendium of interesting facts and good stories will give you a captivating insight into the people, ideas and events that have shaped this beautiful country. Featuring amazing facts as well as illustrations by artist Mai Osawa, this entertaining guide is the perfect accompaniment to a trip to Wales.

In I Never Knew That About New York Christopher Winn digs beneath the gleaming towers and mean streets of New York and discovers its secrets and its hidden treasures. Learn about the extraordinary people who built New York into one of the world's great cities in just 400 years. New York is one of the most photographed and talked about cities in the world but Winn unearths much that is unexpected and unremembered in this fast moving, ever changing metropolis where history is made on a daily basis!

We all love to be beside the seaside! Be it the crunch of the sand beneath your feet, or the promise of an unexplored rock pool that draws you to the sea, prepare to be whisked away by bestselling author Christopher Winn as you delve into the charming tales of England's coastline. Divided into eighteen chapters – one for each of the coastal counties in the UK – this book will entertain and illuminate, by casting new light on the many points of intrigue to be explored along 3000 miles of spectacularly diverse and historically rich English coast. Illustrated with beautiful black-and-white line drawings, by Mai Osawa, this book makes the perfect companion for any seaside outing. You’ll find yourself exclaiming again and again – I never knew that!

With the royal wedding around the corner, there no better time than the present to get acquainted with Royal BritainBestselling author Christopher Winn explores Britain's royal past, unearthing a rich legacy of castles and palaces, cathedrals and country retreats, battlefields and monuments where kings and queens lived and died. In this exploration of royal British history, discover whose heart is buried near the Tower of London; which palace was built on top of a mulberry garden; the world's oldest and largest occupied castle and the first building in Britain to have latrines.From the Palace of Scone to the Palace of Westminster, from Pembroke Castle, the birthplace of Henry VII, to Pontefract Castle, where Richard II starved to death, and from banqueting halls to beheading sites, this gem of a book is guaranteed to inform and amuse in equal measure.

In this lavishly illustrated book bestselling author Christopher Winn takes you on a captivating journey around London. Travelling through the villages and districts that made up the world's must dynamic metropolis, I Never Knew That About London unearths the hidden gems of legends, firsts, inventions, adventures and birthplaces that shape the city's sometimes turbulent past.See the Chelsea river views that inspired Turner in his final years. Explore London's finest country house in Charlton and unearth the secrets of the mother of Parliaments and discover the village that gave its name to a car and the Russian word for station. With gorgeous colour illustrations throughout, this miscellany reveals the steeple which became the model for the traditional wedding cake, the home of the sandwich, and the house which was home to Handel and Jimi Hendrix. Brimming with facts, stories and snippets, Winn provides a spellbinding insight into the history of London. This beautiful book is guaranteed to inform and amuse in equal measure.

The inspiration for the primetime ITV series on Great Britain, this is a spellbinding journey around Wales by bestselling author Christopher Winn. Packed full of legends, firsts, birthplaces, inventions and adventures, I Never Knew That About Wales visits the thirteen traditional Welsh counties and unearths the hidden gems that they each hold. Discover where history and legends happened; where people, ideas and inventions began; where dreams took flight; where famous figures were born and now rest. A glittering pantheon of writers and artists, thinkers and inventors, heroes and villains have lived and toiled in this small country. Remarkable events, noble (and dastardly) deeds and exciting adventures have all taken place with Wales as their backdrop. This book seeks out their heritage, their monuments, their memories and their secrets. You'll be able to visit Britain's smallest city, St David's with its glorious 12th-century cathedral slumbering in a sleepy hollow near the sea. Explore Britain's greatest collection of castles from the first stone fortress at Chepstow to Britain's finest concentric castle at Beaumaris and the magnificent Caernarvon, birthplace of the first Prince of Wales. Browse through the second hand book capital of the world, Hay-on-Wye, wander the glorious Gower peninsula, Britain's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Take a trip to Fishguard, where the last invasion of Britain took place in 1797. Marvel at Thomas Telford's Menai Bridge, the world's first iron suspension bridge or Pontcysyllte, the longest bridged aqueduct in Britain. This irresistible compendium of interesting facts and good stories will give you a captivating insight into the people, ideas and events that have shaped the individual identity of every place you visit, and will have you exclaiming again and again: 'Well, I never knew that!'

This charming book takes you through the counties of England, exploring Saxon churches, reflective of simple faith; Norman churches with rugged arches and powerful pillars, stamping their authority, gothic churches with their soaring arches; Decorated and Perpendicular churches made glorious with Early English style and craftsmanship; Victorian churches, resplendent with imperial pomp; eccentric Arts and Crafts churches. Every one of them has a remarkable tale to tell, that will move you to exclaim, again and again: ‘I never knew that!’.

'What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.' - W.H. DaviesWalking around London is one of life's great pleasures. There is a huge amount that you can only see on foot – but sometimes it is hard to know where to look. Luckily, Christopher Winn, bestselling author of I Never Knew That About London, knows where all the hidden treasures are. This book takes the reader on a series of stimulating original walks through different areas of central London, focusing on one particular period of history, the Victorian, so ubiquitous that we take it for granted, and yet so astonishing and so far reaching in its variety, imagination, ambition and detail.Discover.....the remarkable 300-foot bell tower at the Houses of Parliament you never knew was there.... ..the extraordinary fairytale house in Kensington where the Mikado was inspired.....the best Victorian loos in the world near Old Street... ..a hidden chapel in Bloomsbury described by Oscar Wilde as 'the most delightful private chapel in London'... ..London's best preserved high class Victorian shop near Tottenham Court Road… ...an almost complete Victorian townscape boasting the world's oldest surviving mansion block... Walk through history and discover the hidden gems of Victorian London!