Historic England – serie

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest counties. It provides a nostalgic look at Durham’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Once a region of mining and heavy industry, the county borders the rivers Tyne and Wear to the north-east, Northumberland to the north, Cumbria to the west and North Yorkshire to the south and, historically, included Gateshead and Sunderland. Today, one of the main industries is tourism, thanks to the cathedral city of Durham – a remarkable place, a priceless historical gem and, deservedly, a World Heritage Site. Historic England: Durham shows the county as it once was, from Durham City’s narrow medieval streets to the industrial landscapes of South Tyneside and Wearside. This book will help you discover the remarkable history of this proud region.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Brighton and Hove’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Brighton and Hove may only have been combined as a city since the turn of the millennium, but it is one of the country’s most famous locations. Brighton and Hove have grown from their early days as small fishing and farming settlements to become the country’s premier seaside resort, and the historic journey experienced by these two is what brings many of the near 11 million visitors the city welcomes each year. In Historic England: Brighton & Hove, Brighton-born author Kevin Newman explores the places to play, stay, live, love, work and learn in the city. The reader is presented with a visual selection of the history of this most vibrant, cultural, cosmopolitan and eccentric city, presenting a fascinating look at Brighton and Hove’s past.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Oxford’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: Oxford shows the city as it once was, from its streets and alleys to the buildings of its world-renowned colleges. This ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ still retains much of its medieval character and is still a city of international importance today.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Portsmouth’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: Portsmouth shows the city as it once was, from its streets and alleys to its illustrious dockyard – the oldest Royal Navy dockyard in the country, and one which boasts one of the oldest dry docks in the world. Portsmouth has been functioning in a naval capacity since 1495 and few other places have such a prominent place in Britain’s naval history. This books helps you discover this maritime city’s long and distinguished past.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at York’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: York shows the city as it once was, from its streets and alleys (known locally as snickelways) to the glorious York Minster. It is a city of strong medieval character, combining grandeur and quirkiness, whose shortest street has the longest name, and where the remains of Roman and Viking life can still be seen.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Coventry’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: Coventry shows the city as it once was, from its streets and alleys to its parks and squares. Despite the attention of bombs and planners, Coventry still contains many fascinating buildings and its medieval Spon Street contains many timbered houses, including more Wealden houses than any other street in England. It is also home to one of the world’s best-loved cathedrals and possibly the country’s best guildhall. It changed the modern world with Europe’s first pedestrian precinct and has the country’s first post-war theatre. Coventry has survived the devastation of the twentieth century and this book will help you discover its remarkable history.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s most fascinating cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Kingston upon Hull’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites. The photographs are taken from the unique Historic England Archive, the nation’s record of 12 million photographs, drawings and publications, ranging from the 1850s and the earliest days of photography up to the present day.Historic England: Hull shows the city as it once was, with its narrow streets to its old dock district, once a major centre of the fishing and whaling industries. By the end of the First World War much of the old city centre had been completely destroyed, but this book shows how it is now: a resurgent, modern place with some stunning new architecture, state-of-the-art museums, galleries, and a world-leading university and medical school – consistent with its current status as UK City of Culture for 2017.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Manchester’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: Manchester shows the city as it once was, from its streets, squares and parks to its mills, factories and warehouses. It is a city of strong Victorian character, combining nineteenth-century grandeur and twenty-first-century vibrancy. In 2015 it was designated ‘The Northern Powerhouse’, though, being the home of the Industrial Revolution, it always was. Manchester gave the world technological innovation as well as manufacturing strength. Manchester truly is one of the world’s greatest cities and this book will help you discover its remarkable history.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s great cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Nottingham’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: Nottingham shows the city as it once was, from its streets, squares and alleyways to its churches, theatres and famous sporting venues. World famous because of its historic association with the iconic Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham, the city has been home to major industries too, with Nottingham lace, bicycles and Player’s cigarettes notable in times past. Today, it boasts two major universities, world-class theatres, two professional football clubs and an international cricket ground at Trent Bridge. Nottingham remains a vibrant and important city and this book will help you discover its colourful and fascinating history.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Bath’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Founded in AD 60–70 by the Roman invaders, and named Aquae Sulis after the hot-water springs with their seemingly magical healing qualities, the town grew to become a popular health spa. It was, however, during the Georgian era that Bath flourished. Jane Austen lived here for a short period and used the city as the setting for Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Historic England: Bath shows the city as it once was, from its perfectly preserved Georgian streets to its sweeping crescents. Today, Bath is a major tourist destination, a World Heritage Centre and a city of international importance. This book will help you discover its remarkable 2,000 years of history.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Leeds’ past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: Leeds shows the city as it once was, from its streets, squares and parks to its mills and factories. The self-proclaimed ‘Capital of the North’ has come a long way since receiving its first charter in 1207. From its early developments during the Industrial Revolution, it became a major area for the production of wool, engineering and printing. Today, with its legal and financial services, it is a prosperous contender with London. Leeds is also a city with a wide variety of entertainment, arts, culture and history, as well as having a thriving university. Leeds truly is one of the country’s greatest cities and this book will help you discover its remarkable history.

This illustrated history provides a nostalgic look at the Lake District’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.The Lake District is by far the UK’s most popular national park. Every year some 15 million people come here to explore the region’s fells and countryside. Ever since the Romantic poets arrived in the nineteenth century, its panorama of craggy hilltops, mountain tarns and glittering lakes have been stirring the imaginations of visitors. Among the many writers who found inspiration here are William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Arthur Ransome and, of course, Beatrix Potter, a lifelong lover of the Lakes. This book will help you discover the beauty that inspired them.

This illustrated history portrays one of London’s most fascinating areas. It provides a nostalgic look at the East End’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.This book shows London’s East End as it once was, from its labyrinthine streets and alleys to its factories and warehouses. The East End was one of the poorest parts of the UK, blighted by crime and appalling living conditions. As the boundaries of London spread towards Essex, however, the picture has become very different. As transport links were improved, areas such as Bethnal Green, West Ham and Forest Gate, once small rural villages, have been swallowed up by the capital’s growth. Today, the East End is a very different place, one of regeneration and vibrancy and great cultural diversity. This books will help you discover its remarkable history.

This illustrated history of the City of London provides a nostalgic look at the Square Mile’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites. The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.This book shows the City of London as it once was, from its medieval streets and alleys to its grand churches and commercial buildings. This is where London began 2,000 years ago when the Romans invaded Britannia. Though the City of London suffered terrible destruction during the bombing of the Second World War, it has reinvented itself into a high-tech business zone and today is one of the most important financial centres in the world. This fascinating collection of photographs will help you discover its remarkable history and witness the changes it has undergone over the past century and more.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Bristol’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites. The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: Bristol shows the city as it once was, from its streets, squares and parks to its famous old docks. Brycgstow, ‘the place at the bridge’, as the Saxon founders of Bristol once called it, is a city of destiny. Once the second port in the country and one of the wealthiest cities in Britain, it has enjoyed centuries of prosperity based on manufacturing, seafaring and trade. In their stead Bristol has become a thriving national centre for financial and business services, aerospace and advanced engineering, ICT media and creative industries. Bristol truly is one of the country’s greatest cities and this book will help you discover its colourful and fascinating history.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Cambridge’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Cambridge first grew as an important trading post during the period of Viking rule in the ninth century, and its position was enhanced in the early twelfth century when Henry I granted the town its first charter, giving Cambridge a monopoly of waterborne traffic and hithe tolls. But it was the founding of the university in 1209 that would change the town’s fortune and put Cambridge on the map. Historic England: Cambridge shows the city as it once was, from its streets and alleys to its famous university buildings. Today, Cambridge is home to one of the world’s top universities, as well as being a major tourist destination and a world-leading centre for scientific research and development. This books helps you discover its remarkable history.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Liverpool’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: Liverpool shows the city as it once was, from its streets and alleyways to its vast docks. Special emphasis is given to aerial views that demonstrate the changing townscape of the city and the setting of its buildings. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries this once small fishing village was transformed into a mighty commercial powerhouse, growing rapidly into the greatest port in the entire British Empire outside London. However, the city’s fortunes changed dramatically in the twentieth century. Post-war decline was particularly brutal in Liverpool and by 1980 the city’s population had reduced by over half; its infrastructure and economy were decaying, and its political leaders were leading the city towards complete collapse. Liverpool is a UNESCO World Heritage City today. It boasts the fastest growing economy in Britain and has been a European Capital of Culture. Liverpool truly is one of the country’s great cities and this book will help you discover its rich and colourful history.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s great cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Newcastle’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the unique Historic England Archive, the nation’s record of 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Newcastle-upon-Tyne is one of England’s most historically significant cities, with a proud heritage dating all the way back to Roman times. The city grew as an important centre for the wool trade in the fourteenth century and later became a major coal mining area, but it was the famous River Tyne that brought real wealth and prestige to the city with the development of shipbuilding and ship repair work. Historic England: Newcastleshows the city as it once was, from its streets and alleys to its famous shipyards and iconic bridges. This book helps you discover its remarkable history.

This illustrated history portrays the heart of England’s capital city. It provides a nostalgic look at Central London’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.The book shows Central London as it once was, from its ancient streets and alleys to its grand churches and commercial buildings. At its heart is the City of Westminster, the centre of government, religion and entertainment, with many theatres, cinemas, cafés, restaurants and pubs, shopping and, most importantly, 1,000 years of history. Around it, the city’s centre extends from East London to Southwark, south of the River Thames, and Kensington to the west. This fascinating collection of photographs will help you discover the remarkable history of Central London and witness the changes it has undergone over the past century and more.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Southampton’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: Southampton shows the city as it once was, from its churches, parks, streets and alleyways to its famous old docks. The city, once a popular eighteenth-century spa resort, has grown with the expansion of its commercial docks throughout the last 200 years and has witnessed everything from seamen’s strikes to shipwrecks, notably the Titanic and Queen Mary, as well as the other famous ocean liners that have called at the port since the 1840s. The city suffered greatly during the twentieth century when extensive Second World War bombing and subsequent town planning led to a reduction in the number of many fine and interesting buildings. Dramatic changes have taken place and, by the late twentieth century and into the twenty-first century, it has been transformed into a new, dynamic, bustling city. This book will help you discover Southampton’s colourful and fascinating history.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Plymouth’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Plymouth’s location on Devon’s south coast, at the natural harbour created by the mouths of the rivers Plym and Tamar, has shaped its history as one of England’s most important ports. It was the home of the famous Elizabethan privateers Drake and Hawkins and at the heart of the developing Atlantic trade. The neighbouring town of Devonport, now merged with Plymouth, also became an important naval dockyard and shipbuilding centre and its strategic significance drew repeated aerial attacks during the Second World War so that by the end of the war much of the centre of Plymouth had been destroyed. The city was rebuilt afterwards in the post-war style of modern town planning, expanding to take over outlying towns, and today it is a major city in south-west England. This book will help you to discover Plymouth’s remarkable history.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Gloucester’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Gloucester’s history stretches back to the Romans and the foundation of St Peter’s Abbey by the Anglo-Saxons. In the Middle Ages Gloucester played an important role in the country, becoming a wealthy borough and a centre of royal power. As a port on the River Severn it benefited from the wool trade as well as other industries, and this wealth continued in later centuries. Today the city is a fascinating mixture of old and new, with its imposing cathedral – one of the homes of the Three Choirs Festival – redeveloped Docklands area, and numerous historical buildings from various centuries found alongside striking modern structures. This book will help you to discover its remarkable history.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s most historically significant cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Bradford’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites. The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts. These unique images are complemented by selections from the author’s archive.Historic England: Bradford shows the city as it once was, from its streets and alleyways to the magnificent City Hall, and from the impressive neoclassical buildings of Little Germany to the perfectly preserved Victorian planned village of Saltaire. Bradford was an international centre of textile manufacture, particularly worsted. Today, it has been transformed into a centre of education and innovation, as well as a burgeoning tourist destination, becoming the first UNESCO City of Film with attractions such as the National Media Museum, Bradford City Park, the Alhambra Theatre and Cartwright Hall. This book helps you discover the remarkable history of this West Yorkshire city.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest major cities and some of its county towns and villages. It provides a nostalgic look at Leicester’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites. The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: Leicester shows the city as it once was, from its churches, parks, streets and alleyways to its Victorian mills and textile factories. Leicester has been at the very heart of the country’s political and economic development for over two millennia. Evidence of Roman occupation remains at the Jewry Wall, Cardinal Wolsey lies buried in Leicester Abbey and, in 2012, the skeleton of Richard III was discovered lying beneath a car park. The city grew rapidly in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries with the construction of the Grand Union Canal and the arrival of the railway. These developments encouraged and accompanied a process of industrialisation which intensified throughout the Victorian era; hosiery, textiles, and footwear became the major industrial employers. Today, Leicester is a major distribution centre and has attracted new service and manufacturing businesses through its academic-industrial connections with the engineering departments at Leicester University, De Montfort University and nearby Loughborough University. Leicester remains one of the country’s most important cities and this book will help you discover its colourful and fascinating history.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest towns. It provides a nostalgic look at Cheltenham’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites. The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: Cheltenham shows the town as it once was, from its grand streets and squares to its famous tree-lined promenades and gardens surrounding its spas. Once the ‘most complete Regency town in Britain’, Cheltenham became the most fashionable resort in England following George III’s visit and has enjoyed centuries of prosperity based on the discovery of its natural mineral springs. But the town has not rested on its laurels and is now a vibrant centre of festivals and fashionable shops, a Mecca for horse racing, international music, cricket and world-renowned schools and colleges. Cheltenham is one of the country’s most visited towns and this book will help you discover its colourful and fascinating history.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Sheffield’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites. The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Historic England: Sheffield shows the city as it once was, from its streets and alleyways to its many steel factories. The ‘Steel City’ was once a place of international renown and Sheffield plate and Sheffield cutlery have been marques of the best in the world. The city’s fortunes changed dramatically in the twentieth century. Post-war decline was particularly brutal in Sheffield and by 1980 the city was synonymous with high unemployment and economic decline. Today Sheffield has reinvented itself as a vibrant developing centre of retail, commerce and education. This book will help you discover the rich and colourful history of England’s fourth largest city.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest major towns. It provides a nostalgic look at Reading’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.The Berkshire town of Reading has been an important town in England since the Middle Ages. Reading became renowned for industries such as brewing and ironmaking, and the town grew rapidly in the nineteenth century following the arrival of the Great Western Railway. The town also saw the development of other industries such as baking and seed-growing. Today the town is a major commercial centre in the south-east of the country, and has grown to become the largest town in England. This book will help you discover the proud history of this historic town.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest major cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Birmingham’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.Birmingham has long been an important centre in the West Midlands but during the Industrial Revolution it grew to become England’s second city. The myriad of manufacturing businesses in Birmingham created a dynamic local economy and the city prospered. Although the town was heavily bombed in the Second World War and its infrastructure was badly damaged, the city was redeveloped post-war, with many areas being rebuilt from scratch. Birmingham continued to be regenerated in subsequent decades and today it is a powerful commercial city of international importance.

This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest counties. It provides a nostalgic look at Worcestershire’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.In the heart of England, Worcestershire is a largely rural county centred on the historic city of Worcester with its medieval cathedral. The north of the county reaches into the more industrialised West Midlands, with much of the rest of the county devoted to agricultural produce. Natural features include the rivers Severn and Avon, the Malvern Hills and the edge of the Cotswolds and Bredon Hill. Many of the major towns including Redditch, Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Evesham, Malvern and Stourport have preserved their historic character, and some reveal the important role that local industries have played in the history of Worcestershire, such as carpet weaving in Kidderminster and needle making in Redditch.