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Tim Barber's
Real Yorkshire Blog
Bringing "God's own county" to life
As the owner of Real Yorkshire Tours, I am always out and about in "God's own county" showing visitors the history, heritage & culture of the area. With this Real Yorkshire blog I hope to share some of this information and bring to life the best of Yorkshire.





The Bingley Arms in Bardsey - Hearty Grub and Hooky History!
The Bingley Arms in Bardsey claims to be the oldest surviving pub in England, on their website they state - “The Bingley Arms is no ordinary pub. It’s the original English pub – officially the oldest in Britain – dating back over 1000 years to a time when Vikings were conquering parts of the country and before England had its first King.” They also claim the pub was mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086.
timbarber
Apr 285 min read
45 views
1 comment


The Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park – a beautiful collection of rare plants and artworks
The gardens are inspired by the Himalayan regions which includes part of China, Vietnam and Northern India. As well as the huge array of plants, the garden includes three small lakes in the valley bottom and various bridges and even a pagoda to really give it the Himalayan theme.
timbarber
Apr 223 min read
49 views
1 comment


Leeds General Infirmary and the old George Street entrance
The first Leeds Infirmary was built in 1771 in what is now Infirmary Street, but in 1863, construction started on a new LGI on George Stree
timbarber
Apr 12 min read
35 views
3 comments


How Whitby played a major part in the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s gothic horror novel Dracula
There is a whole industry in Whitby centred around the myth of the blood sucking Count Dracula. Find out how iWhitby inspired Bram Stoker
timbarber
Mar 275 min read
120 views
1 comment


Scotland Forever – the story behind Leeds City Art Gallery’s iconic painting showing the Battle of Waterloo
When you look at the painting Scotland Forever with its cavalry charge people are surprised to hear that the painting was done by a woman
timbarber
Mar 24 min read
129 views
1 comment


Sri Lankan Tapas in Ilkley
It was about time to finally get around to trying out Brook’s in Ilkley and their Sri Lankan food offering.
timbarber
Feb 253 min read
64 views
1 comment


Giant Arms in Mandela Gardens, Leeds
The garden is a little sea of tranquillity in the centre of Leeds, and a great place to sit and contemplate or grab a sandwich and catch you
timbarber
Feb 243 min read
42 views
1 comment


A Brief history of Clifford's Tower in York
We are talking about Clifford’s Tower, which has played a major part in the history of York for nearly a thousand years.
timbarber
Feb 73 min read
173 views
4 comments


The Ox Club Leeds and a special meat feast…
I had heard lots of good things about a restaurant called Ox Club in Leeds. The clue being in the name was that it was a mecca for meat.
timbarber
Feb 35 min read
70 views
0 comments
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