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The Story of Scar House Reservoir, the pop up village of Scar and the lost village of Lodge
Deep in the heart of Nidderdale’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) towards the top of the Nidd Valley and in the shadow of Great...
timbarber
Feb 3, 20215 min read


Headingley Bear Pits - the story behind the failed Victorian Zoo
As a student living in Headingley in the 1980s, I walked past the strange towers looking like a mini castle on Cardigan Road many times....
timbarber
Jan 30, 20214 min read


Askwith to Clifton – a short loop walk in Wharfedale
Having pretty much exhausted walks around Burley in Wharfedale where I live during lockdown, it was satisfying to find a walk I hadn’t...
timbarber
Jan 24, 20215 min read


Fruitcake paired with cheese – weird or wonderful?
An old rugby pal of mine from London decided to pay a visit to Yorkshire with his family before Covid struck. We ended up going with his...
timbarber
Jan 18, 20213 min read


Farfield Quaker Meeting House – one of Historic England’s Top 10 Historic Faith Buildings
A small unassuming brick built building dating from the 1600’s, situated just off the road between Addingham and Bolton Abbey has found...
timbarber
Jan 13, 20213 min read


Did you know Britain’s tallest ever man was a Yorkshireman?
William Bradley – often known as “The Yorkshire Giant” or “Bradley the Giant” was born in Market Weighton in the East Riding in 1787 and...
timbarber
Jan 4, 20213 min read


Old Peculier Ale – What’s in a name?
Theakston’s Brewey based in the Yorkshire Dales market town of Masham has been brewing ale since 1827. It is still run by direct family...
timbarber
Nov 22, 20203 min read


The Story of the Yorkshire Flag
My good friend and Yorkshire author, Colin Speakman has written an article for The Real Yorkshire Blog on the history of the Yorkshire...
timbarber
Nov 2, 20203 min read


William Wilberforce – The original Black Lives Matter Campaigner
After the recent Black Lives Matter protests around the world it was quite apt when one of my fellow guides, Nick Smith, the owner of Yor...
timbarber
Jun 23, 20204 min read


A walk into Coverdale from Scar House Reservoir in Nidderdale
After being blessed with great weather for the first couple of months of the pandemic, Wednesday saw the weather change and as we parked...
timbarber
Jun 8, 20203 min read


Hungate in York - a brief history
Last year, I was contacted by a property company who had just completed part of a new development of apartments in the Hungate area of...
timbarber
Jun 7, 20204 min read


Beverley’s Frith Stool and the right of sanctuary
I often guide in Hull and Beverley, with the stunning gothic Beverley Minster a “must see” stop on my tours. Close to the Altar in the...
timbarber
May 23, 20204 min read


The Black Death in York - was it worse than Covid-19?
There are many similarities between our situation today with our Corona Virus pandemic and the Black Death of the 1300’s, not least the...
timbarber
May 12, 20202 min read


In the shadow of York Minster, St. Michael le Belfrey is a real historical gem
Being so close to the Minster – St Michael le Belfrey on High Petergate in York often gets overlooked, but it has a wonderful history in...
timbarber
Apr 29, 20203 min read


The Marble Salon at Wentworth Woodhouse – a Downton Abbey – The Movie location
Downton Abbey, the British historical drama created by Julian Fellows has captivated audiences across the world since it first aired in...
timbarber
Apr 28, 20203 min read


Titus Salt - How Alpaca and Donskoi wool lead to his success
Industrialist Titus Salt will forever be remembered as a Yorkshire industrialist who pioneered the use of the model village for his...
timbarber
Apr 14, 20203 min read


Who was and what is “Fat Betty” on Danby Moor?
Whist training as a Blue Badge Guide and travelling along Blakey Ridge on one of our North York Moors training days – someone pointed...
timbarber
Apr 9, 20203 min read


Staithes to Whitby walk - as recommended in The Times
Whilst in lockdown with the Corona Virus pandemic raging outside, I read an article in The Times on 7th April 2020 entitled “Ramblers...
timbarber
Apr 9, 20204 min read


The Legend of the tongue-less Bradford Boar
In my past life as a marketing man, I once had to come up with a logo and brand for a syndicate of Bradford based surgeons called...
timbarber
Apr 6, 20202 min read


History of The Craven Heifer
Driving around Yorkshire and particularly in the Yorkshire Dales, a pub name which keeps cropping up is the Craven Heifer. This is...
timbarber
Mar 31, 20202 min read
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