Hard to believe that Hippo’s once roamed around Leeds…
In the 1850’s workmen in Wortley near Armley Gyratory found some strange bones whilst digging clay for the local brickworks. The bones were
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History & Landscape
This section of my blog will provide information and stories about Yorkshire's extensive history and heritage. From Jurassic fossils, bronze age stone circles and roman remains, through to the Normans, Tudors, Georgians & Victorians as well as more modern day industrial archaeology - there are so many tales to tell.
We also have many historic houses and gardens, towns and cities. The Queen's father George VI once said "The history of York is the history of England" - so we will also be featuring many blogs about this historic city.
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As well as history I also wanted to cover Yorkshire's heritage from traditions, past industries and folklore. With Yorkshire fondly known as "God's own county" due to its heavenly landscape, we will also cover the stunning scenery and Yorkshire's many beautiful locations, exploring how the geology, geographical events and mans influence has helped shape the landscape.
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There are lots of articles about Landscape & History below. I hope you find them interesting and please feel free to leave your feedback or share them on social media.
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timbarber
- Jun 17
- 4 min
St. James Church in Nunburnholme with its ancient stone cross carved by Anglo Saxon and Viking sculptors
Nurnburnholme church cross “the finest Anglo Saxon-Viking example of its type in East Yorkshire"
223 views0 comments
timbarber
- May 27
- 3 min
Selby Abbey’s - its Links to George Washington and the Stars & Stripes Flag
It looks like the historic town of Selby can also lay claim to its Abbey being the inspiration for the iconic American flag.
142 views1 comment
timbarber
- Apr 23
- 4 min
Aysgarth’s Edwardian Rock Garden – a hidden gem in the Dales
Not a stop I make on every tour in Wensleydale I do, but last week I had a couple who loved gardens so I thought I would treat them to a...
447 views1 comment
timbarber
- Apr 12
- 4 min
The Lilla Cross – the oldest Christian memorial in the North
High above Fylingdales Moor at a place called Lilla Howe is one of the most important crosses on the North York Moors if not the whole of...
334 views0 comments
timbarber
- Mar 25
- 3 min
Wakefield’s Chantry Chapel - one of only 5 surviving bridge chantries in England
With my tour guiding business, I often have cause to take visitors to the Hepworth Sculpture Gallery in Wakefield. From the outside car...
394 views0 comments
timbarber
- Feb 22
- 3 min
The Yorkshire Medieval Priory and its part in the WW2 D-Day Landings…
Either coming back from tours of Whitby or on my way to Castle Howard, I often visit the ruins of Kirkham Priory. Once home to a...
346 views1 comment
timbarber
- Feb 19
- 4 min
Goodmanham – a sacred religious site in Pagan times and a turning point in Yorkshire’s spiritual & political history
I first came across Goodmanham during lockdown when my wife and I decided to explore the Yorkshire Wolds a bit more. This less well known...
723 views2 comments
timbarber
- Jan 22
- 3 min
5 Rise Locks - one of the wonders of the waterways on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Bingley
When it was first opened in the 1700’s, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal helped open up the West of England and the great Port of Liverpool to...
426 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jan 17
- 4 min
The Great Survivor! - Ripon Cathedral’s Ancient Saxon Crypt founded in 672
Whilst York Minster is always seen as the most important church in the North of England, little old Ripon Cathedral can say that it’s...
557 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jan 13
- 3 min
Janet’s Foss – one of the prettiest waterfalls in Yorkshire & often used as a screen location
The Malham loop walk in the Yorkshire Dales which takes in the stunning limestone amphitheatre of Malham Cove, the glacial meltwater...
1,140 views1 comment
timbarber
- Nov 18, 2023
- 3 min
Wakefield Cathedral’s unique Choir Stalls & Misericords
On a recent tour my corporate guests had a three hour meeting in Wakefield, so after dropping them off I had time to kill. As well as...
155 views0 comments
timbarber
- Nov 1, 2023
- 3 min
The Marmion Tower in West Tanfield
When you travel on the road between Ripon and Masham, you come to the town of West Tanfield. After crossing the bridge over the River Ure...
285 views0 comments
timbarber
- Oct 22, 2023
- 2 min
The mystery surrounding the wreck of The Admiral Van Tromp at Saltwick Bay
One of my favourite places to go fossil hunting, if I get a few days off by the coast is Saltwick Bay. After the walk down the cliffside...
470 views0 comments
timbarber
- Sep 8, 2023
- 5 min
The Battle of Stamford Bridge – the end of the Viking era & its impact on the Norman Conquest
When you mention Stamford Bridge to most people, they always seem to associate the name with the home of Chelsea Football Club down in...
1,832 views0 comments
timbarber
- Aug 7, 2023
- 4 min
A walk past Danby Castle and up and over Danby Rigg with standing stones and heather in bloom
We were looking for a shortish walk from the North York Moors National Park visitor centre as my wife was recovering from a nasty cold....
448 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jul 24, 2023
- 3 min
Cawthorn Roman Camp - remnants from the Roman Expire outside Pickering
Close to Pickering lies the historic site of Cawthorn Roman Camps. Roman Yorkshire has always fascinated me and so on a rare day off on...
405 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jul 16, 2023
- 3 min
Hubberholme Church and its rare monastic Rood Loft
In the Middle ages some important churches in England had what is now known as a Rood Loft. These structures were usually situated above...
641 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jun 23, 2023
- 3 min
The Wagoners’ Memorial near Sledmere House - a monument to the local men who lost their lives in WW1
In the heart of the Yorkshire Wolds just outside Sledmere is a distinctive Grade I listed war memorial in a squat columnar shape which...
280 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jun 18, 2023
- 4 min
Brimham Rocks – man made or natural - how this iconic rock formation came to be?
In Nidderdale not far from Pateley Bridge is the National Trust site of Brimham Rocks. This collection of dramatic, weirdly shaped rocks...
1,103 views0 comments
timbarber
- May 14, 2023
- 2 min
Beggars Bridge – a labour of love (literally) in the North York Moors
On the road to Egton Bridge in the Esk Valley lies the village of Glaisdale. On the edge of the village lies an old bridge known locally...
339 views0 comments
timbarber
- Mar 31, 2023
- 3 min
St.Gregory’s Minster – and its unique Anglo-Saxon Sundial
On my tours of the North York Moors, I often make a little detour to Kirkdale to show my guests a little hidden gem of a church with a...
363 views1 comment
timbarber
- Mar 20, 2023
- 3 min
Prince William of Hatfield – York Minster’s only Royal tomb
You would think that Northern Europe’s largest Gothic cathedral and England’s second most important religious building would be home to a...
563 views1 comment
timbarber
- Mar 17, 2023
- 5 min
Castle Hill near Huddersfield – a scheduled monument with over 4000 years history
Just to the South of Huddersfield on a raised area of land near Almondsbury lies Castle Hill. Perched on top of the hill is Victoria...
1,016 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jan 19, 2023
- 3 min
The Cutlers Hall in Sheffield & discovering the 400 year history of The Company of Cutlers
I was lucky enough to get a private tour of the Cutlers Hall in Sheffield by the Beadle. What a fascinating story not only hearing about...
254 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jan 4, 2023
- 3 min
Cartimandua - Queen of the Brigantes - a powerful Briton in Roman times
Everyone seems to have heard about Boudicea, the warrior queen who led her army against the Romans. But very few people have heard about...
537 views0 comments
timbarber
- Dec 11, 2022
- 3 min
The Rudston Monolith – did you know the tallest ancient megalith in the UK is in Yorkshire?
I’ve always had an interest in pre-history, regularly walking my dog up on Rombald’s Moor near Ilkley and exploring the cup and ring...
1,846 views1 comment
timbarber
- Nov 21, 2022
- 2 min
Saltaire United Reformed Church – a Cathedral of Congregationalism
A real architectural gem – Saltaire’s beautiful United Reformed Church (originally Saltaire Congregationa Church) can be found in the...
145 views1 comment
timbarber
- Oct 26, 2022
- 2 min
The Original Oak & The Skyrack pubs in Headingley and their Viking origins!
As a former Leeds student, I spent many a happy hour in the Oak and the Skyrack in Headingley. Now visits are restricted to a few pints...
1,169 views1 comment
timbarber
- Oct 25, 2022
- 3 min
Yockenthwaite Stone Circle – ceremonial site, burial mound or medieval sheep pen?
I regularly take visitors into Yockenthwaite on my All Creatures Great and Small tours, to show them Yockenthwaite Farm which plays...
387 views0 comments
timbarber
- Oct 20, 2022
- 3 min
York Minster's Bell Founders Window - a blatant medieval advertisement
York Minster is unique in the fact that it holds over 60% of all the medieval stained glass in England and the largest collection of...
582 views0 comments
timbarber
- Oct 8, 2022
- 3 min
Ever wondered why is there a Polar Bear sitting above Holland & Barrett near the bridge in Whitby?
Tens of thousands of people flock to Whitby every year to visit this historic fishing town on the Yorkshire Coast. Many cross the swing...
4,834 views0 comments
timbarber
- Oct 4, 2022
- 3 min
The Gibbet - Halifax's violent execution machine
Public torture and execution was pretty common during the medieval period. Beheadings were often carried out in public and in England...
453 views1 comment
timbarber
- Sep 23, 2022
- 2 min
York Minster's Sinister Doomstone
One of the strangest of York Minster’s many statues, monuments and carvings is that of the Doomstone. Sitting in the Crypt below the High...
2,061 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jul 12, 2022
- 4 min
The Treasurers House, York – Frank Green’s palace of entertainment
This historic town house with award winning garden in the centre of York has many tales to tell…. But before we start the tale of the...
656 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jun 28, 2022
- 4 min
Lastingham Church and its ancient Crypt
In the beautiful picture postcard village of Lastingham, on the edge of the North York Moors, opposite one of my favourite village pubs...
1,944 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jun 16, 2022
- 3 min
Sir Thomas Fairfax – an Ilkley man bringing discipline and integrity to the English Civil War
Playing a significant role in the Parliamentarian victory in the English Civil War, Sir Thomas Fairfax is still far less well known than...
645 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jun 11, 2022
- 2 min
Barker Tower – a little tower with a big history
I regularly pass the little round tower known as Barker Tower just to the edge of Lendal Bridge in York whilst taking clients out on...
271 views0 comments
timbarber
- May 31, 2022
- 3 min
Swaledale’s beautiful wildflower meadows
I’m just back from walking the Herriot Way, a 52 mile hike through Wensleydale and Swaledale. Doing the walk in late May we were blessed...
467 views0 comments
timbarber
- May 18, 2022
- 3 min
The Medieval Frescoes in St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church in Pickering
With an hour to kill before my guests were to board the North York Railway in Pickering for a trip to Whitby on the heritage railway I...
1,274 views0 comments
timbarber
- Apr 13, 2022
- 3 min
The Black Prince in Leeds City Square
Having lived in Leeds or close by since my student days – one landmark in the City centre has always stood out. Sitting proudly on top of...
2,533 views1 comment
timbarber
- Feb 20, 2022
- 2 min
What is a Minster?
As a Tour Guide, I regularly guide in York and York Minster is always part of the itinerary. I spent weeks in there training for my...
518 views0 comments
timbarber
- Feb 3, 2022
- 3 min
The Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag - a hidden gem in Knaresborough
One of the strangest and most interesting historic sites in the region is The Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag, a small chapel carved into...
578 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jan 25, 2022
- 3 min
York’s Anglian Tower – Top of Historic-UK’s most interesting historical sites in England
Hidden away behind York’s library and just outside Museum Gardens is a real historical treasure which I discovered thanks to the author...
310 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jan 19, 2022
- 3 min
Muker Literary Institute – a place of Victorian self-improvement in Swaledale
On my Yorkshire Dales tours, I often drive along the many traditional Yorkshire villages along Swaledale. Small quaint stone cottages,...
180 views0 comments
timbarber
- Jan 11, 2022
- 3 min
Buttertubs Pass & The Buttertubs - What's in a name?
One of the most famous roads in Yorkshire is Buttertubs Pass, the high road between Wensleydale and Swaledale with fantastic views over...
385 views1 comment
timbarber
- Dec 25, 2021
- 12 min
The Yorkshire’s festive celebrations through the ages
Winter Solstice We have to look back much further than the nativity to start exploring the origins of winter festive celebrations. In...
586 views1 comment
timbarber
- Dec 14, 2021
- 4 min
Sandal Castle – believed to have inspired a nursery rhyme and its link to the War of the Roses
Sitting a few miles outside Wakefield are the ruined remains of Sandal Castle. There is not much of the stonework left but the moat and...
166 views0 comments
timbarber
- Dec 11, 2021
- 4 min
Ribblehead Viaduct - the fascinating story behind this Yorkshire icon
One of the most iconic sights in Yorkshire has to be the huge viaduct stretching 400 metres across the Ribble Valley which forms part of...
2,836 views1 comment
timbarber
- Nov 23, 2021
- 2 min
Shedding some light on Beamsley Beacon
Most people head out from Ilkley up onto the Moors above White Wells or The Cow and Calf, but walking up on the Moors over the other side...
716 views0 comments
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