Christopher Winn

This book is a captivating journey around London to discover the unknown tales of the capital’s history. Travelling through the villages and districts that make up the world’s most dynamic metropolis it unearths the hidden gems of legends, firsts, inventions, adventures and birthplaces that shape the city’s compelling, and at times, turbulent past.

I Never Knew that about London

What is the significance of mistletoe at Christmas? Why do we eat Brussels sprouts for Christmas dinner? When did turkeys become the plat du jour? Just who is, or was, Santa Claus? In The Book of Christmas, best-selling author and acclaimed historian, Christopher Winn, casts a witty and revealing eye on the stories, myths and legends of the most celebrated festival of the year: Christmas. In this lovingly written collection of festive myths, legends and (quite often) bizarre traditions, discover the fascinating stories behind some of our most cherished Christmas rituals and customs. Along with the stories behind many of the more mainstream customs, Christopher Winn unearths some of the more unusual traditions from around the world; from the burning of the 13-foot Yule Goat of Sweden to Japan's predilection for a Kentucky Fried Chicken Christmas dinner; the Peter Pan swim in London to the hiding of broomsticks in Norway, discover the fascinating truth (and oddities) behind this very special religious holiday. Beautifully produced and charmingly illustrated, The Book of Christmas is a treasure trove of all things Christmas to delight the whole family.

The Hidden Stories Behind Our Festive Traditions

The Book of Christmas

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!

I Never Knew That about New York

I Never Knew that About Ireland

I never knew that about the Irish

I Never Knew That about England

"Walking 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 Victorian London

Walk through history

'What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.' - W.H. Davies Walking 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!

Discover Victorian London

Walk Through History

Discover the story of the original 'sweetheart', John Balliol, whose embalmed heart is buried beside his devoted wife, Devorgilla at Sweetheart Abbey in Kirkcudbrightshire. This work takes the reader on a journey around Scotland. It offers stories, firsts, birthplaces, legends and inventions that shape the country's rich and majestic history.

I Never Knew That about Scotland

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 beautifully illustrated treasure trove is the perfect gift and will act as a wonderfully surprising and highly entertaining guide to one of England's most iconic counties.

I Never Knew That about Yorkshire

Bestselling author Christopher Winn takes a closer look at our Roads, Avenues, Groves, Gardens, Hills and Lanes. There are around 800,000 streets in the UK and the name of each one tells a tale. We take them for granted but the choice of name can reveal facts about Britain's history, geography, topography and nature, even its politics and culture. From the most common names, to the rarest, the funniest to the most notorious, among the many fascinating facts, find out why the City of London has no "Roads", and where the UK's shortest street name (Rye) is located, as well as its longest (Bolderwood Arboretum Ornamental Drive). And why Station Road is in the top five most popular street names, alongside the multitude of Victoria Streets and Albert Roads. Devon even boasts The Street with No Name, which of course has its own story... Perfect for fans of trivia and local history, Great British Street Names will prompt you to think a little differently about the street where you live.

The Weird and Wonderful Stories Behind Our Favourite Streets, from Acacia Avenue to Albert Square

Great British Street Names

I Never Knew That About New York

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!'

I Never Knew That About Wales

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.

I Never Knew That about the River Thames

In this captivating book bestselling author Christopher Winn turns his attention to the Scottish people, taking us on an eye-opening journey around their homeland, discovering en route the intriguing and surprising ways the places and their history contribute to the Scottish character. As he travels through Scotland's Highlands and cities he unearths the traditions, triumphs and disasters, foibles, quirks and customs that come together to make up the Scottish people. From the Scottish capital Edinburgh, birthplace of Henry Brougham who made the longest ever speech in the House of Commons, lasting over six hours, to Callander, birthplace of Helen Duncan, the last person in Britain to be imprisoned for witchcraft after correctly diving the sinking of HMS Hood, he accompanies us on a journey uncovering little-known facts, trivia and amusing anecdotes. Illustrated throughout with beguiling pen and ink drawings I Never Knew That About the Scottish is guaranteed to have you exclaiming: 'I never knew that!'

I Never Knew That About the Scottish

Organized county-by-county, a beautifully packaged miscellany of stories about England's country churches and the history that surrounds them. 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!'.

I Never Knew That about England's Country Churches

"First published in Great Britain by Ebury Press, an imprint of Ebury Publishing"--T.p. verso.

I Never Knew That about Royal Britain

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!

I Never Knew That About Coastal England

This wonderful book takes an affectionate, entertaining and perceptive look at the English people. Here are their traditions, foibles, quirks, customs, humour and achievements, triumphs and failures, peccadilloes and passions. Travel through England from coast to coast and learn how every county contributes in unique and different ways to the distinct English personality. Marvel at crooked black and white halls in Cheshire and soft golden stone cottages in Midland villages. Go cheese rolling in Gloucestershire, discover the origins of cricket in Hampshire, savour a hot pot in Lancashire and a pudding in Yorkshire. Gasp at the glories of stately homes and the families that create them, upstairs and down, enjoy a pint. Listen to the memories and tales of ordinary folk from every walk of life and find out from them what it means to be English. This irresistible book is packed with fascinating trivia and amusing stories that will entertain and inform for hours on end.

Christopher Winn

About

Books

Join the club