Bøger i S.E.C.R.E.T serien

Secret Twickenham, Whitton, Teddington and the Hamptons explores the lesser-known history of the South West London towns of Twickenham, Whitton, Teddington and the Hamptons through a fascinating selection of stories, unusual facts and attractive photographs.

Explore the Wirral's secret history through a fascinating selection of stories, facts and photographs.

A fascinating exploration of the lesser-known heritage of the Yorkshire market town of Northallerton through the centuries.

Dorking has long been a popular market town in the Surrey Hills. Lying on a number of major routes, in the eighteenth century the town became an important stopping place for stagecoaches between London and the south coast. Dorking's proximity to London also attracted wealthy residents who built large estates around the town, a number of which remain today. Dorking was home not only to its market but beneath the streets there is an extensive cave system. Important roles were played in the town by the old workhouse, one of its residents being a Victoria Cross holder, the community hospital and its three police stations, including investigating the foiled assassination of Lady Beaverbrook. The First World War brought Dorking an influx of refugees from London's East End and in the 1930s Oswald Mosley tried to make the town a centre of Blackshirt activity. Accounts of conscientious objectors are included, as well as the time the RAF nearly dropped an atomic bomb on the town and Dorking's present-day role in a number of film and small-screen favourites. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or vanished historical buildings and locations, Secret Dorking will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this town in Surrey.

The town of Dartmouth, lying on the River Dart estuary on Devon's south coast, has long had close associations with the sea. It was an important port for south-west England during the Middle Ages and became the home of the English navy. Dartmouth ships played a vital role in the battles against the Spanish Armada in 1588 and since the nineteenth century Dartmouth has been the home of the Royal Naval College. The historic town that grew up around the harbour with its narrow streets and ancient buildings such as the Butterwalk holds many dark and interesting secrets unknown to many who live in or visit the town. In this book author Christine Donnelly explores the stories behind the facade of the town, with characters such as John Hawley, the mayor who was also a pirate; William Veale, the Dartmouth Robinson Crusoe; Thomas Newcomen, the pioneering developer of the steam engine; and Agatha Christie, who lived at Kingswear, across the river. There are tales of witchcraft, tunnels by the harbour, the Scold Stone in the river and a mummified mouse preserved in a pub. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Dartmouth will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this town in Devon.

The Worcestershire town of Redditch grew up in the Middle Ages but became famous for needle manufacturing, and by the nineteenth century it produced 90 per cent of the world's needles. Alongside the needle industry, the town was also known for manufacturing fishing tackle, hooks and springs, and in the twentieth century other industries followed, including Royal Enfield. Redditch was transformed in the 1960s when it was designated a New Town, much of it being rebuilt as an example of modern town planning and new housing developments doubling the population. Although the traditional industries have largely disappeared, other new businesses and services have taken their place and Redditch is a thriving town. In Secret Redditch local author Anne Bradford reveals many little-known stories about Redditch from its medieval past to more recent times. These include a hidden cemetery left by the monks and a mysterious stone coffin, the scandalous elopement of an heiress at Hanbury Hall, a tucked-away memorial to a needleworker's death and another memorial stone to a notorious murder, the remains of the now closed Redditch to Evesham railway and much more. The hidden world of old Redditch behind the new town is revealed including little-known stories about the development of the new town and how the shopping centre was built on the old town plan.

Idyllic and breathtaking, the Yorkshire Dales is one of the most popular and well-known national parks not only in Britain, but throughout the world. Designated a national park in 1954, it attracts millions of visitors each year who are lured there by the spectacular scenery. Then there are historic towns such as Skipton, Settle and Hawes. Its landscapes are famous and rewarding whilst picturesque chocolate box villages are untouched from a bygone era and yield a life full of character. But there is more to the Dales than meets the eye. With 841 square miles of beauty and things to do, it's full of hidden gems that show a glimpse of its lesser-known heritage. In Secret Yorkshire Dales, author Mike Appleton takes the reader on an enlightening and entertaining journey through the park's past, delving beneath the surface to uncover its secrets. You'll discover a network of passages that have shaped the landscape above it, learn why the clack of needles was to be feared and hear folk tales from years past. You'll also find out about hidden kilns and mines, discover why a village had to drive a spike through the heart of a dead man and tread along long-forgotten routes and pathways. Then there are the secret inns, meeting places, notable folk, the intriguing cottage industries and much more that make this area special.

Originally a county town in Middlesex, Ealing became known as the 'Queen of the Suburbs' at the beginning of the last century. Famous for the Ealing Studios, the oldest film studios in the world, in this book authors Paul Lang and Dr Jonathan Oates delve into the fascinating but often lesser-known history of this district. Characters associated with Ealing include Olga Grey, hockey player and MI5 agent, and Ealing's pro-Hitler MP, and other links with espionage and political extremism include suspected Soviet spies and a Communist cell in nineteenth-century Hanwell. Crime has stalked the streets of Ealing with the tale of the disappearance of Peregrine Henniker-Heaton and dissent when the borough was home to anti-German riots in 1915 and the Sunday Opening controversy in the 1930s. Alongside these tales the authors uncover stories of sports stars, film studios, wartime and ancient Ealing. Secret Ealing explores the lesser-known episodes and characters in the history of the borough through the years. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, it will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this West London district.

The town of Richmond grew around the Tudor royal palace by the River Thames. Much of the land was used by the royals for hunting, first in the Old Deer Park and then in Richmond Park, but in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the area became a fashionable place of residence close to London, particularly around Richmond Hill. The Hill has also been home to rock and roll royalty including Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend. The town expanded into a municipal borough in 1890 and is now part of London, a thriving shopping and cultural centre for the area. This book explores the lesser-known episodes and characters in the history of Richmond through the years, from its royal beginnings, the establishment of a tapestry works at Mortlake, the connection with the River Thames through boatbuilding and the ferry before Richmond Bridge was built, home of the artistic and other famous people including three leading explorers, to the secret nineteenth-century plot to destroy Kew Gardens and the story behind the establishment of the Poppy Factory in 1922. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Richmond upon Thames will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this corner of south-west London.

Truro has been an important port since the Middle Ages, and its status as a stannary town, allowing it to assay and stamp copper and tin from Cornish mines, also brought prosperity to the town. Wealthy families settled in Truro, benefitting from mining and other industries such as iron-smelting, potteries and tanneries and the town was given city status by Queen Victoria and the foundations laid for a new cathedral. Today it is the administrative and commercial centre for Cornwall. This book explores Truro's history, including personalities such as Richard Lander, the explorer, and his contemporaries in the cultural hotbed of eighteenth-and nineteenth-century Truro. The Assembly Rooms which once stood in High Cross welcomed Sarah Siddons, General Tom Thumb and regular local entertainer Joseph Emidy who was once a slave. The Truro River has stories to tell, as do the cathedral, churches and chapels, and there are tales of law and order in the city, fires and other emergencies. The authors take the reader down the 'opes', alleys and lanes to reveal interesting anecdotes about musical events, clubs and societies, monuments and plaques, gravestones under the pavement and the 106 public houses that once served Truro. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Truro will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this fascinating city in Cornwall.

Where in St. Louis can you. . . . . . picnic at a radioactive waste dump? . . . learn what West County Center's famous dove really represents? . . . visit the grave of the man who burned Atlanta? . . . join a nudist resort? . . . view a cube comprised of a million dollar bills? . . . see a piece from New York's Twin Towers? . . . find out exactly what a Billiken is? Whether you are piloting a simulated barge on the Mississippi River, exploring the hidden history of Abraham Lincoln's bizarre sword fight in St. Charles County, or eating a ten-pound apple-pie in Kimmswick inspired by the Great Flood of 1993, it is hard to get bored with a copy of Secret St. Louis: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. By turns wistful and whimsical, this is a book that answers the questions you never knew you had about St. Louis while taking readers on a whirlwind tour through ninety-seven unique but little-known spaces and places that can't be found anywhere else. A tourist handbook for people who thought they never needed one, Secret St. Louis provides a scavenger hunt of hidden gems traversing the somber, strange, surprising, and silly locales which define the culture and history that make St. Louis such a diverse and amazing place to call home. From Weldon Spring to Wildwood, Overland to O'Fallon, Bellefontaine to Bridgeton, this is an exploration of St. Louis's odds and ends like no other.

Where in Phoenix can you: join the Wrigley Mansion Club? smell the desert after the rain? explore ancient petroglyphs? discover the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold? watch the Pony Express deliver mail? try Indian fry bread? slink into a speakeasy? wolf down a Sonoran Dog? test your mettle as a fighter pilot? Whether you are exploring the rabbit warren of rooms that comprise Mystery Castle, hiking the steep, jagged face of Piestewa Peak named after the country's first female Native American killed in combat, or standing among the towering saguaro cacti found only in the Sonoran Desert, it is hard to avoid adventure with a copy of Secret Phoenix: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure in your backpack. This book traverses the historical, geographical and cultural landscape of an unlikely city that has risen from the dust of an ancient civilization to be the sixth largest city in the U.S. From the native peoples who first established the vital canals of yore to the lungers plagued with tuberculosis who flocked to the dry, dry desert to find some relief to the builders, engineers and architects who created the highways and skyline you see today, the city's story is one of survival, innovation and rugged determination. A new and eager city bent on growth, Phoenix has often eschewed history for the sake of progress and over time has lost too much of its heritage; however, for those who look closely, ask the probing questions and choose to explore, there is a history (and a future) to be found. From Glendale to Tempe, Scottsdale to Goodyear, Chandler to Carefree, this book is an examination of metropolitan Phoenix through the bits and pieces left behind and the new spaces and places just beginning to take shape.

Where do the tunnels under the Colorado State Capitol go and why were they dug there in the first place? What is the backstory behind Tom's Baby, the largest piece of gold ever unearthed in Colorado? Denver may be known worldwide as the Mile High City, but its elevation is just one item on a long list of anomalies. In Secret Denver: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure you'll find many more quirks and mysteries to explore. Learn why Lakeside is one of the most historic amusement parks in the nation. Discover cemeteries repurposed as parks, streets once paved with radium, elves hiding in museum dioramas, and a seemingly endless parade of ghosts. Local journalists David Lewis and Eric Peterson tackle these conundrums and many others in the city they call home. With their combined experience traveling the trails less taken and the questions rarely asked, Secret Denver is bound to illuminate the city from an unexpected perspective.

Where in the landlocked state of Indiana can you sunbathe on a beach in the shadow of hulking steel mills, surf by an oil refinery or scuba-dive to see old shipwrecks? A blend of Indiana and neighboring Chicago, Northwest Indiana is a one-of-a-kind place filled with wonders like Frank Lloyd Wright homes and a hike USA Today described as one of the country's most scenic. And behind its unique "coastal" setting lie some equally intriguing hidden gems and untold stories. Secret Northwest Indiana: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure leads a whirlwind tour of the Calumet Region that extends from Chicago's far South Side, through the south suburbs and Northwest Indiana, and into Southwest Michigan. Read about a submarine inventor who sailed under Lake Michigan and the free-spirited Diana of the Dunes who inspired preservation efforts that led to the Indiana Dunes National Park. Explore hidden NIKE missile silos, bygone ski jumps, secret spots to photograph the jets taking off for the Chicago Air and Water Show and the infamous Marriage Mill where celebrities flocked to get divorced. Prepare for singing porta-potties, tree graveyards and other strangeness. Local author and journalist Joseph S. Pete gives you a look behind the curtain in a region you might think you already know well. With his stories and tips, you'll find no shortage of new secret places to explore in Northwest Indiana.

Where can you join in a pirate parade, see live mermaids and catch a flamenco dance performance at the oldest and largest Spanish restaurant in America? Where does the spirit of an ancient Tocobaga shaman allegedly continue to protect the area from the forces of nature? Where can you wander through secret gardens, listen to bagpipe music, take a class in fire spinning, and sample a seemingly endless variety of local craft beers, all on the same day? The answer, of course, is Tampa Bay. Secret Tampa Bay: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure provides a deeper dive into the local culture, history, art and one-of-a-kind attractions as alternatives to the usual beaches and theme parks. Whether it's an abandoned island fort from the Spanish-American War, a dolphin famous for its prosthetic tail, a love story captured on a tombstone, or a town of circus sideshow performers, whatever natural or unnatural wonder you're seeking, you are sure to find it here. Join author Joshua Ginsberg as he explores Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and the surrounding areas in search of hidden history, strange monuments, museums, oddities, antiques and the very best Cuban sandwich. From gangsters to gators to ghost stories, it's sure to be a memorable experience.

The Fens of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Lincolnshire (and a small part of Suffolk) are breathtakingly beautiful but misunderstood by some. This book will explore some of the secrets of the Fens that visitors and locals would be fascinated to learn. This unique landscape is rich in rare species, unusual traditions, 'Fentastic' festivals and hidden heritage. This book will help you unlock some of these secrets, including forgotten royalty, how people worked on the Fen lands, how the waterways were used and how flooding is managed today. Some of its many hidden treasures can be found in architecture, archaeology and stunning landscapes. Many of the facts in this book will prove that while the Fens may be flat, they are definitely not boring. Author Karen Merrison has unearthed singular events, little-known personalities and places in the history of the Fens to reveal the stories beneath the surface of the area. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Fens will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this area of eastern England.

The towns and villages west of Birmingham, around Dudley, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Wallsall, became known as the Black Country during the Industrial Revolution due to the intense industrialisation of the area, particularly coal mining and ironworking. The towns soon became one continuously built-up area, which developed its own distinctive character. Secret Black Country explores the lesser-known episodes and characters in the history of the area through the years, from Dudley Castle and royal connections with Lady Jane Grey and Queen Elizabeth I, visits by Charles I and Charles II in the English Civil War and visits by the future Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson to Himley Hall, which became a Red Cross hospital for patients with severe facial injuries during the Second World War, to the evidence of Charlie Chaplin's birthplace on Black Patch Park in Smethwick. Entries include the massive cavern beneath Dudley Zoo used for storage during the Second World War, the stories behind the gruesome nineteenth-century robbery and murder that caused Fir Tree Hill to be renamed and the tragic death of Dorothy Beaumont, wife of the Deputy Commander of Dudley Castle, while under siege in the Civil War, who is said to still haunt the ruins. Fully illustrated throughout, this book will reveal the hidden heritage of this historic area.

Where in Columbus can you find a grave of specimens from an insane asylum? Stroll down Memory Lane? See the world's largest gavel? Sniff the rarest smelly flower in the world? Soak up relics from the old National Roads? Soak up relics from the old National Road? The progressive pulse of Columbus secretly rests on fascinating, shocking, and bizarre events. Secret Columbus: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure is a journey of awe-inspiring moments combined with exciting knowledge about Ohio's capital city. This book discovers what trash-eating pigs have to do with the landfill and how Columbus police are related to the Short North arts district. Researched and written by Columbus native and career investigative television journalist Anietra Hamper, this book reveals exciting discoveries that take you to places you would never find on your own. From settler-era squirrel hunts to the famous smoking Mai Tais of the defunct Kahiki Supper Club, the secrets of Columbus are waiting for you. With Secret Columbus as your guide, uncover new truths about the places you thought you knew and experience an element of adventure along the way.