Ye Olde Guide

In our third episode on Oxford, Daniel Gooch and Liam McGrath explore two more themes in the history of Oxford We explore centuries of outstanding scientific achievements in the city from the instrumentation of the seventeenth century through to advances in penicillin and biosciences into he 20th century.   The university has given rise to some of the finest museums in the country and unsurprising...

In our second episode on Oxford, Daniel Gooch and Liam McGrath explore the political and military role of Oxford through the ages.  Oxford Part One provided an introduction to Oxford and its university.  In this episode we learn about how power came to Oxford, through politics, the church and through those who studied and worked at the university.  Oxford provides pivotal moments in British histor...

Y e Olde Guide explores the history and heritage of England’s towns and cities, diving deep into the stories, buildings, and people that shaped them. In this series, hosts Liam McGrath and historian Daniel Gooch guide you through five key themes that bring each place to life—from politics and war to culture, science, religion, and urban development. This season, we turn our attention to Oxford. Th...

Step back into the early planning of London’s West End, where the first purpose‑designed squares began reshaping a city still rooted in medieval streets and haphazard development. In this episode of Ye Olde Guide we explore the origins of London’s earliest squares — spaces that bridged the chaotic post‑medieval city and the more ordered, elegant Georgian era to come. From Covent Garden onwards,  w...

Stockport isn’t just another mill town — it’s stacked above rivers, beneath viaducts, and within tunnels. In this episode of Ye Olde Guide , we peel back the layers of its unique landscape and diverse industrial past, tracing how the town grew at the very start of the River Mersey. From hat-making heritage to vast underground air raid shelters, Stockport’s story is one of hidden histories and over...

Stockport isn’t just another mill town — it’s stacked above rivers, beneath viaducts, and within tunnels. In this episode of Ye Olde Guide , we peel back the layers of its unique landscape and diverse industrial past, tracing how the town grew at the very start of the River Mersey. From hat-making heritage to vast underground air raid shelters, Stockport’s story is one of hidden histories and over...

In the Tudor and Stuart period towns in the UK were still predominantly wooden  but moving to brick construction was a hallmark of success.  Distinctive styles such as Oriel windows and elaborate carvings were seen on the buildings of the wealthy.  Meanwhile the houses of the poor remained meagre and crowded.  Join us as we continue our series on the development of town and cities.   Send us Fan M...

Welcome back to Ye Olde Guide , where we uncover the layered history of England’s towns and cities. In this episode, we journey through the transformative Tudor and Stuart period (c.1500–1700), a time often skipped over in popular imagination—but one that laid the groundwork for the urban England we know today. Following our exploration of medieval town life, we now delve into an era of upheaval a...

The UK was the birthplace of the underground railway, with London’s Tube setting the global standard. So why do so few British cities have metro systems today? In this episode of Ye Olde Guide , Liam McGrath and Daniel Gooch take a break from city guides to explore the curious case of Britain’s missing metros. From the legacy of Victorian railways and trams to post-war car-centric planning, we unp...

Join us on Ye Olde Guide as we explore the history of Nottingham. This is the third part of three episodes on Nottingham. We will be discussing the  Urban Landscape of Nottingham, looking back to its origins as two distinct settlements, growth around the market square, industrial expansion and the expansion of housing.  We discuss the fine architecture of Nottingham including the imposing Council...

Join us on a jam packed episode of Ye Olde Guide! This is the second part of three episodes on Nottingham In the Science & industry section we discover the history of the Lace industry and the big companies that grew in Nottingham like Boots chemist, Raleigh Cycles and Players Cigarettes.  We will learn about the contributions of the Universities in Nottingham. In the Arts & Culture sectio...

Welcome to Nottingham, where rebellion runs deep.  In this first part of our mini-series, we dive into the city's tangled history of politics and protest, from Nottingham Castle's royal showdowns to Luddite uprisings in Market Square, riots in St Ann's and the rise of justice in unexpected places.  We meet England's first black magistrate, explore the Galleries of Justice, and...

In this special episode of YeOldeGuide, we delve into the fascinating history of England's forgotten settlements. Despite being a small and crowded island, some important towns have faded into obscurity or vanished entirely. Where were these missing settlements, and why did they disappear? Join us as we welcome historian Daniel Gooch back to the studio for an insightful discussion on the Lost...

Brighton – the regency city by the sea, which grew from a sleepy fishing town into a centre of Georgian leisure, initially as a spa town, but later as a centre for entertainment favoured by the Prince Regent himself.  As train loads of tourists replaced royalty, Brighton grew into one of England’s largest Victorian seaside resorts.  In part 2 we discuss Arts & Culture and Urban Landscape Follo...

Brighton – the regency city by the sea, which grew from a sleepy fishing town into a centre of Georgian leisure, initially as a spa town, but later as a centre for entertainment favoured by the Prince Regent himself.  As train loads of tourists replaced royalty, Brighton grew into one of England’s largest Victorian seaside resorts.  In part 1 we discuss Politics and War, and Science and Industry. ...

From 1066 to 1500 towns and cities in England transformed beyond recognition.  The Norman conquest brought stability, trade and resources and the construction of large castles and cathedrals.   Towns became the economic focus of their rural hinterlands. Meanwhile, a generation of hundreds of planned towns emerged with involvement from  King Edward I himself.  Medieval towns had to survive the Blac...

After a brief historical overview our podcast explores the city in four categories: Politics & War: the royal connections to the ancient cathedral including Catherine of Aragon and Mary Queen of Scots Science & Industry: a city expanded by railway industry, brickmaking, and engines. Two pioneering female scientists. Arts & Culture: The Peterborough Chronicle, a key national record, and...

Join us on a historical tour of Liverpool .  World famous for The Beatles and its football clubs, Liverpool has a rich and influential history and magnificent architectural heritage.  Ye Olde Guide explores the history of English towns and cities in four categories: Politics & War, Arts & Culture, Science & Industry, and Urban Landscape.   In the fourth of four parts covering Liverpool...

Join us on a historical tour of Liverpool .  World famous for The Beatles and its football clubs, Liverpool has a rich and influential history and magnificent architectural heritage.  Ye Olde Guide explores the history of English towns and cities in four categories: Politics & War, Arts & Culture, Science & Industry, and Urban Landscape.   In the third of four parts on Liverpool we’ll...

Explore the fascinating history of the impact of the Olympic games on English towns and cities. The history of venues from the groundbreaking White City Stadium built for the 1908 Olympics, to the 2012 Aquatics Centre. Delve into the transformation of venues over the years, including the use of military facilities in the 1948 "Austerity Olympics" and the extensive regeneration projects f...

Join us on a historical tour of Liverpool .  World famous for The Beatles and its football clubs, Liverpool has a rich and influential history and magnificent architectural heritage.  Ye Olde Guide explores the history of English towns and cities in four categories: Politics & War, Arts & Culture, Science & Industry, and Urban Landscape.   In the second of four parts on Liverpool we’ll...

Join us on a historical tour of Liverpool .  World famous for The Beatles and its football clubs, Liverpool has a rich and influential history and magnificent architectural heritage.  Ye Olde Guide explores the history of English towns and cities in four categories: Politics & War, Arts & Culture, Science & Industry,  and Urban Landscape.   In the first of four parts on Liverpool we wi...

Museums are at the heart of storytelling for towns and cities.  We discuss how the scope, excitement and emersion of local museums helps narrate the history of urban development and culture.   Our conversation explores the significance of local museums in preserving culture and democratising history. It delves into the presentation of town history, highlighting examples such as York Castle Museum...

Discover Southampton's rich history – from its Saxon roots and pivotal role in medieval trade to its emergence as a major port in the 19th century. Explore the city's political ties, maritime connections, and the profound impact of the Titanic sinking. Southampton's cultural landscape includes the influential International Boat Show, connections to entertainment through Benny Hill a...

Embark on a journey through time with Ye Olde Guide as we delve into the origins of English towns. In this episode, we unravel the practical and theoretical definitions of urban life, tracing its evolution from the late Stone Age to the Norman Conquest. Discover how early communities transformed from nomadic tribal settlements to clustered focal points with hints of unified governance. Explore the...