Local History – Destinworld Publishing

Unveiling the Mystique of York’s Six Bars: A Journey through History and Heritage

York, the ancient city in northern England, is renowned for its rich history and heritage. Among its many historical treasures, the city's six bars stand tall as stoic guardians, bearing witness to centuries of triumphs and trials. In this article, we embark on a fascinating journey to explore the stories behind these remarkable structures, delving into their significance, architectural wonders, and the tales they tell about York's past. The Intriguing Role of York's Bars in History The term "bars" in York refers...

The Ages of York in One Short Walk

Everyone knows that the best way to see a city or town imbued with so much history like York is to walk it. So here is a walk which takes in the broad expanse of York’s vast historical heritage, ranging from the Romans to the present day. And don’t forget to look up as you stroll around: there’s as much up there as there is down here! We’ll start at the medieval Minster (1) as it’s the biggest, most famous and most...

10 Events in the History of York Minster

The life and history of York’s most prominent building York Minster is probably the best known landmark in the city. Its Gothic towers and great size loom over the city and can be seen for miles around; inside, still a place of worship, prayer and learning, it is also a huge tourist draw for the city. This cathedral dedicated to St Peter is one of the largest in Europe and in its centuries of history has seen many important events, which we’ll uncover...

New Book Uncovers York’s Most Important People, Objects and Places

Destinworld Publishing announces A History of York in 101 People, Objects and Places, a new book title for Autumn 2023. YORK historian Paul Chrystal takes you on a unique journey of discovery through some of the less well-known, more surprising stories connected with York, just as if you were ambling through the city’s streets, coming across this, that or the other, purely by pleasant chance in what can be your personal journey of serendipity. Hear about the poet Shelley – one of...

Anne Lister – The First Modern Lesbian

Women of York is a wonderful new book on the often unheard of tales of women who have influenced the history of this city in one way or another. In this article, we’ll look at Anne Lister, who could be described as the first modern lesbian, and her secret lovers. She was the inspiration for the TV drama series Gentleman Jack. Discovering Anne's Diaries Shibden Hall In one of the dark, candle-lit rooms of Shibden Hall, Halifax, John Lister pulled back the old wooden panel...

A Snapshot of York Industry Through Time

York, because of its cloth trade and the ancillary industries associated with it in the 14th century, was described as ‘the foremost industrial town in the North of England.’ This prosperity was short-lived though, and the trade in cloth declined to such a degree that, as we have seen, a visitor to the city in the seventeenth century, Thomas Fuller, remarked: ‘the foreign trade is like their river...low and flat.’. The railway and confectionery industries were soon to change York’s industrial...

The Roman sewer discovered under York – and what it confirmed about toilet habits!

In 1972 a large sewer was discovered under Church Street in York. Big enough to walk through, early investigations clearly identified it as a very old structure, most likely of Roman origin. This was later confirmed. Like today’s modern sewers, this underground route included many features such as side channels, sluices and even manhole covers in the street above. The size of it allowed slaves access to clean the sewer of any build-up of excrement or other detritus which had been washed down by...

Out Now! York Through the Lens of The Press

You can now get your hands on a copy of the most exciting new book about York available this year. York Through the Lens of The Press is a nostalgic look at the stories, events and news about the city which have appeared in The Press, its local newspaper, over the past hundred or more years. The Yorkshire Evening Press, known today simply as The Press, has been the beating heart of life in York since 1882. Through the reporting of its journalists and...

Remembering Middlesbrough Football Club in Colour

Our newly launched book, Middlesbrough – A Colourful Past is a landmark look at the history of Middlesbrough, and it includes some amazing memories of Middlesbrough Football Club. Written and designed by local historian and broadcaster Paul Menzies, the book takes the reader on a journey through the history of Middlesbrough in full colour for the first time. The images in the book have been painstakingly restored, bringing old black and white scenes into vibrant colour, and helping the reader really see...

New Book on York Delves into the Archives of The Press

Destinworld Publishing announces York Through the Lens of The Press, a new book title for Autumn 2022 which looks into the fascinating archives of The Press, York’s premier newspaper. The Yorkshire Evening Press, known today simply as The Press, has been the beating heart of life in York since 1882. Through the reporting of its journalists and the images captured by its photographers, The Press has witnessed thousands of stories, events and changes in the city. Now, for the first time, these images...