Wherever possible links and other reference material are now listed on the relevant pages.
General
Links and Books covering the whole country.
External Links and References
External Links
- The Folly Fellowship
In addition to a wealth of folly related information, this site also hosts a set of Google Earth Folly Maps charting over 500 follies. More than you can shake a stick at?
http://follies.org.uk/index.php/map/ - The Gough Map
A digital version of one of the earliest maps to show Britain in a geographically recognizable form.
http://www.goughmap.org/map/ - Mapping Our Shores
Fascinating set of land usage maps produced for the National Trust in 1965 for what is now the Neptune Coastline Campaign, together with overlays showing the current usage.
https://nattrust.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=ca69d4da0e8a4bccb175bdca68d5d520 - Bing Maps
OS now charges to access to the maps the taxpayers of yore funded. However they are free on MS Bing Maps.
https://explore.osmaps.com/
- The Folly Fellowship
Recommended Books
-
Eccentric Britain by Ben Le Vay
follies, bizarre buildings, peculiar pubs, curious ceremonies, etc -
Good Pub Guide by Alisdair Aird and Fiona Stapley
Tendency to confuse a Good Pub with a Good Restaurant, but useful none the less -
Lonely Planet Wales
Guide to Wales -
Lonely Planet: Britain
Includes coverage of outdoor activities, British history, architecture and literature, plus Welsh and Gaelic language sections -
Lonely Planet: England
Guide to England aimed at people on a variety of budgets -
Good Beer Guide by Roger Protz
In general I find, pubs that look after the beer, look after the customers -
The Making of the English Landscape by W G Hoskins
Seminal work on the historical evolution of the English landscape
-
Eccentric Britain by Ben Le Vay
Walking
Links and Books covering the countryside and open spaces.
External Links and References
External Links
- Rights of way and accessing land
Government site detailing 'open access' areas designated under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
https://www.gov.uk/right-of-way-open-access-land/use-your-right-to-roam - Natural England
Natural England is a government body that brings together what were English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england - Forestry England
Details of the forests and woodlands in the care of this government department, formerly part of the Forestry Commission.
https://www.forestryengland.uk/ - National Trails
A guide to what used to be called 'Long Distance Footpaths' before they let the cyclists and horse riders in.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ - The National Trust
Details of 248,000 hectares of countryside, almost 600 miles of coastline and more than 200 buildings
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ - National Trust - Activties - Walking
The National Trust walks database.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walking
- Rights of way and accessing land
Places
Links and Books covering tourist attractions and other places of interest.
External Links and References
External Links
- Cadw
The historic environment agency of the Welsh Assembly
https://cadw.gov.wales/?lang=en - The Churches Conservation Trust
Information on over 330 supported churches
https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/ - English Heritage
Details of the large number of sites protected by this former Government body now a charity
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/ - Friends of Friendless Churches
Details of 30 or so Churches and Chapels
https://friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/ - The Historic Chapels Trust
Details of 15 chapels
https://hct.org.uk/ - Heritage Great Britain PLC
Owns and operates six popular landmark attractions in the British Isles
https://www.heritagegb.co.uk/ - Historic Houses
Online directory of over 400 of properties.
https://www.historichouses.org/ - Historic Environment Scotland
Information on more than 300 properties
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/ - National Mills Weekend
This website lists a selection of the 450-odd wind and watermills which open to the public either regularly or occasionally, throughout the United Kingdom. Some of the mills listed are only open on National Mills Weekend, but others open on regular days each month.
https://www.spab.org.uk/mills/national-mills-weekend - The National Trust
Details of 248,000 hectares of countryside, almost 600 miles of coastline and more than 200 buildings
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ - Trinity House
Details of all Trinity House's activities including the Visitor Centres and Self-catering Cottages. Details of all lights are in the 'Interactive' section.
https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/
- Cadw
Recommended Books
-
England's Thousand Best Churches by Simon Jenkins
A bit dull, or should I say worthy, but packed full of information.
-
England's Thousand Best Churches by Simon Jenkins
Buildings
Links and Books covering building conservation, architecture, etc.
External Links and References
External Links
- SAVE Britain's Heritage
Campaigns for threatened historic buildings
https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/
- SAVE Britain's Heritage
Industry
Links and Books covering heritage railways and other idustrial sites.
External Links and References
External Links
- UK Heritage Railways
Comprehensive listing of all preserved railways, tramways and rolling stock in the UK with links to the individual railway sites
http://www.heritagerailways.com/ - Rail Map online
Comprehensive maps of all UK railways and canals past and present overlaid on to Google Maps. Also covers Western USA railways.
https://www.railmaponline.com/ - Railway Ramblers
The groups aims are: * To discover, explore and document disused railway lines * To encourage interest in the walking and conservation of disused railway lines * To bring to the attention of the appropriate authorities those disused lines which we consider to be suitable for conversion into public footpaths or cycleways * To promote signposting, clearing of undergrowth etc. on converted lines * To create regional groups of the club throughout the United Kingdom, with Regional Secretaries to organise local activities * To disseminate up to date information through reports and newsletters, etc. * To respect private property and the Country Code at all time
https://www.railwayramblers.org.uk/ - Smugglers' Britain
Whole load of info on smuggling - which I suppose was an industry of sorts
http://www.smuggling.co.uk/ - waterscape.com
The Canal and River Trust's comprehensive guide to Britain's canals and navigable rivers.
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
- UK Heritage Railways
Recommended Books
-
The Landscape Trilogy by L T C Rolt
Autobiography of one of the pioneers of industrial preservation, if not the pioneer. Proto-hippy born before his time. -
Narrow Boat by L T C Rolt
The book that in many ways started the whole heritage movement. Rolt's record of his journeys on the canals of Britain between the wars when they were still a working network.
-
The Landscape Trilogy by L T C Rolt
Other Bits and Pieces
Anything that does not fit in anywhere else.
External Links and References
External Links
- Krystal Hosting Ltd
My web site hosting service
https://krystal.io/ - Strange Maps
Excellent blog covering all sorts of odd maps.
https://bigthink.com/strange-maps/ - W3 Schools
Excellent up-to-date reference source for all things webby. The tutorials are probably a bit thin to get you started, but once your up and running, everything is here.
https://www.w3schools.com/ - Zen Internet
My ISP
https://www.zen.co.uk/
- Krystal Hosting Ltd
Recommended Books
-
Apache, MySQL, and PHP Weekend Crash Course by Steven M Schafer
All you need to know to get you up and running on these technologies
-
Apache, MySQL, and PHP Weekend Crash Course by Steven M Schafer