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.  

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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 and innovation. From the seismic shifts of the Reformation to the chaos of the English Civil War, this was a time when towns were shaped as much by fire, plague, and poverty as they were by emerging ideas in architecture, planning, and culture.

We examine:

• Why this period matters: Often overshadowed by the grandeur of Georgian design, this era bridges the muddy medieval streets and the structured elegance of later urban planning.
• Urban life and growth: Towns expanded, populations surged, and the earliest signs of modern urbanisation began to appear.
• Political and religious upheaval: The dissolution of monasteries, The Civil War, and the Restoration all left lasting marks on urban society.
• Cultural renaissance: Shakespeare, Bacon, and Newton emerged as England caught up with—and began to surpass—the classical world in science and the arts.
• Social realities: Life was short, cities were young, and the spectres of disease and starvation loomed large. Yet, amid the hardship, towns began to evolve.

We also spotlight London’s pioneering urban experiments—that hinted at the neoclassical ideals to come.

This episode knits together a complex and often overlooked chapter in England’s urban story. It’s a tale of resilience, reinvention, and the roots of modernity.

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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 unpack the historical, urban, and political reasons why cities like Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester never got the metro systems their European counterparts enjoy.

The Elizabeth Line was a rare recent bright spot in UK metro growth - but this added another line in London, with Leeds still relying on infrequent suburban rail and buses.

We also look at the cost crisis facing modern transit projects, the economic consequences of limited urban rail, and what the future might hold for public transport in the UK.

Featuring listener feedback, historical insights, and a dash of urbanist frustration—this is one for train lovers, city nerds, and anyone wondering why Britain stopped building underground rail.

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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 House, Lace Market, University buildings and Wollaton Hall.  

Check out part 1 for the introduction to our historical guide to Nottingham.

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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 section we discuss the legacies of Robin Hood, Nottingham's sporting clubs and several writers who were heavily influenced by the city including Graham Greene, DH Lawrence, and Alan Sillitoe.  We learn about Lord Byron, Paul Smith and the Goose Fair.

Check out part 1 for the introduction to our historical guide to Nottingham

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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 uncover how Nottingham helped spark the English Civil War.

Visit our website yeoldeguide.com for details of all our episodes.  Don't forget to leave feedback.

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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 Cities of England.  Our discussion includes:

Dunwich: Once a thriving settlement with a population of over 3000, Dunwich now has only 84 residents. Coastal erosion has dramatically reshaped this town, making it a shadow of its former self.

Old Sarum: Now an English Heritage site, Old Sarum was once a significant settlement. Discover its history and why it became virtually non-existent.

Silchester: With a current population of 921, Silchester has Roman roots and significant walls

Winchelsea: Although not entirely lost, Winchelsea never grew to the aspirations of its planners.  Today it offers a great opportunity to see a planned town layout.  

Join us for an enjoyable exploration of these intriguing locations. Are these settlements truly lost, or do they still hold a place in England's historical tapestry? Tune in to find out!

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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

Following from part 1, where we learned how Brighton became a top seaside resort, we talk about its cultural influence: a place of music, film, LGBT culture and food.  We then discuss the architecture of Brighton including the Royal Pavilion and piers and the regency estates.

Visit yeoldeguide.com to find out more about the podcast and hear other episodes

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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. 

In this episode we explore the royal connections, and the sometimes dubious medicinal industry that attracted visitors in the 18th century.  Perhaps less well known, is Brighton’s connection with an earlier King and one of the greatest escapes of all time.   

The second episode will cover Culture and the Urban Landscape of Brighton, and will be released in two weeks.

Visit yeoldeguide.com to find out more about the podcast and hear other episodes

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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 Black Death, Fires and dramatic changes in economic fortunes.  

We will discover the largest settlements in the medieval period and see how their fortunes  changed.

Whilst cathedrals, castles, guildhalls and town walls would dominate architecturally, ordinary citizens lived in filth and squalor with limited sanitation and constant risk to health.  This was however a period in which early governance emerged and towns developed limited autonomy.

Join us on our exploration of the origins and development of English cities.  If you haven’t listened already, the episode Settling in Stone: Tracing the First Steps of British Towns traces the very beginning of settlement in Great Britain.

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