High Street Tales is a new storytelling initiative by Historic England to uncover the hidden histories and celebrate the everyday magic of the high street. 

Made in conjunction with New Writing North, High Street Tales is part of Historic England’s high street cultural programme; four years of nationwide cultural activity helping to make high streets more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time. The programme is run by Historic England, in partnership with Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.

High Street Tales - New Podcast Series

In 'Flying', Maria wanted to capture Black Country dialect. Growing up in Wednesbury, her character Lily May can only dream of having the confidence her friends all seem to have. On a special day when spirits stir, it’s Lily May who discovers a new side to Wednesbury, and herself.

You can download the ebook of all the stories at https://historicengland.org.uk/highstreettales

Made in conjunction with New Writing North and Writing West Midlands, and the series was produced by Sonderbug Productions with thanks to Darren Hayman for use of his song Pram Town. 

High Street Tales is part of Historic England’s high street cultural programme; four years of nationwide cultural activity helping to make high streets more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time. The programme is run by Historic England, in partnership with Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England. Follow us on social @HistoricEngland, using the hashtag #HighStreetTales.

Wednesbury | Flying | story by Maria Whatton

Join us as we travel across England to discover 100 momentous historical places. From a hut in Bletchley Park where modern computing evolved, to the iron railings in London to which suffragettes chained themselves, we’ll step back in time to the very roots of our national identity to bring you the people and the stories that have helped shape England. Nominate a place at http://HistoricEngland.org.uk/100places  |  A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer, Ecclesiastical http://ecclesiastical.com  |  Take part in our listener survey at bit.ly/2Bxc2sG

Trailer

Hear about the home where George Orwell began his novel 1984 and remember the rave days of “Madchester” at the infamous nighclub, The Hacienda.

Emma Barnett, Monica Ali, Clare McDonnell and Rachel Prothero visit more inspiring Music and Literature spots.

Nominate a place at HistoricEngland.org.uk/100Places

A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com

George Orwell and The Hacienda

Introducing new host Dr Suzannah Lipscomb as she begins Series 2 by exploring England's 'Loss & Destruction' locations as selected by judge Mary Beard. 
Guests Dan Cruickshank and Emily Gee help explore Must Farm Bronze Age settlement in Peterborough, the haunting ruins of Whitby Abbey and the windswept Dunwich on the Suffolk coast. 
A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com

A Bronze Age time capsule and haunting seaside abbeys

This episode sees historians Dr Suzannah Lipscomb, Dan Cruickshank and Emily Gee explore 2 more locations in the “Loss & Destruction” category, as chosen by Mary Beard from a long list of public nominations. Learn more about the infamous Crystal Palace and the magnificent Euston Arch, which was demolished in the 60s and used to fill the bed of the River Lea in London. A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com

A Palace in Flames and London’s gateway to the North

From Liverpool’s historic waterfront, to the shipyards of Newcastle and Yorkshire beaches, the coast has shaped the identity of the North of England. With artist and photographer John Kippin, we explore the history, the people and the character of the Northern coastline.

Coast of the North | Spirit of the North Ep. 1

From Sheffield’s Steel to Bradford’s textiles, manufacturing heritage is still a core part of the North’s physical and emotional identity. John Kippin explores the places he photographed to reflect the North of England’s trading history.

Trade of the North | Spirit of the North Ep. 2

The North of England has spawned some of the world’s most influential music, and the artists of Manchester and Liverpool have left their indelible mark on the buildings as well as the culture. We explore the influence of music and art on the Northern character with artist-photographer John Kippin and guests.

Art of the North | Spirit of the North Ep. 3

From the Industrial Revolution to the end of the 20th Century, huge swathes of The North revolved around coal and heavy industry. From Woodhorn Colliery to Jarrow Town Hall and Orgreave, the workers and the communities left a profound mark on the buildings and the landscape.

Workers of the North | Spirit of the North Ep. 4

The ancient history of the North of England has left its mark on the landscape and the culture. From the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall to the Tees Transporter Bridge and the Tyne Bridge, we explore the legacy of stone circles, winding rivers, and stories of giants.

Landscape of the North | Spirit of the North Ep. 5

Where Light Falls Audio Description - Site 1

In this episode, the musician and writer Celia Bryce explores North Shields high street in an otherworldly tale which follows a mysterious character on his journey through streets of the past to return a lost shoe to its home, for her story ‘Time and the Shoe Man.’

You can download the ebook of all the stories at HistoricEngland.org.uk/highstreettales 

Made in conjunction with New Writing North, High Street Tales is part of Historic England’s high street cultural programme; four years of nationwide cultural activity helping to make high streets more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time. The programme is run by Historic England, in partnership with Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England. 

Follow us on social using @HistoricEngland and the hashtag #HighStreetTales to stay up to date with the latest High Street news. (c) Historic England all rights reserved.

North Shields | Time and the Shoeman | story by Celia Bryce

A new podcast series celebrating the magic of the high street launches Wednesday 10 February. Eight writers have worked with local communities to explore the past of our high streets and look to their future, creating seven short stories.

High Street Tales - new series, 60 sec trailer

In The Women of Number 11, writer and poet Rebecca Tantony used online conversations, socially-distanced conversations as well as the sights and sounds of Weston-super-Mare to conjure the lives of the women across the ages.

You can download the ebook of all the stories at HistoricEngland.org.uk/highstreettales 

Made in conjunction with New Writing North and Literature Works, and the series was produced by Sonderbug Productions with thanks to Darren Hayman for use of his song Pram Town. 

High Street Tales is part of Historic England’s high street cultural programme; four years of nationwide cultural activity helping to make high streets more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time. The programme is run by Historic England, in partnership with Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England. Follow us on social @HistoricEngland and use the hashtag #HighStreetTales.

Weston-super-Mare | The Women of Number 11 | story by Rebecca Tantony

In her short story 'In Between Days', poet and novelist Merrie Joy Williams was inspired by the local community, who she spoke to discover this vibrant corner of London. Her story explores the rich history of Woolwich through the eyes of its teenage resident, Karim.

You can download the ebook of all the stories at HistoricEngland.org.uk/highstreettales 

Made in conjunction with New Writing North and Spread the Word, and the series was produced by Sonderbug Productions with thanks to Darren Hayman for use of his song Pram Town. 

High Street Tales is part of Historic England’s high street cultural programme; four years of nationwide cultural activity helping to make high streets more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time. The programme is run by Historic England, in partnership with Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England. Follow us on social @HistoricEngland, using the hashtag #HighStreetTales.

Woolwich | In Between Days | story by Merrie Joy Williams

We champion and protect England’s historic environment: archaeology, buildings, parks, maritime wrecks and monuments.

Wednesbury | Flying | story by Maria Whatton

Historic England

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