The mysterious Lud Church and the Green Knight

Lud Church isn’t even a church at all but actually a hard to find crevice in the Staffordshire countryside on the south-west fringes of the Peak District.  A narrow canyon in the ground over over 100 metres (328.1 ft) long and 18 metres (59.1 ft) deep.  It’s a foreboding place and long has it been this way… Continue reading The mysterious Lud Church and the Green Knight

A day out to Highclere Castle aka Downton Abbey

I have been having a busy old summer taking guests on trip all around London and southern England but ever since February, I had been looking forward to Thursday 24th July in particular because this was the day that I would finally visit Highclere Castle. It was a long day out we I had collected… Continue reading A day out to Highclere Castle aka Downton Abbey

The 2014 Commonwealth Games

Wednesday sees the start of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the third largest multi-sport event after the Olympics and the Asian Games. The Commonwealth Games has been running every 4 years since 1930 and has so far been held in 18 cities around the world.  This years Commonwealth Games is being held in Glasgow. Around 71… Continue reading The 2014 Commonwealth Games

Lest We Forget: A Concise Companion to the First World War (my new book)

My easy to understand but comprehensive history of WW1 in Kindle and Paperback.

I know what you’re thinking.  Stephen can’t be releasing another book.  I know, I know.  I’m sorry.  Long-time readers will know that I spend my summers giving guided tours and during winter I spend most of my time writing and it just so happens that it takes a certain amount of time for books to… Continue reading Lest We Forget: A Concise Companion to the First World War (my new book)

Our village (Leavesden Green) gets a new WW1 memorial

Like many others have done as the 100th anniversary of WW1 or The Great War looms ever closer over for us, our village has been busy working on a new war memorial which is situated at the end of my street.  One of the most popular of my blog posts is that of Armistice Day… Continue reading Our village (Leavesden Green) gets a new WW1 memorial

The Messenger – Book 2 in the Timeless Trilogy

Today marks the release of the second book in my Timeless Trilogy of History-Romance novels, namely The Messenger. I’m very excited about The Messenger as with any trilogy, the second book in the series contains much of the meat of the overall story though it is a gripping read as a book in its own… Continue reading The Messenger – Book 2 in the Timeless Trilogy

The magic of Avebury Stone Circle and Lacock Abbey

Sometimes when I take out small groups on guided tours around southern England, I get to go to places that I haven’t been too but have often wanted to go.  It’s like those lucky people who love movies and get to work at film studios or animal lovers who get to become vets. There are… Continue reading The magic of Avebury Stone Circle and Lacock Abbey

Why is there no history on History TV?

I know, I’m a bit old-fashioned.  I like history, I visit historical places, I read about history and write about it too and when I switch on the History TV channel, I kind of expect history too.  I used to find it too until a few years ago. When the History Channel started, it was… Continue reading Why is there no history on History TV?

Farewell to a great Airbnb guest – or am I Matthew from Game On

I’m not sure how many people are familiar with the 1990’s extremely funny but short-lived BBC Comedy Game-On.  It centres on the lives of 3 flatmates, most particularly Matthew who comes into an inheritance after his parents are killed in a car crash and buys a large flat (apartment) in London which he rents out… Continue reading Farewell to a great Airbnb guest – or am I Matthew from Game On

Stupid corporate customer surveys

We all have them don’t we.  Every time we go somewhere, every time we do something, every time we visit a website we are urged to share our opinion.  Tight companies offer us nothing in return, others offer us a 1 in a million chance to win £10 or something similar.  Those lucky enough to… Continue reading Stupid corporate customer surveys