During the Regency, the relatively cheap price of admission (~3 shillings, sixpence) and a growing middle class drove the popularity of Vauxhall Gardens.

Built in the 1730s and acquired in the mid-19th century by the King-Wilkinson family, whose conservative landownership ensured that Slaidburn retains its uniformly 'unspoilt' appearence, Townhead was last occupied in 1939. The 14-bedroom, Grade II* Listed Georgian mansion was featured in the national press in 2008, as being for sale for the 'bargain' price of £700,000, equivalent to a 2-bed flat in Manchester. The slight hitch was that it is on the 'Buildings At Risk Register' and requires at least £1 million of sympathetic renovation (in addition to £11,080 already spent by English Heritage). The expected value of the result would be £2 million, but though a buyer was found, the Register still reports the condition to be 'poor' and "slowly decaying; solution agreed but not yet implemented". My visits to Bowland are starting to overlap: I followed the the pale farm track and footpath across the bracken-covered lower slope of Dunsop Fell only a fortnight ago, crossing to Whitendale. Similarly, the road in the foreground is The Skaithe, leading towards Bentham over the Cross Of Greet road, another of my regular cycle routes across the Bowland Fells. Better On Black?

Art.com | We Are Art We exist so you can have the art you love. Art.com gives you easy access to incredible art images and top-notch craftsmanship. High-Quality Framed Art Prints Our high-end framed wall art is printed on premium paper using non-toxic, archival inks that protect against UV light to resist fading. Experience unmatched quality and style as you choose from a wide range of designs to enhance your room décor. Professionally Crafted Framed Wall Art Attention to detail is at the heart of our process, as we exclusively use 100% solid wood frames that include 4-ply white core matboard and durable, frame-grade clear acrylic for clarity, long-lasting protection of the artwork and unrivaled quality. With a thoughtfully selected frame and mat combination, this piece is designed to complement your art and create a visually appealing display. Easy-to-Hang & Ready-to-Display Artwork Each framed art piece comes with hanging hardware affixed to the back of the frame, allowing for easy and convenient installation. Ready to display right out of the box. Handcrafted in the USA. The Print This giclée print delivers a vivid image with maximum color accuracy and exceptional resolution. The standard for museums and galleries around the world, giclée is a printing process where millions of ink droplets are “sprayed” onto high-quality paper. With the great degree of detail and smooth transitions of color gradients, giclée prints appear much more realistic than other reproduction prints. The high-quality paper (235 gsm) is acid free with a smooth surface.   Paper Type: Giclee Print Finished Size: 16" x 16" Arrives by Wed, May 29 Product ID: 58510445435A

Visit these living history sites if you ever need to escape 2013 for a bit.

Gardens have been an integral part of Oxford University since its medieval beginnings. Take a tour through some of the most beautiful green spaces in the city, many of which are not open to the public, in this extract from "Oxford College Gardens".

The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution was a period of great change. Machinery was developed rapidly, leading to changes in the way that manufacturing functioned. As industry changed, society adapted. There was a shift from a predominantly agricultural society to one in which industry and urban areas dominated. Towns and cities grew quickly around the

Florence, Barcelona, Dubai, Seattle, and more—these cities contain some of the world's best examples of design and architecture, including thoughtful urban planning and modern marvels.

These photographs were taken around 1897 at the Crumpsall Workhouse in Manchester, and give a vivid insight into how Victorian Britain dealt with its poor and sick.

Cossack trousers of linen, Great Britain, 1820-1830

Located on Main Street in Easton, the Oliver Ames Jr. House exemplifies the romanticism of the Italianate style in the mid 19th century. Built in 1864, the home, known as “Unity Close”,…

Back in mid-19th century England, public transportation was popular enough that even dead people had their own railway. P. D. Smith writes: The London Necropolis Railway station was constructed by the London Necropolis & National Mausoleum Company, specifically to serve their Brookwood Cemetery, 25 miles away in Woking, Surrey. The Company’s logo was, somewhat ghoulishly, […]

For many people going to work in London, they had no other option other than to walk miles through streets filled with blood and excrement, thanks to the prohibitively high cost of public transport.