Alan Godfrey Maps
@alangodfreymaps.bsky.social
Travel in time, witness the changes technology wrought upon Britain & beyond using our maps as a window into history, brought alive by our researchers & authors.
Great Gifts!
From £3.50 pp. https://www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/acatalog/home.html
Great Gifts!
From £3.50 pp. https://www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/acatalog/home.html
If you’re there as the sun falls behind the mystic Trossachs, use the last of the light to read about the Holy Rude and it’s history; it's the only surviving Scottish church to have seen a coronation, & arguing clerics led to a wall being built across the inside!
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/sg1703.htm
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/sg1703.htm
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
If you’re there as the sun falls behind the mystic Trossachs, use the last of the light to read about the Holy Rude and it’s history; it's the only surviving Scottish church to have seen a coronation, & arguing clerics led to a wall being built across the inside!
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/sg1703.htm
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/sg1703.htm
The views from this part of the city are arresting & glorious, especially at sunset from the Holy Rude graveyard which climbs around the hillside, looking out towards the beguiling Trossach Hills in the far distance. From the castle, the world rolls out around you in a fine definition of ‘epic’.
3/
3/
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The views from this part of the city are arresting & glorious, especially at sunset from the Holy Rude graveyard which climbs around the hillside, looking out towards the beguiling Trossach Hills in the far distance. From the castle, the world rolls out around you in a fine definition of ‘epic’.
3/
3/
You could use our map to navigate this lovely city today, although the U.P. Church of 1860 is now a nice hostel & a visit to the prison next door will be briefer these days.
If you make it this far up the hill (of a gradient no map can give justice) the Kirk & Castle are only a little further on.
2/
If you make it this far up the hill (of a gradient no map can give justice) the Kirk & Castle are only a little further on.
2/
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
You could use our map to navigate this lovely city today, although the U.P. Church of 1860 is now a nice hostel & a visit to the prison next door will be briefer these days.
If you make it this far up the hill (of a gradient no map can give justice) the Kirk & Castle are only a little further on.
2/
If you make it this far up the hill (of a gradient no map can give justice) the Kirk & Castle are only a little further on.
2/
“Location, location, location. Of few towns could those words be more appropriate than of #Stirling ... described as ‘the brooch which clasps the Highlands & the Lowlands together’ and situated at what, until recent times, was the first crossing of the Forth.” Stirling 1860 notes by Alan Godfrey.
1/
1/
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
“Location, location, location. Of few towns could those words be more appropriate than of #Stirling ... described as ‘the brooch which clasps the Highlands & the Lowlands together’ and situated at what, until recent times, was the first crossing of the Forth.” Stirling 1860 notes by Alan Godfrey.
1/
1/
Today, millions of containers & passenger pass through.
“It's interesting to walk around Ocean Village & contemplate its social & industrial history, Victorian legacy, age of the Atlantic liners, effect of two World Wars & now globalisation.” –Tony Painter.
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/hants6515.htm
“It's interesting to walk around Ocean Village & contemplate its social & industrial history, Victorian legacy, age of the Atlantic liners, effect of two World Wars & now globalisation.” –Tony Painter.
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/hants6515.htm
November 9, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Today, millions of containers & passenger pass through.
“It's interesting to walk around Ocean Village & contemplate its social & industrial history, Victorian legacy, age of the Atlantic liners, effect of two World Wars & now globalisation.” –Tony Painter.
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/hants6515.htm
“It's interesting to walk around Ocean Village & contemplate its social & industrial history, Victorian legacy, age of the Atlantic liners, effect of two World Wars & now globalisation.” –Tony Painter.
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/hants6515.htm
Warfare disrupted the docks regularly & aided the increase in facilities.
Many famous Liverpool liner companies began moving here in the 1850s-70s, and the Titanic famously left #Southampton on her ill-fated voyage in 1912, impacting 600 local families who lost seafaring wage earning loved ones.
3/
Many famous Liverpool liner companies began moving here in the 1850s-70s, and the Titanic famously left #Southampton on her ill-fated voyage in 1912, impacting 600 local families who lost seafaring wage earning loved ones.
3/
November 9, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Warfare disrupted the docks regularly & aided the increase in facilities.
Many famous Liverpool liner companies began moving here in the 1850s-70s, and the Titanic famously left #Southampton on her ill-fated voyage in 1912, impacting 600 local families who lost seafaring wage earning loved ones.
3/
Many famous Liverpool liner companies began moving here in the 1850s-70s, and the Titanic famously left #Southampton on her ill-fated voyage in 1912, impacting 600 local families who lost seafaring wage earning loved ones.
3/
The continual prosperity and development noted in Tony Painter’s brilliantly compelling map notes is starkly contrasted by his discussion on the deathly poverty of it’s dockworkers, the poor pay and terrible living conditions of the city’s inhabitants.
(Map - Southampton Docks 1931)
2/
(Map - Southampton Docks 1931)
2/
November 9, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The continual prosperity and development noted in Tony Painter’s brilliantly compelling map notes is starkly contrasted by his discussion on the deathly poverty of it’s dockworkers, the poor pay and terrible living conditions of the city’s inhabitants.
(Map - Southampton Docks 1931)
2/
(Map - Southampton Docks 1931)
2/
“The geography of #Southampton, with its sheltered inlets, small tidal range and four daily tides makes it a prime location for sea-going trade…”
The docks developed through time, adapting to changes in advances in shipbuilding & increases in tonnage to keep up with competition from other ports.
1/
The docks developed through time, adapting to changes in advances in shipbuilding & increases in tonnage to keep up with competition from other ports.
1/
November 9, 2025 at 1:34 PM
“The geography of #Southampton, with its sheltered inlets, small tidal range and four daily tides makes it a prime location for sea-going trade…”
The docks developed through time, adapting to changes in advances in shipbuilding & increases in tonnage to keep up with competition from other ports.
1/
The docks developed through time, adapting to changes in advances in shipbuilding & increases in tonnage to keep up with competition from other ports.
1/
The history of the town stretches back beyond the Norman invasion of 1066, & soon after this a castle was built nearby with later links to Henry IV (1367 – 1414). Aside from this rich #history and the links to footwear, Higham Ferrers was for a long time a key stopping off point for travellers.
3/
3/
November 8, 2025 at 4:39 PM
The history of the town stretches back beyond the Norman invasion of 1066, & soon after this a castle was built nearby with later links to Henry IV (1367 – 1414). Aside from this rich #history and the links to footwear, Higham Ferrers was for a long time a key stopping off point for travellers.
3/
3/
Another notable son of the town was Henry Chichele (c1363 – 1443), among many of his achievements he was Bishop of St David’s and Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as being at the Battle of #Agincourt. He also founded All Souls College, Oxford, and left his footprint upon the town of his birth.
2/
2/
November 8, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Another notable son of the town was Henry Chichele (c1363 – 1443), among many of his achievements he was Bishop of St David’s and Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as being at the Battle of #Agincourt. He also founded All Souls College, Oxford, and left his footprint upon the town of his birth.
2/
2/
Higham Ferrers 1924.
The birthplace of John White (1885 – 1974) & the home of his footwear empire, Higham Ferrers is unexpectedly rich in #history, ably laid out in Barrie Trinder’s map notes.
And with the mention of footwear, you might have guessed that this is a new Northamptonshire map!
1/
The birthplace of John White (1885 – 1974) & the home of his footwear empire, Higham Ferrers is unexpectedly rich in #history, ably laid out in Barrie Trinder’s map notes.
And with the mention of footwear, you might have guessed that this is a new Northamptonshire map!
1/
November 8, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Higham Ferrers 1924.
The birthplace of John White (1885 – 1974) & the home of his footwear empire, Higham Ferrers is unexpectedly rich in #history, ably laid out in Barrie Trinder’s map notes.
And with the mention of footwear, you might have guessed that this is a new Northamptonshire map!
1/
The birthplace of John White (1885 – 1974) & the home of his footwear empire, Higham Ferrers is unexpectedly rich in #history, ably laid out in Barrie Trinder’s map notes.
And with the mention of footwear, you might have guessed that this is a new Northamptonshire map!
1/
Isn’t it joyful to open a map and find a happy childhood memory? No, not Pitdown Man – Pooh Bear! You’ll find this map here - www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/one303.htm - along with almost 4,000 other potential memory unlocking items.
November 8, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Isn’t it joyful to open a map and find a happy childhood memory? No, not Pitdown Man – Pooh Bear! You’ll find this map here - www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/one303.htm - along with almost 4,000 other potential memory unlocking items.
“…The Five Hundred Acre Wood ... became the Hundred Acre Wood in the books, while the North Pole and the Gloomy Place were in Wrens Warren Valley, a short distance N of Gills Lap. A bridge of 1907, rebuilt in 1997 at the edge of Posingford Wood near Chuck Hatch, is knows as Pooh Sticks Bridge...”
4/
4/
November 8, 2025 at 9:16 AM
“…The Five Hundred Acre Wood ... became the Hundred Acre Wood in the books, while the North Pole and the Gloomy Place were in Wrens Warren Valley, a short distance N of Gills Lap. A bridge of 1907, rebuilt in 1997 at the edge of Posingford Wood near Chuck Hatch, is knows as Pooh Sticks Bridge...”
4/
4/
“...Winnie the Pooh was published the following year... Christopher Robin Milne (1920-96), for whom the books were written, whose fame brought him unhappiness wrote that “anyone who has read the stories knows the Forest… Pooh’s Forest and Ashdown Forest are identical”.”
3/
3/
November 8, 2025 at 9:16 AM
“...Winnie the Pooh was published the following year... Christopher Robin Milne (1920-96), for whom the books were written, whose fame brought him unhappiness wrote that “anyone who has read the stories knows the Forest… Pooh’s Forest and Ashdown Forest are identical”.”
3/
3/
“Ashdown Forest has strong associations with Pooh Bear and his friends. In 1925, their creator, A. A. Milne (1882-1956), bought Cotchford Farm, marked on the map about a mile S of Hartfield…”
2/
2/
November 8, 2025 at 9:16 AM
“Ashdown Forest has strong associations with Pooh Bear and his friends. In 1925, their creator, A. A. Milne (1882-1956), bought Cotchford Farm, marked on the map about a mile S of Hartfield…”
2/
2/
This is Pooh Country; Tunbridge Wells & Ashdown Forest 1894.
A busy map today, but we’re going to focus on a small, honey loving bear above all of the other tales – even the site of Pitdown Man! The rest of this thread are from the map notes of Barrie Trinder.
Happy #SaturdayMorning 🍯
1/
A busy map today, but we’re going to focus on a small, honey loving bear above all of the other tales – even the site of Pitdown Man! The rest of this thread are from the map notes of Barrie Trinder.
Happy #SaturdayMorning 🍯
1/
November 8, 2025 at 9:16 AM
This is Pooh Country; Tunbridge Wells & Ashdown Forest 1894.
A busy map today, but we’re going to focus on a small, honey loving bear above all of the other tales – even the site of Pitdown Man! The rest of this thread are from the map notes of Barrie Trinder.
Happy #SaturdayMorning 🍯
1/
A busy map today, but we’re going to focus on a small, honey loving bear above all of the other tales – even the site of Pitdown Man! The rest of this thread are from the map notes of Barrie Trinder.
Happy #SaturdayMorning 🍯
1/
And the map notes flow with equal eloquence across the rest of the history of the area, including details of the owners of Gurney Bank and its semi-downfall, and their role in the development and look of the area on our map. It’s a fantastic work!
This map -
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/london803.htm
This map -
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/london803.htm
November 7, 2025 at 10:18 AM
And the map notes flow with equal eloquence across the rest of the history of the area, including details of the owners of Gurney Bank and its semi-downfall, and their role in the development and look of the area on our map. It’s a fantastic work!
This map -
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/london803.htm
This map -
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/london803.htm
“The 1867 map shows what had now become the Eastern Front of the battle: it was, in fact, the most easterly sheet published of the … 1862-72 (map series). By 1893 Forest Gate was well behind the front line: the countryside had succumbed.”
3/
3/
November 7, 2025 at 10:18 AM
“The 1867 map shows what had now become the Eastern Front of the battle: it was, in fact, the most easterly sheet published of the … 1862-72 (map series). By 1893 Forest Gate was well behind the front line: the countryside had succumbed.”
3/
3/
“In November 1829 the artist George Cruickshank published his famous cartoon ‘London going out of Town, or The March of Bricks and Mortar’; a kiln fires bricks into a defenceless countryside, backed by serried ranks of advancing terraced houses as haystacks, trees and animals flee in terror.”
2/
2/
November 7, 2025 at 10:18 AM
“In November 1829 the artist George Cruickshank published his famous cartoon ‘London going out of Town, or The March of Bricks and Mortar’; a kiln fires bricks into a defenceless countryside, backed by serried ranks of advancing terraced houses as haystacks, trees and animals flee in terror.”
2/
2/
Another beautiful #London map today (Forest Gate, 1867-93), and one that might be a handy accompaniment to the modern resident or visitor, as it details incredible local developments over the last decades of the 19th century. I will turn over the next few posts to the opening words of Tony Kirby…
1/
1/
November 7, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Another beautiful #London map today (Forest Gate, 1867-93), and one that might be a handy accompaniment to the modern resident or visitor, as it details incredible local developments over the last decades of the 19th century. I will turn over the next few posts to the opening words of Tony Kirby…
1/
1/
Andrew's been sketching...
November 6, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Andrew's been sketching...
It’s incredible how unassuming-looking villages can hide such deep & complex histories, connecting so many of us to each other.
For more maps from Northamptonshire & 3,800+ others covering the UK & beyond visit our site & explore your past.
This map £3.50 + post- www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/nn4001.htm
For more maps from Northamptonshire & 3,800+ others covering the UK & beyond visit our site & explore your past.
This map £3.50 + post- www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/nn4001.htm
November 6, 2025 at 12:22 PM
It’s incredible how unassuming-looking villages can hide such deep & complex histories, connecting so many of us to each other.
For more maps from Northamptonshire & 3,800+ others covering the UK & beyond visit our site & explore your past.
This map £3.50 + post- www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/nn4001.htm
For more maps from Northamptonshire & 3,800+ others covering the UK & beyond visit our site & explore your past.
This map £3.50 + post- www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/nn4001.htm
Near our sample- Ebbw Valley Iron Ore Works, with thrilling railway tracks disappearing into the ground - a large tannery sits to one side, & a cement works on the other. For all its rolling fields & village feel, this is an industrial area. The tightly packed homes in the village attest to this.
2/
2/
November 6, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Near our sample- Ebbw Valley Iron Ore Works, with thrilling railway tracks disappearing into the ground - a large tannery sits to one side, & a cement works on the other. For all its rolling fields & village feel, this is an industrial area. The tightly packed homes in the village attest to this.
2/
2/
Irthingborough 1924.
We’re again putting our boots on & heading to Northamptonshire – the Sole of England!
Barrie Trinder gives us a deep dive into this intriguing corner of the county, discussing mining & shoe-making history, and other smaller industries that grew the local towns and villages.
1/
We’re again putting our boots on & heading to Northamptonshire – the Sole of England!
Barrie Trinder gives us a deep dive into this intriguing corner of the county, discussing mining & shoe-making history, and other smaller industries that grew the local towns and villages.
1/
November 6, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Irthingborough 1924.
We’re again putting our boots on & heading to Northamptonshire – the Sole of England!
Barrie Trinder gives us a deep dive into this intriguing corner of the county, discussing mining & shoe-making history, and other smaller industries that grew the local towns and villages.
1/
We’re again putting our boots on & heading to Northamptonshire – the Sole of England!
Barrie Trinder gives us a deep dive into this intriguing corner of the county, discussing mining & shoe-making history, and other smaller industries that grew the local towns and villages.
1/
We’ve barely scratched the surface of this map in terms of interest and story – from Tudor and Stewart monarchs to Marie Lloyd, there’s a lot to discover; for only £3.50 plus postage you’re really getting your money’s worth, as usual!
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/london1222.htm
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/london1222.htm
November 5, 2025 at 3:50 PM
We’ve barely scratched the surface of this map in terms of interest and story – from Tudor and Stewart monarchs to Marie Lloyd, there’s a lot to discover; for only £3.50 plus postage you’re really getting your money’s worth, as usual!
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/london1222.htm
www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/london1222.htm