Explorehistoryltd

26/06/2024

For those of you who like vintage advertising, just got another great lot in the shop.

24/06/2024

Here is the trailer for my new children's book.

Biscuit is a precocious pup with an insatiable curiosity that often leads her to poke her nose where it doesn’t belong. When exploring the gardens of her new...

23/06/2024

Having fun at the London ephemera fair. A good turnout and loads of interesting things to look at.

23/06/2024

You know its an early start when you are the only one waiting for a train! Off to London to take part in the countries largest ephemera fair. Lots to carry on the train, but should be a great day.

16/06/2024

Great result at an auction last Thursday. 9 large boxes of minerals and fossils. Will take a few months to get through but already sold quite a few, and they look great in the shop.

05/06/2024

Taken some time, in part due to the uncooperative English weather, but finally got the shop front.painted. thanks go out to Connor and Paul for all their help.

04/06/2024

Here are a few more maps/plans from the amazing collection I recently acquired. There is a plan of the City and Castles of St. Malo and Cherbourg in France. Both date to circa 1760 and are beautifully hand-coloured. Both now on Ebay.

01/06/2024

Here are few more of the vintage ashtrays with advertising.

29/05/2024

Some great vintage advertising pieces in the shop, including these fab items.

27/05/2024

Lots of great stuff coming into the shop, including Moorecroft pottery, some great early poison bottles, and unusual decorative items.

26/05/2024

Two fabulous hand-coloured engravings/plans of the famous Mont St. Michel. The engravings were produced in Paris in 1705 and are in excellent condition. They measure 34x25cm and would look great framed. Going on Ebay shortly!

24/05/2024

Another amazing map, this one of early Canada

24/05/2024

The new shop is filling up fast with the most amazing assortment of historical items. Recently purchased a large collection of antiquarian maps which are absolutely amazing. Here are just a few pictures as a sample.

19/05/2024

Great morning to be out selling at Chichester Market. Lots of sales and always some good chats with the customers.

02/04/2024

Day two of the shop move. With help from a few good friends and my very helpful grandson Jackson we have made great progress.

01/04/2024

Moving day. Total chaos but starting to come together.

31/03/2024

The business has continued to steadily expand, and as you can see has outgrown the original shop.

31/03/2024

Well it has been just under 4 years bit the time has come to close my little shop....and move to a bigger premises.

09/08/2023

Out celebrating the signing of a ontract with the international children's publisher Austin Macauley who are excited to pick up my series The Unusual Histories of a Curious Dog..

30/07/2023

More from Saint Govan's Chapel. It was a typical summer's day in Wales. Grey with rain coming in sideways. So after climbing back up the stairs and a lengthy hike along the cliff top we rewarded ourselves with some Welsh refreshments: tea, scones and clotted cream.

30/07/2023

After Carew it was off to Saint Govans Chapel, a 6th century site which is well worth the steep set of stairs. Amazing little Chapel, used in the series His Dark Materials. Amazing coastline!

30/07/2023

More from Carew!

30/07/2023

Day 2 of our little adventure in Pembrokeshire. After a fab Welsh breakfast it was off to Carew Castle. Without a doubt one of my all time favourites...and I have been to my fair share of castles. Absolutely great place to explore, a bonus was the tide mill which is on the estate.

29/07/2023

Off on a short break to celebrate our anniversary...number 39!!! Off to Pembrokeshire in southern Wales, for some great hikes, good food, a little antique hunting, and of course some great historic sites. After a 6 hour drive we arrived at Our hotel in Narberth, to find that there was a fantastic carnival on and I am pretty sure the whole town was out to celebrate. Then off to Tenby, a medieval walled town on.the South coast.

28/07/2023

After 8 years finally made the journey back to Herstmonceux Castle where I lived and worked for 16 years. Lots of good memories, and it was great to wander through the gardens and woods and show my grandson Jackson where his mommy and uncle Connor grew up.

16/06/2023

Another busy day as I just started an 8 week summer programme in London with a great bunch of students from Berkeley. Finished off the class with a visit to the Roman and Anglo-Saxon galleries at the British Museum. Never get tired of visiting such an amazing collection.

29/05/2023

Just spent a beautiful sunny day in historic Wi******er. So much to see in one place. The ruins of the Bishop's Palace were great, and it was free to get in. The Cathedral is absolutely beautiful, and had a very good exhibition on the history of the site from its earliest Anglo-Saxon beginnings to the 17th century.

15/05/2023

Great visit today to Dunluce Castle, which is a short drive east of Portrush on the north coast of northern Ireland. The castle dates from the 16th and 17th century, although there was an earlier castle dating back to the 13th century., and it once had a small town around it. It is a great example of the evolution of castles which maintained a strong defensive element, but by the 16th century were as much about comfort, status and entertaing. At just six pounds for an adult entry it is great value for money, especially as its popularity as a tourist destination has skyrocketed since its use in Game of Thrones. Home of the Greyjoys, its clifftop setting is spectacular.

15/05/2023

Day two of our trip to Northern Ireland, and have had another great day, with lots of sun and some great sites. Started the day, after a full Irish breakfast, with a visit to Dunluce Castle, home of the McDonald's, and famous as castle Greyjoy in Game of Thrones. Then it was some natural history with a visit to the Giant's Causeway. Amazing!

14/05/2023

Today landed in Northern Ireland for a short break filled with history, good food, and the occasional pint of Guinness. Landed in a rain-soaked land covered in mist, but headed off towards Larne to drive north on the Causway Coastal road. Breathtaking scenery and some surprise sites like this lovely little 13th century church ruin called Layd. Incredibly picturesque setting (watch this space for more to come). Then an interesting 15th century Friary, before a challenging hike that included a rope bridge. And of course the day would not be complete without an amazing lunch. The Guinness wheatbread was to die for!