This charming book takes you through the counties of England, exploring Saxon churches, reflective of simple faith; Norman churches with rugged arches and powerful pillars, stamping their authority, gothic churches with their soaring arches; Decorated and Perpendicular churches made glorious with Early English style and craftsmanship;
THE SPRITE SISTERS - FOUR SISTERS, FOUR ELEMENTS, FOUR POWERS - FIRE, WATER, EARTH, AIR. MAGIC AT DRYSDALE'S SCHOOL is the seventh title in the bestselling Sprite Sister series that has sold over 270,000 copies in Germany. The magical adventures of the four Sprite Sisters - Flame, Marina, Ash and Ariel - are aimed at girl readers aged 7-13 years. It's the autumn term at Drysdale's School and Zak makes a strong impression at his new boarding school - not all of it good. A few weeks before, he used his dark magic to summon the terrifying invasion of screeglings to Sprite Towers. Nervous of what Zak may do next, the Sprite Sisters keep a wary distance from him at school. Despite her anger, 14-year old Marina still finds herself drawn to the troubled boy when they come face to face. Meanwhile Flame, 15, anguishes about having to keep her magic power secret from her boyfriend, Quinn. When Ash's power of Earth draws her to a mysterious stone in the school grounds, she feels it holds the key to a magic pathway. Zak is not far behind her, and senses that something in this pathway will help rid him of the dark power that is consuming him. With time running out for Zak, the Sprite Sisters and their cousin Verena must find a way into the magic pathway - but much more than any of them had ever imagined awaits them there.
In this charming book bestselling author Christopher Winn turns his attention to the Irish people, taking us on a enthralling journey around their homeland, discovering en route the intriguing and surprising ways the places and their history contribute to the Irish character.
Explore Britain's greatest collection of castles from the first stone fortress at Chepstow to Britain's finest concentric castle at Beaumaris and the magnificent Caernarvon, birthplace of the first Prince of Wales.
Bestselling author Christopher Winn takes us on a fascinating journey around Ireland, to discover the tales buried deep in the country's history. Packed full of legends, firsts, birthplaces, inventions and adventures, this book visits each of the four provinces -Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connaught -and unearths the hidden gems that each county in these provinces holds. Discover where people and ideas were born, where dreams were inspired and where the unforgettable figures of Ireland's past now slumber. you'll be able to visit the holy mountain, Croagh Patrick in Country Mayo, where St Patrick is said to have driven all the snakes in Ireland into the sea. At Lismore Castle in County Waterford you will uncover the bathroom dedicated to Fred Astaire, whose sister Adele was the hugely popular Chatelaine of Lismore in the 1930s and 40s. On the winter solstice you can bathe in the sunlight that fills the burial chamber at Newgrange, County Meath - the oldest solar observatory in the world. This irresistible compendium of facts and stories will give you a captivating insight into the people, ideas and events that have shaped the individual identity of every place you visit, and will have you exclaiming again and again- 'Well, I never knew that!'
In this captivating book bestselling author Christopher Winn turns his attention to the Scottish people, taking us on an eye-opening journey around their homeland, discovering en route the intriguing and surprising ways the places and their history contribute to the Scottish character.
Divided into eighteen chapters - one for each of the coastal counties in the UK - this book will entertain and illuminate, by casting new light on the many points of intrigue to be explored along 3000 miles of spectacularly diverse and historically rich English coast.
Bestselling author and quiz master Christopher Winn is here to test your general knowledge of Britain with over 1000 quiz questions to perplex and puzzle about our glorious islands.
A charming gift book that unravels the origins behind the weird and wonderful Christmas traditions from around the world.
Bestselling author Christopher Winn takes us on a captivating journey out of London along the banks of the River Thames to discover the secrets and stories of England's most famous waterway. Discover the Thames's literary heritage at Pangbourne, near Reading, famous as the home of The Wind in the Willows's Kenneth Grahame, then explore Mapledurham House, the inspiration for its famous Toad Hall. Explore Henley-on-Thames, where the first Oxford and Cambridge boat races were held, then marvel at Southend Pier, the longest pleasure pier in the world. As he follows the river from source to sea, visiting its towns, villages and places of interest, Winn unearths a fascinating array of facts, folklore, landmarks and legends that are guaranteed to have you exclaiming 'I Never Knew That!'. Illustrated with line drawings this charming gem of a book is guaranteed to inform and delight in equal measure.