A Z Of Curious London

Spooky, gruesome, weird but true things about one of the world’s greatest cities come alive in The A-Z of Curious London. Discover London’s tiniest house, a 4,000-year-old mouse made from Nile clay, and have a giggle at things people leave on London’s transport (including false teeth, a human skull and a park bench - yes, really.) Why did a dentist keep his dead wife on view in a shop window? Where did a shopkeeper murder 150 customers? Which Queen showed her bosom to an Ambassador? Why was a man arrested for wearing a top hat? In the City proper, why is no thoroughfare called a road? To sum up, eccentrics, legends, folklore, murders, scandals, ghosts, incredible characters and oodles of wow factor, it’s all here.

Flintshire, the northern gateway to Wales, is a county rich in heritage. It is home to ancient artefacts, medieval buildings and country houses, and has had many fascinating residents such as the grand old man of politics, W.E. Gladstone, and the famous naturalist and writer, Thomas Pennant. As with much of Wales, Flintshire is also a place of myth and legends, from missing monks to maids in wells. This wonderful compendium of curious anecdotes and curiosities relates tales from the county’s rich history. Splendidly illustrated, it is great for dipping into, but can equally be enjoyed from cover to cover.

From Art galleries, Bowler hats, and Cockneys to Weather, Umbrellas, and Zebra crossings, an alphabetical, pocket-sized tour through 1950s London First published in 1953, the year that saw thousands descend on London to watch the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, London A to Z is a lexicon of the city’s curiosities, from the Achilles statue in Hyde Park “erected by the women of England to honor (if not to resemble) the Duke of Wellington,” via greyhound racing, lost property offices, and umbrellas, to zebra crossings (relative newcomers to London in 1953). Adorned throughout with Edward Bawden’s beautiful and distinctive illustrations, this charmingly idiosyncratic guide brings to life with a dry humor the London and Londoners of the day. More than sixty years have passed since the volume was first published and while many sights are now lost to time, readers may be surprised to find how this vintage guide continues to capture London’s quirks. A new introduction places the original publication in context, drawing the reader into 1950s London via a brief tour of the book’s most curious, nostalgic, and whimsical entries.

Norfolk's spectacular coastline, quaint villages, historic houses, bustling market towns and meandering rivers all provide the perfect backdrop for some of the most curious tales from across the centuries. Which eccentric cleric's final words were 'Did I make the front page?' Which annual race's participants only eat lettuce? Why on earth is there an elephant on one Norfolk village sign? Where is the most accident-prone church in the county? How did a single feather save a monarch? Which of Norfolk's heroes gives his name to an unlucky sporting score? Enthralling to both residents and visitors alike, The A-Z of Curious Norfolk is a perfect book to dip into – unless, of course, you can't wait to turn the page and read more!

The lifestyles of the people of Devon have traditionally been as diverse as its spectacular scenery. Little wonder then that the county's curious stories are so numerous and so varied. Including a train trapped in a giant snowdrift in Devon's worst blizzard; Lapford's murderous parson; Devon's ill-fated involvement in D-Day at Slapton Sands; black magic on Dartmoor; visitations by the Devil in South Devon; as well as witchcraft; heroes; piracy; record breakers; villains and eccentrics, this cornucopia of the peculiar and marvellous elements of Devon's history will surprise and delight everyone who knows and loves this county

Kent is well-known for hops, oysters, the Channel Tunnel and Chatham Dockyard, but sandwiched between these are towns and villages that each have a story to tell. The A-Z of Curious Kent takes you off the beaten track, to a world of daddlums and hufflers, gavelkind and grotters. While kingsand queens travelled the highways on their way to and from the continent, the people of Kent quietly defined the new order, defended the nation and left teasing reminders of a past that may never be fully understood.

'Curious' is perhaps not the first word you would use to label Essex. But 'curiouser and curiouser' it becomes when you dig below the surface. Forget the popular image of Essex boy and girl. Come and meet larger-than-life characters, including the one-time fattest man in England, whose waist was wider than the height of an average man. And talking of big, discover the origin of children's favourite Humpty Dumpty. Did you know that explorer David Livingstone, who trekked across Africa, got lost in Essex; that Essex villain Dick Turpin was only identified because a relative refused to pay the cost of a 'stamp', or that St George saw off his dragon here? Shocking, creepy and bizarre tales abound if you dig a little deeper. And if you literally look below the surface in Essex - 100ft underground to be precise - you'll discover one of the most incredible Government 'secrets' of all time.

From petticoat duels and lucky cats to the Stiffs Express, Lord Nelson's spare nose, the Piccadilly earthquake and the Great Beer Flood of 1814, A Curious Guide to London takes you on a captivating, wildly entertaining tour of the city you think you know, unearthing the capital's secrets and commemorating its rich, colourful and unusual history. Brimming with tales of London's forgotten past, its strangest traditions and its most eccentric inhabitants, this book celebrates the unique, the unusual and the unknown. Perfect for tourists, day-trippers, commuters and the millions of people who call London home, this alternative guidebook will make you look at the city in a whole new light.