Charles Dickens’ novels are read and loved throughout the world, written at a time of struggle with the French emperor Napoleon and in an England at the peak of its power and prosperity through commerce, industry and the vigour of a fervently respectable middle class. The novels bear the stamp of the turbulent period in which Dickens’ life was lived, conveying a strong sense of progress and reform.

This colourful and well-written guide conducts the reader through Dickens’ world via his life, both personal and professional. It includes a list of important dates in Dickens’ life and work, and a gazetteer of places to visit for a glimpse into the man himself and what inspired his novels.

Situated in the Hampshire chalk downs in the green Itchen Valley, Winchester basks in an atmosphere of beauty, tranquillity and calm. This well-researched and beautifully illustrated book is all the visitor needs to stroll around this ancient city, to soak up both its history and present day sights. Look out for more Pitkin Guides on the very best of British history, heritage and travel, particularly for more titles in the Pitkin City Guides Series.

Fifteen themed walks highlighting the best that London has to offer, from historic palaces and gardens to the pleasures of the famous River Thames and the landmarks around Docklands and the City.

Original illustrated maps and essential information make this a perfect guide for visitors to the capital. This stunning guide takes in London’s famous landmarks and streets giving a description of each walk and information on historic sites and places of interest.

Crypts, catacombs, tunnels, tombs, cellars, bunkers, vaults and underground chambers…

Buried roads and buildings hidden beneath the city conjure up a mixture of fascination, eeriness and foreboding for many people. What dark mysteries lurk beneath the busy roads, pavements and shops of the city? London has an underground network of tunnels that stretch for hundreds of miles, but what is this other London?

This guide provides a grisly and gripping history of the other side of London, packed with accessible but informative stories and with colour photographs of the city’s mysterious underground landmarks. Eerie tales of the London’s Norman crypts piled full of bodies, through to the history of the capital’s extensive railway systems make for a comprehensive look at the subterranean life and history of the city.

This guide lists the many intriguing sites that can be visited and includes three guided walks for bold explorers of the city.

Oxford – an eclectic mix of the ancient university colleges, cobbled streets and dreaming spires. But also a modern city with theatres, galleries, bookshops, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Today’s tourist can enjoy them all. A guide to help the Russian visitor explore Oxford and its university – a city with over 40 ancient colleges tightly interwoven, each a part of the other. It looks at the ancient beauty of cobbled streets, neat quadrangles, bell towers and slim spires. Look out for more Pitkin Guides on the very best of British history, heritage and travel, including other titles in our popular City Guides series.

Oxford – an eclectic mix of the ancient university colleges, cobbled streets and dreaming spires. But also a modern city with theatres, galleries, bookshops, cafes, pubs and restaurants. Today’s tourist can enjoy them all. A guide to help the German visitor explore Oxford and its university – a city with over 40 ancient colleges tightly interwoven, each a part of the other. It looks at the ancient beauty of cobbled streets, neat quadrangles, bell towers and slim spires. Look out for more Pitkin Guides on the very best of British history, heritage and travel, including other titles in our popular City Guides series.

Use this guide to explore Norwich’s history but enjoy too its many modern attactions, excellent shopping, theatres, galleries, riverside walks, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Much of the city-centre is traffic-free so visitors may easily enjoy the interweaving of historic beauty and 21st-century pleasures. Look out for more Pitkin Guides on the very best of British history, heritage and travel, including other titles in our popular City Guides series.

The city has a magnificent architectural legacy, now rejuvenated and restored to full glory, and also offers and eclectic mix of attractions, including world-class museums and galleries – and not forgetting the Cavern Quarter, the ultimate place of pilgrimage for Beatles fans. Based on a walk around Liverpool, this guide enables visitors to share the rich cultural heritage and experience all the excitement and vibrancy of the city. Also available in this series: Bath, Lincoln, Norwich, Oxford, York. Look out for more Pitkin Guides on the very best of British history, heritage and travel.

Look out for more Pitkin Guides on the very best of British history, heritage and travel, specially other titles in the Pitkin History of Britain series. Suitable for Key Stages 3 and 4 of the National Curriculum. More titles in the History of Britain Series

The Cotswolds – an enchanted pastoral landscape of gently undulating grassy hills, panoramic views and mysterious wooded valleys sitting in harmony alongside picturesque villages and architectural gems.

This book takes you on a journey through well-known beauty spots and quiet undiscovered country. It shows you the delights of the scenery along the Cotswold Way and reveals this charming region in full colour photographs.

In 1888 a series of murders were committed in the East End of London. To this day the identity of the murderer is unknown. This book gives a glimpse of these terrifying deeds, their background and impact. It looks at the main theories and supects of whoever may have been Jack the Ripper. Look out for more Pitkin Guides on the very best of British history, heritage and travel.