I've written about Time Team for my new book. I had two contrasting experiences: one bad, one good. I'm glad to see the new online format getting some mainstream press attention. Had a great experience working with them at Norton Disney in 2024 🙂 www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

The next online talk will look at life on the road in the mediaeval period. What was it like to travel, who could be found on the road, and what observations did they leave us? I'll be live online at 7pmGMT on Wednesday 28 January. Booking & more info: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-mediae...

The next online talk will look at life on the road in the mediaeval period. What was it like to travel, who could be found on the road, and what observations did they leave us? I'll be live online at 7pmGMT on Wednesday 28 January. Booking & more info: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-mediae...

Intrigued to learn that the building I suspect might be the inspiration for Highmost Redmanhey in Alan Garner's Weirdstone of Brisingamen has been purchased. Just spoke to the landowner who is intent on conserving it. triskelepublishing.com/weirdstonewa...

Is anyone else having trouble accessing the @varchgroup.bsky.social journal online? Was working fine for me 2 days ago but today I can't get access. Odd. 📸Old Swan, Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire

Christmas Lecture complete; best seat in the house acquired.

The algorithms are making it a lot harder to spread the word about these online talks. Although numbers are still reasonable, it would be a great help if folk were able to give the 30 December event a quick share 🙂 Booking available here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...

The Land of Punt implies the existence of the World of Dennis...

Just finished writing the Triskele Heritage Christmas Lecture - Historic Buildings in the Landscape. There will be a decent section on Peak District sites, including a fair few around Youlgreave 🙂 Bookings will be open until 7pmGMT on Tue 30 Dec... www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...

Just finished writing the Triskele Heritage Christmas Lecture - Historic Buildings in the Landscape. There will be a decent section on Peak District sites, including a fair few around Youlgreave 🙂 Bookings will be open until 7pmGMT on Tue 30 Dec... www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...

Thanks so much to the 5 of you that booked places over the holiday season for the Christmas Lecture... See you on Tuesday! If anyone else wants to join us, you can sign up here... www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...

Thanks so much to the 5 of you that booked places over the holiday season for the Christmas Lecture... See you on Tuesday! If anyone else wants to join us, you can sign up here... www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...

I have just read that, in the 1940s, the entire county of Norfolk was surveyed by just one listed building investigator... who did not have a car. No surprise that many structures, including Cromer Lighthouse (built 1833), remained unlisted until the 1970s or 80s!

Just one week left until the Triskele Heritage Christmas Lecture - Historic Buildings in the Landscape. We'll be live online at 7pmGMT on Tue 30 December. For booking & more info, please follow this link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-... 📸 Castell Dolbadarn & Bwlch Llanberis

Discovered years ago that my natural bio-rhythm demands a working day c 11.30am til 7-8pm. Since we had Tiny Son that's not been possible, but he's just trotted off to his grandparents so I'll be writing about Welsh vernacular architecture til 8ish... 📸 Roof near Llangors, Powys

Just one week left until the Triskele Heritage Christmas Lecture - Historic Buildings in the Landscape. We'll be live online at 7pmGMT on Tue 30 December. For booking & more info, please follow this link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-... 📸 Castell Dolbadarn & Bwlch Llanberis

Snuck out for one last gig. I've seen hundreds of proper metal bands onstage at Rock City including Motorhead and Megadeth. Last night, they let my mates from Evil Scarecrow muck about up there with an ever-increasingly dafter array of stage props...

These are just a few of the books from authors who have all been interviewed for the Into the Greenwood podcast! Including... @benitocereno.bsky.social @icysedgwick.bsky.social @thehistorybits.bsky.social @jpwarchaeology.bsky.social

In the 1920s, Stanley Baldwin (Tory) & Ramsey MacDonald (Labour) vocally supported protecting vernacular architecture from demolition. This led to a new law allowing preservation orders on inhabited dwellings. Trying to picture similar cross-bench support for similar today...

While youse all put your out of office autoresponses on until 5 January, know this: I'll be chained to me desk for the duration. Gotta try and finish off The Buildings Archaeologist. Can't be helped. The deadline looms.

Before the holidays take over completely, here's a reminder that this year's online Triskele Heritage Christmas Lecture will take place on Tuesday 30 December... Bookings are still available, here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...

A 12 hour day has led to the ticking off of another chapter of The Buildings Archaeologist. This one was a run-through of figures that have been influential in the study of ancient buildings, c 330 - 1925, from St Helena up to Lord Curzon.

Before the holidays take over completely, here's a reminder that this year's online Triskele Heritage Christmas Lecture will take place on Tuesday 30 December... Bookings are still available, here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...

Been writing about the National Trust's 1st acquisition of a historic building, Alfriston Clergy House. Its often repeated that in 1879 "the bishop" sanctioned its demolition... but I am struggling to work out who that bishop was. Any non-AI generated help would be appreciated 🙂

Just 2 weeks until my next online talk: Historic Buildings in the Landscape! I'll be exploring local sources of building materials inc the brick, stone & timber for Tattershall Castle which came from a 20 mile radius: Edlington Moor, Ancaster & Stixwould. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...

Took in what may very well be my final gig of the year on Sunday - The Wildhearts at Rescue Rooms. Quick, invite me to another gig in the next two weeks!

Just 2 weeks until my next online talk: Historic Buildings in the Landscape! I'll be exploring local sources of building materials inc the brick, stone & timber for Tattershall Castle which came from a 20 mile radius: Edlington Moor, Ancaster & Stixwould. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...

"No, sir, I'll not accept a speaker fee below the minimum wage given that the average house price in your village is £325K." Still, not quite as bad as the fella who offered me the same in a nearby village where house prices are £900K. You either value heritage or you don't.

Stop Press. Headline: Cat Actually Uses New Cat Tree Dateline: Nottingham, 16 December 2025 Body: Local cat, Meriadoc Brandybuck, aged 2, was today seen using something bought specifically for him says shocked resident of Sneinton, Dr James Wright. Photograph:

Mondays are hard. Here is my cat in a wash basket.

This morning I'm reminded that those who offer consistent low-grade, abrasive, negativity are significantly less appealing than those who are outright offensive in their responses. Its the pattern of snide comments that gets under the skin & sometimes it takes time to spot that.

Just a reminder that, whilst visiting those lovely old pubs this Christmas, it is safest not to believe what is written about their "history" on signs, websites & leaflets. Its a rare pub that gives an accurate version. More on publore here: triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/2024/04/17/m...

For the second time this year this classic tweet becomes devastatingly relevant to Nottingham...

Careful what you read in the Sunday papers or whilst you are out for a festive pint. In the most recent Mythbusting blog, I took a look at how pseudo-history may be used to part you from your hard earned cash... triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/2025/09/07/m...

It is not Christmas until Justin Sullivan has sung at Rock City. New Model Army were on devastating form last night. Every era of their songs are frighteningly relevent to the "interesting times" that we live in. Utterly delighted that they brought Ed Alleyne Johnson. I cried.

Something exciting is happening- In support of keeping the Chilterns Heritage & Archaeology Partnership afloat (DEFRA monies only go so far), I have been encouraged to launch a lecture series. (and yes, I asked Sir Baz sometime ago about basing this on his book, so I haven't just nicked the title😅)

Oh, youse really stepped up... thanks so very much from the bottom of my jaded heart 🖤

The algorithms are making it a lot harder to spread the word about these online talks. Although numbers are still reasonable, it would be a great help if folk were able to give the 30 December event a quick share 🙂 Booking available here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...

'I entend by the leave of God, within the space of xii. moneths folowyng, such a descripcion to make of your realme in wryttinge' John Leland, 1546, makes the original writer's promise to abide by a deadline that he absolutely will not keep.

Back to writing The Buildings Archaeologist. Have referenced the great authority: Tufnel, N., 1984, 'Stonehenge' in Reiner, R., This Is Spinal Tap. Spinal Tap Productions. I will not accept any editorial interference. This is the hill I will die on. No further questions.

'The whole building seemed to be a natural part of the hillside, as if it had grown there.' - Alan Garner describing Highmost Redmanhey (Birtles Farm, Cheshire). Come & find out more on Historic Buildings in the Landscape during an online talk, 30 Dec: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...

'The whole building seemed to be a natural part of the hillside, as if it had grown there.' - Alan Garner describing Highmost Redmanhey (Birtles Farm, Cheshire). Come & find out more on Historic Buildings in the Landscape during an online talk, 30 Dec: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...

Just got my official work PPE and now off down the secret passage to my paid government job hiding the evidence for all those ship timbers, swordfights on spiral stairs, and Britain's oldest pub. THEY don't want you to know but the truth can be found in Youtube comments...

Here's the Youtube comment where "BEEFBRSKT" casts shade on me debunking secret passage rumours. They've gone for the conspiracy theory that I work for the government and must be hiding the truth. I'd be considerably less financially insecure if only there was a shady cabal paying me off...

This chap @paulwhitewick.bsky.social went looking for secret passages in Andover. Experienced tunnel-watchers will be able to guess whether he found any. Good to see he quoted myself. Hilarious to read a commentator diss me because I work for the government. Which I don't. youtu.be/u7zvi5NDJSc?...

A quick visit to the Angel and Royal while in Grantham. A place I know a bit more about now, thanks to @jpwarchaeology.bsky.social

This evening we discovered that Merry, ever the oddity, likes asparagus (when he pinched some off of Tiny Son's plate).

I'm wearing all black, listening to The Mission, writing about a mediaeval house, and have just scared my black cat because the fire alarm went off as I'm burning frankincense in the study. And some people assume that I'm a goth. Pffffft.

I'd been really struggling to work out the phasing of a farmhouse in Somerset. Took 3 weeks off from the project and didn't think about it directly at all. Looked at it again this afternoon and the sequence revealed itself. The power of subconscious processing right there.

Off to do my last in person talk of the year tonight in Loughborough. Fear not, though, because there will also be the online Triskele Heritage Christmas Lecture on 30 December.... More info: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...