This is an illustrated history of England’s largest and most historically diverse county. It provides a nostalgic look at Yorkshire’s ancient, medieval and industrial past, and highlights some of its most important historic sites, as well as the changing face of its towns and cities.

The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.

Historic England: Yorkshire will explore the four corners of the county from the industrial centre of Sheffield to the beauty of historic York. Yorkshire is a county of huge contrasts with vast swathes of unspoilt, beautiful countryside, littered only with picturesque villages, and long stretches of ever-changing coastline. West Yorkshire towns like Huddersfield, Halifax and Bradford were the beating heart of the Industrial Revolution and the steel towns of South Yorkshire like Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield were fuelled by the coal mining industry. The county contains two national parks, the North Yorkshire Moors and the Yorkshire Dales, both Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is also filled with historic castles, cathedrals and abbeys, including Richmond Castle, Fountains Abbey and York Minster. This book will help you to uncover its vibrant and fascinating history.