Chester Society for Landscape History
Upper storeys of Chester’s iconic Rows (Photograph: Vanessa Greatorex)
Forthcoming Events
Saturday Saturday 28 March 2026
2pm: Lecture (VISITORS WELCOME): The Welsh Copper Industry
Speaker: Rob Toomey
Venue: St Columba’s Church Hall, Plas Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1SA
Admission: Members free, Visitors £4,
Student Visitors £2
NB: Free car park; for directions see:
https://sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk/about/st-columbas-church/directions-and-location/
Saturday 25 April 2026
2pm: Lecture (VISITORS WELCOME): Roman Chester
Speaker: Julian Baum
Venue: St Columba’s Church Hall, Plas Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1SA
Admission: Members free, Visitors £4,
Student Visitors £2
NB: Free car park; for directions see:
https://sscolumbaandtheresa.co.uk/about/st-columbas-church/directions-and-location/
What is Landscape History?
Landscape History is the study of how people have altered the landscape through time.
It seeks to explain the historical significance of the buildings, earthworks, flora and other physical features which are our common heritage. It embraces aspects of history, archaeology, architecture, geography, geology, botany and other disciplines.
“The English landscape itself, to those who know how to read it aright, is the richest historical record we possess.” – W.G. Hoskins, The Making of the English Landscape (1955).
Picks of the Week
Here are some links to online landscape history resources recently recommended by our Information Officer:
3,000-year-old underground water channels flowing beneath desert
Pioneered by Persians 3,000 years ago, skilfully engineered subterranean channels called qanats are alleviating water poverty in arid areas of the Middle East, North Africa and China by transmitting water from aquifers and natural springs with minimal surface evaporation. Though labour-intensive to create, the sustainable system of water management enables crops to be irrigated and supports life in harsh desert environments.
https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/2154873/underground-water-highways-Qanats-iran
The world’s oldest railway station
Built in 1830, Liverpool Road Station in Manchester served passengers on the world’s first inter-urban railway – the Liverpool and Manchester railway line for fourteen years. Although closed to passengers when Manchester Victoria Station opened in 1844, it continued in use as a goods depot until 1975 and now forms part of Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum. As such it’s the oldest surviving station building in the world and has been granted Grade I listed status.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/trips-and-breaks/worlds-oldest-railway-station-manchester-33356496
Click on the blue text at the end of this sentence for links to previously recommended Online Resources or for links to specific topics, including: Directories/Databases/Aerial Photographs, Geology, Ecosystems, Prehistory, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking, Medieval, Tudor and Stuart, Castles, Churches/Cathedrals/Shrines, Industrial, Cheshire, Wales, Other Locations.