Where you live might determine who you are and what you get as the phrase ‘the post-code’ lottery suggests. Places carry connotations about whether or not they are desirable places to live and they suggest the kinds of people who might live there. Children learn from playing Monopoly that it's far more desirable to own property on Mayfair than it is to own property on the Old Kent Road.
The Open University has been working with the BBC on two series, The Secret History of Our Streets: London first broadcast on BBC Two, 6th June 2012 and The Secret History of Our Streets: Scotland first broadcast on BBC Two, 25th July 2014. To coincide with the final programme of the first series, Arnold Circus, London, we published some stories behind the streets in Dublin, Ireland alongside Manchester and Sheffield in England, Cardiff in Wales and Glasgow, Scotland.
Will you contribute more stories behind your own streets? There's some great stories to share!
Explore the stories we've published so far, and contribute your own!
More stories behind the streets
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The Secret History of Our Streets: Share your diaries
Help us to build a picture of the secret history of streets around the UK by contributing to our diaries.
Read nowThe Secret History of Our Streets: Share your diariesLevel: 1 Introductory
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Arnold Circus, London: social housing for the 'deserving poor'
From the tenants of the first council housing estate, built on the Old Nichol in the 19th century, we trace the stories of Arnold Circus residents today.
Take part nowArnold Circus, London: social housing for the 'deserving poor'Level: 1 Introductory
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Upper Buckingham Street, Dublin, Ireland: from speculative landowners to multi-tenanted tenements
The story of Upper Buckingham Street, from its initial layout in 1788 to the present day, reflects the ups and downs of Dublin city and its people.
Take part nowUpper Buckingham Street, Dublin, Ireland: from speculative landowners to multi-tenanted tenementsLevel: 1 Introductory
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Park Hill, Sheffield: continuity and change
What stories does Park Hill hold? From 19th century industrial squalor to iconic 'streets in the sky' in the 1960s, Park Hill, Sheffield changes once again as we enter the 21st century.
Take part nowPark Hill, Sheffield: continuity and changeLevel: 1 Introductory
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Great Ancoats Street, Manchester: cottonopolis to urban village
What are the stories behind this unique 'urban village'? From the largest mills of Manchester's 19th century industrial era to slum dwellings in the 1920s. 21st century Ancoats sees revamped canals, squares and modern, stylish apartments.
Take part nowGreat Ancoats Street, Manchester: cottonopolis to urban villageLevel: 1 Introductory
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Dumbarton Road, Partick, Glasgow: from tenements to riverside apartments
We look back at the social history shaped by a ten-fold rise in population from 5,000 in 1850 to over 55,000 by 1901, and forward to the Glasgow Harbour regeneration scheme.
Take part nowDumbarton Road, Partick, Glasgow: from tenements to riverside apartmentsLevel: 1 Introductory
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City Road, Cardiff: suburban thoroughfare
Known as Castle Road in the 19th century, we trace the changing character and communities of City Road, re-named in 1905, when Cardiff gained city status.
Take part nowCity Road, Cardiff: suburban thoroughfareLevel: 1 Introductory
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