The History Press

What The History Press does

The History Press is a UK-based independent book publisher specializing in non-fiction history, folklore, biography, local heritage, and related cultural subjects, with an addressable market of general consumers, history enthusiasts, and local/family history researchers in the United Kingdom and beyond. The company was founded in 2007 and operates a headquarters at 97 St George's Place, Cheltenham, United Kingdom (with Stroud also referenced), employing 51–100 people.

Its core offering is a curated catalogue of printed books and e-books organized across 18+ subject categories — Archaeology, Aviation, Biography & Memoir, Entertainment, Fiction, Folklore, History, Local & Family History, Maritime, Military, Natural World, Society & Culture, Special Editions, Sport, Transport & Industry, Trivia & Gift, True Crime, and Women in History — and packaged into 27+ branded sub-collections including Battle Story, pocket GIANTS, The Little Book of, Classic Histories, Phillimore Editions, Titanic, Railway 200, Frances Doughty Mysteries, A Mediaeval Mystery, Folk Tales Anthologies, and Fine Press. Distribution runs through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce website (thehistorypress.co.uk) plus standard book trade distribution, with marketing executed via email newsletter, content/articles, and five social channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest). The Flint Books imprint sits underneath the parent brand. There are no disclosed technology platforms, APIs, or AI features; the business is a content-led, traditional publishing operation.

Name

The History Press

Legal name

The History Press

Website

https://thehistorypress.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The History Press is a UK-based independent publisher of non-fiction history, folklore, biography, and local heritage books across 18+ subject categories. It serves general consumers, history enthusiasts, and local/family history researchers via direct e-commerce and trade distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Book Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

General Trade Publishing (Adult Fiction & Nonfiction) (MPAJAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biography, Memoir & Narrative Nonfiction Publishing (MPAJAAAI), Genre & Category Publishing (Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Sci‑Fi/Fantasy, etc.) (MPAJAAAB)

Keywords

• History book publishing
• Non-fiction publishing
• Local history books
• Military history books
• Folklore publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Stroud

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The History Press is a UK-based independent book publisher specializing in non-fiction historical titles, including archaeology, military, maritime, folklore, biography, and local and family history. It publishes physical books and e-books across 18 subject categories and more than 25 branded collections and series, selling directly via its e-commerce website and through trade/wholesale book distribution.

Product overview

The History Press is a UK-based non-fiction book publisher specializing in history, folklore, and local heritage. Their core product is a comprehensive book publishing operation featuring titles across 18 subject categories. The company organizes its catalog into branded sub-product lines including The Little Book of (compact reference), Battle Story (military battles), Classic Histories (foundational history), Colouring Books (interactive historical content), pocket GIANTS (compact biographies), In Objects (object-based narratives), Folk Tales Anthologies and Folk Tales for Children (regional folklore), Folklore of Britain (county-by-county traditions), Companions (reference guides), Inspiring Lives (literary biographies), and several fiction series including Frances Doughty Mysteries (Victorian detective) and A Mediaeval Mystery. Additional branded collections include Espionage, Fine Press (premium editions), Phillimore Editions (local history), Cars and Motorcycles We Loved and Lost Cars (automotive nostalgia), Titanic Collection, Railway 200, and prettycity (urban aesthetics). The company operates a direct e-commerce platform for retail sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Flint Books: Non-fiction books imprint mentioned in footer

Products and services

• History Book Publishing Catalogue Core publishing programme covering Archaeology, Aviation, Biography & Memoir, Entertainment, Fiction, Folklore, History, Local & Family History, Maritime, Military, Natural World, Society & Culture, Special Editions, Sport, Transport & Industry, Trivia & Gift, True Crime, and Women in History. Sold as print books and e-books to general readers.
• The Little Book of Series Popular branded series of compact, pocket-sized reference books covering diverse historical topics and local/regional British areas for general readers and gift buyers.
• Battle Story Series Branded series providing detailed battle-by-battle accounts of historical military engagements, targeted at military history enthusiasts.
• pocket GIANTS Series Compact biographical books about significant historical figures across various fields, aimed at readers seeking concise introductions to notable individuals.
• Classic Histories Series Foundational historical accounts covering major events, periods, and figures in British and world history for general readers.
• Colouring Books Historical colouring books featuring landmarks, transportation, military subjects, and local British areas, targeted at casual readers and gift buyers.
• Folk Tales Anthologies Collections of traditional folk tales organized by region, including English, Irish, and Scottish anthologies, for general readers interested in folklore.
• Phillimore Editions Local and regional history publications focusing on specific British towns and counties, targeted at local history researchers and genealogists.
• Fine Press Editions Premium edition publications with high-quality production standards, positioned as higher-priced collector items.
• Direct E-commerce Bookstore Direct-to-consumer e-commerce website at thehistorypress.co.uk enabling customers to browse, purchase physical books and e-books, access articles, and view author information.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Osprey Publishing: UK-based publisher specialising in military history, aviation and ancient history with similar branded series (Campaign, Men-at-Arms, Essential Histories). Direct competitor to The History Press in the military and broader history non-fiction space.
• Helion & Company: UK specialist military history publisher operating in the same niche as THP's Battle Story and military subject lists, with a comparable scale and independent positioning.
• Amberley Publishing: Stroud, Gloucestershire-based independent UK publisher of local history, transport, biography and true crime. Closest geographic and subject-matter peer to The History Press, with overlapping categories and a similar gift-format catalogue.
• Casemate Publishers: US-headquartered publisher with strong UK distribution focused on military history, aviation and maritime titles. Cross-Atlantic competitor overlapping THP's maritime and military categories.
• Pen & Sword Books: Independent UK military and local history publisher headquartered in Barnsley. Competes directly with THP on military, transport, aviation and local/family history titles.

Broad incumbents

• Quarto Group: UK-listed illustrated non-fiction book packager and publisher with strong local-history, gift and children's titles. Comparable scale and similar exposure to gift and illustrated history formats like THP's Colouring Books and Little Book series.
• Profile Books: Independent UK non-fiction publisher with strong lists in history, current affairs and biography. Comparable mid-sized competitor overlapping with THP on accessible, well-designed non-fiction.
• Faber & Faber: Long-established UK independent publisher with non-fiction and history titles alongside its literary fiction list. Broader incumbent with overlapping readership and trade channels.
• Bloomsbury Publishing: Large UK-listed publisher with a significant history, biography and reference list (including the former Shire Publications imprint). Competes with THP on general history and biography while operating at vastly greater scale.
• Penguin Random House UK: Dominant UK trade publisher with extensive history, biography and reference imprints (Penguin History, Allen Lane, Hutchinson Heinemann). Adjacent incumbent competing for high-profile history authors and shelf space.

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheHistoryPress
• Facebookfacebook.com/132966973551
• Instagraminstagram.com/thehistorypressuk
• TikToktiktok.com/@the.history.press
• Pinterestpinterest.co.uk/thehistorypress
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-history-press

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The History Press