Shrove Tuesday: the history of Pancake Day
Initially a feast to celebrate the arrival of spring, Pancake Day (or Shrove Tuesday) is still one of the most indulgent days of the year
As with most European Christian traditions, Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, started...
How Edinburgh inspired great literature
Scotland's capital was the world's first UNESCO City of Literature. Read about the locations that inspired Britain's literary greats
Words: Lee Karen Stow
Arriving by train into Waverley Station, the end of a journey from the...
25 of Britain’s best stately homes
We’ve toured the British Isles to bring you 25 of our most magnificent manor houses and stately homes - each with their own story to tell.
The rise of Queen Elizabeth I
The daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn was known as the ‘Virgin Queen’ for her failure to marry but she reigned over an exciting period of English accomplishment.
From the moment of her...
Mary, Queen of Scots: martyr or murderess?
There have been few monarchs in British history quite as tragic or beautiful as Mary, Queen of Scots. We sift the fact from the fiction
On 8 February 1587, Mary Stuart came to a sticky end....
Is there more to Katharine of Aragon’s story?
With Tudor Times we profile a different figure every month. Here, Melita Thomas explores King Henry VIII’s first love, Katharine of Aragon.
6 ruined castles reconstructed
Wandering through ancient ruins can inspire tales of adventure, historical insight, and wonder for the way we used to live. But there is one drawback with exploring a half-destroyed fortress: you only get half...
6 amazing castles you can stay in
From mighty medieval fortresses that have stood sentinel since the Norman invasion to baronial stately homes built to impress, Britain is peppered with fantastical castles. Here are 6 incredible castles that have been converted into...
Nelson’s Column – the story of an icon
Guarded by lions and towering above Trafalgar Square, this lofty monument is one of London’s most iconic
On 12 November 1918, London saw wild celebrations as an armistice declared the end of the First World War.
Nowhere...
Who was Emmeline Pankhurst?
In the centenary year of women first gaining the vote, we celebrate the northern roots of one of the leading suffragettes
Given Manchester’s reputation as a hotbed of social and political revolution, it’s somewhat surprising that...
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