Though we’ve dedicated this issue to VE Day, with features on codebreaking and Churchill’s home life, as ever we’ve also travelling around the country to bring you stories of great Brits, such as Florence Nightingale, and the best glossy photography of a summery St Brides Bay in Wales and Sussex, site of the battle of Hastings
75 years ago this May, the Second World War ended, to widespread jubilation. In our VE Day special issue, we mark this milestone with two dedicated features, Secrets of Bletchley Park, telling the intriguing tale of British wartime codebreaking, and Churchill at home, a look at the houses associated with the great wartime leader.
This issue falls at another time of worldwide crisis, and we hope that these stories of sacrifice, courage and determination will act as reminders of how even the most challenging of adversaries can be overcome.
Though we may be confined to our homes right now, we want to provide you with a portal into the past and future, cultivating both memories and dreams of holidays in Britain.
Hidden Wales
With its wild cliffs, pretty coves and puffins galore, St Brides Bay holds the best of Pembrokeshire. It is often overlooked in favour of the nearby Gower peninsula, but this notch in the Welsh coastline has similarly spectacular beaches, charming towns and villages, fantastic wildlife and, crucially, enough space for everyone.
Secrets of Bletchley Park
For decades, veteran Pat Davies kept her wartime secrets to herself, not sharing her experiences even with her own family. We spoke to her to learn about her time working for the centre of wartime codebreaking at Bletchley Park.
The Real Alice
Were it not for Alice Pleasance Liddell, we might never have known of the madcap world of Wonderland, where White Rabbits wear waistcoats, Mad Hatters host tea parties and playing-card-Queens play croquet. Here we explore the curious tale of the real girl who inspired one of the world’s most famous children’s books.
The Great British holiday competition
The great British holiday competition is back. It’s your chance to win a holiday in Britain worth £5,000, including free international flights. And don’t worry, the prize can be redeemed up until 31 May 2021, so there’s plenty of time.
Buy your digital copy of the new issue here, or subscribe online to have every issue delivered to your door.
© 2023 Chelsea Magazine Company 