We’ve done some major updates to the official Anglotopia App. The app is still fundamentally the same, we’ve just updated the graphics, increased compatibility with various devices, and reorganized a few sections (and what they display). I noticed it wasn’t looking good on my new tablet and it required a big update to look right. So, both the iOS and Android versions of our … [Read more...] about Housekeeping: We’ve updated our free mobile app for iOS and Android
About Jonathan
Anglotopia Alert: Announcing the 2022 Anglotopia Special 15th Anniversary Limited Edition Calendar
The Anglotopia Calendar is returning for 2022; please pre-order your copy here. Every purchase helps support Anglotopia and keeps the business operating in what’s been a very challenging 18 months for businesses like us. Last year I said we probably wouldn’t do a calendar again. But we sold out of the 2021 calendars, so we’ve decided to do one again, this time with a limited … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Alert: Announcing the 2022 Anglotopia Special 15th Anniversary Limited Edition Calendar
Housekeeping: New Post Notifications from Anglotopia by Feedburner Have Been Discontinued – Sign-up for our New System
A long time ago, in an internet far far away, we set up Google's Feedburner for our RSS feed. This allowed people to read Anglotopia in the feedreader of their choice or be notified by email once a day whenever a new article was published. It's one of those things that just worked and once you set it up, you forgot about it. Fast forward over a decade, Google has decided to … [Read more...] about Housekeeping: New Post Notifications from Anglotopia by Feedburner Have Been Discontinued – Sign-up for our New System
A Book Review That Starts in 2018 in Cumbria – Pastoral Song by James Rebanks (aka English Pastoral)
This is a rather odd book review (and frankly, I don’t do many book reviews anymore), but I wanted to write about this book because I have a direct connection to it and author James Rebanks. It’s not something I’ve written much about, except a little bit in my own book Adventures in Anglotopia, and even then, I was rather vague to protect the privacy of friends. James Rebanks … [Read more...] about A Book Review That Starts in 2018 in Cumbria – Pastoral Song by James Rebanks (aka English Pastoral)
Brian May’s Recently Discovered photo of Victorian family Stonehenge trip to feature in exhibition
The oldest family photograph taken at Stonehenge has been found in the collection of Queen guitarist Brian May, English Heritage has said. The 3D stereoview image was taken by photographer Henry Brooks during the 1860s and shows his family enjoying a day out at the historic landmark, the heritage organization said. The image will be seen in a new exhibition at … [Read more...] about Brian May’s Recently Discovered photo of Victorian family Stonehenge trip to feature in exhibition
English Language: British Regional pronunciations could be wiped out in 45 years, according to new study
Regional pronunciations of words are likely to be wiped out in England and overtaken by the southeastern variant within 45 years, according to a new study. Researchers from the universities of Portsmouth and Cambridge found that differing pronunciations of words such as strut and farm will soon merge into the south-eastern version. Traditionally northerners would pronounce … [Read more...] about English Language: British Regional pronunciations could be wiped out in 45 years, according to new study
UK Travel Update: COVID-19 Vaccinated Americans Can Travel to the England from Monday, August 2nd – Full Details Inside
Folks: the day we've all been waiting for since this pandemic began has come. From Monday, August 2nd, Americans who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 can travel freely to England without 10-day quarantine upon arrival. There are a few caveats though. Please read this whole article before booking a plane ticket! For over a year we've been asking the question - when can we … [Read more...] about UK Travel Update: COVID-19 Vaccinated Americans Can Travel to the England from Monday, August 2nd – Full Details Inside
Big News: The London Annual Returns for 2022 – Help Anglotopia and Get a Beautiful Guidebook to London in 2022
Prepare for the Great Return to London in 2022! After a 4 year hiatus, we're excited to announce that the London Annual, the magazine/guidebook we produced for several years, is BACK! And we need your help to make it happen. It’s becoming increasingly clear that travel to the UK for Americans (and Canadians, Australians, etc) will return to some semblance of normality … [Read more...] about Big News: The London Annual Returns for 2022 – Help Anglotopia and Get a Beautiful Guidebook to London in 2022
Google Maps suggests ‘potentially fatal’ route up Ben Nevis, hillwalkers warned
Scottish mountaineering charities have criticized Google for suggesting routes up Ben Nevis and other Munros they say are “potentially fatal” and direct people over a cliff. The John Muir Trust, which looks after the upper reaches of the UK’s highest mountain, said attempts to contact the company over the issue have been met with silence. The charity said certain searches for … [Read more...] about Google Maps suggests ‘potentially fatal’ route up Ben Nevis, hillwalkers warned
In Pictures: Glasgow transformed into New York City for Indiana Jones 5 filming
Parts of Glasgow have been transformed for filming of what is thought to be the new Indiana Jones movie. The city’s St Vincent Street was adorned in the stars and stripes of the United States for the fifth movie in the franchise starring 79-year-old Harrison Ford. A lookalike for Ford rode on horseback, with a Boyd Holbrook body-double behind on a vintage motorbike, in a … [Read more...] about In Pictures: Glasgow transformed into New York City for Indiana Jones 5 filming
Amazon Hit Good Omens to Return for Second Season, David Tennant and Michael Sheen to Return
Wonderful news my fellow Brit telly fans, Good Omens is going to return for a second series. While the first series covered the whole book it was based on, Neil Gaiman has more story to tell and Amazon is happy to let him do it. Stars David Tennant and Michael Sheen will both return. Here's the release from Amazon: Amazon Studios today announced that it has greenlit global … [Read more...] about Amazon Hit Good Omens to Return for Second Season, David Tennant and Michael Sheen to Return
Special Scaled Down Trooping the Colour in Windsor Marks Queen’s 95th Birthday
The Queen has received her official birthday gift from the nation’s armed forces – a ceremony of pomp and pageantry in her honor. Windsor Castle was the setting for the spectacle dubbed a mini Trooping the Colour, featuring soldiers who have supported communities and the NHS during the pandemic or served overseas on military operations. From her dais, the Queen watched the … [Read more...] about Special Scaled Down Trooping the Colour in Windsor Marks Queen’s 95th Birthday
Queen marks Philip’s 100th birthday by planting rose named after him
The Queen has poignantly marked what would have been the Duke of Edinburgh’s 100th birthday with the planting of a newly-bred rose named after her beloved late husband. The monarch received the gift from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and watched it placed in the Windsor Castle gardens last week to commemorate Philip’s centenary on Thursday. The Queen described the … [Read more...] about Queen marks Philip’s 100th birthday by planting rose named after him
Telly Streaming: UKTV Everywhere is no more – Here’s a Good Alternative – TVMucho.com Service Review
The British TV Streaming service UKTV Everywhere is no more. They have ceased trading and closed the business. The service had been around for years, and its unique service proposition was that it could provide you with live BBC and ITV feeds from the UK as they air. You could watch British TV as if you were actually there (and skip the delay in shows coming to the USA). While … [Read more...] about Telly Streaming: UKTV Everywhere is no more – Here’s a Good Alternative – TVMucho.com Service Review
Celebration of Prince Philip’s life to go on show at Windsor and Holyroodhouse
The life and legacy of the Duke of Edinburgh will be celebrated at special displays at Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse this summer. Philip – the nation’s longest-serving consort who died aged 99 on April 9 – was set to have marked his 100th birthday this Thursday. The two separate exhibitions will chart significant events and achievements in the duke’s life … [Read more...] about Celebration of Prince Philip’s life to go on show at Windsor and Holyroodhouse
Supersonic transatlantic flights might return by 2029 with Boom and United
Supersonic transatlantic flights could return by the end of the decade, according to a US airline. United Airlines announced it has conditionally agreed to buy planes capable of flying at speeds of Mach 1.7, which is twice as fast as modern airliners. The firm said potential routes include Newark, New Jersey to London in just three-and-a-half hours. A lot needs to happen for … [Read more...] about Supersonic transatlantic flights might return by 2029 with Boom and United
Secrets of Viking-age hoard revealed as it goes on public display in Scotland
Experts have unlocked fascinating secrets of a Viking-age hoard discovered by a metal detectorist which is set to go on public display. The 10th-century hoard of more than 100 objects, including gold, silver, jewelry, a rare Anglo-Saxon cross, and textiles, was found in a field in Dumfries and Galloway in 2014 and acquired by National Museums Scotland (NMS) in … [Read more...] about Secrets of Viking-age hoard revealed as it goes on public display in Scotland
JetBlue Announces Beginning of its new Transatlantic Flights
This has been in the works for some time, and it's finally happening. JetBlue is going to start flying transatlantically, starting in August (which is optimistic given the current state of international travel). They intend to start with New York's JFK to Heathrow first, then start up JFK to Gatwick, followed by Boston in 2022. Service will start on August 11, 2021. Nonstop … [Read more...] about JetBlue Announces Beginning of its new Transatlantic Flights
Sponsored Post: Salisbury Poisonings Now Available on DVD – Fantastic British Drama
Salisbury is one of my favorite English cities, and I was heartbroken a few years ago when it made international headlines for a spy poisoning incident that captured the world’s attention. It brought the entire international media ecosystem upon Salisbury while it was breathlessly covered, and Salisbury went on a sort of isolation and lockdown that devastated local … [Read more...] about Sponsored Post: Salisbury Poisonings Now Available on DVD – Fantastic British Drama
Letter revealing Roald Dahl’s secrets to good storytelling to go under hammer
A handwritten letter by children’s author Roald Dahl which reveals his secrets to good storytelling, is set to go on sale at auction. The letter, dated August 2, 1989, showcases the writer’s opinion of his own work and his determination to get children reading. Librarian Christine Wotton said she wrote to Mr. Dahl “speculatively” as a 20-year-old student as she was studying … [Read more...] about Letter revealing Roald Dahl’s secrets to good storytelling to go under hammer
Soap fans offered chance of one-night-only stay in Coronation Street
Coronation Street is opening its doors to two guests for one night only, staying next door to the famous Rovers Return Inn. The temporary Airbnb – a self-contained pop-up house – will be situated in the heart of the street, with guests taken on a private tour of the set followed by a hotpot dinner while watching classic Corrie episodes. The area will include exteriors of … [Read more...] about Soap fans offered chance of one-night-only stay in Coronation Street
New Anglotopia Book! Great Britons – The Top 50 Greatest Brits Who Ever Lived Is Officially Released Today!
Anglotopia has a new book out, and it’s now available today from booksellers everywhere (and direct from us). It feels a bit odd announcing a book we actually already announced a few months ago during the Save Anglotopia Sale. But the book is done now and in print. I’m very, very pleased with how it’s turned out as this book uses a new format that we’ll be using for more books … [Read more...] about New Anglotopia Book! Great Britons – The Top 50 Greatest Brits Who Ever Lived Is Officially Released Today!
Brit TV: Sanditon Saved! Sanditon Renewed for 2nd and 3rd Seasons!
This is really surprising and unexpected news - Sanditon, the British period drama that was canceled before it could finish its story - leaving viewers with a shocking cliffhanger, has been renewed for a 2nd and 3rd season by PBS Masterpiece. Full details from PBS Masterpiece: MASTERPIECE on PBS today announced, with Red Planet Pictures, the renewal of the acclaimed and … [Read more...] about Brit TV: Sanditon Saved! Sanditon Renewed for 2nd and 3rd Seasons!
Housekeeping: A Huge Positive New Change at Anglotopia – More Great British News!
Anglotopia will be publishing more ‘British’ news going forward. But only ‘good’ British news about history, travel, culture, etc. We’ve entered a new agreement with a content partner to bring you more Great British news. This change came about unexpectedly. When Prince Philip died a few weeks ago, Anglotopia was not prepared (there are lots of reasons). We wanted to provide … [Read more...] about Housekeeping: A Huge Positive New Change at Anglotopia – More Great British News!
British Film: It’s Official – A Second Downton Abbey Film is Entering Production – Releasing This Christmas
It's the worst kept secret in British film currently, but it's finally been confirmed by Universal UK that Downton Abbey 2, a direct sequel to the hit Downton film released a few years ago, is officially entering production. The cast is returning along with the original production team. Even Maggie Smith. Here's the official … [Read more...] about British Film: It’s Official – A Second Downton Abbey Film is Entering Production – Releasing This Christmas
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas in 2007 in a closet in Chicago. Anglotopia is for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
