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
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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
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
The Duke of Edinburgh Has Died at the age of 99 – 1921-2021
The Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen's beloved husband and father of her four children, has died at the age of 99. From the official statement from Buckingham Palace: It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at … [Read more...] about The Duke of Edinburgh Has Died at the age of 99 – 1921-2021
Let’s Go For a Spring Walk Around Stourhead House and Gardens
I’ve now lost count of how many months and years it has been since I was able to walk through my favorite garden at Stourhead in Wiltshire. Spring is the best time to visit Stourhead; it’s when you can see the place in full glory as an English Arcadian ideal of the perfect garden landscape. Everything is in bloom. The place is buzzing with visitors. The house is usually opening … [Read more...] about Let’s Go For a Spring Walk Around Stourhead House and Gardens
Getting Britain Ready for Post-Covid Travel to the United Kingdom
The end is in sight. The COVID-19 vaccine is rolling out and with the US government promising that there will be enough doses for every American by this May, it’s finally time that we can all start to think about travel to Britain again. To be clear, you cannot travel there right now, and should not. Britain is still technically in a lock-down situation right now. Tourism is … [Read more...] about Getting Britain Ready for Post-Covid Travel to the United Kingdom
Anglotopia Alert: Introducing the Shiny New 2nd Edition of 101 Budget Britain Travel Tips!
Over a decade ago, we published a guidebook called 101 Budget Britain Travel Tips, and it was a good seller for us. But at that time, we knew a lot less about publishing book and in the years after, the book became woefully out of date. So, we withdrew it from sale last year with the intention of rewriting it. Life got in the way, but I finally rewrote the thing over the last … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Alert: Introducing the Shiny New 2nd Edition of 101 Budget Britain Travel Tips!
Save Anglotopia Appeal Update – Now Accepting PayPal – THANK YOU ALL! Plus Update on the Books!
It’s now one week since we launched the Save Anglotopia Appeal to pre-sell our next three books in order to raise the funds needed for a legal settlement. Anglotopia fans answered in droves, and I’m happy to report that as of today, we have raised enough to cover the settlement and the lawyer costs in dealing with the case. Anglotopia is now safe and not going anywhere. We will … [Read more...] about Save Anglotopia Appeal Update – Now Accepting PayPal – THANK YOU ALL! Plus Update on the Books!
Save Anglotopia Appeal Update!
Wow! We don’t know what to say! Earlier this week, we issued a call out for help and Anglotopia readers answered it. Thank you is not a big enough word to convey our gratitude! Anglotopia truly does have the most supportive and dedicated fans, and we are so grateful for each and every one of you. As of today we 96% of the way to reaching our goal to pay our legal settlement … [Read more...] about Save Anglotopia Appeal Update!
IMPORTANT SITE NEWS: Please Help Save Anglotopia from Closure – Anglotopia Needs You!
Anglotopia needs your help with an important legal matter. I’ll be as transparent as I can here in sharing this important business update, Anglotopia barely survived the pandemic year. It’s been a challenging year for everyone but especially for businesses in the travel vertical like us. We tightened our belts, cut costs where we could, and kept things going on a shoestring, … [Read more...] about IMPORTANT SITE NEWS: Please Help Save Anglotopia from Closure – Anglotopia Needs You!
Adventures in Anglotopia: Book Excerpt – The Age of Things (in Britain)
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from my book Adventures in Anglotopia, recently released in paperback. Details on where to buy at the bottom. This is one of my favorite chapters! The small town in Indiana where I live, LaPorte, was founded in 1832. Where I come from, that qualifies as old. My favorite town in England, Shaftesbury, doesn’t have a firm founding date. It’s … [Read more...] about Adventures in Anglotopia: Book Excerpt – The Age of Things (in Britain)
The Paperback Edition of Adventures in Anglotopia is Now Available Everywhere!
It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost a year since we released my first ‘proper’ book Adventures in Anglotopia. It has been a success by the metrics I set (once COVID-19 is ‘over’ we’ll be able to return to Britain for a visit). Tons of people have written to tell me how much they enjoyed the book and that it meant a lot of them to have someone to identify with. And now … [Read more...] about The Paperback Edition of Adventures in Anglotopia is Now Available Everywhere!
Anglophile Vignettes: Plane Spotting in Windsor
Editor's Note: This took place in 2018. It was my last full day in England. I’d just returned from exploring and I was a bit tired. I was at the end of a trip of a lifetime, I’d just spend the last week covering a Royal Wedding. Everything had been a success. Now it was time to wrap things up and return home. My flat in Windsor had been a perfect little place (read my review … [Read more...] about Anglophile Vignettes: Plane Spotting in Windsor
Anglophile Vignettes: King Alfred’s Tower
Editor's Note: This was in 2017. I have been to Stourhead House and Gardens more times than I can count. But until recently, I never visited King Alfred’s Tower. So, one time during a wind storm, I decided to pay a visit. I don’t remember the name of the storm, only that it was one of the worst windstorms in recent memory in Britain. Many attractions - liked Stourhead - were … [Read more...] about Anglophile Vignettes: King Alfred’s Tower
Anglophile Vignettes: Snowdrops – A Harbinger of Spring in Winter
The first time I saw a snowdrop, I thought it was a miracle. A flower, blooming in deepest, darkest winter. What a remarkable thing. I’d never seen such a thing before. Hailing from mid-western America, we don’t have any vegetation in the winter. Everything dies or goes into hibernation. Everything is brown and dull and seemingly dead. As we’ve written about before, England … [Read more...] about Anglophile Vignettes: Snowdrops – A Harbinger of Spring in Winter
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!
