Our first shipment of the Union Flag/Jack Lightbox we announced last year has arrived and I thought it would be fun to share the unboxing. They're fresh from the factory and they're beautiful. If you pre-ordered we'll be sending you yours very soon. The rest will arrive in February. We'll have plenty! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERxenLoP3SQ You can order here. … [Read more...] about Video: Union Jack Lightbox Unboxing – World’s First Union Flag Light Box!
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The Queen’s Christmas Message 2021 – Happy Christmas from Anglotopia
As we do every year, we present you the Queen's annual Christmas message, one of our favorite British Christmas traditions. In this one, she shares a special tribute to Prince Philip. Happy Christmas from Anglotopia! We hope you all have a good one! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3mUkKan5C4 Here's an accompanying article from our Press Association subscription: The Queen … [Read more...] about The Queen’s Christmas Message 2021 – Happy Christmas from Anglotopia
Goodbye to Updown Cottage on Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset
This is a very difficult post to write. And warning: it will be sentimental. I debated whether or not to write anything at all, fearing it would be too painful but as this place played such a key role in Anglotopia’s history, I feel I needed to write something. I was not able to visit one last time. But I did have a last time. In January 2018, Mrs. Anglotopia and I visited … [Read more...] about Goodbye to Updown Cottage on Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset
Mystery bishop’s name found on rare rock crystal jar in Viking Age hoard
Conservators have found the name of a bishop inscribed on a rare rock crystal jar that was part of a Viking Age hoard discovered by a metal detectorist. Experts discovered the words “Bishop Hyguald had me made” on the base of the jar, which is around 5cm high and resembles an ornate perfume bottle. When it was discovered with the hoard in a field in Dumfries and Galloway in … [Read more...] about Mystery bishop’s name found on rare rock crystal jar in Viking Age hoard
Royal Collection Trust Unveils Duke of Edinburgh Related Gifts
A gold-plated Duke of Edinburgh bottle opener paying tribute to Philip’s love of carriage driving is among the Royal Collection gifts on sale this Christmas. The stocking filler is shaped like a horse bit – the piece of tack which goes in the horse’s mouth. The Royal Collection website describes the £29.95 gift as a “magnificent tribute to carriage driving which was one of … [Read more...] about Royal Collection Trust Unveils Duke of Edinburgh Related Gifts
Panel with links to Mary Queen of Scots bought for nation in ‘attic sale’
Armorial panels with links to Mary Queen of Scots which were found hidden in castle attics have been acquired for national collections. The oak panels came from a house in Blythe’s Close, in Edinburgh’s Old Town, where Marie de Guise, mother of Mary Queen of Scots, lived from around 1543 to 1554. One of them carries the combined coats of Marie and her husband James V which … [Read more...] about Panel with links to Mary Queen of Scots bought for nation in ‘attic sale’
Anglotopia Alert: New Product – Introducing the Union Jack Lightbox – Created and Manufactured by Anglotopia
Today is probably the biggest day in Anglotopia history as we unveil something we have been working on for quite some time. Our first product that we’ve manufactured ourselves. The Union Jack Lightbox. I’ve had this idea for quite some time. Back when we first started selling the London Underground Tube Lights, which were crazy popular - in fact, they kept Anglotopia going … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Alert: New Product – Introducing the Union Jack Lightbox – Created and Manufactured by Anglotopia
British Airways Relaunches Transatlantic Flights To/From London’s Gatwick Airport
British Airways has resumed flying Transatlantic flights between London's Gatwick Aiport and the USA. First starting with Tampa Florida, with Orlando resuming soon as well. Here are the details from the British Airways press release I received: Following the recent reopening of US borders for Brits, British Airways’ first transatlantic flight from Gatwick took off today bound … [Read more...] about British Airways Relaunches Transatlantic Flights To/From London’s Gatwick Airport
Brit Film: Downton Abbey Film Sequel Trailer Released – Plus Pictures
We now have our first good look at the upcoming Downton Abbey film sequel, due out in the US and UK in March 2022. And it looks like they're going to France! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaSIjLJJRuc Here's the official synopsis: Downton Abbey: A New Era reunites the original principal cast. In addition to the original cast, Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and … [Read more...] about Brit Film: Downton Abbey Film Sequel Trailer Released – Plus Pictures
Incredible Pictures of the East Sussex town of Lewes as it lights up for Bonfire Night celebrations
Crowds have flocked to the East Sussex town of Lewes for the annual Bonfire Night celebrations (Guy Fawkes Night). Participants during the parade through the town of Lewes (Gareth Fuller/PA) The town’s parade has attracted up to 60,000 spectators previously, but local councils and the emergency services called for a low-key event this year due to Covid … [Read more...] about Incredible Pictures of the East Sussex town of Lewes as it lights up for Bonfire Night celebrations
It’s Here! John Lewis 2021 Christmas ad stars young alien experiencing first Christmas
A young alien experiencing her first Christmas – complete with mince pies and novelty jumper – is the star of this year’s John Lewis festive campaign. The highly anticipated ad is a return to form for the retailer as it attempts to tap into customer enthusiasm for a traditional Christmas season after last year’s muted celebrations amid pre-vaccination … [Read more...] about It’s Here! John Lewis 2021 Christmas ad stars young alien experiencing first Christmas
United Adds new flights from the USA to London for Summer 2022
As travel begins to return to something resembling what it did pre-pandemic, airlines are beginning to spool up their route schedules to handle the expected increased demand. Recently British Airways announced new routes and the resumption of old routes. United Airlines is next. By spring 2022, they will be offering 22 flights a day from the USA to London. Here are the details … [Read more...] about United Adds new flights from the USA to London for Summer 2022
Anglotopia Magazine Issue 18 Cover and Article Reveal – Please Pre-order Now!
We’re going to press on Issue 18 of the Anglotopia print magazine next week, so I wanted to let everyone know about it. Now is the time to place your order for a copy, as we do not get many extras printed anymore. Issue 18 features a great line-up of original writing about Britain including a big huge feature on Dundee Scotland, the latest in a series of articles about Queen’s … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Magazine Issue 18 Cover and Article Reveal – Please Pre-order Now!
Anglotopia 2022 Calendar Update – They’re here, they’re beautiful and they’re going fast!
Our 2022 Calendars have arrived hot off the presses from the printer and they're beautiful. We'll be shipping them out this week to everyone who pre-ordered. There are only about 50 extras - so we want to urge everyone to order as soon as possible! CLICK HERE TO ORDER NOW About the 2022 Anglotpia Calendar The Anglotopia Calendar is back for 2022! It’s different this time … [Read more...] about Anglotopia 2022 Calendar Update – They’re here, they’re beautiful and they’re going fast!
Anglotopia Store Alert: London Tube Lightboxes return along with British Face Masks
We've brought back our face masks and Tube Lightboxes in very limited quantities! Due to popular request, we've decided to bring back two of our most popular products ever - the London Underground Tube Lightbox and our British Face Masks. We have limited stock on both so once they're gone, they're gone for a while - so I would order for Christmas NOW! Face Masks are going to … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Store Alert: London Tube Lightboxes return along with British Face Masks
Anglotopia Alert: Please order your Anglotopia books for Christmas soon – there’s a paper shortage coming
During the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the things we’ve all had to get used to is shortages on goods. Some are random, some are expected. Some are very annoying. One that will affect Anglotopia directly is the looming paper shortage. Yes, there’s going to be a paper shortage. You can read all about it here. But basically, there's a shortage on paper (the kind books are printed … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Alert: Please order your Anglotopia books for Christmas soon – there’s a paper shortage coming
British Airways brings its superjumbo A380s back online and reactivates transatlantic routes
We don't normally post airline news about specific planes - but this, I feel, is newsworthy. British Airways is bringing its massive Airbus A380's back into service, a sign that demand is starting to return to the international travel market. They're the last 'superjumbos' in BA's fleet to survive the culling brought on by COVID-19. BA is also adding capacity back to … [Read more...] about British Airways brings its superjumbo A380s back online and reactivates transatlantic routes
Anglotopia Alert: LAST CALL For Orders for our 2022 Calendar – PLEASE ORDER BY MONDAY!
This is a short update to let everyone know that we’re issuing a LAST CALL for pre-orders for our 2022 Calendar. We need a final tally as we’ll be placing the order with the printer next week and we want to make sure we order enough for everyone (and have a few spares for those who still want one in a few weeks). We planned to print 250 copies and so far have sold all but … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Alert: LAST CALL For Orders for our 2022 Calendar – PLEASE ORDER BY MONDAY!
Anglotopia Giveaway – Win a Copy of Noble Ambitions: The Fall and Rise of The English Country House After World War II
It’s been quite some time since we did a giveaway here at Anglotopia, now it’s time to start doing them again. And our inaugural contest is a true treat - we’re giving away a copy of Noble Ambitions: The Fall and Rise of The English Country House After World War II by Adrian Tinniswood. For those unfamiliar with Adrian’s work - he’s one of Britain’s foremost experts of stately … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Giveaway – Win a Copy of Noble Ambitions: The Fall and Rise of The English Country House After World War II
Telly History: BritBox to Exclusively Premiere a 4K Restoration of the Classic Brideshead Revisited
Brideshead Revisited is one of my personal favorite British dramas (and book as well). BritBox have decided to invest in a 4K restoration of this classic and they're releasing it on Tuesday. It has never looked this good! Here are the details from BritBox: BritBox, the subscription streaming service from BBC Studios and ITV, offering the biggest and best collection of … [Read more...] about Telly History: BritBox to Exclusively Premiere a 4K Restoration of the Classic Brideshead Revisited
Doctor Who: BIG NEWS – Previous Showrunner Russell T. Davies to Return for 60th Anniversary and Beyond!
This news comes straight from the BBC. And I'm so excited about it, I can barely type it out! Here's the announcement: Russell T Davies will make an explosive return to screens to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Doctor Who in 2023, and series beyond. BBC Studios are partnering with Bad Wolf to produce. Multi award-winning Russell T Davies will take control of the TARDIS … [Read more...] about Doctor Who: BIG NEWS – Previous Showrunner Russell T. Davies to Return for 60th Anniversary and Beyond!
New Anglotopia Book: 101 UK Culture Tips: A Field Guide to British Culture is now officially published
Anglotopia has a new book out, and I think it’s going to become one of our cornerstone titles. We originally launched pre-orders for this back in March during the Save Anglotopia Appeal, and the publishing process delayed the release a little bit. But I’m happy to report that the book is now on its way to everyone who ordered back in the spring. Again, we would like to thank … [Read more...] about New Anglotopia Book: 101 UK Culture Tips: A Field Guide to British Culture is now officially published
Housekeeping: We’ve updated our free mobile app for iOS and Android
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
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
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!
