The preservation of the past should always be a top priority since it helps us understand how those who came before us live. Heritage railways are a part of this since they help keep a link to Britain’s transportation history. At one point, heritage railways were a primary means of moving goods and people, but advances in technology made them unnecessary. Today, heritage … [Read more...] about Britain’s Top Ten Heritage and Steam Railways
British Heritage
Win a Signed Copy of Country Life: 125 Years of Living in Great Britain
We have a new contest for Anglotopians. We recently attended a Royal Oak lecture featuring John Goodall, the co-author of a fabulous new coffee table book being put out by Rizzolo called: Country Life: 125 Years of Living in Great Britain from the Archives of Country Life. This massive book is almost 400 pages long and features beautiful photography and history from the … [Read more...] about Win a Signed Copy of Country Life: 125 Years of Living in Great Britain
Unveiling the Mystery: 10 Most Allegedly Haunted Places in Britain
Britain, with its rich history and ancient architecture, has long been shrouded in tales of the supernatural. From eerie castles to abandoned asylums, the land is dotted with allegedly haunted places that have captured the imagination of locals and tourists alike. In this post, we will embark on a chilling journey through the ten most allegedly haunted places in Britain, … [Read more...] about Unveiling the Mystery: 10 Most Allegedly Haunted Places in Britain
The Fiver – Five British Things You Can Find in the United States
While travel to the UK for pleasure might still be a ways off, there are plenty of things from Britain right here in the United States. By this, I’m not talking about the international foods aisle of your grocery store or your local pub, but places and items whose origins were across the pond before coming here. While you can’t visit all of the things on this list, most of … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five British Things You Can Find in the United States
Top Five Royal Related Places to Visit in Kent
Nearly every county in the United Kingdom has some connection to royalty, but Kent has more than its share of royal locations. From castles to monuments, you can find some trace of the king and queens of old dotted amongst the Kentish landscape. Today, we are going to have a look at five of the top royal places to visit in Kent. Of course, this list is not … [Read more...] about Top Five Royal Related Places to Visit in Kent
Sledge flag used during 19th-century polar search saved for nation
A rare flag flown from a polar sledge used to hunt for survivors of Captain Sir John Franklin’s doomed expedition has been saved for the nation thanks to a campaign backed by Michael Palin and Dan Snow. The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) launched a last-ditch campaign to raise the £120,000 needed to stop the Kellet sledge flag from passing into the hands of an … [Read more...] about Sledge flag used during 19th-century polar search saved for nation
First direct evidence of harrowing lives of ‘pauper apprentices’ uncovered
Scientists have uncovered the first direct evidence of the harrowing lives of children known as “pauper apprentices” who were forced into labour during industrialisation in England. A team of experts analysed the skeletal remains of more than 150 individuals from a rural churchyard cemetery in the village of Fewston, North Yorkshire. Most of the remains belonged to young … [Read more...] about First direct evidence of harrowing lives of ‘pauper apprentices’ uncovered
Choir climbs 163ft tower and sings from rooftop in Cambridge college tradition
A Cambridge choir has sung from the top of a 163ft tower in an unusual tradition that was started in 1902 to settle a dispute over whether it would be heard from the ground. The singers climbed the spiral staircase of St John’s College Chapel tower in Cambridge to mark Ascension Day on Thursday. Ascension Day celebrates the Christian belief in … [Read more...] about Choir climbs 163ft tower and sings from rooftop in Cambridge college tradition
Lancaster flypast pays 80th anniversary tribute to Dambusters
The only remaining airworthy Lancaster bomber in the UK took to the skies on Tuesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters raid. The plane, one of only two Lancasters still in operation, flew over former air bases in Lincolnshire on the anniversary of the mission to attack German dams on 1943. Part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), plane PA474 took … [Read more...] about Lancaster flypast pays 80th anniversary tribute to Dambusters
Stone of Destiny back on display in Edinburgh Castle after King’s coronation
The Stone of Destiny has been returned to Scotland after playing a key role in the coronation of King Charles. The stone, a 152kg slab of pinkish sandstone on which Scottish kings were crowned for centuries, was taken from its home in Edinburgh Castle to Westminster Abbey under tight security. Once there it was installed in the Coronation Chair for the historic service … [Read more...] about Stone of Destiny back on display in Edinburgh Castle after King’s coronation
Sir Walter Scott’s desk seal expected to fetch up to £18,000 at auction
Sir Walter Scott’s desk seal, likely to have been the one used in correspondence to King George IV, is to go under the hammer this week where it could sell for as much as £18,000. The item is just one of the 100 seals with Scottish connections set to be sold off by Edinburgh-based auction house Lyon & Turnbull on Friday. Sir Walter’s personal desk seal from Abbotsford … [Read more...] about Sir Walter Scott’s desk seal expected to fetch up to £18,000 at auction
Historic England seeks Missing Pieces about important places around the country
Historic England is appealing for hidden histories to be shared and for overlooked places to be celebrated as part of its Missing Pieces Project. The heritage body is calling for people to upload to its website photos or stories about any of the more than 400,000 places on the National Heritage List for England. Submissions by users, intended to give people a fuller … [Read more...] about Historic England seeks Missing Pieces about important places around the country
Former ‘Yotties’ unite for annual working party on Royal Yacht Britannia
Former sailors who served on the Royal Yacht Britannia have described themselves as a “band of brothers” as they arrived on the ship for their annual working party as a way to keep the bonds they built in service alive. More than 50 former “Yotties”, as they are affectionately known, will spend much of the week aboard the ship which was in royal service between 1953 and 1997, … [Read more...] about Former ‘Yotties’ unite for annual working party on Royal Yacht Britannia
100 Interesting Facts about Coronations, King Charles, and Queen Camilla
Ahead of the Coronation today, Buckingham Palace released 100 fun facts about The King, The Queen Consort, and the history of Coronations: His Majesty The King Her Majesty The Queen Consort A History of Coronations … [Read more...] about 100 Interesting Facts about Coronations, King Charles, and Queen Camilla
Wisteria more than 100 years old in bloom at University of Cambridge
A wisteria plant more than 100 years old is in bloom at the University of Cambridge, although the lightly scented flowers have appeared later than usual. The hardy shrub at Jesus College is flowering later this year due to the colder start to 2023. Native to China, the climbing vine is more than 120 years old and was inspected on Wednesday by gardeners Danny Lawler and … [Read more...] about Wisteria more than 100 years old in bloom at University of Cambridge
Rare coin unearthed by detectorist to go on show to mark Charles coronation
A rare medieval coin which was unearthed by an amateur detectorist is to go on show to mark the King’s coronation. The silver penny, which depicts Malcolm IV of Scotland, is to be exhibited in Dunfermline, which was granted city status by Charles last year. The 12th century coin is being displayed near the historic Abbey where Malcolm is buried, and where Dunfermline’s … [Read more...] about Rare coin unearthed by detectorist to go on show to mark Charles coronation
Historic chairs to be reused for the coronation service
The King has recycled royal coats of arms that decorated a chair used during King George VI’s coronation for his own enthronement. After Charles is crowned he will move to a throne chair used by his grandfather and now re-upholstered but featuring the original embroidered coats of arms on the front and back that have been conserved. The Queen Consort has an identical … [Read more...] about Historic chairs to be reused for the coronation service
Complete guide to all the glittering regalia used at the coronation
Here is all the coronation regalia being used at the crowning of the King and Queen Consort. The sacred, priceless objects are part of the Crown Jewels – the nation’s most precious treasures – which are held in trust by the King for the country and kept under armed guard in the Tower of London. – PROCESSION – Two ceremonial maces Maces – based on medieval weapons … [Read more...] about Complete guide to all the glittering regalia used at the coronation
Charles III added to new ruler of rulers by English Heritage
A British classroom staple – the wooden “ruler of rulers” with its timeline of kings and queens – has been updated to mark the reign of Charles III. English Heritage’s version of the 30cm measuring stick, listing monarchs over the last 1,000 years, now includes the new King ahead of his coronation next week. And the charity announced a “ruler amnesty” between now and May … [Read more...] about Charles III added to new ruler of rulers by English Heritage
Westminster Abbey: Historic church is site of the crowning of British monarchs for 1,000 years
Westminster Abbey has served as the coronation church for nearly 1,000 years and is the final resting place of 17 monarchs. Edward the Confessor, Charles II and Elizabeth I are among those buried in the historic London church, which is steeped in British history and famed for its stunning gothic architecture. King Charles III will be the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned … [Read more...] about Westminster Abbey: Historic church is site of the crowning of British monarchs for 1,000 years
New research sheds light on origins of ancient Picts
The origins of the Picts were local to the British Isles and not from large scale migration from exotic locations in the east, new research suggests. The study is helping to shed new light on the origins of the Picts, who were first mentioned in the late 3rd century CE as resisting the Romans and went on to form a powerful kingdom that ruled over a large part of present-day … [Read more...] about New research sheds light on origins of ancient Picts
Stage backdrop designs drawn by Sir Paul McCartney unveiled at museum
Sketches of stage backdrop designs drawn by Sir Paul McCartney have gone on show at a Beatles museum. A piece of paper featuring 11 sketches of stage backdrop designs for Brian Epstein’s Saville Theatre in London was donated to the Liverpool Beatles Museum by an anonymous benefactor, who bought it at auction for £25,000. Museum owner Roag Best said: “These have never been … [Read more...] about Stage backdrop designs drawn by Sir Paul McCartney unveiled at museum
Toilet paper and advising public: Archives reveal coronation planners’ concerns
Missing toilet roll and being careful about telling the public what to do were among the considerations of coronation organisers of the past, as documents show planning of the historical events has always been intricate and detailed. In a document at The National Archives in Kew looking back at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, there is a reference to a lack of … [Read more...] about Toilet paper and advising public: Archives reveal coronation planners’ concerns
UK and US galleries buy masterpiece Portrait Of Mai for £50m
One of the earliest portraits of a black person by a British artist will remain on public display after London’s National Portrait Gallery and the J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles struck a £50 million deal to buy it. The two institutions announced on Wednesday that they had each pitched in £25 million to acquire Joshua Reynolds’ depiction of an 18th century Polynesian man … [Read more...] about UK and US galleries buy masterpiece Portrait Of Mai for £50m
New plastic-free ‘planet-friendly’ poppy partly made from discarded coffee cups
A new “environmentally friendly” poppy partly made from used coffee cups will be released for this year’s Remembrance Day. The historic symbol will be plastic-free and made of recyclable paper for the first time since it was introduced 102 years ago. The redesign took three years to develop with the help of experts at University College London, the Royal British Legion … [Read more...] about New plastic-free ‘planet-friendly’ poppy partly made from discarded coffee cups
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!
