I hope you enjoyed the March 2019 recommendations as I've got plenty more ideas for April. There's so much to see and do, we hope you can incorporate some of these into your upcoming trips (or plan for next year)! This month moves us properly into spring so nature is bringing us more colourful flowers and those well known 'April showers' will keep them well watered. Easter is … [Read more...] about What’s On Around Britain in April 2019 – Easter Celebrations, St George’s Day, Queen’s Birthday, Flower and Garden Shows and More!
England
Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth – Exploring the New Exhibition at Oxford University’s Bodleian Libraries
Oxford University's Bodleian Library recently launched a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkien and his connection to Oxford. Many authors have strong connections to Oxford: Lewis Carroll who wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, C.S. Lewis who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia and, of course, J.R.R. Tolkien who brought us The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. … [Read more...] about Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth – Exploring the New Exhibition at Oxford University’s Bodleian Libraries
Lost in the Pond: 11 American States that Are Larger than the UK
Your favourite British host, Laurence Brown, reveals 11 American states that are bigger than England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland combined. But which ones made the list? … [Read more...] about Lost in the Pond: 11 American States that Are Larger than the UK
Lost in the Pond: A British Expat Provides Advice for Americans Traveling to England – Video
If you’re an American or know an American that is seriously considering visiting England, listen up, because I know a thing or two about that place. That’s right: Until I turned my back on it and moved to its larger cousin, England was my home for 27 drizzly years. While there, I made American friends, dated American girls (I was young; they were desperate), and saw lots of … [Read more...] about Lost in the Pond: A British Expat Provides Advice for Americans Traveling to England – Video
Lost in the Pond: 5 Cheeky Reasons NOT To Visit England (Translation: 5 Reasons Why You Actually Should)
For the Anglophiles among you, what you are about to read may come as quite a shock. Nonetheless, if you’re thinking of hitting up London, visiting your English friends, or traversing the Cotswolds, here’s a very important piece of advice: don’t. Visiting England is not a good idea and here are cheeky five reasons why. 1. You’ll be forced to admit that your own country is … [Read more...] about Lost in the Pond: 5 Cheeky Reasons NOT To Visit England (Translation: 5 Reasons Why You Actually Should)
British Food at Christmas: A Guide to Some British Christmas Fare
In Great Britain, families celebrate Christmas together around the Christmas tree and watch each other open gifts, much like in the US! We share many of the same traditions with Britain: trimming the tree, decorating the house with holly and mistletoe, and hanging outdoor lights. Brits usually eat the main Christmas meal at lunchtime or early afternoon on Christmas Day. It's … [Read more...] about British Food at Christmas: A Guide to Some British Christmas Fare
British Landscapes Photography: Radiant Rainbows
This week I thought we would take a look at an aspect of the weather which we all look forward to seeing - rainbows. Unfortunately we always have to endure at least some part of a storm before we have the opportunity to see these beautiful multicoloured arcs of light in the sky. Rainbows occur when it's both raining and the sun is shining simultaneously. To see a rainbow, you … [Read more...] about British Landscapes Photography: Radiant Rainbows
British Landscapes Photography: Exploring Norfolk’s Windmills
Although to date we are having a very mild winter here in the UK we have just had the wettest January for 250 years along with some very destructive high winds and tides. This as made me recall the many windmills and wind pumps that were in use in this country in the past and that are no longer in use today. One of the areas where there are many preserved windmills and wind … [Read more...] about British Landscapes Photography: Exploring Norfolk’s Windmills
Brit Book Reviews: Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show: A Centennary Celebration by Brent Elliott.
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show: A Centenary Celebration by Brent Elliott is a gorgeously illustrated coffee table book celebrating 100 years of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Elliott, RHS’s librarian and archivist (oh, how I envy him!), is certainly the right person to write this celebratory book. From the humble roots on the grounds of … [Read more...] about Brit Book Reviews: Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show: A Centennary Celebration by Brent Elliott.
Laura’s London: Exploring the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort opened in 1996 and is a children's theme park for 2 to 12 year olds. It's only a few miles from Windsor Castle and is just 8 miles from London Heathrow Airport. As it's aimed at younger children it's not all about looping roller coasters and sheer drop rides but there is a good mix for the age range. Adults also love the Viking River Splash where you … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Exploring the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
Preparing to walk Hadrian's Wall: The First Steps to Achieve a Lifelong Dream
Now that our recent legal troubles are behind us, we can start looking forward and planning for the future. One of things on my 'Britain Bucket List' online canadian pharmacy is to walk the distance of Hadrian's Wall and I've set the goal to do it next year in September 2014. For those that don't know - what exactly is Hadrian's Wall? Hadrian's Wall is a roughly 80 mile … [Read more...] about Preparing to walk Hadrian's Wall: The First Steps to Achieve a Lifelong Dream
Brit Language: MirandaSpeak is “Such Fun”!
Miranda is the new queen of comedy on BBC. Do a Google search “BBC Miranda” and you’ll see who rules. Written and performed by the multi-talented comedian, Miranda Hart, the series is laugh out loud funny. Miranda finds being a grownup, love, friendship, walking and even keeping her clothes from flying off difficult. Situations, especially social situations are fraught with … [Read more...] about Brit Language: MirandaSpeak is “Such Fun”!
Brit Language: Auld Lang Syne in Translation
I love movies! Movies often remind us of the special events in our own lives. What woman hasn’t dreamt of a magnificent marriage proposal with a cinematic ending? Remember that oh-so romantic and highly memorable scene in When Harry Met Sally as Harry professes his love, the band begins to play "Auld Lang Syne", and Harry remarks: "What does this song mean? For my whole life … [Read more...] about Brit Language: Auld Lang Syne in Translation
Brit Language: Christmas Traditions Largely Unknown to Americans – Part 2
In everyone's favorite Christmas classic, A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens writes, "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." We each celebrate and honor Christmas in our own way and with our own traditions. Brits celebrate Christmas with traditions like Mumming, Morris Dancing, and Pantos. I’d never heard of any of these celebrations until I … [Read more...] about Brit Language: Christmas Traditions Largely Unknown to Americans – Part 2
Brit Language: A Bit of the Old and a Bit of the New
The name librarian conjures up an image of a woman with her hair in a bun, glasses, and that finger shushing action. I plead guilty to wearing glasses, but I never wear my hair in a bun unless I forget to wash it. As far as shushing action goes, I leave that to stereotypical archetypes like the Librarian Action Figure. "Librarians wield unfathomable power, bring order to … [Read more...] about Brit Language: A Bit of the Old and a Bit of the New
Brit Language: The Power of Austen
Jane Austen said, "My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company." You are "well-informed people" and I'm sure you have a "great deal of conversation". Jane herself would probably call you "good company", but conversation lacks the elegance it once had. "Undoubtedly, any history … [Read more...] about Brit Language: The Power of Austen
British Landscapes Photography: Lakes, Lochs and Llyns
After our whistle stop tours of the National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Heritage Coasts I thought we should just slow down a while so this time I am going to share with you some images of the inland waters we have in the British Isles. I use a special camera for landscapes to get high quality photos at any circumstances and in any weather conditions. We will … [Read more...] about British Landscapes Photography: Lakes, Lochs and Llyns
Brit Language-Dickens: What’s in a name?
One of England’s most beloved authors is Charles Dickens, and he is a personal favorite of mine. His stories are sad, inspirational, and timeless. He was influential in changing society by raising awareness of the poverty and social ills plaguing 19th century England. We love his descriptions of “orphaned and starving children, misers, murderers, and abusive schoolmasters” in … [Read more...] about Brit Language-Dickens: What’s in a name?
Laura’s London: A Visit to Lavenham Suffolk – Finest Medieval Village in England
Lavenham is considered by many to be the finest medieval village in England. It's also the food capital of Suffolk so you can come for the peace and rural charm but still dine well every night. The half-timbered houses here help create a quintessential English village. There are over 320 listed buildings in Lavenham and I stayed at The Swan Hotel, well loved for its 15th … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: A Visit to Lavenham Suffolk – Finest Medieval Village in England
British Landscapes Photography: Britain’s Landscapes for Life
Having now taken brief visits to the majority of the National Parks and a few Heritage Coasts this time I am taking you to some of the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty(England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and National Scenic Areas(Scotland). There are 46 AONB's and 40 NSA's so plenty to consider but only so much space and certainly insufficient to cover all of them in this … [Read more...] about British Landscapes Photography: Britain’s Landscapes for Life
Brit Language: How to Spell like a Brit
The study of words fascinates me. I find language intriguing, especially the English language as it is used in Britain and America. Words evolve, move in and out of culture, and illustrate our history. Earlier, I explained that words like candy and diaper, once uniquely British, fell out of style in Britain and became everyday language in America. We use many common words, but … [Read more...] about Brit Language: How to Spell like a Brit
Britain’s Beautiful Breathing Spaces Part II
Hi and welcome back for the second instalment of our whistle stop tour of Britain's national parks. Having visited Loch Lomond, the Yorkshire Dales, Pembrokeshire, the Norfolk Broads and the South Downs last time we will now visit the next five parks on my list. On this occasion we will start off with one of the most popular and the largest park in England, the Lake … [Read more...] about Britain’s Beautiful Breathing Spaces Part II
Laura’s London: Family Holiday on the Isles of Scilly – A Little Known Corner of Britain
For my summer holiday this year I wanted to find somewhere unusual, exotic and yet not too far away. The Isles of Scilly fitted the bill perfectly as did the Hell Bay Hotel which has been described as New England meets the Caribbean, meets Cornwall which is pretty accurate. Where Are the Isles of Scilly? The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago of about 150 islands and rocks … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Family Holiday on the Isles of Scilly – A Little Known Corner of Britain
Laura’s London: Laura Leaves London and Explores Robin Hood Country & Nottinghamshire
When you think of Nottinghamshire, in the heart of the England, it's very likely you will think of its legendary son Robin Hood. I went to the annual Robin Hood Festival to try archery and to see a skirmish between Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham next to the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest – the hideout of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. And then I went on a walking tour of … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Laura Leaves London and Explores Robin Hood Country & Nottinghamshire
Laura’s London: 50 Years of James Bond – Beaulieu National Motor Museum
Bond in Motion 2012 marks the 50th anniversary since the first James Bond movie, Dr No, in 1962. England's best loved spy has featured in 22 films, with the 23rd, Skyfall, due to be released (in the UK) on 26 October 2012. This is the largest official collection of original Bond vehicles the world has ever seen and includes a range of vehicles from cars, boats, … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: 50 Years of James Bond – Beaulieu National Motor Museum
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!
