A friend said to me; I think I know a National Trust property that you haven't visited. She was right, and I wondered how I had missed this stunning 14th-century timber-framed manor house. Ightham Mote in Kent is one of the oldest medieval manor houses to survive in England. A moat surrounds the house with beautiful gardens, lakes, and woodland walks. Built nearly 700 years … [Read more...] about Laura’s Britain: A Visit to Idyllic Ightham Mote National Trust in Kent
Kent
Buy Idles’ new album, save this venue.
Hello, Good Evening, and Remain Mindful of Social Distancing Protocols. As I've mentioned before, the COVID pandemic has wrought some serious havoc on many of Britain's small venues. The sort of close contact that many concerts provide can turn a venue into a virtual petri dish and potentially create a massive outbreak. And things are not helped by the fact that when the UK … [Read more...] about Buy Idles’ new album, save this venue.
Through the Lens: A Proper Moat – A Visit to Ightham Mote
I visited Ightham Mote on a beautiful summer's day. And that's the last time I'm going to type the name of this place because it's impossible to get right every time. I was attracted to the place because it was a proper moated manor house - and it was a National Trust property, so there would be tea and cake. I'm a sucker for tea and cake at a National Trust property. When I … [Read more...] about Through the Lens: A Proper Moat – A Visit to Ightham Mote
Buy a brick for the Libertines and give the world a hotel/studio
Last year, the Libertines bought a 5-storey townhouse in Margate, Kent hoping to turn it into "a Libertines Hotel. With a studio, nightclub, a bar," open to "anyone who’ll pay the bills." They plan to call it The Albion Rooms, with the ten or so guest rooms being "individually designed… each with a distinctly Libertines’ … [Read more...] about Buy a brick for the Libertines and give the world a hotel/studio
A Journey to the Tudor Era: A Visit to Hever Castle & Gardens
Hever Castle is one of the most interesting places I've visited in my travels around England. The house is most famous as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the woman Henry VIII wanted to marry and thus caused Britan's break from Rome. It has had a long association with the Boleyn family. But it also had a double life as it came to prominence again in the early 20th century … [Read more...] about A Journey to the Tudor Era: A Visit to Hever Castle & Gardens
After the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Days 11 & 12 – Scotney Castle, Bodiam Castle, Kipling’s House, Battle Abbey, Hertz Disaster and the Journey Home
It’s been a long journey writing these diaries, and now I’m to the final day of my trip. My final day was just as packed as the previous day, and then there were issues with my rental car which I’ll get into later in the article. One of the problems with my final day was working my itinerary around the opening times of these various places that I wanted to visit. Many didn’t … [Read more...] about After the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Days 11 & 12 – Scotney Castle, Bodiam Castle, Kipling’s House, Battle Abbey, Hertz Disaster and the Journey Home
After the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day 10 – Hotel du Vin, Cancelled Flight, Exploring Kent, Hever Castle, Knole, Penshurst and More
I picked Kent for my driving trip because there is lots to see and do. You can’t throw a rock in Kent without hitting a castle, stately home or garden. I was spoiled for choice. And since everything was very close together, I would be able to see a lot in the long days that an English summer affords. First, a few words about the Hotel du Vin. This historic hotel is located … [Read more...] about After the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day 10 – Hotel du Vin, Cancelled Flight, Exploring Kent, Hever Castle, Knole, Penshurst and More
After the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Nine – Castle Combe, Lacock Abbey and Chartwell
Castle Combe is lovely. I enjoyed my visit to the place. But it’s a really strange place. For one, there is nothing in Castle Combe. There’s nothing to visit or see and do. It’s simply popular because it’s beautiful. And that’s all there is to do there: look at how pretty it is. There’s no museum about the village; there are no shops to browse. Not even a bookstore. The town … [Read more...] about After the Dreaming Spires: Oxford Trip Diaries – Day Nine – Castle Combe, Lacock Abbey and Chartwell
Great British Buildings: Canterbury Cathedral
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Spring 2016 Issue of the Anglotopia Magazine (long sold out). Don't miss another great feature article by pre-ordering the next issue! This article is still available in print in the 2016 Anglotopia Magazine Omnibus. The home of the Church of England and, in many ways, Britain’s spiritual centre. Since almost the very … [Read more...] about Great British Buildings: Canterbury Cathedral
Britain’s Least Wanted XIV: The long-awaited return of stories from the dregs of British crime.
In honour of the release of Sherlock's new Christmas special, and my actually finding the time to search through two months of weird news stories, I bring tidings of new tales of the sort of crimes people don't often see on television. The Case of the Pram-Pushing Parent. It's always fascinating to find stories about crimes that make absolutely no sense whatsoever. I'm sure … [Read more...] about Britain’s Least Wanted XIV: The long-awaited return of stories from the dregs of British crime.
Paranormal Britain 2015: Ghosts, Haunted Houses, Monster Clowns and Death Cafes
As I write this column, All Hallows' Eve is approaching. And, since a recent poll has shown that 68% of Britons claim to have personally experienced the supernatural, it only stands to reason that there are some interesting stories that have come in just in time for this year's Halloween. Clown Girl stalks Kent's schoolchildren. As those of us who remember the days when I … [Read more...] about Paranormal Britain 2015: Ghosts, Haunted Houses, Monster Clowns and Death Cafes
You Have to Watch This Stunning Timelpase Video of the White Cliffs of Dover – Video
This timelapse video of the area around the historic port of Dover is so stunning we just had to share it. You won't regret it. You can almost hear Vera Lynn singing in the background. About the video: 20 hours, in this short time i tried to reach the best view of the WhiteCliffs and Dover's Port, walking by night from place to place, 'sleeping' on the beach, was a … [Read more...] about You Have to Watch This Stunning Timelpase Video of the White Cliffs of Dover – Video
Weird Englishmen Abroad: Strange occurrences that happened on holiday
As I write this, I'm on my annual fortnight in Door County, Wisconsin. In commemoration of this, I've decided to cover a bunch of stories about what some other Brits did or happened to them while on their holidays. Woman goes halfway around the world for school reunion; school demolished before she gets there. Marie Burdett from Strood, Kent, saw an invitation from developers … [Read more...] about Weird Englishmen Abroad: Strange occurrences that happened on holiday
Great British Houses: Knole House – The Iconic Home of the Sackville Family
Standing ancient and proud with its back turned to the 1,000 acre deer park that separates it from the town of Sevenoaks in West Kent, and indeed the rest of the world, Knole House is one of the largest and most imposing houses in England. Key Facts about Knole House Knole House is located in the small town of Sevenoaks in West Kent, England. Knole House was built in … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: Knole House – The Iconic Home of the Sackville Family
Great British Gardens: Sissinghurst Castle Garden – The Most Visited Garden in England
Sissinghurst is a garden in Kent and is the most visited garden in England. It was created in the 1930’s by Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicholson. The garden features a series of rooms each with a distinct theme and separated by yew hedges and ancient walls. The garden had a profound influence on the development of English gardens. The Story behind … [Read more...] about Great British Gardens: Sissinghurst Castle Garden – The Most Visited Garden in England
Summer Strawberry Fields Forever Cole: The 16-year old girl who was named after a Beatle song.
The Beatles have been apart for a long time. In fact, this month marks the 45-year anniversary of Paul McCartney giving an interview to Life magazine where he admitted that The Beatles were, for all intents and purposes, finished. But, in all that time, there's still quite a few rabid Beatle fans out there. Case in point, when 38-year-old photographer Paul Cole from … [Read more...] about Summer Strawberry Fields Forever Cole: The 16-year old girl who was named after a Beatle song.
Great British Houses: Leeds Castle – “The Loveliest Castle in the World”
You can’t talk about the history of the English royal family in medieval times without taking a moment to acknowledge Leeds Castle. First a Norman stronghold, Leeds Castle has been the royal residence of six queens of Medieval Britain and if walls could talk I’m sure it would have some secrets to tell. Now a 19th century gothic castle built amongst 12th century ruins, Leeds … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: Leeds Castle – “The Loveliest Castle in the World”
Great British Houses: Chartwell – The Beloved Home of Sir Winston Churchill – The Home That Was His Daily Inspiration
The family home of Sir Winston Churchill for most of his adult life, Chartwell is a museum and shrine to the man who led Great Britain to victory during the Second World War. Now a National Trust property, Chartwell is an understated Victorian country house, originally dating from Tudor times, with beautiful gardens and a spectacular view of the Wealden Hills that Churchill is … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: Chartwell – The Beloved Home of Sir Winston Churchill – The Home That Was His Daily Inspiration
Great British Houses: Hever Castle – The Childhood Home of Anne Boleyn Eventually Owned by American William Waldorf Astor
There are many remarkable and grand houses in England that have been the center stage for life changing historic events throughout time. Hever Castle is one estate on the map that is enriched with history and beautiful architecture. The Castle is located 30 miles south-east of London, in the village of Hever, Kent. Prior to your visit, there are several important facts and … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: Hever Castle – The Childhood Home of Anne Boleyn Eventually Owned by American William Waldorf Astor
Britain’s Least Wanted VII: Even more Barmy British Crime Stories
In honour of the recent discovery of DNA evidence that may solve the Jack the Ripper murders (a story I may seriously have to cover if the current drought in the British Music World keeps up), let's cover some more stories of bizarre crimes from Britain. The Case of the Repentant Robber. Only one person remembers 1992's great break-in at theSwettenham Arms inCongleton, … [Read more...] about Britain’s Least Wanted VII: Even more Barmy British Crime Stories
Britain’s Least Wanted: Weird British Crime IV
I currently have a glut of strange crime news, so, in honour of the third season finale of Sherlock, I suppose I should cover some more crime stories from Britain. The Case of the Cataract-Heavy Car Chaser. I have definitely covered this story before; well, not exactly. This isn't the story of a blind racing fan who rented his idol's car and promptly ran it into a … [Read more...] about Britain’s Least Wanted: Weird British Crime IV
Halloween in Britain: Paranormal Britain
A recent study by the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena has shown that 52% of people in Britain believe in the supernatural, and one in five claimed to have directly experienced the paranormal. So, you'd think I'd actually have accumulated more paranormal-related stories in the months I've been doing this Weird Britain column. So, anyway, just in time … [Read more...] about Halloween in Britain: Paranormal Britain
Travel: 5 Free Things to do in Dover England
Dover has been the gateway to Britain for thousands of years and as a result has a rich and iconic history. The White Cliffs of Dover are a symbol of Britain and are worth visiting Dover alone. Here's our list of the Top 5 Free things to do in Dover England. Samphire Hoe - Interesting walks, cycle rides in an amazing place - best place to view the White Cliffs! White … [Read more...] about Travel: 5 Free Things to do in Dover England
The Fiver: “Don’t Mention the War!” Five Great War Museums to Visit in Britain
The United Kingdom has one of the most illustrious military histories of any nation. From the Roman invasion to the Hundred Years’ War to World War II, it’s arguable that most wars studies over the last 1,000 years have had a British country fighting in it. Naturally, such a long history gives rise to many museum commemorating battles and the brave men and women who fought in … [Read more...] about The Fiver: “Don’t Mention the War!” Five Great War Museums to Visit in Britain
Weird Britain: Weird British Medical News
In my search for bizarre news, I've found a maddening amount of articles about weird medical things happening in Britain. So, in solidarity with Frank Turner's recent back problems, I'll be writing this big column about strange things happening to British bodies and minds. Just FYI, this will be quite a long article. I couldn't narrow it down for the life of me. Scientists … [Read more...] about Weird Britain: Weird British Medical News
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!
