According to the BBC the English Pub is in decline; it was announced that the demise of the traditional English pub has slowed down, on average in 2010 only 30 pubs a week closed down, compared to 2009 when on average 52 pubs a week were calling last orders and closing their front doors for the last … [Read more...]
Pictures of England’s Winter 201 November Snowstorm – Britain Snow Pics
November 30, 2010 By 1 Comment
A selection of photographs of the Heart of England under a sprinkling of snow - November 2010 … [Read more...]
Religion In Ruins: My Favourite Abbeys
November 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment
What with the Pope's visit to the UK recently, the success of the period drama Downton Abbey on British television's ITV1 and everyone now speculating as to whether it will be St Paul's Cathedral or Westminster Abbey for the venue of Prince William & Kate Middleton marriage next year; I've been … [Read more...]
Tweet-up and Climb: To Helvellyn and back….. A Lake District Adventure
August 18, 2010 By 3 Comments
I've just been camping for the weekend and climbed a mountain with five people I have never met before! I know how the hell did that happen? Well, there's this phenomena known as ‘social media' that seems to be taking over all aspects of our lives, I like it, but I feel that sometimes the … [Read more...]
Please Sir, can I have some Yorkshire Moor?
August 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment
I was invited to a birthday party, but not just an ordinary birthday party, this was an English enthusiast's birthday party; Why? Because this party would be travelling through stunning English countryside, it would visit a famous seaside resort, stopping in quaint rural towns and villages, … [Read more...]
Londonderry Calling – UK City of Culture 2013
July 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Londonderry is going to be the first ever UK City of Culture in 2013 and the residents of this fair city have been celebrating ever since it was announced last week. Londonderry (locally referred to as Derry) fought off stiff competition from England's second city Birmingham, the lovely historic … [Read more...]
Creative in Cornwall – Exploring Cornwall
July 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment
I have just got back from five days camping in Cornwall during the hottest week of the year, in fact one day was the hottest day ever recorded, and I had a fabulous time. Cornwall is beautiful, captivating and culturally rich. Camping is one of those activities where you give up your luxuries … [Read more...]
A Midsummer Night’s Blog – Stonehenge and Doctor Who
June 20, 2010 By 2 Comments
As the longest day of the year is almost upon us and with Stonehenge featuring on BBC television last night in the penultimate episode of Doctor Who (The Pandorica Opens); I was thinking about the mystery and magical hold Midsummer has on me and what it is about the longest day that has intrigued … [Read more...]
Exploring England’s England: 175 Years of Steam Rail in Britain
June 8, 2010 By 1 Comment
I went to the 175th Anniversary of the GWR last weekend at the GWR (I'll explain the difference later) in Toddington, Warwickshire in the Heart of England and I thought, you know what, there probably isn't much that is more British and steeped in history, heritage and culture, that has had such an … [Read more...]
UK City of Culture
May 14, 2010 By 5 Comments
After the success of Liverpool as European Capital of Culture in 2009 the UK is holding a City of Culture competition for 2013 click here for more info. Final bids are due in at the end of the May 2010; four cities are short-listed for the title: Birmingham, Derry, Sheffield and Norwich. They … [Read more...]
Tourism – what is competition?
May 3, 2010 By 1 Comment
A philosophical issue all destinations, attractions and tourism partnerships have to deal with at some point - competition, who is your competition, your neighbour, the next nearest city, nearest country, continent? My argument is that you have to work in partnership and in competition and it is … [Read more...]
English/Welsh Castles
March 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
As it was Saint David's day this week I thought Explore England's England would have a Welsh slant - the English Welsh border is awash with Castles and history that either side of the border should be equally proud of but the particular area I am going to concentrate on today is the Wye Valley in … [Read more...]
Explore England’s England: A Ruined Castle?
February 7, 2010 By 1 Comment
Okay, sorry for the delay, real life had an impact on the virtual (I know outrageous but these things happen!!) So a sunny winters Sunday made me hanker for a whiz round the Heart of England's country lanes in my lovely classic car ‘Carmen' a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, but where to … [Read more...]
Twelve Days of Shakespeare Country – Part Two
January 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Happy New Year, hopefully you are all getting over having indulged yourselves this Holiday season and are now ready for part two of the Twelve days of Shakespeare Country: 6. Spend the day at Britain's Ultimate Castle - with a medieval experience like no other, Warwick Castle is always going to … [Read more...]
Explore England’s England: The Twelve Days of Shakespeare Country Part 1
December 14, 2009 By 2 Comments
I thought as it was the festive season and because I love the traditions of Christmas, that I would deliver to you (my True Love?) the twelve things you must do when visiting Shakespeare Country in a stylized nod to the Twelve Days of Christmas. The first thing in Shakespeare Country you must … [Read more...]
Explore England’s England
December 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Well, I'd like to thank you for welcoming me to Anglotopia.net, I am only assuming that you have welcomed me because of the warm feeling I am already getting from the thought of sharing my views and opinions on the wonderfully diverse culture and heritage of ‘Old Blighty' with you. My name is … [Read more...]
British Pound Exchange Rate
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dreams of traveling to the UK whenever we want a reality.