The Website for People Who Love Britain - Anglophiles
When you think of last summer in London your mind is instantly drawn to one event, the Olympic Games. Arguably one of the best games ever, London grabbed the attention of the whole world last summer, with thousands of spectators flocking from around the globe to experience the spectacle that is the Olympics. With last summer now well behind us as … [Read more...]
Cornwall boasts some of the best beaches in the UK. Whether you’re looking for the perfect surfing spot or a relaxing day on the beach with a good book, Cornwall has so many beaches that unless you have experience and know the area well, it can be tricky choosing! Cornwall, especially the area of West Cornwall, is truly blessed with some of the … [Read more...]
The classical program for the coming year is one of the Southbank’s most ambitious ever. The Southbank Centre has revealed details of its 2013-14 Classical Music Season – and it looks to be one of the most far-reaching, ambitious programs ever. There will be more than 200 events across the Centre’s three main venues, the Royal Festival Hall, … [Read more...]
I recently visited Edinburgh for the first time in my life. Here are the highlights of my visit, counting down in reverse order: 5. Arthur’s Seat Arthur’s Seat gives you towering views over Edinburgh. It’s a fair walk out of the town centre and took about an hour and fifteen minutes to walk there from the Haymarket area where we … [Read more...]
Shrouded in mystery and frequented by rich and powerful men, meeting to talk business or parties with the biggest celebrities, ‘membership only’ clubs have been going for centuries. With the Freemasons thought to have been created over some 400 years ago, with various speculation about entry requirements, most of the people who frequent these … [Read more...]
Where does Kensington Gardens begin and Hyde Park end? I've never been sure – though the map gives me what looks like a definitive answer, when I'm actually there I always seem to forget. But though it's all part of a continuous stretch of greenery, Kensington Gardens does have a very different feel from its sister park; less grand, less … [Read more...]
2013 looks set to be a year where the world goes gaga for everything British. After last summer’s Diamond Jubilee and Olympic Games made Brits more patriotic and visitors from abroad more curious about what it would be like to visit the country, the British hospitality industry saw more and more clients choosing to stay at their establishments … [Read more...]
The national anthem of the United Kingdom and New Zealand has a rich and mysterious history. It may be one of the most recognizable patriotic songs in the world, but it has been sadly neglected by many native Brits. According to a study performed by the Sun, 37% of Brits don’t know the first line of “God Save the Queen.” A true … [Read more...]
Regional Cottages have teamed up with Jennings Brewery as part of their incredible 52 Weeks competition, where you can win a new prize every week for 52 weeks! The latest prize is a chance to win a stay at the Lake District in one of Regional Cottages beautiful holiday destinations, surrounded by Britain’s most beautiful natural areas. The … [Read more...]
With its charming traditional fishing villages, striking coastline and vertiginous peaks, Scotland is almost as well known for its beautiful countryside as it is for its rich past and colourful history, dating back to the time of the ancient Celts. There are numerous testaments to this past to be found in the Scottish countryside, from landmark … [Read more...]
For many, reading is an escape into another world, shutting out the reader's physical environment. Sometimes, though, a place can so perfectly fit a book that reading in that spot intrudes on and enhances the experience. Cambridge, England is a university town that has inspired authors for more than 800 years. Here are ten books and their … [Read more...]
While researching food for my post on the Top 10 Classic British Meals to Warm Your Soul and Fill Your Stomach, I came across so many amazing dishes that I had to write a post dedicated to desserts. If nothing else, a serving or two of sticky toffee pudding or a warm fruit crumble ought to put to rest Britain’s reputation for awful food. It … [Read more...]
The UK offers several attractive holiday destinations for those who like their getaways with more than a touch of thrill and adventure. Stately Escapes is dedicated to offering holidaymakers the very best luxury properties for rent across the UK – from picturesque cottages in Cornwall, to luxury cottages in the Lake District, to magnificent … [Read more...]
Coronation chicken, faggots, bubble and squeak...the words are enough to bring up homey sights and smells from kitchens across Britain. Despite negative stereotypes (and years of living up to them), Britain has recently rediscovered the beauty and flavor of its culinary past, and good food is now easy to find all over the UK. It's an exciting time … [Read more...]
It’s the time of year where many of us make our resolutions to get fitter and healthier over the next year. Give yourself the best chance of meeting your goals by checking out these health and fitness programmes set to take the nation by storm over the next few months. We’ve even chucked in a few tips to make sure you’re properly kitted … [Read more...]
Fat Friends creator Kay Mellor admits that, even 10 years after the groundbreaking drama series, the fight for positive fashion stereotypes continues to be fought... and won. Kay Mellor was an early champion of real women and real curves thanks to her acclaimed series Fat Friends, which first aired nearly 10 years ago. The hard-hitting comedy … [Read more...]
While the commonest pub names in England aren't particularly interesting – Lions of various colours (black, white and red), Kings' and Queens' Heads and Arms – London does have some very fine pub names indeed. In fact it probably has more than it once did thanks to Tim Martin of Wetherspoons, whose pubs often have names from English literature … [Read more...]
With New Year’s Eve being such a widely celebrated event and London being such a vast city, it can be difficult to find the best party for you and your friends. From world-class nightclubs and celebrity hotspots to unique events, we have found the best New Year’s Eve parties to help you welcome in 2013 in style. Not only have we discovered … [Read more...]
1. Victoria Eggs Christmas Tea Towels and Aprons Remember the comforts of home with these fun aprons and tea towels. Inspired, designed and made in Great Britain. http://www.thebeeskneesbritishimports.com/very-british-christmas/ 2. Lovely Animal Mugs from Fenella Smith Any animal-lover would surely appreciate one of these cute … [Read more...]
When it comes to Christmas traditions, a visit to Santa’s grotto is an annual must for both the young and young at heart. From the understated and traditional to the downright over the top and spectacular, no city boasts Christmas grottos quite like London. With all the elves descending upon the capital city, it’s no surprise that London hotels … [Read more...]
Editor's Note: The following is a guest article from Hetty Tye who wanted to share her experiences of learning to drive in the UK after she moved there. Thanks Hetty! After driving in the States for thirty-eight years, I expected to qualify for a British license without a problem. My first inkling the process wasn’t going to be … [Read more...]
Norfolk can sometimes get a bit of a mauling due to its relaxed, unhurried way of life - many people are a little perplexed by how East Anglian life can offer anything other than lazy days by the sea and cosy nights curled up in a sleepy village watching ITV3. However, those of us who know the area have come to discover some wonderful ways to … [Read more...]
From castles and moors to pasties and wine – the south-west has a lot to offer rural-bound Londoners eager to swap the Big Smoke for a taste of the country… Sometimes you need to get out of London. You need to see proper fields and rivers. You need to remind yourself about forests and coastline. You need to remember that small towns and … [Read more...]
Last week, I attended the Great British Beer Festival held at Kensington Olympia to experience a wide array of British beer. The Great British Beer Festival is an annual event held in London celebrating the wonderful world of real ale and cider. This year, the massive festival featured over 800 different real ales, ciders and beers from … [Read more...]
By Andrea Kirkby I get sick of reading in tourist books that "Portobello Market is no good for bargains any more" and you can't buy antiques here at a decent price. You certainly can; but you need to know what you're looking for, and you need to look in the right place – which isn't at the stalls on the street itself. Now, before we set off … [Read more...]
Editor's Note: We got a little behind on writing our trip diaries but we're back at it now and we're going to share our visit to Bath this week. When we last left you guys, we had just arrived in Bath for a 3 day visit and had experienced the fun Bizarre Bath tour for the evening. When we awoke the next day after a late night, we were all … [Read more...]
Planning a trip can often be time-consuming, especially if you're looking for something different to do during your stay. If you're heading to Dorset, though, I've discovered there are lots of exciting things to do here. So, if you don't have time to research these yourself, read on for my top unusual places to visit. Jurassic Coast: for … [Read more...]
There are few places in England more beautiful than the Lake District. Here jagged mountain tops replace sky scrapers, and glittering lakes take the place of concrete courtyards. Nestled just beneath the Scottish border on the North West coast of England this is the place to come if you are looking to get away from it all. The countryside is dotted … [Read more...]
If you don’t have a history major, you will probably be surprised to hear that there are Roman ruins in Britain. Even more would be surprised to hear that sections of numerous cities in England date all the way back to the times of the Caesars. Britain has in fact maintained a strong connection with the classical world and retained this … [Read more...]
Camping remains one of the most popular British holiday pastimes and remains one of the cheapest and best ways to see our beautiful landscapes, beaches, towns and history. There’s something about camping that is forever appealing; it’s a chance to get back to the great outdoors and a chance to spend some quality time relaxing with our families. … [Read more...]
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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. Anglotopia is now our full time jobs and we spend our time working on the site and planning our yearly trips to Britain. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
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