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 … [Read more...]
Brit Fashion: Leeds Fashion Show
October 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
While London remains the undisputed fashion capital of the UK (and now the world, for a second consecutive year,) the city of Leeds is doing its best to win this title, as it seems to have unofficially established itself as the fashion capital of the North already. Like London, Leeds has long been a key player in the fashion and textile … [Read more...]
History comes to life in Northampton at the Festival of History
May 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The story of England will be brought to life at the annual Festival of History at Kelmarsh Hall in Northampton this July. More than 2,000 historical re-enactors, performers and costumed interpreters will present live shows and interactive experiences covering over 2,000 years of English history. The weekend will include re-enactments, … [Read more...]
Guest Post: Top 5 Liverpool Events in 2012
April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
If you reside in Liverpool or will be traveling there during 2012, consider hitting one or more of these events this year. With plenty of hotels in Liverpool city centre you will be spoilt for choice should you decide to visit. John Smith's Grand National 2012 (April 12-14) Since 1839, this British sporting institution at Aintree has been … [Read more...]
Event: Enjoy Summer films at Stately Homes
April 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Country houses and National Trust properties in Derbyshire are to hold outdoor movie screenings this summer. The Summer Nights Film Festival will screen classic and modern movies as well as some family favourites in different locations from May to September. The first screening will be director Ken Russell’s Women In Love on Friday 4 May, … [Read more...]
Caledoniatopia: Explore the Spirits of Scotland at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
March 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Scotland’s national drink will be celebrated this May at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. The five-day festival attracts whisky drinkers from around the world. They can take part in over 200 events including special tours, tastings and tutorials at more than 50 distilleries in the Speyside region of north-east Scotland. Visitors have … [Read more...]
Music of the World Comes to Wiltshire in July
March 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
This year marks the 30th anniversary of WOMAD, the international arts festival that celebrates the world’s many forms of music, arts and dance. Since the first festival in the UK in 1982, the World of Music, Arts and Dance has held more than 160 festivals, creating events in 26 other countries and islands including Abu Dhabi, Australia, … [Read more...]
Celebrating the life-savers at sea at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall
March 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Search & Rescue is the new exhibition at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in south-west England. The exhibition, which opens in March, will show visitors the role of the maritime rescue services and celebrate the work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Royal Navy, Royal Air Force (RAF) and HM Coastguard. Search & … [Read more...]
History: Detective work uncovers the English Prize of England’s Maritime Past
March 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is to hold an exhibition based on a ship’s cargo – the valuable art, antiquities, books and luxury goods that were being transported by the armed merchant ship Westmorland when she was captured in January 1779. The Westmorland was sailing from Livorno to London when she was seized by two French warships. The … [Read more...]
Sculpture Exhibition at a manor house in the Coltswolds
January 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The UK’s largest exhibition of contemporary stone sculpture will be held this summer in the Jacobean house and landscaped gardens of Asthall Manor in the Cotswolds. On Form is a celebration of stone sculpture and will present the work of 28 of the most accomplished sculptors working today. Featured artists at this biennial exhibition will … [Read more...]
Railway’s record-breakers – Railfest 2012 in York
January 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Britain’s biggest celebration of trains and railways takes place this June in York. Railfest 2012 will bring together more than 30 record-breaking locomotives that have made their mark on rail history for being the fastest, largest, strongest, first, last or oldest. Record-breakers include Mallard, the fastest steam locomotive at 126mph; … [Read more...]
Royal Shakespeare Company 2012 Highlights
January 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Royal Shakespeare Company has released their highlights of 2012 - check them out below. January to March THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Following her acclaimed production of Julius Caesar in 2009/10, Lucy Bailey directs Shakespeare's romantic comedy exploring love, sexual politics and the art of illusion. The cast includes Lisa Dillon and … [Read more...]
The fashionable city of Bath – Bath in Fashion
January 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The city of Bath is celebrating its place in the fashion world with a year’s emphasis on fashion and a week of special events. Bath is a World Heritage Site and has attracted fashionistas since its days as a spa town in 18th-century Georgian times. The author Jane Austen set two of her six published novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, … [Read more...]
Coming Soon: The Battle Proms Concerts in 2012 – One at Highclere Castle (aka Downton Abbey)!
January 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Battle Proms is a series of open-air picnic concerts at some of England’s finest stately homes and Palaces. These concerts are quintessentially British spectaculars featuring a full 52 piece orchestra with choreographed Spitfire air display, Napoleonic cavalry re-enactors, 200 live firing cannons and breathtaking fireworks! Our website … [Read more...]
Music: Classical music in a field at Glastonbury Abbey
January 19, 2012 By 1 Comment
The parklands of the ancient Glastonbury Abbey will host the 2012 Orchestra in a Field music festival in July. The two-day festival is organised by international conductor and BBC TV’s ‘face of classical music’ Charles Hazlewood. He says: ‘People associate big orchestras with stuffy concert halls, and a lot of people are alienated by … [Read more...]
Art: Impressionists and Gainsborough at Compton Verney
January 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The art gallery that occupies the Georgian mansion of Compton Verney is to hold two new exhibitions when it opens for its 2012 season at the end of March. Into the Light: French and British painting from Impressionism to the early 1920s marks a decisive period in the history of European art. This exhibition looks at paintings produced on both … [Read more...]
The art of the sword at the Wallace Collection
January 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Wallace Collection in London’s West End is planning an exhibition that will tell the story of the skilled artistry of swords in the Renaissance period. Centuries ago, warrior knights used their swords as weapons and symbols of their elite class. In the 16th-century Renaissance, civilian swords also became works of art. The Noble Art of … [Read more...]
The Isle of Wight rocks again in 2012 Festival
January 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will headline the 2012 Isle of Wight Festival. The three-day event will also feature Elbow, Biffy Clyro, Madness, Example, Noah and the Whale and Noel Gallagher. The Isle of Wight Festival was first held in 1968. The 1969 event starred Bob Dylan and The Band. In 1970, with The Who, … [Read more...]
Weird Britain: Complete Guide to Britain’s Quirky Events in 2012
January 2, 2012 By 1 Comment
Britain wouldn't be the same without it's wealth of quirky events, we've rounded up as many as we can think of, so if you fancy a spot of swamp football or perhaps think you could become the World Marble Champion then now's your chance. JANUARY THE LOONY DOOK When: 1 January 2012 Where: Grand Parade starts at the Hawes Pier in South … [Read more...]
Hunting giant Easter eggs for charity and the Guinness World Records Book
December 29, 2011 By 1 Comment
London is to host an Easter egg hunt which the organisers hope will become a Guinness World Record for the biggest ever, and raise £2 million for charity. Two hundred fibreglass eggs will be placed in high profile locations around the capital. Each egg will be 0.76 metres (2ft 6ins) high and uniquely decorated by a leading artist, architect, … [Read more...]
Sound and light at a medieval castle in Wales
October 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
One of the largest fortresses in Europe will host one of the longest festive lantern parades in Wales this Christmas season. The ‘River of Light’ parade will take place in Caerphilly in South Wales on 22 December and will feature hundreds of lanterns created by local schools and community groups. The parade starts in the town centre and … [Read more...]
A traditional Sussex Christmas at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum
October 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum in Sussex has no less than 45 historic buildings dating from the 13th to the 19th century. During the week between Christmas and New Year, many of the old houses will be decorated in traditional styles to demonstrate how the English celebrated Christmas in past times. A 1609 farmhouse will reflect … [Read more...]
A midwinter carnival of fire in Brighton
September 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The city of Brighton on the south coast of England celebrates the winter solstice by a Burning the Clocks ceremony. People of all ages make paper and willow lanterns in many different shapes and sizes, then parade them through the city. The procession ends on the beach where the lanterns are burnt in a big bonfire. The crowd shouts ‘Hail … [Read more...]
Durham: Lighting up a cathedral city This Fall
September 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The city of Durham is to hold a spectacular free festival of light and art in November. The Lumiere festival uses artworks made from light to transform the city’s landmarks, streets, river and bridges. This year’s festival will include new works by internationally renowned artists as well as commissions from local artists and creative … [Read more...]
Christmas with Charles Dickens in a castle – Dickens Market at Rochester Castle
August 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A Dickens Christmas market will take place in the grounds of Rochester Castle over four weekends this winter. Charles Dickens, the author of A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist and many other much-loved novels, spent his childhood and his later years in the Chatham and Rochester area in south-east England. During the Christmas market the castle … [Read more...]
Odd Britain: Pulling faces at an ancient fair at the Egremont Crab Fair
August 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The Egremont Crab Fair – one of the oldest fairs in the world – takes place on the third Saturday in September on the Cumbrian coast in north-west England. The fair was first held in 1267, to celebrate the generosity of the Lord of Egremont, who gave crab-apples to the poor. These are small and often sour-tasting wild apples. So the fair … [Read more...]
A famous festival of folk – 47th Cambridge Folk Festival
June 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The 47th Cambridge Folk Festival – one of the oldest and most famous events on the folk, country and world music scene – takes place on July 28–31 this year. Since it was first held in 1965, the festival has always taken place in the grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall, just outside Cambridge, where scores of traditional folk artists from the UK … [Read more...]
Going really wild in South Wales
June 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The eccentric Really Wild Festival will be celebrating rural traditions, wild food and countryside fun in Britain’s smallest city at the end of July. The festival, in the ancient cathedral city of St David’s, South Wales, has a focus on food and drink. Four celebrity chefs will be giving cookery demonstrations using locally grown or … [Read more...]
British Pound Exchange Rate
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!