The Website for People Who Love Britain - Anglophiles
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...]
Scotland has over 790 offshore islands, most of which are to be found in four main groups: Shetland, Orkney and the Hebrides sub-divided into the Inner and Outer Hebrides. There are also clusters of islands in the Firth of Clyde and the Firth of Forth, and Solway Firth, and numerous small islands within the many bodies of fresh water in Scotland … [Read more...]
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. We will still travel round but hopefully the views of the tranquil waters will help you relax … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
We may never hear words like Yokker or Roodadoo ever again. Bobby Hogg, age 86, was the last native speaker fluent in the Cromarty Fisherfolk dialect, after his brother Gordon died last year. The dialect has a lilting sing song quality and is full of descriptive language: "Am fair sconfished wi hayreen; gie’s fur brakwast lashins o am and … [Read more...]
Hi and welcome to British Landscapes Photography. I'm Derek Fogg, landscape photographer and I am delighted to have been given the opportunity of sharing with you my images of the landscapes of the British Isles. Although not an anglophile, being born and raised in the North of England, we do have something in common as I also have a passion … [Read more...]
The folks over at Visit Scotland are running a sweepstakes to coincide with the blockbuster release of Disney's Brave, which has rekindled a new interest in Scotland's history and culture. They're offering up a chance to win a free trip to Scotland and explore the land of Brave. Here are the prize details: Five-night break for a family of four … [Read more...]
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...]
Scotland’s annual Hebridean Celtic Festival attracts visitors from around the world. Festival fans travel to the family-friendly event in the Outer Hebrides from the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Spain and Norway. The Hebridean Celtic Festival, which features live Celtic music, takes place in July on the Castle Green in front of the … [Read more...]
Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh is the perfect destination for travelers while on holiday. The city contains many historical and cultural places of interest. Travelers will also find comfortable and affordable accommodation in one of the many hotels in Edinburgh city centre. The following attractions should not be passed up while visiting … [Read more...]
If action-packed adventure is your idea of holiday heaven, then it is definitely worth heading to the beautiful wilderness areas of Scotland. Scotland is perfect for embracing the great outdoors, mainly because there is so much of it and the locals know exactly how to make the best of it. From amazing landscapes and scenery, dense forests, … [Read more...]
From the city that brought us chicken tikka masala (yes, really), the indie-pop band Belle & Sebastian and stand-up comedians like Billy Connelly and Kevin Bridges, it’s fair to say the Scottish city of Glasgow has been a great contributor to British culture. But it also happens to be one of the UK’s chicest cities, catering to savvy … [Read more...]
Scotland’s National Museum of Costume’s exhibition for 2012 will be Off the Peg: Fashion from the ’40s and ’50s. The exhibition will centre around designs produced by Horrockses Fashions Ltd, one of the most well-respected off-the-peg labels of the 1940s and 1950s. Horrockses gained a reputation for practicality and glamour combined with … [Read more...]
As London prepares to pull out all of the stops as hosts of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the rest of Britain has followed suit for what is set to be a blockbuster year of experiences only to be had in 2012. Whether you are a sports lover, a history buff, a Royal watcher or music lover, it’s Britain, it’s 2012 and you’re invited. 1. … [Read more...]
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...]
Edinburgh attracts an estimated 13 million tourists every year. Why? Well, it’s simple really - there’s a wealth of things to see and do and an abundance of affordable accommodation to stay in, from traditional Edinburgh cottages to the usual hotels and hostels. The following are 10 of the best places of interest in the city, some of which … [Read more...]
Walking in the UK is as much of a treat for the eyes as it is a challenge for the legs, but every photograph you take will be worth every single step. When it comes to the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District and the Peak District holidays in the UK do not get any better. The country is full of beautiful countryside and stunning hillsides, so … [Read more...]
Sweetie and Sunshine, a pair of eight-year-old giant pandas, have arrived in Edinburgh from China after a five-thousand-mile journey. Report by Katie Lamborn. … [Read more...]
1). The Wallace Monument - Completed in 1869 after eight years' construction, the 220 feet high Wallace Monument sits prominently on the Abbey Craig two miles north of the city of Stirling. It was from this prominent hilltop in 1297 that William Wallace watched the English army approach across Stirling Bridge before leading the Scots into … [Read more...]
Here's another great list of things to see and do in Glasgow Scotland from our friends at Visit Britain. 1). Riverside Museum - Glasgow’s iconic new Riverside Museum is a fitting home for the city’s world-class transport collection and is a place that will inspire, educate and entertain. The stunning building is located where the River … [Read more...]
1). The White Cliffs of Dover have been a symbol of hope and of home for centuries, even before Vera Lynn immortalised them in song. Arriving on a ferry, they are unmissable and are so important they are now preserved by the National Trust. 2). The Jurassic Coast was designated a World Heritage Site because of its importance as a … [Read more...]
Something that is currently very much in vogue is giving your UK tours a unique edge, by adding a running theme to the places you visit. There are so many novel ways people have come up with here; some pay homage to Britain’s football heritage by touring around its most famous stadiums and museum, others will head up to Bronte country, the … [Read more...]
Cringletie House Hotel is a Scottish baronial castle in 11.5 hectares (28 acres) of gardens and woodlands. The castle was built in 1861 and the 4* hotel is fully wheelchair accessible with a wide range of facilities for guests with mobility, hearing, sight and other disabilities. Cringletie House won this year’s Caterer and Hotelkeeper … [Read more...]
New Year’s Eve in Scotland is known as Hogmanay and for most Scottish people it is a bigger festival than Christmas. The Scottish capital Edinburgh celebrates Hogmanay with a three-day festival. Events start on 30 December with a 6.30pm torchlight procession when thousands of torch-carriers process along the Royal Mile to a light and … [Read more...]
1). Edinburgh Castle, a fortress perched on an extinct volcano, dominates the Scottish capital. See the Honours of Scotland, the nation’s Crown Jewels; tour the rooms of the Royal Palace and see where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son James ; watch the One O’Clock Gun being fired each day (except for Sundays) as it has been since … [Read more...]
There are classic British holiday destinations as we all know. Cornwall, the Lake District, the Highlands; they all evoke an instant set of mental images. But what many people travel to Britain for, or discover when they’re here, is that there are many things which simply defy classification. There are places that just amaze and astound with … [Read more...]
Hogmanay is the first festival which springs to mind when I think of Scotland’s traditional national festivals. But there are many smaller more local distinguished festivals that have survived the tests of time and are actively celebrated by local people and tourists looking to get into the festival atmosphere. Beginning on January 1st, I'd like … [Read more...]
Our friends at Visit Britain dug deep into their video archives and found this great video from many years ago where cinema star Sean Connery guides you around Edinburgh. From the description: We've been digging around in the archives and found this little gem from 1983. Sean Connery takes us on a visit to his hometown, Edinburgh. Take in the … [Read more...]
A celebration of Scotland’s national drink, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, takes place this year from 28 April to 2 May. The five-day festival is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Whisky distilleries, shops, hotels, restaurants, pubs and villages take part. More than half of Scotland’s distilleries are in the Speyside area … [Read more...]
Pembrokeshire Coast Path Editor's Note: The following is a guest post from Ronald Turnbull author of 'Granite and Grit' recently reviewed by us here and of many books on UK hillwalking as well as one on the John Muir Trail, California Walking in UK takes many different forms so the following are not in rank order. They are in rough order of … [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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