The secret gardens you can visit this summer
From the garden that found fame in Notting Hill to grand estates, these UK gardens are open for a limited time each year
From the garden that found fame in Notting Hill to grand estates, these UK gardens are open for a limited time each year
As Brits spend more time and money on staycations, 2021 is shaping up to be the year of the beach hut. The humble beach hut is a familiar sight along the UK's beaches and boardwalks. Except it isn't so humble these days.
With over 2,000 years of history, it is safe to assume that not all of London's stories ended happily ever after. The royal city has seen its fair share of horror, tragedy, and mystery, making it the perfect destination for those interested in the paranormal.
Bran Castle is marketed as Dracula's home and attracts tourists in their droves. In reality, neither Bram Stoker nor his possible inspiration, Vlad the Impaler, had any particular connection to it. While Bran Castle looks the part with its high walls and Gothic turrets, it is distinctly lacking the fear factor.
Like any good spectator sport, royal weddings require a stash of snacks for enthusiastic viewers. But popcorn and hotdogs-no. Royal weddings call for something more occasion-appropriate. Something posh. Which is why I, actual British person, was called in for snack expertise. Anyone for yeast extract on a crumpet?
Your first glimpse of Mersea will be as you cross the Strood, an ancient causeway surrounded by salt marshes. Dominated by huge skies, the poker-straight road trails a well-worn Roman route where legends of ghostly soldiers abound - it's only 10 miles from Colchester, Britain's first Roman capital, after all.
Colchester is both a gateway to the bucolic charms of East Anglia and a regional cultural hub. The town centre is compact, easily walkable and is easy to get to; it's just an hour from London with up to 6 trains an hour.
The queen loves it, James Bond loves it, and even commoners like me are quite partial to it. It's strawberry jam. But not just any anonymous peanut butter and jelly filling. A jam made with special miniature strawberries grown in a small corner of the UK.
In the past, Britons would secure their houses against supernatural forces by burying lucky talismans deep within their walls. Here are some of archaeologists' creepier discoveries... Mummified cats and cat bones Dried cats and rats from the Stag Inn, All Saints Street, Hastings.
Colchester has been around for a long time. It was Britain's first Roman capital and reminders of its ancient past are scattered throughout the town. Museums, restaurants, shops, pubs, and contemporary art venues sit within the longest-surviving town walls in England. The big attraction is the Norman castle and its beautiful park.
Cambodia's art capital is a dream city for culture vultures and budget seekers.
Among the many British traditions we love, comes this annual celebration that's all about bonfires, toffee apples, festive parties and more.
If you want to discover London at its most creative, irreverent and fun, head east. The most multicultural corner of the capital has kept its working-class feel despite the arrival of hipsters and ad agencies. The vast area east of Liverpool Street Station and north of the River Thames is constantly reinventing itself.
Yes, everyone knows about Essex's reputation. People from Essex in particular are well aware of that reputation, thanks to the knowing looks and smirks we frequently get when we confess our roots. In order to avoid this, less hardy locals will respond to the innocent enquiry with ambiguous statements like "near London" or "in the South East."
Danjaq/Shutterstock Skyfall begins in Istanbul with James Bond on a spectacular motorbike chase scene through the Spice Market in the Eminonu district of Istanbul, Turkey. The chase moves to the rooftops of the Grand Bazaar and the magnificent Hagia Sophia mosque forms part of the backdrop.
Queen Elizabeth II comes under intense scrutiny, but despite being a classic introvert she handles the attention well. The Queen has only given one interview while a sovereign. Her true personality remains elusive to the public. However, one thing is clear: Queen Elizabeth is an introvert, or at the very least, an ambivert.