Anglotopia Podcast | Discussing UK British Travel, History, Culture, London, British Slang, and More!

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• Stonehenge, Druids & Folk Horror: The Myths Behind Britain’s Standing Stones With Paul Robichaud 03.07.2026 52นาที

  In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas sits down with Professor Paul Robichaud — Professor of English at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut — to discuss his remarkable new book, Stories of the Stones: Imagining Prehistory in Britain, Ireland, and Brittany, published by Reaktion Books on July 6th. Paul is not an archaeologist but a literary scholar, and his book takes a completely different approach to prehistoric monuments: rather than asking who built them or how, he asks what stories people have told about them across the centuries — and what those stories reveal about us. From the earliest Greek account of a possible spherical temple on a northern island (possibly Callanish), through Geoffrey of Monmouth's 12th-century account of Merlin flying Stonehenge from Ireland, through the antiquarian fantasies of Inigo Jones (who decided Stonehenge was Roman and helpfully corrected its geometry to fit) and William Stukeley (who invented the Druid connection that has never entirely gone away), through the Romantics — Wordsworth's visions of human sacrifice, Blake's prophetic paintings, Turner's atmospheric canvases — to the 1970s counterculture, folk horror films, and our own climate-anxious present, the book traces how five millennia of imagining these ancient places tells us as much about the people doing the imagining as it does about the stones themselves. Jonathan and Paul also share their personal favorite prehistoric sites, including Avebury, Wayland Smithy, and — Jonathan's top pick — Castlerigg in Cumbria. Links Stories of the Stones by Paul Robichaud (Reaktion Books, July 6) Stores of Stones - Amazon Stonehenge — English Heritage Avebury — National Trust Wayland's Smithy, Oxfordshire — English Heritage Castlerigg Stone Circle, Cumbria — National Trust Callanish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis Stanton Drew Stone Circles, Somerset Newgrange, Ireland The Ridgeway National Trail Albertus Magnus College Friends of Anglotopia Club Takeaways The word "prehistoric" didn't exist until the mid-19th century. For most of human history, people encountering these monuments had no framework for understanding them as ancient — they were simply there, part of the landscape, and the stories told about them reflected whatever worldview the storyteller brought: giants, biblical patriarchs, Roman engineers, druid priests, or earth energies. Stonehenge is unique among stone circles not because of its age or size but because of its distinctive architecture — upright stones with lintels resting on mortise-and-tenon joints, clearly intentional and clearly extraordinary. Its location on a relatively populated southern English plain also meant it was seen by far more people across the centuries than monuments in Wales or the Outer Hebrides. The Stonehenge we see today is not how it looked for most of recorded history. Many of the stones that appear upright were raised during restoration work in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the contemporary visitor's experience of a cleaned-up, presented monument is itself a kind of modern imagination of what people thought it should look like. Geoffrey of Monmouth's 12th-century account — in which Merlin magically flies the stones from Ireland to Salisbury Plain as a memorial to fallen British nobles — dominated the medieval imagination for centuries because there simply were no rival stories. With no archaeological framework and no competing account, his version was accepted as genuine British history. Inigo Jones concluded that Stonehenge must be a Roman temple, and helpfully corrected its irregular geometry in his drawings to make it look properly classical. William Stukeley correctly identified the Druids as the likely builders — and then spent decades constructing increasingly elaborate Druidical fantasies connecting ancient Britain to biblical monotheism. Both men are cautionary examples of how we make ev
• BONUS EPISODE: What’s On in London in July 2026: America 250, Exhibitions, Events & Heat Wave Survival Tips, What To See and Do 30.06.2026 45นาที

  In this monthly bonus episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas returns with the July edition of What's On in London — a complete rundown of everything worth seeing and doing in the city this month. July is London at its most extroverted: Wimbledon fever, the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, British Summertime at Hyde Park, open-air cinema across the city, and a remarkable cluster of new exhibitions opening across the major galleries. Particularly special this month are three America 250 exhibitions viewing the American Revolution from the British side — at the National Archives, the British Museum, and Benjamin Franklin's only surviving house anywhere in the world, just around the corner from Trafalgar Square. Jonathan also covers the ongoing blockbusters already running from June, gives an honest assessment of London's July heat wave (currently under a red weather warning), shares a firsthand account from an Anglotopia friend who was in the city during the worst of it, and walks through the practical survival tips that will make your summer visit not just manageable but genuinely wonderful. Links New Exhibitions — July Richard Dadd at the Royal Academy of Arts (from July 1) Young Artist Summer Show, Royal Academy (from July 14 — Free) Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller Landscapes, National Gallery (from July 2 — Free) Anna Mendieta at Tate Modern In Other Worlds by Liam Young, Barbican (from July 15) Audrey Amis at the Wellcome Collection (from July 9) Art as Witness: The Lying in State of Queen Elizabeth II, Westminster Hall (from July 13) America 250 Exhibitions Revolution 250: America's Independence Story, National Archives (open now — Free) Declaring Independence: USA 250, British Museum (from June 30 — Free) How We Lost America, Benjamin Franklin House (from July 3) Ongoing Exhibitions from June Frida Kahlo & Tracey Emin at Tate Modern Anish Kapoor Retrospective, Hayward Gallery Royal Academy Summer Exhibition Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at the V&A Zurbarán at the National Gallery James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain Marilyn Monroe at the National Portrait Gallery The Queen's Fashion at The King's Gallery (sold out through 2026 — now extended into 2027, book ahead) Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit at Young V&A Major Events Wimbledon 2026 BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall (from mid-July) British Summertime at Hyde Park Open Air Cinema — Somerset House, Rooftop Film Club, Regent's Park Buckingham Palace State Rooms Summer Opening (late July) (likely sold out — check for returns) Houses of Parliament Tours (July/August recess) Practical Resources Londontopia London Events Calendar TfL Tube Map — Which Lines Have Air Conditioning Refill App — Free Water Refill Points Across London Ken Burns American Revolution Documentary — PBS Passport Friends of Anglotopia Club Takeaways July is London at its most spectacular and its most demanding — maximum daylight (sunrise before 5am, sunset after 9pm), world-class events, longer museum hours, and beautiful golden evening light, but also peak crowds, peak prices, and the very real possibility of an extreme heat wave. Three once-in-a-lifetime America 250 exhibitions are open this July, all viewing the American Revolution from the British side: the National Archives has George Washington's handwritten letter accepting the British surrender at Yorktown and an original copy of the 1783 Treaty of Paris; the British Museum has four key objects from the Revolution; and Benjamin Franklin's only surviving house anywhere in the world is hosting "How We Lost America" from July 3. Richard Dadd at the Royal Academy (from July 1) is the most compelling new exhibition of the month — a rare survey of the brilliant Victorian painter who created hauntingly intricate fairy scenes while confined to an asylum after killing his father in a psychot
• Return to Gold Hill – The Hovis Hill Cottage You Can Rent — Melanie Fontana on Restoring Button Cottage 26.06.2026 58นาที

  In this deeply personal episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas makes a big announcement — he and Mrs. Anglotopia are returning to Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset, the place that inspired Anglotopia itself. As a teenager in Indiana, Jonathan hung a poster of Gold Hill on his bedroom wall and dreamed of going there; it became the reason he fell in love with Britain. After nearly 10 years away, he and Jackie are returning to stay in Button Cottage — a 400-year-old property sitting right on the famous cobbles, painstakingly restored by its owner Melanie Fontana over three years. Jonathan sits down with Melanie to hear the full story: how she and her partner fell in love with Gold Hill on an Easter weekend, found the cottage for sale on their phones, and spent three years stripping away decades of 1970s "improvements" — concrete floors, bitumen tar, plasterboard, blocked fireplaces — to reveal 450-year-old beams, Victorian elm floorboards, a fossil in the grouting, and one of the most atmospheric interiors in Dorset. The episode also covers the history of Shaftesbury, the legacy of the Ridley Scott Hovis advertisement, what it means to restore a Grade II listed building, and why Gold Hill remains one of the most unchanged streets in England. Links Button Cottage — Official Website Button Cottage on Airbnb Shaftesbury Town Guide Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden Historic England — Listed Buildings Listed Property Owners Club Farrow & Ball Paint — Dorset The Original Hovis Advert — Ridley Scott (YouTube) Blackmoor Vale, Dorset Friends of Anglotopia Club Takeaways Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset — the steep cobbled lane made famous by Ridley Scott's 1970s Hovis bread advertisement — is the place that inspired Jonathan to visit Britain as a teenager and directly led to the founding of Anglotopia. Jonathan and Jackie are returning to stay on the hill for the first time in nearly 10 years. Button Cottage is a genuine 400-year-old property sitting directly on the cobbles of Gold Hill, restored from near-dereliction to authentic period condition by Melanie Fontana and her partner over three years — and it is available to rent on Airbnb. The cottage was comprehensively ruined in the 1970s: beams were covered with plasterboard, the fireplace was blocked and converted to gas, floors were concreted over, and the entire structure was tanked with bitumen tar — stopping the building from "breathing" and trapping damp inside the walls for decades. Stripping back the 1970s layers revealed 450-year-old oak beams still filled with ancient woodworm holes, Victorian elm floorboards underneath later chipboard, layers of wallpaper from the 1950s through the 1980s peeled from the fireplace wall, and a fossil discovered by hand with a pickaxe when the concrete floor was removed — now set into the grouting between the limestone floor tiles. Restoring a Grade II listed building requires using period-appropriate materials throughout: lime plaster (not modern gypsum), limewash or breathable paint, reclaimed stone, and kiln-dried wood for the fireplace. Melanie worked with a conservation architect and joined the Listed Property Owners Club to educate herself before starting work. Shaftesbury is one of England's five highest towns, built on a Saxon hilltop fortification, and its history stretches back over 1,300 years. The Abbey ruins directly outside Button Cottage — founded by Alfred the Great in 888 AD — are a Grade I scheduled monument and entry is free. The Hovis advertisement, directed by Ridley Scott before he became famous, still draws visitors from around the world to Gold Hill — some of whom walk up the hill humming the theme tune. Melanie says the town "wears it like a comfortable cardigan" — not overplaying it, not overdeveloping it, just letting the hill exist as it always has. Button Cottage sleeps two (one king bedroom plus a single daybed room), features a w
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 100 – Britain, America & Chicago: A Conversation with His Majesty’s Consul General Richard Hyde 19.06.2026 41นาที

  In this special on-location episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, recorded at the Chicago History Museum on the occasion of His Majesty the King's official birthday, Jonathan Thomas sits down with Richard Hyde — His Majesty's Consul General in Chicago and the senior British diplomatic representative across 14 states in the American Midwest. Speaking just before the British Consulate's King's Birthday Garden Party, Richard explains what a Consul General actually does, why Britain doesn't have a National Day, how he approaches representing modern Britain to the heartland of America, and what King Charles's address to a joint session of Congress meant for the Special Relationship. The conversation also uncovers a remarkable piece of Anglo-Chicago history: after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Queen Victoria and 8,000 British donors — including Disraeli, Tennyson, and John Stuart Mill — sent books to Chicago, directly founding the Chicago Public Library. Plus: the Beatles, Frank Lloyd Wright's Welsh roots, Abraham Lincoln's North Wales ancestry, and why Chicago is Richard's favorite city in the world. Note: We had originally planned to do a 100th Q&A for our 100th episode, but a much bigger opportunity arose last week, which we thought was more fitting. We'll do the Q&A soon! Links British Consulate General Chicago Website UK In Chicago on Instagram British Consulate General Chicago on X/Twitter British Embassy Washington DC UK Government in the USA Chicago History Museum Chicago Public Library Foundation Hawksmoor Chicago Celtic Crossings Chicago Chicago Shakespeare Theater America 250 Friends of Anglotopia Club Takeaways The United Kingdom is one of the only countries in the world without an official National Day — which is why British consulates abroad use the King's official birthday in June as their annual celebration, conveniently timed to coincide with Trooping the Colour. Richard Hyde covers 14 American states as Consul General — roughly 25% of the entire United States — including 105 members of the House of Representatives and 28 senators, making the Midwest a critical region for understanding where American politics is heading. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Queen Victoria personally led a donation drive that saw 8,000 British donors — including Benjamin Disraeli, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and John Stuart Mill — send books to Chicago, directly founding the Chicago Public Library. Victoria's personally signed copy of a biography of Prince Albert is still in the library's special collection. King Charles's address to a joint session of Congress during his America 250 visit was, in Richard's assessment, a masterclass in diplomatic communication — speaking to shared values rather than political divisions and reminding both nations of the deep historical thread connecting Magna Carta to the US Constitution. Frank Lloyd Wright's family were Welsh; Abraham Lincoln's great-great-grandfather came from a small village in North Wales just 40 miles from Richard's hometown of Liverpool; and Anish Kapoor — who designed Chicago's Cloud Gate Bean — is British. Britain's cultural fingerprints are everywhere in Chicago. The British Consulate deliberately chose the Chicago History Museum and the Chicago Public Library Foundation as partners for this year's King's Birthday event to honor the Victorian book donation story — and encouraged guests to donate to the Foundation in the spirit of Queen Victoria's original gesture. Richard argues that British culture in America is simultaneously everywhere and invisible — so deeply embedded in American music, film, language, and history that most Americans don't register it as foreign. The Beatles are the perfect example: four working-class kids from Liverpool whose music plays in every country in the world, including a Chinese restaurant in Somalia in 1998. The Special Relationship, Richard says, is ultimately about
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 99 – Churchill’s Secret Life as a Painter — Dr. Lucy Davis on a Once-in-a-Lifetime Exhibition at Wallace Collection 12.06.2026 54นาที

  Did you know that in addition to saving the free world, Churchill was also an accomplished painter? In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas sits down with Dr. Lucy Davis — curator of paintings at the Wallace Collection in London and co-curator of Winston Churchill the Painter, the first major retrospective of Churchill's art in over 60 years and the first substantial UK exhibition devoted to his paintings since his death in 1965. The exhibition brings together nearly 60 works, roughly half from private collections rarely accessible to the public, and traces the full arc of Churchill's artistic life: from the tentative canvases he made during the darkest moment of his World War I career, through the luminous Mediterranean harbors and Moroccan cityscapes of his mature period, to the bold late works of a man who found in painting one of the greatest solaces of his life. Lucy walks Jonathan through the story of how Churchill came to paint, the three major artists who shaped his style — John Lavery, Walter Sickert, and William Nicholson — the single painting he made during World War II, the extraordinary Hallmark Cards world tour, and why the Wallace Collection is the perfect home for this once-in-a-lifetime show. The exhibition runs until November 29, 2026. Book your tickets now. Lucy is very grateful to her colleagues at Hallmark Cards, Inc. for their research into the World Tour of Churchill's paintings, which she has referenced in this podcast. Links The Exhibition Winston Churchill the Painter — Wallace Collection (open until November 29, 2026 — book tickets in advance) The Wallace Collection, London Wallace Collection E-Newsletter (Over 60% of subscribers are US-based — talks and courses available remotely) Wallace Collection Events & Remote Courses The Wallace Collection at War — companion display (open until end of October) Gallery of Some of Churchill’s Paintings in the Exhibition Books Painting as a Pastime by Winston Churchill — New Edition with intro by Paul Rafferty Winston Churchill the Painter — Exhibition Catalog, edited by Dr. Lucy Davis (Philip Wilson Publishers) Churchill's Citadel by Katherine Carter — Chartwell and the Wilderness Years Churchill Sites Chartwell, Kent — National Trust Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire Churchill Archives Centre, Cambridge America's National Churchill Museum, Fulton MO Also Mentioned Darkest Hour (2017) — Gary Oldman as Churchill Friends of Anglotopia Club Takeaways Winston Churchill the Painter at the Wallace Collection is the first major retrospective of Churchill's art in over 60 years — nearly 60 works, roughly half from private collections that are rarely if ever accessible to the public. This is a genuinely once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Churchill took up painting in 1915 at the lowest point of his life, following the catastrophic failure of the Dardanelles campaign. His wife Clementine later said she thought he would die of grief — and it was painting that gave him back his spark. Churchill was never formally trained, but worked closely with at least three leading professional artists: John Lavery (portraiture and plein air painting), Walter Sickert (modernist techniques and working from photographs), and William Nicholson (still life, tonal restraint, and simplified composition). Churchill's single painting during World War II was a view of Marrakesh, painted the day after he took President Roosevelt to see the sunset over the Atlas Mountains following the Casablanca Conference. He gave it to Roosevelt as a gift — it is in the exhibition, facing the painting he later gave to President Eisenhower. The Wallace Collection's connection to Churchill runs deeper than the exhibition: Odette Pol Roger was born Odette Wallace as great-granddaughter of Sir Richard Wallace, became Churchill's close friend, and reserved an entire vintage of Pol Roger champagne for him. A qua
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 98 – Best British History Books with Brendan Dowd from the History Nerds United Podcast 05.06.2026 1ชม. 17นาที

  In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas is joined by Brendan Dowd — West Point graduate, Iraq War veteran, government consultant, and host of History Nerds United, one of the most respected history book podcasts in the business with over 220 episodes — for a pure, unfiltered book nerd conversation. Both hosts came with a stack of their favorite British history books and took turns sharing their picks, debating the merits, going gloriously off-topic about Darkest Hour, the new Wuthering Heights film, Bridgerton, and Dan Jones's upcoming castles book, and building what amounts to a British history reading list that will keep you busy for years. Between them, Jonathan and Brendan recommend over 20 books spanning Alfred the Great, the Tudors, the Regency, Victorian London, World War II, Thatcher, the Iranian Embassy Siege, and the hidden history of English wolves — plus a peek at what's sitting on each of their TBR piles right now. Links History Nerds United ~History Nerds United Podcast~ ~History Nerds United on YouTube~ ~Brendan's Top Episode: Helen Castor on Joan of Arc~ (update with direct episode link) ⠀Jonathan's Picks ~Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson~ ~The Road to Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson~ ~Churchill: Walking with Destiny by Andrew Roberts~ ~My Early Life by Winston Churchill~ ~A Very English Scandal by John Preston~ ~London: The Biography by Peter Ackroyd~ ~Citizens of London by Lynne Olson~ ~Empireland by Sathnam Sanghera~ ~Empireworld by Sathnam Sanghera~ ~The Iron Lady by John Campbell~ ~The Last Wolf by Robert Winder~ ~The Decline and Fall of the British Aristocracy by David Cannadine~ ~Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh~ ~The Regency Years by Robert Morrison~ ~Churchill's Citadel by Katherine Carter~ ⠀Brendan's Picks ~Alfred the Great by Justin Pollard~ ~The Six Loves of James I by Gareth Russell~ ~Battle for the Island Kingdom by Don Hollway~ ~Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII by Jane Marguerite Tippett~ ~The Greatest Knight by Thomas Asbridge~ ~Henry V by Dan Jones~ ~Thomas More: A Life by Joanne Paul~ ~The Stolen Crown by Tracy Borman~ ~The Crown's Silence by Brooke Newman~ ~The Eagle and the Hart by Helen Castor~ ~The Invention of Charlotte Brontë by Graham Watson~ ~London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe~ ~The Siege by Ben Macintyre~ ⠀Also Mentioned ~Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe~ ~Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe~ ~Secrets of Great British Castles with Dan Jones on Netflix~ ~Darkest Hour (2017)~ ~Young Winston (1972)~ ⠀Anglotopia ~101 Oxford Travel Tips and Tricks by Jonathan Thomas~ (update with direct product link) ~Anglotopia Guide to the World of Bridgerton~ (update with direct product link) ~Friends of Anglotopia Club~ (update with correct URL) ⠀ Takeaways Both Jonathan and Brendan started their podcasts for exactly the same reason — frustration at the quality of existing coverage in their field — and both were shocked to discover how generous, enthusiastic, and collegial the history author community turned out to be. Brendan's gateway into British history was Alfred the Great by Justin Pollard — a compact, accessible biography of the only English monarch to earn the title "the Great," which he recommends as the perfect gateway drug for readers who think history books are intimidating. Jonathan's most-reread British book is Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island — a definitive outsider's portrait of British culture from the early 1990s that remains beloved by British readers themselves, and the book that most shaped his vision for Anglotopia. Andrew Roberts's one-volume Churchill biography is both Jonathan and Brendan's recommended starting point for anyone wanting a modern, comprehensive, and myth-busting account of Churchill — and Roberts's Napoleon biography is equally essential. H
• BONUS EPISODE: What’s on in London in June 2026, Royal Events, Exhibitions, Theatre, Heatwave Travel Tips 04.06.2026 35นาที

  In this special bonus episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas launches an experimental new monthly format: a London events guide covering what's actually on in the city this month. June is arguably London's finest month — 16 to 17 hours of daylight, the longest evenings of the year, and an events calendar absolutely bursting at the seams. Jonathan walks through everything worth knowing about June in London: the major royal events including Trooping the Colour and Royal Ascot, the blockbuster summer exhibitions at Tate Modern, Tate Britain, the Royal Academy, the National Portrait Gallery, the V&A, and more, plus what's on in London theater from Shakespeare's Globe to the West End, live music at Wembley and the Roundhouse, and practical tips for surviving — and thriving in — a London heat wave. If this episode proves popular, Jonathan will make it a monthly fixture. Let him know what you think in the comments. Links Royal Events ~Trooping the Colour — Official Info~ ~Royal Ascot~ ~Wimbledon Tickets & Ballot~ ⠀Exhibitions — Book Ahead ~Frida Kahlo at Tate Modern~ ~Royal Academy Summer Exhibition (opens June 16)~ ~Anish Kapoor Retrospective at Hayward Gallery (opens June 16)~ ~Marilyn Monroe at National Portrait Gallery~ ~Barbara Hepworth at the Courtauld Gallery (from June 1)~ ~Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at the V&A~ ~Wes Anderson Exhibition at the Design Museum~ ~James McNeill Whistler Retrospective at Tate Britain~ ~The Queen's Fashion at The King's Gallery~ (sold out through 2026 — book 2027 dates now) ~Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit at Young V&A~ ~Hokusai: 36 Views of Mount Fuji at Dulwich Picture Gallery~ (closes June 30) ⠀Theater ~A Midsummer Night's Dream at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (from June 20)~ ~Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare's Globe (from June 11)~ ~To Kill a Mockingbird — New West End Adaptation (opens June 25)~ ~Cyrano de Bergerac — West End (opens June 13)~ ~Buy West End Tickets via Anglotopia's Link~ (supports Anglotopia) ~TKTS Booth at Leicester Square — Half-Price Day Tickets~ ⠀Long-Running West End Shows The Lion King Hamilton Wicked Les Misérables Matilda Mamma Mia Six Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (almost always sold out — book well ahead) Sinatra — The Musical ⠀Live Music Harry Styles at Wembley Stadium (from June 12) Olivia Dean at the O2 (from June 12) Orville Peck at the Roundhouse, Camden ⠀Practical Resources ~National Gallery Extended Summer Hours (from July 1)~ ~Londontopia London Events Calendar~ ~Argos UK — Buy a Fan on Arrival~ ~Anglotopia June London Events Article~ (link to article) ~Friends of Anglotopia Club~ ⠀ Takeaways June is arguably London's best month to visit — 16 to 17 hours of daylight, reliably pleasant weather, and the richest events calendar of the year, though it is also peak tourist season with hotel prices running 20 to 40 percent above spring rates. Trooping the Colour — the monarch's official birthday parade — is the major royal event of the year in 2026. Even without a ballot ticket to Horse Guards Parade, you can experience the procession on the Mall and the balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace by arriving very early and staking out a good spot. Every major summer blockbuster exhibition in London requires advance booking — some, like The Queen's Fashion at The King's Gallery, are already sold out through 2026. Book tickets as soon as you finish listening, even if your trip dates aren't confirmed yet. The Frida Kahlo survey at Tate Modern, the James McNeill Whistler retrospective at Tate Britain, and the Marilyn Monroe exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery are Jonathan's top three must-book exhibition picks for the month. The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition — the world's largest open submission art show, running since 1769 — is a uniquely chaotic, d
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 97 – City of Dreaming Spires – The Anglotopia Guide to Oxford – Travel, Tips, and Tricks 29.05.2026 1ชม. 11นาที

  In this solo episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas delivers his definitive guide to Oxford — his favorite city in England outside of London and the subject of his guidebook 101 Oxford Travel Tips and Tricks. From the bleary-eyed chaos of his first visit in 2012 with an angry 16-month-old and the Mini Cooper factory ring road at midnight, to two stays as a student on the Oxford Experience program, Jonathan brings nearly 15 years of personal history with the city to bear on a comprehensive, enthusiastic, and practically useful travel guide. The episode covers how to get there, how long to stay, the Oxford Experience immersive student program, the colleges you must see, the Bodleian Library's remarkable layers, the essential museums, the unrivaled bookstore scene led by Blackwell's and its famous five-mile Norrington Room, Oxford's extraordinary literary connections from Lewis Carroll to Tolkien to Philip Pullman, the day trips that demand your time — including Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds — and the practical tips that will make your visit infinitely more enjoyable. Links 101 Oxford Travel Tips and Tricks by Jonathan Thomas — [Anglotopia Store link] Oxford Experience at Christchurch English-Speaking Union Oxford Course Bodleian Library Tours — bodleian.ox.ac.uk Blackwell's Bookshop Oxford — blackwells.co.uk Oxford University Press Bookshop Scriptum, Turl Street Ashmolean Museum — ashmolean.org Pitt Rivers Museum — prm.ox.ac.uk Blenheim Palace — blenheimpalace.com Rousham House & Garden — rousham.org Didcot Railway Centre — didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk Oxford Walking Tours Morse Walking Tour Oxford The Randolph Hotel (now Graduate Oxford) Friends of Anglotopia ⠀ Takeaways Oxford is Jonathan's favourite city in England outside London — and most Americans either skip it or see it in a rushed half-day bus tour that barely scratches the surface. Two days minimum is the right call; three is better. Oxford is just 60 miles and 40-45 minutes by direct train from London Paddington, making it one of the easiest day trips or overnights in Britain — and you can also get there direct by bus from Heathrow without going into London at all. The Oxford Experience — a residential immersive programme at Christchurch offering one-week courses for adults in July and August — is Jonathan's single highest recommendation for anyone who wants to truly inhabit the city. Courses cost £1,500–£2,000 all-in and include room, board, lectures, and excursions; book in November when the schedule is released as popular courses fill within hours. The Bodleian Library is not one library but several — the Divinity School, Duke Humphrey's Library, the Radcliffe Camera, and the Weston Library — and the best way to see them properly is to book a guided tour well in advance, as they sell out. Blackwell's bookshop on Broad Street is arguably the greatest bookshop in the world — the underground Norrington Room alone has five miles of shelving beneath Trinity College — and Jonathan has never left without spending several hundred pounds. Staff will package books in brown paper and ship them back to the US at reasonable rates. Oxford's literary connections are extraordinary: Lewis Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland at Christchurch (Alice was the Dean's daughter); Tolkien and C.S. Lewis met with the Inklings at the Eagle and Child every Tuesday through the 1930s and 40s; Philip Pullman set His Dark Materials here; Oscar Wilde studied at Magdalen; and Inspector Morse has made every corner of the city feel like a crime scene. The Eagle and Child — the Inklings' famous pub on St. Giles' Street — has been closed since COVID and is currently being refurbished by new owners. It must reopen as a pub by heritage law, and is expected to reopen either in 2026 or 2027; keep an eye on the show notes link for updates. If you're in Oxford for even one day, you must go to Blenheim Palace — j
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 96 – Churchill the Writer – Gary Stiles on My Early Life and the Craft Behind the Legend 22.05.2026 1ชม. 5นาที

  In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas sits down with Dr. Gary L. Stiles — physician, medical researcher, former Distinguished Professor of Cardiovascular Research at Duke University, and lifelong Churchill scholar — to discuss his new book A Prelude to Immortality, published by Unicorn Publishing Group. Gary's book is the definitive study of Churchill's most beloved work, My Early Life — his only autobiography, written in 1930 when Churchill was in his mid-fifties, and never out of print in nearly a century. Drawing on previously unpublished letters from the Churchill Archives, Gary walks Jonathan through the five specific reasons Churchill wrote the book, the remarkable ambulatory dictation process by which he composed it, the POW escape from the Boers that made him internationally famous, the strategic gifting of inscribed copies to over 100 influencers including T.E. Lawrence, Churchill's Nobel Prize for Literature and his complicated feelings about it, and the surprisingly human, vulnerable side of Churchill that his nanny shaped and that the history books rarely capture. The episode closes with a Churchill lightning round — favorite quotes, anecdotes, books and films — including the extraordinary story of Churchill reciting Hamlet from memory alongside Richard Burton at the Old Vic. Links A Prelude to Immortality by Gary L. Stiles (Unicorn Publishing Group) My Early Life by Winston Churchill Savrola by Winston Churchill (Churchill's only novel) Churchill: A Life by Martin Gilbert The Churchill Archives, Cambridge — chu.cam.ac.uk Chartwell, Kent (National Trust) — nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell Darkest Hour (2017 film) Young Winston (1972 film) Friends of Anglotopia Takeaways My Early Life, published in 1930 when Churchill was 55, is his only autobiography — covering only the first 27 years of his life — and has never gone out of print in nearly a century. It was also the book most prominently cited when Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953. Churchill wrote My Early Life for five specific reasons: to reinvigorate his public persona as the wilderness years approached; to describe the Victorian era that formed him; to tell his story in his own voice for posterity; to generate desperately needed income; and to inspire a post-WWI generation he felt was paralyzed by fear and disengagement. Churchill's writing method was "ambulatory dictation" — he would pace his library at Chartwell, mumbling and testing sentences aloud for cadence, rhythm, and word sound, while secretaries stood ready to transcribe. He never wrote My Early Life by hand; every word was dictated. The book is deliberately written in the voice of Churchill at the age of each event — as a frightened schoolboy, a cavalry officer, an escaped prisoner of war — not as a 55-year-old man looking back. This was a conscious literary choice to make readers feel what he felt, not intellectualize it. Churchill's escape from a Boer prisoner of war camp in 1899 — a 400-mile solo journey through hostile territory — was the pivotal moment that made him internationally famous and launched both his writing career and his political one. Captain Haldane never forgave him for it, calling him a cad; Churchill's two chapters on the escape in My Early Life are, in large part, a carefully crafted defense of his honor. Churchill kept fresh flowers on his nanny Mrs Everest's grave from her death until his own in 1965 — over 90 years — and kept her photograph at his bedside at Chartwell, where it can still be seen today. Gary argues it was Mrs. Everest, not Churchill's famously neglectful parents, who taught him humanity, empathy, and the capacity to care for others. Churchill was nominated for the Nobel Prize over 27 times in both the Peace and Literature categories. He won the Literature prize in 1953 — beating Hemingway, who came second — though he would have preferred the Pea
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 95 – Lights, Camera, Britain: A Film Scholar on What Makes British Cinema So Distinctively British 15.05.2026 1ชม. 5นาที

  In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas sits down with Spencer Murphy — Assistant Professor in Media and Communications at Coventry University, specialist in film theory and cross-cultural cinema, and founder of the Coventry East Asian Film Society — for a wide-ranging, enthusiastic, and genuinely entertaining conversation about British film. What is a British film, exactly? Is it about the money, the cast, the crew, the story, or the setting? How does class permeate almost every British film ever made, from Ealing comedies to Harry Potter? Why does the British landscape function as a character in its own right? And why do Americans connect so deeply with British cinema when its sensibility — restrained, ironic, self-deprecating — is so different from Hollywood's? Jonathan and Spencer also trade their top five British films each, debate the new Wuthering Heights adaptation (neither of them liked it), and discuss why British cinema's literary inheritance is both its greatest strength and, sometimes, its creative limitation. Links Spencer Murphy at Coventry University BFI Top 100 British Films Dead Man's Shoes (2004, Shane Meadows) The Full Monty (1997) The Remains of the Day (1993) Rebecca (1940, dir. Alfred Hitchcock) Tamara Drewe (2010, dir. Stephen Frears) Friends of Anglotopia Takeaways Defining what constitutes a British film is genuinely one of the hardest questions in film studies — it can't be reduced to funding source, shooting location, cast, or director alone. Both Jonathan and Spencer agree the most satisfying answer involves who is behind the artistic vision, but even that gets complicated fast. The "Mary Poppins test" is Spencer's shorthand for films that feel very British on the surface but aren't authentically so — the tourist's vision of Britain, the chocolate-box version that meets an expectation rather than reflecting a reality. British film has a deep and complicated two-way relationship with how Britain represents itself to tourists — Hollywood's vision of Britain shapes what visitors expect, and British places have increasingly adapted to meet those expectations, from Harry Potter shops in York's Shambles to the way villages brand themselves around filming locations. Class is the single most persistent thread running through British cinema across every decade and genre — from Ealing comedies to Downton Abbey to Trainspotting — and Spencer argues it's almost impossible to think of a major British film that isn't, consciously or not, about the class system. British cinema's literary inheritance — the endless cycle of Jane Austen, Brontë, and Robin Hood adaptations — is both a commercial lifeline and a creative constraint. Spencer sees it as potentially reducing the space for new voices and contemporary stories, though he acknowledges the money it generates can fund smaller, more singular films. The British landscape is not just a setting in British cinema — it functions as a character, carrying regional pride and identity in a way that Hollywood rarely matches. Spencer notes that British location managers and production designers feel a deep obligation to get place right in a way their American counterparts don't always have. Spencer's explanation for why Americans love British film comes down to one word: self-deprecation. British culture — and British cinema — is not afraid to ridicule itself, to see its own shortcomings, and to raise them with others in a way that doesn't quite offend. He sees this as the quality Hollywood fundamentally cannot replicate. The new Wuthering Heights adaptation was a near-universal disappointment for both Jonathan and Spencer — not for lack of visual quality, but for failing the fundamental question every film must answer: who is this for? Spencer's most unexpected recommendation is Dead Man's Shoes (2004) by Shane Meadows — a harrowing, masterful, deeply regional Midlands film that he shows stude
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 94 – The Tudor Podcast Pioneer – Heather Teysko on Obsession, Community & TudorCon 2026 01.05.2026 44นาที

  In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas is joined by Heather Teysko — host of the Renaissance English History Podcast, founder of TudorCon, and one of the true pioneers of independent history podcasting. Heather started her podcast back in 2009 on a Labor Day weekend whim, with a cheap microphone and no idea how to edit audio, and has since built it into one of the longest-continuously-running independent history podcasts in the world, alongside a book community, online summits, a Tudor planner, and TudorCon — the world's first Tudor history convention, now in its seventh year. Jonathan and Heather swap stories about falling in love with Britain, building history audiences online, resisting the shiny lure of algorithm-chasing, and why genuine passion is the only thing that makes any of this work. They also dig into TudorCon 2026 — taking place October 23rd–25th at the extraordinary Agecroft Hall in Richmond, Virginia, a genuine 15th-century English manor house that was disassembled and shipped to America piece by piece — where Anglotopia is proud to be a sponsor. Anglotopia Listeners can use the code ANGLOTOPIA to get 15% off the Tudorcon ticket price or Tudorcon from home. For Tudorcon, they can go to https://tudorcon.englandcast.com; that's the full Tudorcon site. For Tudorcon From Home, you can go to englandcast.com/tudorconfromhome and get a Tudorcon from home ticket. Use the code ANGLOTOPIA to save 15% on both pages. Links Renaissance English History Podcast — englandcast.com TudorCon 2026 (October 23–25, Richmond VA) — tudorcon.englandcast.com Agecroft Hall, Richmond Virginia — agecrofthall.org Heather's book — The Tudor Fan Guide (Countryman Press/WW Norton, coming Summer 2027) Churchill Conference 2026 Philadelphia Friends of Anglotopia Takeaways Heather Teysko launched the Renaissance English History Podcast in 2009 — the only Tudor history podcast in existence at the time — and very nearly canceled it in 2013 when she discovered it was getting 40,000 downloads a month without her having posted a new episode in nearly a year. The spark for Heather's Tudor obsession was singing William Byrd's Ave Verum Corpus in a high school choir and realising that Byrd was writing secret Catholic music in Latin while serving Elizabeth I's Protestant court — a teenage existential crisis that never really ended. TudorCon, which began as an online summit and went in-person in 2019, is now expanding significantly for 2026 — moving from a single-track event at Agecroft Hall to a multi-track conference with five classrooms and a reception hall, thanks to a new partnership with Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. Agecroft Hall is a genuine 15th-century Lancashire manor house that was purchased, disassembled stone by stone, and shipped to Richmond, Virginia in the 1920s by a wealthy tobacco entrepreneur who wanted to live in an authentic English manor — including the original medieval glass, which had to be transported separately by road to avoid cracking. TudorCon is deliberately designed to sit between an academic co
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 93 – 600 Years in One House – Magnus Throckmorton on Coughton Court & Its Extraordinary History 24.04.2026 42นาที

  In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas is joined by Magnus Birch Throckmorton, the latest custodian of Coughton Court — a Tudor manor house in Warwickshire that has been home to the Throckmorton family for over 600 years. Coughton Court is one of England's most historically charged houses: its great gatehouse was built during the reign of Henry VIII, its walls conceal a double priest hole from the Reformation, and on the night the Gunpowder Plot collapsed in 1605, it was the very house where the plotters' families waited for news. Magnus walks Jonathan through six centuries of survival, faith, and family — from Sir George Throckmorton's audacious confrontation with Henry VIII over Anne Boleyn's marriage, to the sacking of the house during the English Civil War, to the remarkable women of Coughton who kept it alive through every crisis. Magnus also shares what it's like to raise his young children in this living, breathing house, what he and his wife Imogen have introduced since taking over direct management in March 2026, and why American Anglophiles should make Coughton a priority stop on any Midlands itinerary. Links Coughton Court — coughtoncourt.co.uk Historic Houses Association — historichouses.org Harvington Hall (mentioned for priest holes) — harvingtonhall.com Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire (mentioned) — doddingtonhall.com Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon — shakespeare.org.uk Friends of Anglotopia ⠀ Takeaways The Throckmorton family has lived at Coughton Court since 1409 — predating Columbus's voyage to America — making it one of the longest unbroken family occupancies of any historic house in England. Sir George Throckmorton, who built the great gatehouse around 1530, was audacious enough to confront Henry VIII directly over his marriage to Anne Boleyn — and somehow survived by throwing himself on the king's mercy. Coughton Court has a double priest hole: a decoy chamber above a hidden second chamber, designed so that searchers would find the first and assume it empty, never discovering the one below. The Throckmorton family were connected to — but not directly implicated in — the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The plotters' wives and Father Garnet waited at Coughton for news of whether the plan had succeeded or failed. During the English Civil War, Coughton was sacked and plundered, leaving it in a state of ruin that took generations to rebuild. Among the most remarkable objects in the house are a chemise believed to have been worn by Mary Queen of Scots at her execution in 1587, and a cape attributed to Catherine of Aragon and her ladies-in-waiting. The award-winning gardens were designed from scratch in 1991 by Magnus's mother for his grandmother, including a rose labyrinth deliberately full of dead ends, designed to slow visitors down and make them appreciate the colours and scents. Since taking over direct management from the National Trust in March 2026, Magnus and Imogen have introduced a café using hyper-local producers, a charity bookshop, artist residencies, workshops from willow weaving to botanical pottery, Tai Chi, yoga, a monthly supper club, and a summer programme of outdoor theatre. Coughton is just 20 minutes from Stratford-upon-Avon and easily reachable from the Cotswolds — making it a natural addition to any Shakespeare Country itinerary. The property includes two churches — one
• We Want Your Questions about Britain for our 100th Episode Q&A 20.04.2026 2นาที

  A quick but exciting announcement from Jonathan: the Anglotopia Podcast is approaching its 100th episode, and to celebrate, Jonathan and Jackie — Mrs. Anglotopia herself — are sitting down together for a special no-script, no-agenda Q&A episode, just like they did for Episode 50. Anything goes: the history of Anglotopia, upcoming trips, favorite corners of Britain, TV recommendations, the monarchy, British culture — you name it. Submit your questions now using the link in the show notes, or drop them in the comments on here, YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook. Don't wait — they're recording soon! Link Click here to ask your question!
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 92 – Tudor 101 – A Complete Crash Course in England’s Most Dramatic Dynasty With Sarah Morris 17.04.2026 1ชม. 15นาที

  In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas is joined by Sarah Morris — creator of the Tudor Travel Guide, author of multiple Tudor books, including her novel about Anne Boleyn, and co-founder of Simply Tudor Tours — for a sweeping, entertaining, and deeply informative crash course in Tudor Britain. Calling it Tudor 101, Jonathan and Sarah walk through the full arc of the dynasty: from the unlikely origins of Henry VII emerging from exile to win the crown at Bosworth, through the world-altering reign of Henry VIII and the break with Rome, the short and turbulent reigns of Edward VI and Mary I, and the remarkable story of Elizabeth I and how she turned vulnerability into a kind of genius. Along the way, they tackle the most misunderstood Tudor wife, untangle the confusing web of Marys in the family tree, explain the real-world devastation of the dissolution of the monasteries, and map out the social hierarchy of Tudor England from vagabonds to dukes. Sarah also shares her essential must-visit Tudor sites for American Anglophiles, gives insider tips on getting the most from historic houses and ruins, makes a passionate case for the Mary Rose Museum, and reveals which controversial Tudor drama she secretly loves — and why it launched her writing career. Links Tudor Travel Guide — tudortravelguide.com Simply Tudor Tours — simplytudortours.com Le Temps Viendra (Sarah's Anne Boleyn novel) Sarah's Tudor books on Amazon Hampton Court Palace — hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace Hever Castle — hevercastle.co.uk Tower of London — hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london Westminster Abbey — westminster-abbey.org National Portrait Gallery — npg.org.uk Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth — maryrose.org Portsmouth Historic Dockyard — historicdockyard.co.uk Hatfield House — hatfield-house.co.uk Hardwick Hall — nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick Penshurst Place — penshurstplace.com Haddon Hall — haddonhall.co.uk Kenilworth Castle — english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworth Fountains Abbey — nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey Rievaulx Abbey — english-heritage.org.uk/rievaulx Weald & Downland Living Museum — wealddown.co.uk Little Moreton Hall — nationaltrust.org.uk/little-moreton-hall Adam Pennington episode Friends of Anglotopia ⠀ Takeaways The Tudor dynasty was a genuinely unlikely outcome — Henry VII spent 12 years in exile before winning the crown at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, and his claim
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 91 – Roundabouts, Speed Cameras & Country Lanes – Driving in Britain Explained With a Retired UK Traffic Cop 10.04.2026 1ชม. 15นาที

  In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas sits down with Ben Pearson — retired West Yorkshire Police traffic officer, Police Interceptors TV veteran, bestselling author, and mental health advocate — for the ultimate American's guide to driving in the UK. Ben spent 19 years on one of Britain's elite roads policing units, handling high-speed pursuits, fatal collisions, and serious organized crime, and he brings that expertise to bear on every question American drivers have about navigating Britain's roads. The pair cover the most common mistakes tourists make, how roundabouts actually work (and why signaling is advisory, not legally binding), the truth about speed cameras and the 10% rule, how the UK's "ghost licence" system means your speeding history follows you every time you return to Britain, what to do if you're stopped by police, how to handle narrow country lanes without panic, and why you should never — ever — touch your phone while driving. Ben also opens up about his diagnosis with complex PTSD after 19 years on the front line, the Code Zero mental health app he co-created for emergency service workers, and his life since leaving the force. Links Ben Pearson on YouTube Ben Pearson's books on Amazon Code Zero Emergency Service Mental Health App 1965 PTSD Awareness Charity Ben Pearson on Instagram/social media Police Interceptors (Channel 5) Friends of Anglotopia Takeaways Always carry your driving licence and documents when driving in the UK — police can't issue a ticket without ID, which means you may be summoned to court instead, and non-compliance complicates everything significantly. UK speed limits are a maximum, not a target. The national speed limit sign (white circle with a diagonal black line) means 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways, but drops to 60mph on single carriageway roads — and vans have different limits again. Speed cameras allow a 10% plus two mph tolerance due to speedometer variance — but this is not a green light to speed, and a traffic officer can still stop and deal with you regardless. The UK operates a "ghost licence" system for foreign visitors — a record that accumulates points each time you're caught. Hit 12 points across multiple visits and you can be disqualified from driving in the UK and potentially arrested on your next trip. Roundabout rule: give way to traffic from your right, choose your lane based on your exit (left lane for left, middle for straight on, right lane for right), and always indicate. But treat all indicators as advisory — never assume another driver will follow through on their signal. Narrow country lanes require a completely different mindset to American roads — go slower than you think you need to, never cut corners, hug the left kerb line, and if in doubt, pull over and wait. No one will be angry with you for being cautious. Never touch your phone while driving in the UK — the law is extremely strict, members of the public can film and report you (as Cycling Mikey does in London), and the consequences include points, fines, and potential prosecution. If you're stopped by a UK police officer, stay in your car, be calm and polite, and have your documents ready. British
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 90 – The Real Yorkshire – A Blue Badge Guide’s Insider Guide to England’s Biggest County 03.04.2026 56นาที

  In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas sits down with Tim Barber, Yorkshire Blue Badge guide and founder of Real Yorkshire Tours, for an in-depth traveler's guide to one of England's most captivating and varied regions. Tim brings over a decade of guiding experience and a background in geography, geology, and marketing to the conversation, explaining why Yorkshire — at 6,000 square miles — deserves far more than a single day stopover between London and Edinburgh. The pair cover everything from the dramatic differences between the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, to the best way to experience York Minster, to why the Yorkshire Wolds is the region's best-kept secret. Tim also unpacks his hugely popular All Creatures Great and Small filming locations tour, explains what the Blue Badge qualification actually means for travelers, shares his personal recommendations for how many days to spend and where to stay, and offers practical advice for Americans planning their first Yorkshire adventure — including the one language misunderstanding that left him without his lunch. Links Real Yorkshire Tours — realyorkshiretours.co.uk Institute of Tourist Guiding (Blue Badge info) — itg.org.uk York Minster — yorkminster.org Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal — nationaltrust.org.uk World of James Herriot, Thirsk — worldofjamesherriot.org The Brontë Parsonage Museum, Haworth — bronte.org.uk Castle Howard — castlehoward.co.uk Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (steam train to Haworth) — kwvr.co.uk North Yorkshire Moors Railway (Pickering to Whitby) — nymr.co.uk Grantley Hall Hotel, near Ripon — grantleyhall.co.uk Friends of Anglotopia Takeaways The Blue Badge is the gold standard qualification for British tour guides — an 18-month course equivalent to a foundation degree, requiring practical exams, written tests, and specialist site accreditations. Always look for it when booking a guide. Yorkshire is England's largest region at 6,000 square miles, with more landscape variety than almost anywhere else in the country — from wild Pennine moorland and rolling Dales to a hundred miles of coastline and the little-known chalk uplands of the Yorkshire Wolds. If you only have one day in the countryside, Tim recommends the Yorkshire Dales over the North York Moors — not because the Moors aren't spectacular, but because the Dales offer slightly more varied scenery and you'll still get a taste of moorland driving over the tops. York Minster is the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe and contains 65% of all medieval stained glass in England — saved during the Civil War by a Yorkshireman who threatened his troops with death if they touched it. The All Creatures Great and Small new series has overtaken Downton Abbey in US viewing figures on PBS Masterpiece — and Tim's filming locations tour takes in Grassington (Darrowby), Helen's Farm, the church where James and Helen married, and more. The Yorkshire Wolds — a chalk upland area east of York — is Tim's top hidden gem recommendation: barely known even to locals, with picture-postcard villages, chalk streams, and stunni
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 89 – Inside the Brontë Parsonage – The Museum, the Moors & the Wuthering Heights Moment 27.03.2026 36นาที

  In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, Jonathan Thomas is joined by Mia Ferullo, Digital Engagement Officer, and Sam, Programme Officer at the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth, Yorkshire — and co-hosts of the museum's own acclaimed podcast, Behind the Glass: A Parsonage Podcast. Together they explore what makes the Parsonage one of Britain's most atmospheric and emotionally resonant literary destinations, from the world's largest collection of Brontë artefacts to the wild moorland that inspired the novels themselves. The conversation spans the remarkable story of three sisters who published against the odds under male pseudonyms, the often-overlooked legacy of Anne Brontë and patriarch Patrick Brontë, the concept and standout episodes of Behind the Glass, and the swirling cultural moment around Emerald Fennell's new big-screen adaptation of Wuthering Heights starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Mia and Sam also share practical advice for American Anglophiles planning their first visit to Haworth, including the best time of year to go and how to get there. Links Brontë Parsonage Museum — bronte.org.uk Behind the Glass: A Parsonage Podcast Keighley and Worth Valley Railway — kwvr.co.uk Visit Yorkshire — visityorkshire.com Friends of Anglotopia Takeaways The Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth is home to the world's largest collection of Brontë artefacts, including handwritten manuscripts, first editions, writing desks, and extraordinary miniature books the sisters made as children. Almost everything on display in the Parsonage is genuine Brontë furniture and objects — not set dressing — making it one of the most authentically preserved literary homes in Britain. The Brontë sisters published their novels under male pseudonyms not just for anonymity, but to avoid the prejudice that would have greeted female authors — and the books were still considered shocking and coarse when they appeared. Anne Brontë is widely regarded as the most overlooked of the three sisters, lacking the pop culture adaptations and name recognition that Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights have accumulated over generations. Patrick Brontë, often cast as a footnote or even a villain in the family story, played a significant role in his daughters' development — educating them in the classics and sparking their imaginative lives by bringing home a set of toy soldiers for Branwell. Behind the Glass: A Parsonage Podcast invites guests to choose a single object from the collection as a jumping-off point, allowing deep dives into rarely seen items — including Charlotte's tea cosy and its fascinating gendered history. Emerald Fennell's new Wuthering Heights film has driven a surge of visitors to the museum, with people noting in the visitor book that the film brought them to Haworth for the first time. Controversy around Wuthering Heights is nothing new — the original 1847 novel was condemned as vulgar and depraved by contemporary reviewers, making modern critical debate very much in keeping with Emily Brontë's legacy. A new television adaptation of Jane Eyre has been announced, which the museum is already looking ahead to as potentially another major cultural moment. August is the best month to visit Haworth when the heather is in full purple bloom on the moors, though autumn's fog and mist give the village
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 88 – Castles, Crime & Cake – A Retired British Copper’s Accidental Guide to History 20.03.2026 44นาที

  In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, host Jonathan Thomas sits down with retired British police officer, military veteran, and author John Donoghue to discuss his remarkable journey from the Royal Navy and British Army to 40 years in the police — and then, in retirement, accidentally becoming a castle guide at Pembroke Castle in Wales. John's new book, *Castles, Crime and Cake: A Policeman's Accidental Guide to History*, blends laugh-out-loud stories from the beat with medieval history, bizarre forgotten British laws, and surprisingly profound reflections on finding purpose in later life. Along the way, Jonathan and John explore how British policing differs from American policing, the absurdity of some 999 emergency calls, what it means to police without firearms, the infamous Salmon Act of 1986, and the ghost of a murderous monkey haunting a Welsh castle. Links Castles, Crime and Cake by John Donoghue — Amazon Link John's police memoir trilogy Pembroke Castle, Wales — pembrokcastle.co.uk Durham Constabulary — durham.police.uk Friends of Anglotopia Takeaways John Donoghue served in the Royal Navy, British Army, and police across a 40-year career before retiring to become an accidental castle guide. British police operate without firearms in most situations, relying instead on communication, humor, and patience to defuse confrontations. The UK has 43 regional police forces, each covering a defined geographic area and handling all crimes within it — unlike America's layered federal, state, and local system. "Policing by consent" means British officers see themselves as part of the community, earning authority through trust rather than force. The 999 emergency line receives some truly baffling calls — including reports of stolen snowmen, dogs looking at people funny, and complaints about McDonald's breakfast hours. John accidentally became a Pembroke Castle guide after sending a CV that included a photo of his dog eating birthday cake — and still got the job. The Obscure Crime Preservation Society (membership: two, including Jonathan) was founded to highlight Britain's forgotten and bizarre laws still on the statute books. The Salmon Act of 1986 makes it illegal to handle a salmon in suspicious circumstances — and John tried to get himself arrested under it. Police humor and dark comedy are genuine coping mechanisms for officers exposed to high levels of trauma and PTSD. The biggest life lesson John took from policing: approach everything with a sense of humor — it won't always work, but it's the best tool you have. Soundbites "I could either go to university like my brothers had, or do something more exciting. For me it was a choice between more schoolwork or a life of adventure — so I chose the latter." — John on why he joined the Royal Navy at 18. "I thought, what other job would you have where a dog comes into the room and just does a poo and nobody says a word? So I thought, I've got to start writing these stories down." — John on the incident that convinced him to write his police memoirs. "I've been punched, kicked, had broken bones, been stabbed in the face, put in hospital. That's the downside — but we don't carry guns because our public don't carry guns." — John on the realities of unarmed polici
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 87 – How to Walk Hadrian’s Wall – Tips from the Man Who’s Done Every National Trail 13.03.2026 44นาที

  In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, host Jonathan Thomas welcomes back photographer and adventurer Quintin Lake to discuss the Hadrian's Wall National Trail. They explore Quintin's experiences walking the trail, its historical significance, the unique landscapes, and the challenges of photography along the route. The conversation also touches on memorable moments, iconic sites, and practical advice for those planning to walk the trail themselves. Links Quintin Lake: Website: quintinlake.com The Perimeter Project: theperimeter.uk Instagram: @quintinlake The Perimeter book (Hutchinson Heinemann) Quintin’s Article on Walking Hadrian's Wall Quintin Hadrian's Wall Pictures he shared with us ⠀Hadrian's Wall Resources: Walk the Wall with Macs Adventure Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail Vindolanda Roman Fort Takeaways Quintin Lake has walked all 16 of Britain's national trails. Hadrian's Wall is a unique trail steeped in Roman history. The trail offers a rich experience with museums and historical sites. Walking the trail can be both contemplative and physically challenging. The landscape varies from flat agricultural land to rugged moorland. Photography along the wall requires attention to light and distance. The best time for photography is during golden hours. Planning for resupply is crucial when walking the trail. Memorable moments often come from unexpected encounters with history. The experience of walking connects you to the past in profound ways. Soundbites "It's more like walking an idea than walking a trail. You're in the Roman world from beginning to end and that's really exciting." — Quintin on what makes Hadrian's Wall unique among all 16 national trails. "I kind of thought it'd be a bunch of old stones and after half a day I would have had enough. But actually it was so rich and deep and they're all different. It's way more fascinating than I thought." — Quintin on being surprised by the wall's depth. "There were these huge blocks of stone with Roman drill holes where they've tried to wedge them apart. And they've clearly given up. That was the moment I felt most connected to history on the journey." — Quintin on finding abandoned Roman quarrying at Limestone Corner. "The notes they're writing home were things like, 'Please send me new socks.' It's very domestic stuff — saying how boring it is, how wet it is. They're looking forward to seeing their wives." — Quintin on the Vindolanda tablets. "I remember as a young man seeing it as quite a small tree and then seeing it again as a full tree. It's like a measure of one's own
• Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 86: Codebreakers, Spies, and Secrets – The Truth About Bletchley Park and Alan Turing 06.03.2026 1ชม.

  This episode of the Anglotopia Podcast delves into the hidden history of Bletchley Park, exploring its origins, growth, and the significant role it played during World War II. Dr. Chris Smith joins us to discuss the secrecy surrounding the operations, the organizational structure, and the cryptanalysis processes that led to the breaking of the Enigma code. The discussion also highlights the impact of Bletchley Park's intelligence on military operations, the social dynamics and gender roles within the workforce, and the legacy of this crucial establishment in British history. We also unpack some of the myths around Bletchley Park, Alan Turing, and the development of the first computers. Links Chris Smith at Coventry University “The Last Cambridge Spy: John Cairncross, Bletchley Codebreaker and Soviet Double Agent” by Chris Smith Friends of Anglotopia Club "The Hidden History of Bletchley Park" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015) Episode 78: "Did Churchill Know? Unraveling the Myths of the Coventry Blitz" Bletchley Park Museum Takeaways Bletchley Park grew rapidly due to the demands of war. The workforce at Bletchley Park was predominantly women. Secrecy was maintained through strict measures and the Official Secrets Act. Bletchley Park's structure was organized into specialized huts for efficiency. The Enigma machine was a complex cipher system with vulnerabilities. Intelligence from Bletchley Park significantly influenced military strategies. Alan Turing's contributions were pivotal but not the sole focus of Bletchley Park's success. The legacy of Bletchley Park continues to be relevant in discussions of intelligence and secrecy. Social dynamics at Bletchley Park reflected broader class and gender issues in British society. Bletchley Park is now a museum, preserving its history and contributions. Sound Bites "Churchill says that Bletchley is his goose which lays these golden eggs and never cackles. Well, actually some of them did cackle, but on the whole it's a remarkable feat that they kept it as secret as they did." — Chris on the limits of wartime secrecy. "If you wanted to produce an accurate movie about Bletchley Park, it would probably be a woman working on a typewriter for ten hours a day. That doesn't produce a very interesting narrative for the audience." — Chris on Hollywood vs. reality. "159 quintillion possible settings. If you tried to brute force this one letter at a time, that period of time is longer in seconds than the universe has existed." — Chris on the power of Enigma. "Enigma can never encipher a letter into itself. You can press A 26 times and you'll never get A again. That's an inherent weakness." — Chris on how the unbreakable code was broken. "The person who sort of handed them the Official Secrets Act had a gun on the table. The implication was that if you break this secret, this could carry the death penalty." — Chris on how secrecy was enforced. "The British basically sell Enigma machines to other countries after the war but