The Needles is a famous landscape feature on the western most end of the Isle of Wight which lies just off the south coast of England, opposite the maritime port and city of Portsmouth. It is an eroded line of chalk outcrops extending out from the land into the sea. Here the strata of the [more...]
The UK governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown will probably be long-remembered for starting brutal and unwinnable wars, and for the economic mismanagement that caused the most severe recession for decades. But if we look beyond that, can we identify worthwhile accomplishments that will form part of the legacy of the Blair/Brown years? The [more...]
Hertford is the county town of Hertfordshire, England, the United Kingdom. In 2006, the area was ranked one of the top 10 places to live in the UK according to Channel 4 TV. The town of Meryton in the Jane Austen novel “Pride and Prejudice” may have been based on Hertford and according to some, [more...]
Dover is a town in Kent, in South East England, the United Kingdom, and faces France across the narrowest part of the English Channel. Dover’s name originates with its river – the River Dour, via its Latinized form of Dubris. The Romans called it “Porte Dubris.” However, the modern name was in use at least [more...]
It’s hard to imagine that people can get too hot in England, the cold damp land of moist green landscapes, but incredibly it does happen and it causes hundreds of deaths each year. Most of these deaths are not from heatstroke, but are deaths from other conditions aggravated by effects of the heat such as [more...]
The Limerick is simple, rhythmic form of rebellious poem. It has a strict five-line structure. The first, second and last lines rhyme with each other, as do the third and fourth lines. The subject matter may be bawdy or nonsensical, and may break a taboo or two. Limericks are generally light-hearted and humorous, and in [more...]
The pound sterling (GBP) is the legal currency throughout the United Kingdom, and the Bank of England prints banknotes for this currency. Due to a quirk of history, three Scottish banks and four Northern Ireland banks also print notes denominated in United Kingdom pounds. Before 1844-45, each bank issued their own notes. The Bank Charter [more...]
Birmingham is a city in West Midlands county, the second largest city in England. Birmingham was first recorded in written documents by the Domesday Book of 1086 as a small village. Centuries later it became a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution in England. Birmingham suffered heavy bomb damage during World War II’s “Birmingham Blitz.” It [more...]
Arriving in York by train is more fun than driving in by car, grappling first with ring roads and then with parking. As soon as you come out of the station you’ll see the medieval city wall just across the road. If you aren’t going direct to the nearby Railway Museum, you can follow the [more...]
Wild camping is commonplace in Australia, New Zealand, the US, South Africa, and many other countries. In Finland and Sweden the right to camp is enshrined by law, provided it’s not close to someone’s house or garden. But in England it’s not so easy. One place where it is acceptable is on the moors of [more...]
An egg hunt is popular in some parts of the UK, but at one time it was as likely to be a hare hunt – either really trying to find a hare or a ritual mock hunt. The idea of the Easter hare, or a rabbit, hiding eggs for children to find may have arrived [more...]
Durdle Door is a stunning rock formation near Lulworth Cove in Dorset. The sea has eroded a hole through a line of limestone, forming an arch. The beach at Durdle Door is popular for swimming and sunbathing, and the Door is tempting to swim. But can it be done? The archway forms a small opening [more...]
London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom and is the country’s largest city. London was founded by the Romans in 43 AD as Londinium. London grew in both wealth and population during the Middle Ages. By 1100 its population was around 18,000. By 1300 it had grown to almost 100,000. London [more...]
Lancashire Hot Pot (or hotpot) is a simple traditional “slow food” from Lancashire in north-west England. Because it’s made in one huge pot, it’s an easy way to cater for large groups. It originated in the heyday of the Lancashire mills, probably as a way to provide a hot lunch (which Lankys confusingly call dinner) [more...]
Once UK shops have cleared out their Valentines, they stock up with Mother’s Day cards. In amongst them will be a few that wish you a Happy Mothering Sunday. It’s the Sunday about half way between Pancake Day (Mardi Gras) and Easter, and has been a day for recognising English mothers for several centuries. If [more...]
Yes, there are many differences between Scots law and English law. It’s not just a question of small details for lawyers to worry about, but of two separate legal systems. Anyone moving from one side of the border to the other should bear this in mind. Common legal issues that lead many people to consult [more...]