James Witts
Recent articles by James Witts
25 for 2025: Fill your summer with exciting outdoor adventures and challenges, from shark spotting to conquering fears
Expand your horizons with our pick of the best outdoor adventures.
Tea bags, ketchup – and football's most famous song? The 'British' inventions that are actually American
While a cuppa is about as British as it gets, did you know that the tea bags used for it are an American invention? It's time to brush up on your general knowledge as we take a look at more inventions that we thought were British, but actually aren't.
Sea shanties sail on: The relentless appeal of sea shanties and how one tiny Cornish village is bringing global acts to its festival audiences – in a fish and chip shop
As the Mevagissey Shanty Festival draws in the crowds, the resurgence of this seafaring folk-song tradition shows no signs of waning. James Witts seeks the ‘drunken sailor’ in Cornwall
History of the sea shanty: When were seafarers' songs first sung and what were they used for?
Sea shanties are endlessly catchy and easy to learn – for good reason. The origins and history of the sea shanty explain why we're still whistling along with them today
5 inventions the Americans thought they invented... but didn't – including baseball and their famous national anthem Star-Spangled Banner
Baseball, invented by the Brits? Here are five UK inventions that became more beloved across the Atlantic Ocean.
Why oh why do my legs hurt for days after a long walk or run?
The reason your legs can hurt for a long time after exercise is something called DOMS and here's what you need to know says James Witts
This vitamin will help you defy ageing – how to make sure you're getting enough of it during the winter months
Vitamin D, also known as the 'sunshine vitamin, is essential for bone and mental health.
Why’s my joint pain worse in the winter?
is it true joints can be affected by the weather? James Witts looks at the evidence
Suffer from gout, like Henry VIII? Here's all you need to know about the painful ‘disease of kings', from causes to treatment
Gout numbers are rising worldwide, proving that it’s not
just Henry VIII who suffered from it. What foods cause the excruciatingly painful condition and should sufferers blame their
parents
Why the great outdoors beats the gym: 6 beginner-friendly FREE activities for better fitness and mental clarity
Want to start getting fitter? Forget the gym says James Witts as the outdoors offers far more fun activities
Are you walking fast enough? How speeding up can tackle obesity and decrease mortality risk
How walking briskly can improve your physical health