Historical figures
How the countryside helped ease the tormented minds of 6 of our most tragic poets – providing them with peace and solace
From the windswept moors to the rolling hills, Britain's landscapes have long inspired poets – but for some, they were more than just a muse
The most infamous archaeological hoaxes exposed – from fake figurines to the Lost City of Z
The world of archaeology isn't exempt from tricksters and forgers – as these notorious hoaxes prove.
Just William: The timeless mischief-maker who captivates generations
Who inspired Richmal Crompton’s most famous and mischievous character 'Just William'?
How a small, charming English town, set at the foot of beautiful hills, gave the world Narnia, hobbits, Middle Earth and Nimrod
Discover the dramatic range of hills that inspired CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and Edward Elgar to create some of the greatest works in the English canon
The real Ten Pound Poms: Why Brits swapped a tenner for a new life down under – and whether it lived up to expectations...
All you need to know about the real Ten Pound Poms
From Campbell to MacGregor, discover the 6 most powerful, infamous and violent Scottish clans in history – are you descended from one?
Six clans that shaped modern Scotland
Easter: All you need to know about the celebration, including forgotten traditions and why it changes each year
There's more to Easter than chocolate and egg hunts – find out the history and traditions behind the festival and cultural holiday
The dark history of witches and the infamous witch trials: How thousands were executed in Europe's bloody pursuit of sorcery
Tales of witchcraft are woven into our rural history, but what is the truth about magic in the countryside? Dr Suzannah Lipscomb sheds
fresh light on myths about witches and the people who hunted them
"Difficulties mastered are opportunities won": 11 best Winston Churchill quotes that inspire and motivate
Words of wisdom from the iconic wartime leader Winston Churchill
Celebrate St Piran's Day: when it is and the legend behind the Cornish saint
Celebrate the Cornish day with our guide to St Piran's Day which looks at the patron saint of Cornwall and popular traditions.
Who were the real Durrells – and what on earth happened to them all? Was it all guns, goats and Greek sunshine?
We're all familiar with the hit ITV drama The Durrells, but who were the Durrells and how true to life is the show?
From exploding corpses to fatal feasts, which English monarch had the most gruesome death?
Kings and queens might lead glamorous lives, but their deaths aren't always so dignified. From bizarre accidents to truly gruesome ends, history is full of monarchs who met a fate stranger than fiction
"To travel by train is to see nature": The best Agatha Christie quotes from the Queen of Crime
Discover quotes that capture the beauty of country living from the best-selling fiction writer of all time, Agatha Christie
Celebrate St David's Day: history and traditions
Celebrate Wales' national day with our guide to St David's Day which looks at the history of the patron saint of Wales and popular Welsh traditions.
Who were England's most murderous monarchs? Discover the kings and queens who had the most blood on their hands...
From bloody battles to brutal purges, some of history’s most famous monarchs were defined by their deadly actions. But which ruler truly earned the title of the deadliest of all?
"I resented the injustice of English policy" – a new immersive attraction in Cornwall shines light on anti-war activist Emily Hobhouse
A visit to the Story of Emily in Cornwall is a great way to mark International Women's Day on 8 March.
These may be the finest earliest landscape photographs of England you’ve ever seen
The images have been released as part of Historic England's acquisition of a renowned photographic collection.
"Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him.” 12 best Charles Dickens quotes from the eminent Victorian master storyteller
Discover these words of wisdom from one of the world's most famous authors, Charles Dickens
Medieval toilet helps uncover lost home of England’s last Anglo-Saxon King
Archaeologists believe they've found the West Sussex residence used by King Harold during the Norman Conquest, thanks partly to the location of a loo
Burns Night 2025: what and when it is, and how to celebrate this Scottish tradition
Celebrate Burns Night with our guide to the Scottish poet Robert Burns, including the best Scottish walks, traditions and recipes
"We are all fools in love": The best Jane Austen quotes, one of our literary greats, that capture her sharp wit and humour
Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble: the real story of Britain's witch trials
Learn more about some of Britains most famous witches and wise men and the fate that befell them
Who was the real James Herriot? Meet the man who became the world's most famous - and beloved - vet
Uncover the blend of fact and fiction in his narratives and learn about James Herriot's lasting impact on veterinary medicine and literature.
Where did the Easter bunny come from - and which came first, the rabbit or the egg?
Why are rabbits associated with Easter? Any why are eggs involved? We take a look...