Historical figures
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...
Just who Britain's eerie Green Man really is, is one of the country's biggest mysteries, but could this ancient spirit of mischief be the hidden guardian of nature?
He appears in pub names, May Day festivals and ancient folklore, but who is the Green Man? Jo Tinsley tracks down the mysterious country character
The terrifying tale of the Lantern Men, evil pixies who would lead unwary souls to their death
Discover the haunting legend of evil pixies luring innocent people to their deaths
Druids guide: who are they and what do they believe in?
What do the druids of today believe in and how do they compare to their ancient counterparts
When did humans arrive in Britain? Uncovering the mysteries of the early Brits, from Neanderthals to the Stone Age
Our resilient hunter-gatherer ancestors contended with wild animals, tsunamis and the watery separation of Britain from mainland Europe says Mike Pitts. Discover what life was like for the first humans in Britain
From isolation to icon: How Hannah Hauxwell's life in the Yorkshire Dales became a worldwide sensation
Yorkshire farmer and recluse, Hannah Hauxwell lived a hard life, alone on her small Pennine farm – until she became an unlikely TV star in the 1970s. Here we look back on her extraordinary life...
Who were the Knights Templar? Discover the ancient organisation that's shrouded in mystery and legend
Clouded by mystery and legend the Knights Templar were once a powerful force in Britain. Helen Nicholson is your guide to these secret medieval warriors
Meet the brave, but inevitably doomed, Jacobites and discover the trail of blood, war and historical battles
Learn about the legendary Jacobites - their origins, key figures and the bloody battles that defined their quest for power.
Loathed school PE? Then you have this man to thank as he invented it - oh and he also had a large hand in launching a small event called the Olympics...
The Olympic Games would not be alive today, said Olympic founder Pierre de Coubertin, if it hadn't been for Dr William Penny Brookes.
Was 'M' in James Bond real? Meet the real-life secret spy called 'M', who would have rubbed shoulders with Ian Fleming
Meet the animal-loving David Attenborough of the 1950s who had a secret life as a spy called M and the likely inspiration for ‘M’, James Bond’s spy chief.
Octavia Hill: The woman who rose to become one of the 19th century's greatest reformers and founder of the National Trust
Octavia Hill was a social reformer whose belief in the benefits of fresh air led to the creation of the National Trust.
Why does the king have two birthdays?
Just why does the king get two birthdays a year, when we mere mortals just have one? We take a look
St George's Day: when it is, the history behind the legend - and whether St George was real
Most of us will have the heard the tale of George and the dragon, but do you know the real history behind the legend? Here is our guide to the patron saint of England, and some ideas for where to go to celebrate.
Nan Shepherd revolutionised nature writing with The Living Mountain. This is her story
One of the greatest books about Scottish mountains lay in a drawer for 30 years. Charlotte Peacock profiles author Nan Shepherd and her enduring passion for the Cairngorms
The first British woman to swim the Channel has inspired a film - here's the extraordinary story of Mercedes Gleitze
In 1927, Brighton-born Mercedes Gleitze became the first British woman to swim the English Channel – and a star was born
Border Reivers: discover who they were and how they terrorised the borders in Britain's own wild west
Who were the Border Reivers?David Gopsill from Tullie House Museum uncovers the stories of these enigmatic figures and their impact on the borderlands.
Who was Alfred Wainwright? A quick guide to the Lake District icon
We take a look at the life of Alfred Wainwright, the man who did so much to popularise the Lakes and fell walking
Why do we say 'sent to Coventry'?
Where does the saying 'sent to Coventry' come from? We take a look at its possible roots
When is International Women's Day?
When is International Women's Day and what does it celebrate?
Discover poet John Clare: The voice of nature amid mental health struggles
From farm labourer to brilliant nature poet,
John Clare found fleeting fame and lasting unhappiness. But now his beautiful writings about the countryside are attracting a new generation of fans
Meet the 19th century botanist David Douglas, the man who brought us the Douglas fir
John Craven celebrates David Douglas – a surprisingly
little-known Scottish adventurer whose discoveries in the
new world transformed the landscapes of his home country
Witchcraft and witches in the UK: Exploring 14 famous witch trials and stories
Learn more about some of Britains most famous witches and wise men in our historical guide.
John Muir: Meet the Scottish visionary environmentalist who transformed America's wilderness
Scottish-born environmentalist, naturalist, author and glaciologist John Muir was one of the world’s earliest and most influential conservationists. Find out more about his remarkable life in our historic guide to John Muir.
Herne the Hunter: Why a glimpse of Windsor’s horned phantom could spell doom for the King
In folk tales of old, magical beings served as guardians of forests and hills until troubled times brought them forth to battle evil. Storyteller Lisa Schneidau profiles one of the most potent of these figures: Herne the Hunter