When warmer weather hits, you can bet that race season is on. 5Ks, 10Ks, Half-Marathon, and full-Marathon races go on all over the world. The UK has several notable races of its own, including the famous London Marathon. There are also some pretty lesser-known, though infinitely more fascinating, races that take place across the country. From a simulated prison break to a marathon run in reverse, we have identified five of these unusual races that take place all over Britain. If you feel up for the challenge, maybe you’ll race in one? You can also add some of your own favorite odd races in the comments.

Dartmoor Prison Break

This “ultra event” race raises money to support the Dartmoor Search & Rescue Team Plymouth and gets its name because it starts at HMP Dartmoor. In the spirit of a real prison break, teams are encouraged to take their own route from the prison and get as far as they can within a given time. The time periods for the race are broken down into 12 hours (“Delinquent”) and 24 hours (“Felon”). For 2022, the race is introducing a new element as the teams can compete against the “wardens” to see who can get further.

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If you’ve already figured this one out from reading backwards, the name of this race is “The London Marathon” in reverse. Also known as the Reverse London Marathon or Backwards London Marathon, this race was started by a group that didn’t qualify for the marathon proper, so they decided to run their own. Starting at 2 AM the day of the marathon, the participants run the London Marathon course in reverse, starting at the course’s end and finishing at the beginning. The runners wrap up their race before the 8AM start time of the London Marathon.

Man vs Horse

Originating in Llanwrytd Wells, Wales in 1980, this race is exactly what it sounds like. Run the distance of a normal marathon, runners race against a rider on horseback on roads, through trails, and over mountainous terrain. The race started all because a local landlord overheard a pub argument over which of the two would be faster and decided to put it to the test for real. Over the more than forty years that the race has been held, humans have beaten the horse a handful of times, winning a cash prize in the process.

The Sumo Run

While it doesn’t appear to be an active race anymore, the Sumo Suit Run was a 5K that saw participants run for 3.1 miles through London’s Battersea Park wearing inflatable sumo suits. During its history, the Sumo Run actually set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of runners in sumo suits, proving if you come up with a wacky enough concept, you can get a world record for it. Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing this event revived with T-Rex suits, but maybe that’s just me (“Must go faster, must go faster”).

The Spooky Sprint

Currently a virtual event, this Halloween-themed race offers courses in 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon, and Full-Marathon distances. Runners are encouraged to participate in costume, though it doesn’t seem any award is given for the best dressed. The race will return to Peterstow Manor for 2023 but also continue offering virtual events. We can guarantee that if you run in one of the races either in person or virtually, you’ll be *dead* on your feet afterwards (*maniacal laugh*). Regardless of how you choose to race, all funds go to support Parkinson’s research in the UK, so you’ll be contributing to a great cause.

The Home Guard always had something a little absurd about it. Made up mostly of men too old or unfit to serve in the regular armed forces, it trained with inadequate equipment for an invasion that never happened. It was only a matter of time before it became comedy material, and Dad’s Army was the long-running show that did it. Set in a fictional coastal town, and led by the local bank manager, the show followed the exploits of the local Home Guard troop. It found humor in the perennial class differences of the British, as well as in the low status of the patriotic volunteer, unpaid troops. Occasionally, they really did encounter the enemy, perhaps as a parachuting pilot, but their night-time antics brought smiles into British homes during the difficult years of the 1970s.

Key Facts:

• Nine series, totaling 80 episodes, aired between 1968 and 1977
• Based on the real Home Guard of WWII
• Starred Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring, John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Arthur Wilson, and Clive Dunn as Lance Corporal Jack Jones
• Placed 4th in a BBC poll for ‘Britain’s Best Sitcom’
• Used authentic wartime popular songs as background

A Short History

Of the more than 3 million British soldiers who were alive when the war ended, perhaps only 100,000 or more are still living, yet the myth that Britain won the war single-handedly seems to have grown as the number of veterans has shrunk. With the British inclination towards parody, that doesn’t mean that all the memories have to be respectful. While the war heroes in movies of the 1950s were young and brave, Dad’s Army was not. This comedy portrayal of the real Home Guard became a massively popular TV show for almost a decade through the late 60s and 70s, which was a time of general irreverence in British society. The bumbling and ridiculous members of the troop, led by the pompous but patriotic Captain George Mainwaring, kept everyone in stitches. No one seemed to ask how, with soldiers such as these, the country could have won any war at all?

The Home Guard was an important, but largely forgotten, element in the British war effort. It was made up of men too old (or young) to join the ‘Regulars’ (between 18 and 41), exempt because they had important day jobs, or were unfit. At its peak, there were 1.5 million volunteers in the force, whose main purpose was to act in the event of a German invasion, which was a genuine fear at the time. They were to control the panicking civilians, keep routes open for the regular troops, and give some resistance to allow regulars time to reach battle points. Since the invasion never came, they spent their nights on exercises, helping to run the underground bomb shelters and patrolling to enforce the blackout – homes were not allowed to show lights, which could guide bombers in an age before radar. This motley group, drawn from all social classes, and reflecting different generations, was a comedy gold mine for a skilled writer. The scriptwriter, James Perry, had plenty of real-life experience to draw on in creating Dad’s Army, because he had been a member of it.

Dad’s Army is set in Walmington-on-Sea, a fictional town on the English Channel, and thus a place where the Nazi invasion would have begun. Captain Mainwaring (played by Arthur Lowe) is the local bank manager. He served in the Army of Occupation in Germany after WWI, but to his shame, he never saw active duty in that war. Patriotic and brave, he is also pompous as only a privately educated Englishman can be, and he appoints himself the leader of the platoon. His sergeant, Arthur Wilson (played by John Le Mesurier), is also his senior clerk in the bank, and despite his public education, he is the wiser of the two. Lance Corporal Jack Jones (played by Clive Dunn) is already in his early 70s, and fought for Lord Kitchener in Sudan at the end of the 19th century. The town’s butcher, he is convinced of the greater courage of the British, but he reflects the simultaneous contempt for, and fear of, the German enemy, that underpins the show.

Of the four Privates who round out the platoon, Private Frank Pike (played by Ian Lavender) is the youngest. He also works at the bank, and his mother always makes sure he wears a thick scarf, to avoid a cold. The remaining Privates are; James Frazer (John Laurie), a former Royal Navy officer; Charles Godfrey (Arnold Ridley), a retired shop assistant from, appropriately, the Army & Navy Store in London.; and Joe Walker (James Beck), a black market spiv, who left the show after the sixth season. There are also a number of secondary characters. Perhaps the most notable is Mainwaring’s rival, Chief Warden William Hodges (Bill Pertwee), the town’s greengrocer (seller of fruit and vegetables) and head of the local Air Raid Precautions unit. The ARP always made invidious comparisons between their ‘real’ job and the antics of the Home Guard. The vicar of the local church, The Reverend Timothy Farthing (Frank Williams), has to reluctantly share his hall with Mainwaring’s troop, and he and his Vicar are also regular characters in the show.

The main plot elements of the show come from the inadequacies of the Home Guards for their job and their lack of real wartime experience. Opposition from the ARP and the Church, as well as rival Home Guard troops in neighboring towns, provides tension, increased by occasional real encounters with the enemy, including a downed German pilot and a U-boat crew. The humor ranges from subtle jokes based on class relationships to broad physical slapstick, giving the show wide appeal to a large audience.

The early seasons were filmed in black and white, a format still found on many televisions in the UK in the 1960s. From season 3 onwards, the show was in colour. Apart from the theme song, “Who do You Think You are Kidding, Mr. Hitler?”, the program was remarkable for the use of a broad spread of authentic wartime music, often chosen to reflect the theme of the episode. The theme song was recorded using a military band and a wartime singer, Bud Flanagan. In all, 80 episodes were produced, over nine seasons, between 1968 and 1977. There were two extended Christmas specials and four sketches. Peak viewership reached 18.5 million.

Cultural Impact

Dad’s Army had an impact on colloquial speech in the UK, adding several enduring phrases. Private Frank Pike is usually addressed by Mainwaring as, “You stupid boy!” Other still-heard catchphrases include, “Don’t panic!”, “They don’t like it up ’em,” “We’re doomed. Doomed, I say!”, “Put that light out,” and “Permission to speak, sir?” The references to “Fuzzie-Wuzzies” by Lance Corporal Jones have thankfully faded into oblivion.

The show received numerous BAFTA nominations, including five for Arthur Lowe, but only won once, for “Best Light Entertainment Production Team” in 1971. It placed 13th on the ‘100 Greatest British Television Programmes’, a British Film Institute poll. It was 4th in a BBC poll for ‘Britain’s Best Sitcom’.

Two full-length feature film versions of the show were made, in 1971 and in 2016. A stage show starring most of the cast ran for almost a year at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, and on tour, in 1975 and ’76. It was called Dad’s Army: A Nostalgic Music and Laughter Show of Britain’s Finest Hour. The show also ran in Australia and New Zealand, as Dad’s Army – The Musical, in 2004 and 2005. A new version of the show, with new actors, featuring re-enactments of several popular episodes, ran in 2007.

Places to Visit

Most of the exteriors of the show were filmed in the town of Thetford, in Norfolk. This romantic part of England, with its marshes and waterways, is a popular boating area, and an escape from the bustle of London. Thetford itself dates back 1,000 years at least, and it is built around the hilltop remains of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle. There are numerous old buildings and churches. It is perhaps most famous as the birthplace of Thomas Paine, author of the Rights of Man, and an important participant in the American Revolution.

There is a statue of Thomas Paine, but for viewers of Dad’s Army, more important will be the statue of Captain Mainwaring, which was erected in 2010. He sits on a bench with his swagger stick across his lap, providing opportunities for photographs with fans.

In the town Guildhall, in Cage Lane, is the Dad’s Army Museum. Open from 9 to 4, Monday to Saturday, entry is free with a donation, and the museum includes a reconstruction of Captain Mainwaring’s office in the church hall, and the Marigold Tea Room. Home Guard and other military uniforms are on display.

The Charles Burrell Steam Museum, on Minstergate, displays Jack Jones’ butchers van, which is owned by the Dad’s Army Museum, but displayed here because of lack of space. The museum also includes displays of steam-powered equipment, from steam rollers to road locomotives.

While in Thetford, visit:

• Thetford Forest, an area for cycling and walking
• Breckland – 100,000 acres of wetland protected as a bird sanctuary
• Thetford Priory – the ruins of a 12th century monastery
• Ancient House Museum – the local museum, housed in an oak-framed Tudor building

Where to Watch

• Complete collections of all the series, and specials, are available on DVD
• All episodes of the show are available for download purchase on iTunes
• The whole series is streaming on BritBox. The 2016 movie is available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV

Further Research

• We’re Doomed! – Dad’s Army Story (DVD), a dramatization of the founding of the show
• Dad’s Army: The Making of a Television Legend, by Bill Pertwee
• Dad’s Army at 50: A Radio Times Tribute to the Classic Series, by Mark Braxton
• Dad’s Army – Music from the Television Series (Audio CD)
• To the Last Man: The Home Guard in War & Popular Culture, by Malcolm Atkin
• We Remember the Home Guard, by Frank and Joan Shaw
• The Home Guard Training Pocket Manual, by Lee Johnson (a compilation of original training materials)
• Thoughts and notes for the Home guard commander: The coming invasion–defence–patrols–the counter-attack–action against para-troops, by Hanbury Pawle, 1942

Between the United States and the United Kingdom, the words and phrases we use to describe everyday things can change. Even though we’re both speaking English, etymology can vary widely, and the same item or activity might leave you scratching your head when you hear it coming from someone on the other side of the pond. This extends even to home improvement, which is colloquially known in Britain as “Do It Yourself” or “DIY.” So if you find yourself in a DIY store looking to fix up the plumbing or something else has gone wrong in your house or flat, better learn these terms, so you’ll know what to get.

Bodge Job

A “bodge job” is typically one that’s gone quite wrong. If you hired a handyman whose workmanship wasn’t good enough because it was done cheaply or in a hurry, it could break again, which would make it a bodge job.

Stanley Knife

In America, we would typically call this a box cutter or a utility knife. Much like Kleenex, Band-Aid, or Post-It, this tool in Britain has become a generic trademark, or a brand name that has become so synonymous with the item itself that all similar products are referred to by the trademark name.

Wire Wool

This one seems so straightforward that you might wonder why we don’t call it the same thing. Wire wool for Brits is what Americans call steel wool. Both names are rather apt as this material is made from steel wires bundled very finely so that they form an abrasive surface that’s good for finishing work.

Silicone Sealant

This name is a little more upfront in Britain than in America, where we typically call it caulk. While caulk is made from silicone, the origins of the term go back to the 14th Century when it began use as a verb meaning “to stop up cracks and crevices.” “Caulking” came into being in the 18th Century, though calling silicone sealant “caulking material” started around 1980.

Spanner

This term you might be most familiar with, since “spanner” is the British term for a wrench. It comes from the 17thCentury and the German word “spannen” which was the tool used for winding the wheel lock of a firearm. It’s also the origin of the phrase “spanner in the works”, which means something that otherwise ruins one’s plans.

White Spirit

While not exactly the same as paint thinner, white spirit the British term for mineral spirits, which are typically used to clean paint brushes and keep them getting gunked up with dried oil-based paints. Unlike paint thinner, mineral spirits don’t have the same pungent aroma.

Breeze Block

Breeze block is a much cooler-sounding name for what Americans call a cinder block. The origins of the terms are very similar, as the blocks are commonly made from mixing concrete and ash, the latter of which is synonymous with the word “breeze” in Britain.

Stillson Wrench

Despite being an American invention, in America, we call it a pipe wrench rather than giving it the name of its creator. Daniel C. Stillson invented the Stillson wrench in Massachusetts, and the first patent on it was issued in 1869. Instead of naming it for Mr. Stillson, we gave it the name that follows its function, which is tightening or loosening pipe fittings.

Steel Rule

While we could call this a tape measure in America, in Britain, that’s used to refer to a tape measure that is used by a tailor to take measurements for clothing. It gets the distinction by being made of a thin steel ribbon rather than cloth or plastic as is normal for the other kind of tape measure.

Bonus: Gaffer Tape

This one is a fun one – gaffer tape is what the British call ‘duct tape.’

One probably wouldn’t expect for Amy Winehouse’s old band to reunite with a new singer. And yet, somehow, they’ve been touring for years with other singers, and I only just found out about it. This current iteration with Bronte Shande has been going for well over a year, and it sounds pretty good, if you ask me.

Even if the physical resemblance isn’t there, the voice sounds remarkably close to the original. And it certainly helps that the band is a slimmed-down version of the band from I Told You I Was Trouble. The only difference is that the guitarist joined the band shortly after Island immortalised those performances. Well, that and a few members of the band are evidently gone.

And it looks like things are going well enough that they’re putting on a special concert in Camden. The concert will commemorate what would have been her 40th birthday. However, they will not actually fall on that date. Tickets went on presale on September 14, which would actually have been her birthday. Why they chose to do it this way, despite the inherent logic of having a 40th birthday show on said birthday, I don’t know.

The concert will happen on December 22 at Camden’s KOKO. In addition to the band and the new singer, the concerts will also include rare footage of Amy Winehouse. And after looking at the footage I’ve seen is any indication, I can only assume this is going to be good.

If we told you that the British royal family had a hierarchy system, you may think we were pointing out the obvious. However, the truth is that the structure of authority is a bit more complicated than that, with titles to denote the ranks within “the firm” and who stands in the line of succession. These titles all have different meanings, from the Prince of Wales on down to the Earls and Dukes that make up the rest of the family. Today, we’re going to do our best to explain each of the titles in the order of succession and a little about where that title originates.

Prince of Wales

Directly under the King, the title of Prince of Wales has been historically granted to the heir apparent of the Sovereign. Prior to the 13th Century, the title was an evolution of “King of the Britons,” which had been used by Celtic Britons, the ancestors of the Welsh. Various Welsh princes used the title Prince of Wales to unite their countrymen against the English. However, that came to an end when King Edward I defeated the Welsh forces, made the country a principality of England, and gave the title to his oldest son. Prince William currently holds the title.

Duke of Sussex

After Prince William and his children, the next in the line of succession is Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. While the Duke of Sussex may seem like a title specifically created for Harry, the first creation of the title occurred in 1801 when King George III created it for his son, Prince Augustus Frederick. The Dukedom died with him in 1843 and was not revived until Queen Elizabeth II bestowed it on Harry after his marriage to Meghan Markle.

Duke of York

Traditionally, the title of Duke of York has been bestowed upon the second son of the Sovereign but originated with the Viking Erik Bloodaxe, the last King of Jorvic (the Viking name for York). It was created as a peerage title for King Edward III’s son Edmund of Langley in 1385, then passed to his sons until his line died out. It was next created for Richard of Shrewsbury, the son of King Edward IV, who was one of the “Princes in the Tower”, then for Henry Tudor, son of King Henry VII, who eventually became King Henry VIII, and the title merged into the Crown. It was created several more times since, with the most recent title holder being Prince Andrew, who will surrender the title on his death as he has no legitimate sons.

Duke of Edinburgh

When people think of the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip is probably the first person who comes to mind. However, the title is much older than that and was created for Prince Frederick by his grandfather, King George I. The title then passed to Frederick’s son, Prince George, and it merged with the Crown when George became King George III. It was created again in 1866 and then in 1947, the latter time for Philip Mountbatten when he married Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II). After Philip’s death, the title reverted to Prince Charles and was not bestowed again until he ascended the throne and bestowed it upon his brother, Prince Edward, in 2023.

Earl of Wessex

Earl of Wessex is a title that’s only been created twice in British history, the first time being during the Anglo-Danish period when it was bestowed on Godwin by King Cnut around 1019 AD. The title passed to Godwin’s son Harold and extinguished with Harold’s death at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It wasn’t created again until Prince Edward married in 1999, the tradition being to grant sons of the monarch titles upon being wed. As mentioned above, Edward was styled Duke of Edinburgh after his father’s death and brother becoming king, with the title Earl of Wessex passing to Edward’s son James.

Princess Royal

Princess Royal isn’t a dukedom or earldom but instead a title normally bestowed to the monarch’s eldest daughter. It was first created in the 17th Century when Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of King Charles I, wanted to mirror the French court from which she came by having a royal title for the eldest child. The title was subsequently bestowed upon her daughter, Princess Mary, and merged with the Crown when she became Queen Mary II. It has been held six times since, with the most recent holder being Princess Anne, who will relinquish it to the Crown on her death.

Earl of Snowdon

Earl of Snowdon is one of the only titles on this list that was created in the 20th Century. Before its creation, the title of Baron Snowdon was held by the aforementioned Prince Frederick and merged with the Crown when his son became King George III. The current title was bestowed upon Antony Armstrong-Jones by Queen Elizabeth II when he married Princess Margaret and, as a life peerage, remained with him after their divorce. On his death in 2017, his son with Princess Margaret, David Armstrong-Jones, inherited the title.

Duke of Gloucester

The title Duke of Gloucester was first conferred to Thomas of Woodstock, the thirteenth child of King Edward III. It was created several more times, with the most famous (or infamous) holder being Richard of York, the future King Richard III. Its last creation was for Prince Henry, the fourth child of King George V, who passed the title to his son, Prince Richard, who still holds it today.

Earl of Ulster

Earl of Ulster is a peerage title that was originally created by King Henry II after the Norman Invasion of Ireland. It was most recently created as another title for Prince Henry and then held by his son, Prince Richard, until Richard became Duke of Gloucester. The current title holder is Richard’s son, Alexander Windsor, who uses it as a courtesy title.

Duke of Kent

The Title Duke of Kent is another that was born out of the ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and was styled Earl of Kent as a subset of the Earls of Wessex. After the Norman Invasion, the title was bestowed upon several individuals until Henry Grey, the then-current earl, was styled Marquess of Kent and later elevated to Duke of Kent. It became extinct, was revived as an earldom, then went extinct again before King George V revived it for his fifth child and fourth son, Prince George, in 1934. The current title holder is his son, Prince Edward.

The king who lost the American colonies before he lost his mind, King George III, is defined by more than the American Revolutionary War and his later “madness.” He set a number of records for the monarchy and helped to further transform it into the institution that we recognize today. From a large family to the first palace Christmas tree, there’s quite a lot about King George III that you might not know. You’d be “mad” to skip this article about one of the most influential Hanoverians in the history of the Crown.

A Bit Early

Many parents know the anxiety that surrounds the premature birth of a child, and George’s parents, Frederick, Prince of Wales, and Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, were no different. George arrived two months early, and it was thought that he wouldn’t survive, so his parents had him baptized the same day.

A First

George was also the first Hanoverian monarch to be born in the United Kingdom, as his grandfather and great-grandfather were both born in present-day Germany.

Skipping a Turn

While his father, Frederick, was the heir presumptive to King George II, Frederick unfortunately died from a lung abscess (caused by either a cricket ball or a tennis ball) in 1751. George inherited his father’s title of Duke of Edinburgh, and while George II had shown little interest in his grandchildren before, he became a lot more invested in his eldest grandson. He created the younger George as Prince of Wales three weeks after Frederick’s death, and when George II died in 1760, George III ascended the throne at the age of twenty-two.

A Golden Ride

King George III commissioned the Golden State Coach in 1760 at a cost of £7,562 (nearly £280,000 today). The Golden State Coach is still used by the Royal Family for official functions.

Love Makes You Crazy

As a young man, George fell for Lady Sarah Lennox—and he fell hard. In fact, he was a bit obsessed with her. When he heard she might be interested in another man, he locked himself in his room for hours. He also had trouble sleeping. It took his mother’s adviser, Lord Bute, to knock him out of it by convincing him that Lennox wouldn’t make a good match. King George II tried to pair him off with Princess Sophie Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, but Prince George and his mother resisted that idea. George would marry Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in 1761, with their wedding being the first time they ever met. Despite not having an extended courtship, they had quite a loving marriage that produced a total of fifteen children.

A Palace Fit for a Queen

George loved Charlotte so much that he purchased Buckingham House from John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham and Normandy, in 1761. The house was to serve as her private retreat that was close to court functions at St. James’s Palace and was known as Queen’s House while she lived there. The name Buckingham Palace was first used in 1791, and the first monarch to use it as their primary residence was Queen Victoria.

Farmer George

King George III had a great interest in agriculture and a significant library on the subject, which ended up earning him the nickname “Farmer George.”

The First Christmas Tree

While Prince Albert gets the credit for introducing the Christmas Tree to Britain, he wasn’t the first royal to bring the custom into the royal palace. Queen Charlotte actually brought the tradition into Buckingham Palace from her native Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

Mental Illness

No one really seems to know what caused George III’s bout of temporary insanity from 1788 to 1789, though theories range from genetic porphyria to arsenic, which was common in medicines and cosmetics of the time. While he recovered from this first mania in 1810, he became permanently deranged, and his son, Prince George, had to act as Prince Regent.

Long May He Reign

From 1760 to his death in 1820, King George III spent nearly 60 years on the throne, dying just a couple of months shy of his Diamond Jubilee. While Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II have reigned for much longer, George III is still the longest-reigning king in the United Kingdom’s history.

Silhouetted against the Warwick skyline, the mighty towers of Warwick Castle have born witness to over nine centuries of British history. This magnificent medieval fortress, a true symbol of power and fortification, has weathered sieges, royal ownership, and the passage of time itself to emerge as one of England’s most captivating attractions. Step across the castle threshold, and you’ll be transported to an era of chivalry, battles, and larger-than-life legends.

Five Key Facts

• Originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068, Warwick Castle is one of the few castles from the Norman Conquest still largely intact.
• It remained a fortified residence until the early 17th century when it was granted to Sir Fulke Greville, who converted it into a country house.
• The castle boasts some of the most complete defensive architecture from the medieval period, including towers, ramparts, and a massive curtain wall.
• It is famously linked to the Kingmaker, Richard Neville, whose bitter dynastic conflict with the House of York was pivotal in the Wars of the Roses.
• Warwick Castle is now under the stewardship of the Tussauds Group, featuring wax figures, exhibits, shows and year-round events.

Geographic Setting

Warwick Castle commands an imposing presence on a sandstone bluff at a bend of the River Avon in the town of Warwick, England. Its elevated vantage point and proximity to the river made it a formidable defensive site in medieval times. The castle’s gray stone facades and robust architecture create a striking contrast against the idyllic Warwickshire countryside surroundings.

The Fascinating Origins of Warwick Castle

While records indicate an early fort stood on the site in the 6th century, Warwick Castle’s story begins with the Norman Conquest of 1066. William the Conqueror constructed the first castle here in 1068 as part of his campaign to control and subjugate the rebellious English following his victory at Hastings. This initial motte-and-bailey castle provided a strategic fortification along the River Avon to discourage revolt and project Norman authority into the Midlands region.

The Fortified Armaments

By the 14th century, Warwick Castle was an imposing fortress bristling with formidable defenses sculpted from the golden Warwickshire sandstone. Immense curtain walls lined with crenellations and towering gatehouses guarded the approaches. The Caesar’s Tower, one of the castle’s most iconic features, allowed archers to launch volleys of arrows upon any would-be invaders from its elevated ramparts.

Within the walls lay a defensible labyrinth – a series of killing grounds, portcullises, murder holes and gatehouses designed to entrap unlucky attackers. The entire ingenious design was reinforced by a massive 60ft wide dry moat and earthworks, becoming one of the most powerfully fortified castles of the medieval period.

The Kingmaker and Wars of the Roses

For two decades in the tumultuous 15th century, Warwick Castle was the power base of Richard Neville, the notorious “Kingmaker” whose political machinations proved pivotal in the Wars of the Roses dynastic conflict. He was one of the realm’s wealthiest and most influential figures, switching allegiances to support first the Lancastrian and then the Yorkist royal houses.

The castle hosted the ceremony where Neville removed the Lancastrian Henry VI and helped the Yorkist Edward IV take the throne in 1461. However, his excessive authority making and unmaking kings eventually led to his demise at the Battle of Barnet in 1471. The legacy of the Kingmaker casts a long shadow over Warwick’s history.

Restoration and Gardens

Over the passing centuries, Warwick Castle underwent many alterations. In the late 16th century, it was converted from a fortified castle into a lavish, unfortified mansion by Sir Fulke Greville. Remodeling by architects like Sir William Dugdale in the 1600s created more palatial interiors and landscaping.

The magnificent gardens and grounds took shape during this era under the vision of the immensely wealthy and trendsetting Earls of Warwick. The landscaping featured an array of garden “rooms” enclosed by hedgerows and walls, as well as an orangery, greenhouses, and landscaped parklands surrounding the River Avon.

Today’s Warwick Castle

In the modern era, Warwick Castle has been restored and reimagined as one of Britain’s most acclaimed heritage sites (it is now operated by theme park operator Merlin Entertainment). Visitors can climb the ramparts, explore the lavish interiors like the gilded State Rooms and Great Hall, watch live shows reenacting medieval events or explore the Peacock Garden modeled on 17th century designs.

The legacy of Warwick Castle spans from its medieval warrior heritage to 19th-century Victorian romanticism. With its magnificent towers and fortifications still gloriously intact, this ancient castle remains an enthralling ambassador to Britain’s turbulent feudal history.

Visiting Information

Now one of the most visited and best-preserved castles in Britain, Warwick Castle offers an immersive look into medieval life. Highlights include climbing the Cesar’s Tower ramparts, exploring the Great Hall and State Rooms, witnessing thrilling shows like the “Scorched Earth” evening exhibitions, and strolling the Georgian-era grounds and gardens. Interactive exhibits, falconry displays, and daily shows bring history alive. See the official website for booking information (booking in advance is recommended and will save you a few pounds).

Recommended Reading

• “Warwick Castle” by the Countess of Warwick (1903)
• “Castles of England” by Sir Banister Fletcher (1987)
• “Medieval Fortifications” by John Kenrick (1988)
• “Warwick Castle and its Mighty Protector” by John Martin Robinson (1991)
• “The Castle Builders: Masons and Builders in the Middle Ages” by Malcolm Hislop (2017)

The Channel Islands are a geographic archipelago consisting of two political organizations: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey. Both of these are crown dependencies, or self-governing positions of the United Kingdomand include numerous other islands including Herm, Sark, Borhou, and Alderney. Being so close to France, the islands have an interesting mix of English and French cultures and a fascinating history that includes English castles, French authors, and even occupation by Nazi Germany. The coastlines, mountains, wetlands, and habitats re beautiful and worth seeing. We have outlined ten things we think you should see on the Channel Islands and if you think we left something out, let us know in the comments.

La Coupee – Sark

Certainly not a walk for those afraid of heights, La Coupee can be found in the Island of Sark and connects the Big Sark and Little Sark. This causeway rises sharply and provides wonderful views of the Channel and other islands.

Shell Beach – Herm

So named for the wide variety of different shells you can find there, Shell Beach on Herm Island is one of the longest stretches of beach on any of the Channel Islands. Shell Beach measures at nearly three-quarters of a mile and offers quite a lot of space for visitors as well as necessary beach amenities from ice cream to water toys.

Hauteville House – Guernsey

Also known as the Victor Hugo House, Hauteville House was Hugo’s residence on Guernsey from 1856 to 1870 during his exile from France. Originally built by an English privateer and spent some time before Hugo acquired it empty as it was feared to be haunted. Today it is a house museum for the author and is gorgeous within and without.

Victoria Tower – Guernsey

Victoria Tower looks like the world’s biggest chess piece and was constructed in 1848 to honor Queen Victoria’s visit to the island two years earlier. For a time it was closed to the public but has been open again since 2006 and offers some spectacular views of Guernsey.

Jersey Museum and Art Gallery – Jersey

Jersey Museum and Art Gallery offers visitors a chance to engage with the history of the bailiwick as well as immerse themselves in the culture of this island. The museum’s artefacts go back 250,000 years, and the gallery includes works from local artists. You can even learn the island’s own unique blend of English and French.

World War II Sites – Multiple locations

From 1940 to 1945, the Channel Islands were the only British territories occupied by Nazi Germany. The German Occupation Museum on Guernsey is one of best overall museums of this period, though it’s also worth visiting the La Valette Underground Military Museum in St. Peter Port which was a refueling station for U-Boats, the Jersey Tunnels that operated as a German hospital, and the Lager Sylt Concentration Camp on Alderney. Each offers a different picture of what life was like for the island residents living under Nazi control.

Sausmarez Manor – Guernsey

One of the finest examples of a manor house in the Channel Islands, the Sausmarez family has been one of the most important families on the Island of Guernsey since the 12th Century. The manor house has been through several incarnations, and its current family has lived here for several generations over 600 years. House and garden tours are offered throughout the year, and there is even a ghost tour for the brave of heart.

Jersey Zoo – Jersey

The Jersey Zoo is one of the islands’ top attractions since it opened in 1959 and offers a wonderful opportunity to come into contact with a wide variety of animals, even some you won’t find anywhere else. Formerly known as Durrell Wildlife Park, it is home to gorillas, lemurs, tropical birds, meerkats, and local reptiles and amphibians.

St Peter Port – Guernsey/St Helier – Jersey

The hub of life in Guernsey, St Peter Port is the capital of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and is home to many of the attractions on this list. It also includes some great shopping and dining opportunities, making it a top destination for your trip to the islands. Likewise, St Helier, the capital of Jersey, offers numerous opportunities to engage in that island’s history and culture, starting with Liberation Square and wandering outwards from there.

Mont Ogueil Castle – Jersey

Also known as Gorey Castle, Mont Ogueil has been a defensive fort for the Island of Jersey since the time of King John. It has been a part of most of Britain’s major conflicts ever since, including World War II when German forces added modern lookout towers intended to blend in with the castle’s ancient architecture. Having seen so much use, it is incredibly well-preserved and offers tours regularly.

Around this time of year, stories and rumors float around on the internet about bans on Christmas, but there’s really only one time in history that the holiday was effectively canceled by a governmental authority. Some believe that Oliver Cromwell personally canceled Christmas during the Commonwealth period, but that’s not the whole of it. The banning of Christmas actually began with Puritan leaders in England long before reaching the halls of Parliament, where legislation nearly killed the holiday for good. Have a look at the circumstances that gave rise to the Puritans’ war on Christmas, how the ban manifested, and the holiday’s slow recovery.

The period of the English Civil War and the ultimate Parliamentarian victory in 1645 coincided with a growing Puritan religious movement, both of which transformed Britain’s government and culture. For decades prior, more orthodox Protestant leaders in England had preached against the celebration of holidays as doing so felt too close to Catholic ceremony as well as the potential for sin that came with making merry. As Puritan influence grew in Parliament, the first attempt at limiting Christmas celebrations came in 1643 when Parliament issued a statute that stated Christmas was meant to be a day of solemn fasting and penance. However, the decree from Parliament was widely disregarded.

The next year was a different story. Whereas King Charles I had largely allowed and promoted the celebrating of holidays, Cromwell was of the mind to clamp down on Parliament’s Act banning the holiday’s celebration, partially under his mistaken belief that Charles was a secret Papist. The 1644 ordinance reinforced the previous year’s ban and added the holidays of Easter and Whitsun (also known as Pentecost). The public did not take well to the edict, and many businesses closed in protest on Christmas Day while some that remained open in keeping with the law were attacked. Throughout England, pro-Christmas riots often resorted in violence and calls for the Restoration of the monarchy.

By the time that King Charles I was executed in 1649, enforcement of the ban was much harsher. By 1652, Parliament decreed that December 25th should not be marked by any special religious services, and soldiers stripped churches of their Christmas decorations. In 1656, armed soldiers were patrolling the streets of London, seizing food being prepared for the holiday. In 1657, a congregation was arrested in Exeter Chapel for observing the sacrament on Christmas Day. Such draconian enforcement of the law remained in place until the Restoration in 1660, when King Charles II was established as the Sovereign.

Christmas was back, but wasn’t quite the same. In the wake of the Puritan assault on the holiday, celebrations were much more subdued, and increasing urbanization saw festive celebrations move away from the city and into the countryside. Christmas as we know it today would not begin until the Victorian Period. It was during this time that Prince Albert helped popularize the German tradition of a Christmas tree (something originally begun with the Hanoverian Dynasty). Additionally, Charles Dickens’s publication of A Christmas Carol helped bring the holiday back to England’s cities as well as popularizing many Christmas traditions, including the saying of “Merry Christmas.” Dickens’s work helped to emphasize a charitable take on the holiday as well as revitalizing family gatherings, holiday meals, and fun.

So, as you sit down with your family to have Christmas dinner, sing carols, worship, and give each other gifts, remember there was a time when such traditions were not possible. It came from a group that forced a strict observance of its own orthodox views on the remainder of the country and was roundly resisted by those who felt that love for their fellow humans should be celebrated at the birth of Christ.

Whether you’re a child or a child at heart, watching cartoons can be a fun time for all. If you run out of American cartoons to watch, we can suggest a number of great British cartoons to put into your viewing queue. Perhaps not as well known as series like Danger Mouse or Shaun the Sheep, the five cartoons that we present below are no less enjoyable. From the latest TV adaptation of Paddington to a series of web-published shorts, we have identified some newer cartoons that we think you should watch and where to find them. If you have some suggestions of your own, you can share them and their viewing platforms with us in the comments.

Simon’s Cat – YouTube

Artist Simon Toefield created the animated adventures of his cat in 2008. Featured in a series of books and animated shorts, Simon’s Cat is affectionate, stubborn, and clumsy. He is almost always on the hunt for food and letting his owner, Simon, know how hungry he is (even if he’s just eaten). Many of the cartoons can be found on the animator’s website (www.simonscat.com) or on YouTube.

Thomas & Friends – Amazon Prime

If you grew up in the States, you likely remember the animated Thomas the Tank Engine cartoons from the show Shining Time Station. The American version incorporated various shorts from Thomas & Friends, which itself was based on The Railway Series of books by Reverend Wilbert Awdry. Seven seasons of the classic series and seasons 18 through 22 are available to watch through Amazon Prime, along with a number of specials. Sure, they won’t have Didi Conn, Ringo Starr, or George Carlin, but Thomas has endured since the 1980s as one of the most popular children’s animated characters for a reason.

Sarah & Duck – Tubi

This charming cartoon ran for three seasons from 2013 and featured the adventures of little Sarah and her pet duck. Throughout the series, Roger Allam provided the voice of the narrator, who would often engage Sarah & Duck in conversations and ask them questions (the narrator also isn’t above the occasional punny dad joke). The cartoon is very child-focused, with parents not appearing (though other adults do), and is animated in the style of a child’s drawings. This charming series can be found on two different platforms, notably Tubi and Pluto TV, though it’s available for purchase through several other streaming services.

Mr. Bean – Amazon Prime

If you like the classic Mr. Bean series with Rowan Atkinson, get ready for its animated counterpart. While Atkinson could have easily passed on the voice acting to another actor (a.k .a. Jackie Chan Adventures), he nonetheless voices the character himself throughout all five seasons. The show very much continues Bean’s wacky escapades, from Teddy being stolen by burglars to making his own viral video. Three seasons are available to watch courtesy of Amazon Prime through FreeVee, which is an ad-supported video streaming service.

The Adventures of Paddington – Paramount Plus

The latest animated series to adapt the works of Michael Bond, the Adventures of Paddington, started in 2019. It builds on the popularity of the more recent Paddington films and is entirely 3D animated. While hardly any of the movie cast participates in the show, Paddington Bear himself is still voiced by Ben Whishaw. The basic premise of this adaptation is that Paddington is writing letters back to his Aunt Lucy in Darkest Peru, telling her what all he has been up to on any given day. So far the series is on its second season and can be found on Paramount Plus.