Topic: British History

What was life like in Britain in 1607?

What was life really like for people in Britain during the 1600s, those British who emigrated to America?

Five facts about Prince Albert

In 2019 Britain celebrated Prince Albert's 200th birthday, here are five unknown facts about Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria.

How many of these famous British women through history do you know?

From Cartimandua to Florence Nightingale and Nell Gwyn to Margaret Thatcher, we look at famous women throughout English history. 

A timeline of the abolition of the British slave trade

William Wilberforce, "The Saints" and the political events in Britain which led up to the abolition of slavery in 1833 across the British Empire.

Sir Edmund Halley, a British scientific giant

English astronomer, geophysicist, mathematician, meteorologist, and physicist, Sir Edmund Halley is best known for his discoveries surrounding Halley's Comet. How much do you know about this scientific giant?

A British hero Alfred the Great King of Wessex

Many monarchs in the long history of Great Britain have been mediocre and worse. Some few have been quite good indeed. However, only Alfred, the 9th-century king of the West Saxons, has been honored by history with the sobriquet “Great.”

Industrial heritage sites - the engine houses of the modern world

Some of the greatest historic sites in Britain that illustrate how the world changed during the Industrial Revolution.

When coal was king in the Welsh valleys of the Rhondda

The Welsh valleys have a long and storied history within the mining industry. Read more to find out about it.

The reign of Charles II and the Restoration

Charles II was a polarizing figure. How much do you know about the former King?

The real story and places behind Alice in Wonderland

The true history of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, the life of Alice Liddell, and what remains in real life of these fantastical tales.

Did Mary Queen of Scots kill her husband Lord Darnley?

Was Mary Queen of Scots involved in the murder of her husband Lord Darnley?

A bloody field by Shrewsbury and an end to Sir Henry Percy's life

The Battle of Shrewsbury set the stage for the War of the Roses and ended Sir Henry ‘Hotspur’ Percy’s quest for England’s crown…and his life.

The military art of the Normans

Before we examine the Battle of Hastings and William the Conquer's subsequent victory, perhaps we should take a look at the history of military art in the 11th century 

The "Old Masters" mosaics of Roman Britain

The majority of Britain's mosaic masterpieces have been lost to the ages, but those that remain are absolutely stunning.

Our special relationship - the UK and the USA

The UK and the USA have long enjoyed a special relationship. We thought we'd take a look into it.

1,000-year-old British mill back in action amid COVID-19 pandemic

The Sturminster Newton Mill is in high demand as consumers are using more flour during the coronavirus lockdown.

The story behind Princess Margaret's wedding tiara

Did you know that Princess Margaret bought her own tiara rather than borrow one from the royal jewels?

Julius Caesar in Britain

Despite two attempts to overtake Britain, Caesar ultimately returned home emptyhanded. Here's a look at the history of Julius Caesar in Britain

Missing piece of Stonehenge returned after 60 years

A piece of Stonehenge, missing for more than 60 years, was finally returned in 2019 and may provide clues to the monument's origins.

The Westerham Triumvirate - Sir Winston Churchill, General James Wolfe and William Pitt the Younger

Steve Roberts takes a look at the town of Westerham, and its most famous sons.

Yorkshire’s medieval Cistercian abbeys

Did you know there are four Cistercian abbeys in Yorkshire, including a World Heritage site? Visit all four with our expert guide

From Celts to Roman and modern day - taking a ride on Watling Street

Watling Street is a historical route dating back to Celtic and Roman times. Join our writer as he takes a trip along the road.

Did Henry VIII's grandmother Elizabeth Woodville die of plague

Does the discovered letter from 1511 prove that the White Queen died from the plague?

Travel through time at England's coaching inns

Ever wondered how travelers would get rest while crossing countries on horseback? In this article we look at coaching inns, which provided a place to rest for travelers and horses alike

The Great Fire of London over 350 years later

Over 350 years later, London’s landscape still shows evidence of the Great Fire of 1666.

Queen Elizabeth reveals where her father hid The Crown Jewels during WWII

Letters have revealed that in order to protect the royal jewels from the Nazis, they were hidden In a biscuit tin, 60 feet below Windsor Castle on the order of King George VI.

Queen Emma of Normandy found buried In Winchester Castle

Are the remains of Queen Emma of Normandy among the 1,300 bones found at Winchester Cathedral?

King Edward II and Piers Gaveston, the real story of the King and his husband

The relationship between King Edward II and Piers Gaveston is one of the most infamous menages a trois in British royal history.

Everything you need to know about Margaret Thatcher

On Feb 11, 1975, Margaret Thatcher defeats Edward Heath for the leadership of the British Conservative Party.

A history of Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor of Aquitaine was a major figure in the middle ages and a prominent figure in women's history. So what do we need to know about this remarkable woman?

The effect the Battle of Hastings had on British history

In one battle, William the Conqueror led the Normans in sweeping away Anglo-Saxon rule.

In the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie

Taking the High Road from Inverness to the Isle of Skye.

The ghosts of the Tudors at the Palace of Hampton Court

The Palace of Hampton Court is so splendid that two of its 16th-century residents have seemingly refused to leave, for it is said that their ghosts walk its halls to this day.

Wren’s churches - England's greatest architect at work

When the Great Fire of London that Samuel Pepys witnessed had burned out, England’s greatest architect Christopher Wren got right to work.

Sites of Roman Britain - villas, towns and forts

Occupied by the Romans from the 1st to the 4th century, Roman historic sites abound in modern Britain. Here's where to found them.

God bless the Prince of Wales

A history, swashbuckling exploits and symbolic splendor of the role created in 1284 and carried out today by Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth's eldest son.

What is it that makes Stonehenge's stone circles so magical

While Stonehenge does not make Britain's other stone circles in size or setting it remains one of Britain's most fascinating tourist attractions and here's why...

Amy Johnson: The incredible life of a pioneer aviator

The death-defying daredevil life and flights of Amy Johnson a pioneering English pilot who was the first woman to fly solo from London to Australia.

Haltwhistle is still literally the center of Britain

In the heart of Roman Wall Country, the Northumbrian market town bristles with pride.

Weaving life at Quarry Bank Mill

Explore the hard lives of workers and families of Georgian England at the Quarry Bank Mill's, Apprentice House, in Wilmslow.

The incredible life of Sir Thomas Becket and his gruesome murder

Sir Thomas Becket changed from being a 'patron of play-actors and a follower of hounds to being a shepherd of souls.'

Visit living British history at open-air museums

Immerse yourself in more than 2,000 years of British history at some of the finest open-air museums in the world.

Historic battlefields across Britain

The fields where war was waged are historic and poignant.

Have you seen this footage of The Crown Jewels?

The Crown Jewels are consistently held up as one of the most impressive collections of their kind.

The reign of Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Eizabeth II is officially the world's longest reigning monarch, but what comparisons can be made between her reign and that of Queen Elizabeth I?

Scotland's mysterious Rosslyn Chapel

Long the focus of folklore and legend, including Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, what about an email from Mary Magdalene? Why not?!

The personal life of Admiral Horatio Nelson

At the National Maritime Museum's Nelson Gallery, visitors catch a glimpse of the personality of England's greatest naval warrior Admiral Horatio Nelson

The amazing London of Samuel Pepys

For four decades the gadabout diarist reported on the epic events of London city, most notably the Great Fire of London.

The history of St. Botolph's & John Cotton

How a church in Lincolnshire inspired the city of Boston and the story of John Cotton

The COVID-19 pandemic isn't the first the British Royal family have weathered

The world is currently battling the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. Here is a look back at the pandemics through history and how the Royal Family fared.

Q&A with Philip Sidney, 2nd Viscount De L’Isle MBE of Penshurst Place

Philip Sidney talks to BHT about his family estate, Penshurst Place, and how it feels to truly live, and preserve, the history.

Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar

Lord Nelson was a brave and ferocious leader in war. Here's a fascinating account of his life.

Owain Glyndwr's legendary fight for Wales

Welsh prince Owain Glyndwr arguably became the most famous and highly regarded figure in Welsh history.

Visiting Cambridge - a history lovers heaven

Cambridge - Undoubtedly one of Great Britain's best-kept secrets.

The hunt for World War II's Bismarck

Germans abandoning their mission to attack British shipping were intercepted, and a showdown began between the British Home Fleet and Bismarck, the German navy's most powerful warship.

The history of St. James's - the mall and park

It's been called the epicenter of modern Royal London, so Sandra Lawrence shows us around St James's Palace and surrounding attractions.

The Puritan migration - Albion's seed sets sail

Who were the Puritans? What do you know about them? We explore David Hackett Fischers' Albion's Seed.

England’s most medieval city has a small town feel

Compact and picturesque Wells makes a great visit.

Country manors in Britain that are well worth a visit

Family-friendly homes of gentry and merchant to visit on your next vacation in Britain.

Lindum Colonia - ecclesiastical powerhouse and Norman fortress

From the Iron Age to the Romans and into the Middle Ages - treasures left in Lincolnshire through the centuries.

Birthplace of Jane Grey England's Nine-Day Queen discovered

With new discoveries just unearthed at an archaeological dig at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire, the supposed birthplace of Lady Jane Grey, it is very timely to follow in the footsteps of this tragic young Queen.

The Venerable Bede - England's first great historian

About 1,300 years ago, the Venerable Bede was early medieval Europe's greatest scholar and the first to record the history of the English nation.

Step into spring with British Heritage Travel’s latest edition

From the wonderland of the Forest of Dean to the Cornish coast and horrible histories of Britain, our March / April magazine is just out and jam-packed full of British history and travel inspiration.

What you need to know about Francis Walsingham, Elizabethan spymaster

Meet the man who ordered the execution of Mary Queen of Scots while working as a spymaster for Queen Elizabeth I - Francis Walsingham

William Penn and the Quaker migration to Pennsylvania

William Penn founded the Province of Pennsylvania. Read more to discover the history behind the man.

Potteries of Staffordshire and Josiah Wedgwood

Staffordshire was the home of the pottery industry. Read more as we travel through it's fascinating history.

The gilded cages of Mary Queen of Scots

Follow in the footsteps of Mary Queen of Scots by visiting the houses, castles, and areas she stayed in while imprisoned by her cousin Elizabeth I. 

Everything you need to know about Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill was an inspirational and enigmatic leader.

POLL: Winston Churchill - Hero or Villain?

Was Winston Churchill a hero or a villain? Take our poll and let us know what you think.

The utopian cotton-spinning factory of New Lanark

Decent homes, fair wages and the first nursery school in the world