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The Roman occupation, which began in AD 43, brought significant changes to the territory that was to become England. Following the withdrawal of the Romans in the early 5th century, the Anglo-Saxon era emerged as various Germanic tribes settled and established their own kingdoms.

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Big Ben and the House of Parliament

Officially known as the Elizabeth Tower since 2012, Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell housed within the clock tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. The Houses of Parliament, also called the Palace of Westminster, serve as the seat of the UK Parliament, where the House of Commons and the House of Lords meet. Built in the Gothic Revival style after a devastating fire in 1834, the building stands majestically along the River Thames.

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A guard change in the Windsor Castle

It is a real half an hour show and not merely a ‘guard change’. The guards are accompanied by a band. You can watch the full drill with loud shouts, listen to music, pop music …

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Blackpool Dance Festival

The dance tournament in Blackpool, known as the Blackpool Dance Festival, is the oldest and most prestigious ballroom dancing event in the world. It has been held annually since 1920 in the impressive Winter Gardens ballroom. It brings together the best dancers from around the globe, competing in both standard and Latin categories. The tournament attracts both professionals and amateurs, and its reputation makes winning in Blackpool one of the highest achievements in a dancer’s career.

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Winston Churchill

was a prominent British leader during the 20th century, renowned for his role as Prime Minister during the Second World War, where he inspired resilience against Nazi Germany through his powerful speeches. He was also an accomplished writer, winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953.

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ENGLAND – History, Sightseeing, Curiosities

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Sir Isaac Newton

born in 1643, was a pivotal figure in science, known for his laws of motion and universal gravitation outlined in Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (1687). His influence spanned mathematics, where he co-developed calculus, and optics, through key experiments with light and color.

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Captain James Cook

was an 18th-century British explorer and navigator whose voyages expanded European knowledge of the Pacific region through three major expeditions from 1768 to 1779, charting the coastlines of Australia, New Zealand, and many Pacific islands. His mapping techniques and humane approach to indigenous peoples gained him respect, and his legacy reflects both discovery and the complexities of colonial expansion.

Cook missed it twice

Milford Sound, nestled in New Zealand’s Fiordland, is a breathtaking fjord famed for its sheer cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and the striking Mitre Peak. So well hidden from the sea, its entrance was missed twice by Captain Cook’s crew during their explorations

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A day at St. Pancras

Some time ago, I was stuck at St. Pancras International for a few hours. I wasn’t too worried because it’s near King’s Cross Station. Being a Harry Potter fan, I took the opportunity to find Platform 9 3/4, which I did. I also discovered that St. Pancras is a beautiful place to walk around. Together with the adjacent building constructed in the Victorian Gothic style, St Pancras forms one of the most beautiful railway stations in Europe.

St. Pancras Meeting Place

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LONDON Photo Gallery

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British colonialism was a significant process through which the United Kingdom created the largest empire in history. Driven by economic ambition, strategic interests, and a sense of cultural and religious mission, Britain acquired territories in North America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

Organised emigration played a crucial role, particularly in settling colonies such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. These emigration schemes were often supported by the state or private organisations and aimed to relieve population pressures in Britain, provide economic opportunities abroad, and secure British presence in distant lands. Settlers were offered land and support, which significantly shaped the country’s demographic and cultural landscape.

While British colonialism brought infrastructure and new institutions, it also involved exploitation, cultural disruption, and lasting inequalities.

A couple who came from England

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William Shakespeare

(1564–1616) was an English playwright and poet, considered the greatest writer in the English language. He wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and numerous poems, covering tragedies, comedies, and histories. His works were performed at the Globe Theatre and reflect deep insight into human nature.

Shakespeare had a major impact on the English language, coining over 1,700 words and many expressions still in use, such as “break the ice” and “wild-goose chase.” His inventive use of language shaped English vocabulary, idioms, and literary style for centuries.

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ENGLAND ALL AROUND Photo Gallery

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ENGLAND – History, Sightseeing, Curiosities

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Inside the York Minster

York Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe. Its construction took over 250 years. The main works were completed in the late 15th century. Although huge and austere, its interiors seem to be very warm, with much light inside. The architecture inside is not coherent. It is a mixture of different architectural solutions and a variety of details, all of course within the Gothic style.

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Who were Normans? Written in the Norman city of Rouen

The Normans established control over England in 1066 after the Battle of Hastings, laying the foundations of modern England through a new feudal system, strong monarchy, and administrative reforms.. But who were the Normans according to historical facts? There is probably no better place in Europe to answer this question than Rouen, located in the present-day French Normandy, but in the past – the birthplace of the Norman traditions and culture.

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Henry VIII

No discussion of England, its rich history and intriguing tales, would be complete without mentioning Henry VIII. In his relentless quest for a male heir, he cast aside wives through annulment, divorce, and, most notoriously, execution. Two of his six wives — Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard — were beheaded.

Henry VIII reigned from 1509 until his death in 1547, His decision to break with Rome and establish royal supremacy over the Church of England triggered the English Reformation, His later years were marked by physical decline, political paranoia, and an increasingly autocratic rule.

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England, as part of the United Kingdom (UK), is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The monarch, as the head of state, performs ceremonial duties and represents continuity in the state.

The real political power lies with the elected representatives in the Parliament consisting of two houses: the House of Commons, where Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected, and the House of Lords, which includes appointed and hereditary members.

The Prime Minister, the head of Government, is typically the leader of the political party with the most seats in the House of Commons.

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The Life and Reign of Elizabeth I, Queen of England

Elizabeth I was the last monarch of the Tudor dynasty and ruled during a time of cultural growth, religious tension, and rising national power. Her reign saw the defeat of the Spanish Armada and the strengthening of Protestant England. Known as the Virgin Queen, she remains one of the most iconic figures in British history.

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Taking a walk in the City of Westminster

London is a place where you can spend quite a lot of time, and still, you will not see all that is worth seeing. So you have to compromise. This time we decided to take a slow walk in the City of Westminster, which is the very heart of London. It is the location of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Westminster Palace (the seat of the UK Parliament) but also of famous Soho and China Town.

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See the light, listen to silence

Durham Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe. Built in the 11th century, it is renowned for its stunning Romanesque design and historical significance. We arrived there on an early September morning. Autumn just began. It was full of light, warm sunlight flowing in through many windows. But it was still cold inside …

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ENGLAND – History, Sightseeing, Curiosities

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Bath Abbey

Bath Abbey is a historic church in Bath, England, known for its stunning Gothic architecture and fan-vaulted ceiling. Founded in the 7th century and rebuilt in the 16th century, it has been a site of Christian worship for over a thousand years.

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A ‘black cab’ that is not necessarily black

London taxis are commonly called black cabs, but they do not have to be black. They come in various colours and designs, though they all follow the same basic model and are driven by licensed cab drivers.

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The Tower Bridge of London

A suspension bridge that spans the River Thames near the Tower of London. Completed in 1894, it is an iconic symbol of the city, known for its twin towers and the ability to lift its roadway to allow ships to pass.

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One of the most cherished British traditions is afternoon tea, a custom that dates back to the 19th century. Typically served between 3 and 5 o’clock, it includes a pot of tea – often with a splash of milk -accompanied by an assortment of delicate sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of cakes or pastries.

Another uniquely British tradition can be seen at Royal Ascot, the country’s most prestigious horse racing event. Beyond the races themselves, the event is famous for its strict dress code and the spectacular hats worn by attendees, particularly women.

A more practical yet equally distinctive aspect of life in England is that people drive on the left side of the road. This custom has historical roots going back to medieval times, when knights preferred to pass oncoming travellers on the left to keep their sword hand -usually the right – free.

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ENGLAND – History, Sightseeing, Curiosities