Essential History | The people, places and events that have shaped our history and culture
The people, places and events that have shaped our history and culture
Sights, attractions and places of interest beyond London
After years of thinking about it, we arranged a weekend trip to Pompeii in autumn this year. Flights to Naples are frequent, accommodation is plentiful and the crowds are fewer. Trains depart Naples (on the Circumvesuviana line) to Pompeii (alight at Pompeii Scavi-Villa dei Misteri station) and three stops after Pompeii you alight for [...]
Among the most popular of European city breaks is Barcelona. Its mild climate, vibrant culture and quick (and inexpensive) flights make it a perfect weekend trip from London. Many visitors are familiar with the popular areas of La Rambla, Place de Catalunya, Park Guell and Diagonal. But visitors shouldn’t miss the historic area around the [...]
Girona is an historic city in Catalonia in north eastern Spain, close to the Costa Brava and Barcelona. It has a warm climate, a fascinating history and fine restaurants. And the city is served by an international airport with frequent, quick and inexpensive flights from London. All these factors make it ideal for a short [...]
Beatrix Potter was born on the 28th July 1866 in South Kensington, London. She died, 77 years, later in the village of Sawrey in the Lake District, Cumbria. At the time of her death, she had made a fortune writing books for children. She left fourteen farms and 4000 acres of land to the National [...]
King Henry VIII’s warship, the Mary Rose, sank in the Solent on the south coast of England during an engagement with the French Fleet in July 1545. The disaster was witnessed by many, including the King. It was 450 years before she was seen again - after the world’s largest underwater archaeological excavation brought her [...]