Culture
Why is the poppy a symbol of remembrance – and how did it come to represent sacrifice?
How did the poppy become a symbol of remembrance? We recount how this pretty red flower came to represent the fallen.
“It’s quite eccentric to close a bridge in one of the largest cities on the planet.” Each year, a celebrity herds sheep across London’s River Thames – here’s why
The London Sheep Drive is a quirky and ancient tradition that dates back to medieval times – but what is it?
Are accents and dialects “dying out”? How American phrases and smart tech could threaten our regional identities
Regional accents are a source of pride, but they're in danger of fading away, says author Nicola Chester
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This Irish town captures a mountain goat every summer and crowns it king. Here’s why
The truly ancient Celtic festival of Lughnasadh is an athletic, and sometimes unusual, celebration of the season’s first harvest, writes Pat Kinsella
This fiercely fought test of skill is the weirdest world championship you’ll see this year
The World Conker Championships has turned the traditional game of conkers into a serious and fiercely fought test of skill
The clocks change this weekend – but what's the point of it?
Find out when the clocks change – and why we change them.
Why does the US have a Manchester, Boston and Salisbury? The surprising origins of the English towns and cities that you’ll also find in America
Britain's place names offer clues into local history and landscape – and have been influenced by groups such as the Romans and Normans
“My daughter looked up and caught a hot coin in the eye.” Discover the bizarre rural tradition that hides a sadist and sinister history
While the origins of this hazardous tradition have been lost to the sands of time, the hot pennies are still flying in the small Devon town of Honiton every year, reveals Pat Kinsella
What's the most common pub name in the UK?
A warm welcome, cosy interior and a good selection of ales is a must for any country pub – but what is the pub name you're most likely to see?
Hunting drunken earls, sending vinegar Valentines and beating boys with nettles: Britain’s weirdest laws and bizarrest traditions revealed
Did you know it was illegal to carry a plank of wood in London?
“The stag night out was interesting, as we also did that in period kit!” I spent a day with re-enactors and this is what I learned
Music, muskets and gunfire! Matt Baird joins the Worcester Re-enactors for a day of historical role play at the city’s Living History event
"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp": These book and film quotes bring the majesty of autumn to life
As the air turns crisp and the leaves fall from the trees, autumn brings a sense of renewal and reflection. These book and film quotes capture the essence of the autumn season
Do you have Irish roots? Your ancestors could have brewed Guinness – and its online archive could reveal your family’s past
Over 1.6 million historical records have been made available about those who worked for and with Dublin's Guinness Storehouse
Over £5 for the average pint. But beer price isn't the only reason pubs are closing at a rate of eight per week in the UK
New government data reveals that the impact of rising tax and labour costs is being felt across the nation’s pubs.
Think you don't quote Shakespeare? Think again as he's given us a whopping 1700 words and phrases we now use. Here are just a few of them – Thanks Will!
More than 400 years on, Shakespeare’s inventive wordplay continues to echo in our conversations. The Bard coined many more words and phrases than you might think.
Green Man Festival 2025 opens its gates – these are the must-see acts
From psychedelic RnB to camp country pop, Green Man Festival 2025 brings a genre-spanning line-up to the Bannau Brycheiniog – and it’s already sold out. Here’s your guide to the must-see acts, hidden gems and the magic that makes this indie favourite one of the UK’s most beloved festivals.
Brutal famines, deadly diseases, savage witch hunts, murderous wars: These were the 10 deadliest times to be alive
Think times are bad now? We take a look at when times were worse
Queen Camilla, Glastonbury and a potato masher: 19 things you (probably) didn’t know about The Archers
From famous fans (and voices) to unique sound effects, there are plenty of amazing facts about BBC Radio 4's farming drama The Archers
'Rats with wings' or wartime heroes? Inside the secret WWII British intelligence operation that relied on a pigeon's unique skill
Secret spymasters. Daring espionage. The story of how homing pigeons helped liberate Western Europe in the Second World War is a remarkable tale of resistance, reveals Gordon Corera
We’ve been imagining the Loch Ness Monster all wrong, new study suggests
Forget the famous silhouette: researchers have found that eyewitness accounts rarely match the myth we’ve all been sold. Perhaps we ought to start taking them more seriously?
45kg of wool, 35 dogs and 1 omen of doom – amazing Bayeux Tapestry facts you (probably) didn't know
As the Bayeux Tapestry returns to Britain for the first time in 900 years, we reveal some of the most surprising facts about the 11th-century masterpiece.
This monstrous hellhound is thought to have inspired Dracula – discover the legend of Barghest
Fergus Collins delves into the legend of the Barghest
"Summer afternoon – the two most beautiful words in the English language": These stunning quotes encompass all that we love about summer
Long days, golden evenings, and a warm glow on your skin – summer is a season of light, life and endless possibilities. From classic to modern literature, these book quotes encompass the beauty of summer
Shin kicking and hammer throwing: These bank holiday games predate the modern Olympics (and there’s still time to sign up)
The bank holiday celebration is known for its shin kicking competition – but just what is the Cotswold Olimpicks?