Discover Britain

Celebrating the best of our nation, every issue of Discover Britain is packed with features from history to travel. Read about the events that changed history, as well as British traditions and their origins, or be inspired for your next trip with great ideas for where to go and what to see. Whether you’re planning a weekend city break or an escape to the countryside, Discover Britain is your essential guide to getting the most out of your stay.

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Discover Britain

Brit Edit • Your curated guide to Britain this season

Over to you... • Budding historians, a happy snapper and an exciting trip to Yorkshire: our pick of your letters this issue

DISCOVER THE SOUTH EAST

Heavenly HURSTS • Annabelle Thorpe discusses the merits of a collection of villages tucked away between the folds of the beautiful Kent and Sussex High Weald AONB…

Home at Hever • Jeremy Flint takes camera and pen behind the scenes at Anne Boleyn’s childhood home to find out what it’s like to work at one of Britain’s most historic castles

Eastbourne • Enjoy a breath of fresh air in one of the UK’s sunniest towns, writes Jeannine Williamson

When JFK came to SUSSEX • Today it is one of the most serene and peaceful villages in Sussex, but, as Russell Higham discovers, Horsted Keynes was once at the centre of talks to ward off WWIII

Delightful DAYS OUT • Here are some of the places that should be top of your list of things to do in England’s beautiful southeastern corner

A Kingly VISIT • Make a weekend of a visit to Hampton Court Palace with a stay at The Mitre, says Sally Coffey

Escape to the Country • From vast estates to manor houses and pretty English garden cottages, here are some of the most idyllic places to stay in the rural South East

Britain’s brilliant Basketry • Norman Miller celebrates the Sussex makers of one of our most historic crafts

Mission improbable • Allen Packwood, co-author of a new book, tells the story of Winston Churchill and the D-Day landings, 80 years on from the Allied invasion

Far from the rural idyll • A century and a half after the publication of his breakthrough novel, Nancy Alsop examines what influenced Thomas Hardy’s writing

My Britain • As artistic director of Longborough Festival Opera and the daughter of the festival’s co-founders, Martin and Lizzie Graham, Polly Graham’s life has been intrinsically tied to the ebb and flow of opera. We spoke to Polly about the history of this intrepid Cotswolds festival and plans for its most ambitious summer yet.

Cotswolds Diary • In her final column, Caroline Mills reflects on the history of her family farm

LOST TUDOR TALES • Author Melita Thomas discusses her new book, 1000 Tudor People, a deep-dive into 1000 fascinating lives of people from every breadth of Tudor society, from courtiers to criminals

London SPOTLIGHT • This issue, our Londonphile’s travels take him to five parks and gardens where you can escape the hustle and bustle to relax and enjoy summertime in the city

CROSSWORD & QUIZ