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

Wish you were here... • Inspiring postcards from around the British Isles

A nation CELEBRATES • As Her Majesty The Queen marks 70 years on the throne, Sally Coffey and Henrietta Easton look back at the celebrations that swept across Britain in the Coronation year of 1953, plus how to celebrate in true British style this year

PLAN YOUR OWN JUBILEE PARTY • In Britain, residents are being encouraged to host their own street parties this Jubilee weekend (2-5 June 2022). Here’s how.

Bringing the Magic to Life • To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the beloved Harry Potter books, Chris Beanland takes a tour of some of the real-life places that inspired the books and featured on film

MAGIC FOR MUGGLES TOO • Hop on your broom or grab a portkey, and visit these Potter-themed places

Life in The Big House • With the new Downton Abbey film imminent, we meet the household of the ‘real’ Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle

The coldest of cases • A new theory casts doubt on the accepted story of the ‘Princes in the Tower’, but how plausible is it that Richard III did not have them killed after all?

My Britain • Wells Cathedral, the first wholly gothic cathedral to be built in England, has been welcoming both pilgrims and visitors for nearly 850 years. We spoke to the outgoing and incoming Ringing Masters, Andrew Deamer and Sam Shead, to hear what it’s like to bell ring in such a historic and iconic place, and their hopes for the future of bell-ringing at Wells Cathedral.

Ernest Shackleton • In the centenary year of his death, Camilla Nichol, CEO of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, details the great strides taken by Shackleton, which paved the way for those who came after

Fish & Ships • North Norfolk’s culinary scene is intertwined with its maritime history and it’s all the better for it, says Mark Nicholls

WIDENING THE NET

Down the Thatch • How does the traditional craft of thatching not only survive, but thrive today? Diana Wright meets a modern-day thatcher to find out

THATCHED DELIGHTS • Here are some of the ways to admire English thatching in person

HISTORIC TOWNS BUXTON • Known as the ‘capital’ of the Peak District, this attractive Georgian spa town is home to independent shops and tearooms, elegant façades, and has good walks all around, writes Richard Franks

THE NORTH WALES WAY • Our trail series continues with a look at some of the highlights along this old trading route, including castles, coastal scenery, cute villages and some excellent restaurants, by Sally Hales

Lewis Chessmen • This collection of medieval chess pieces proves that the Vikings didn’t spend all their time pillaging, but had some more sedentary pastimes, too