Top 10 Gilbert & Sullivan Facts

webadminEntertainment, History

Gilbert and Sullivan Facts

The wonderful partnership of Gilbert & Sullivan produced memorable comic operas. Although the partnership wasn’t always smooth sailing, it was a lasting friendship. This continued throughout the mens lives right until the end. Theirs was a partnership that had a massive impact on boosting the career of both men. And helped shape the future of musical theatre.  Discover our ten … Read More

Incredible cutlery of the Victorian era

Samantha PillingEntertainment, Food and Drink, History

We all know that the Victorian era was an age of incredible ingenuity. The industrial revolution was changing the way in which materials were produced. The first photographs were taken. The world got its first taste of ice cream and people were, for the first time, getting on their bikes – although they were called ‘velocipedes’ at first. The Victorian … Read More

The bed of kings: the four poster bed

Samantha PillingHistory

The bed has long been used as a symbol of money and power. The better a style and quality of bed, the wealthier its owner was. In Saxon and Norman times, most people slept on the floor around the fire. It was only the wealthy or those with a higher status, that slept off the floor, on beds created from … Read More

A brief history of Victorian herbalism

Samantha PillingHistory, The Gardens

Herbalism or botanical medicine is one of the oldest traditions around. The Egyptians used herbs for medicine, as did indigenous healers around the world. In Britain, herbalism can be traced back thousands of years. The British Library has a copy of a ‘leech book’ – thought to date back as far as the 800s CE! Medieval lay healers used herbs, … Read More

Traditional picnics – the Victorian way

Samantha PillingFood and Drink, History, The Gardens

Picnics, the ideal opportunity to meet up with friends and family, enjoy an informal yet tasty meal, whilst having fun in the great outdoors. Wealthy landowners loved a good picnic, as it gave them the chance to sit and enjoy the scenery their estates gave them. However, it was the Victorians who brought picnics to the masses. Their popularity was, … Read More

A Brief History of the Victorian Glasshouse

Samantha PillingHistory, The Gardens

The greenhouse, otherwise known as the Victorian glasshouse, became an iconic feature of british gardens during the Victorian era. As the Victorian’s love of gardening grew, the need to house their fragile, temperature controlled and valuable plants did too. The glasshouse provided a home for these species, whilst also paving the way for plant experimentation and cultivation. A status symbol … Read More

The history of Father’s Day

Samantha PillingHistory

Father’s Day is an annual celebration that is celebrated in over one hundred countries. This year in the UK, we’ll be celebrating it on Sunday 16th of June. However it wasn’t always a celebrated day. Initially celebrating fatherhood was something only the Copic and Catholic Churches of southern europe celebrated, as part of their St. Joseph’s Day celebrations, but now … Read More

Grim’s Dyke and it’s Outlander connection

Samantha PillingEntertainment, History

Whether it’s for period dramas or modern soaps, films or popular TV series, Grim’s Dyke has long been used as the perfect backdrop and location. It’s also had an influence on popular TV drama series Outlander – but that connection is not one you may initially think it to be! Author Diana Gabaldon, the writer of the Outlander historical time … Read More

Doctor Who: The Evil of the Daleks

Samantha PillingEntertainment, History

Known for being one of the lost episodes of Doctor Who, The Evil of the Daleks was the season finale for series four of the popular TV series. Consisting of 7 episodes, each only 25 minutes long, filming took place during the month of April.The Evil of the Daleks was then broadcast on 20th May 1967 – with the remaining … Read More

The History of Mother’s Day and Mothering Sunday

Samantha PillingHistory

Every year children around the world show their appreciation for their mothers, by presenting them with cards, flowers and gifts. For the those in the UK, the date for this ‘Mothering Sunday’ changes every year – falling this year, on 31st March 2019. However, for many, this special celebration is frequently referred to as ‘Mother’s Day’ – but they’re actually … Read More