Anglotopia Podcast | Discussing UK British Travel, History, Culture, London, British Slang, and More!

In this second special podcast recorded while I was in England last month, I try to answer all the questions I received about my Oxford course. How can you have the Oxford Experience yourself? How much does it cost? What does it include? What is the accommodation and meal time like? What kind of classmates can you expect? What kind of tours and excursions are on offer? This is a great overall review of the entire Oxford Experience offered by Christ Church through the Oxford Department of Continuing Education.

Show Notes:

English Speak Union Oxford Courses

The official 'Oxford Experience' website (this is what I did)

Oxford College Bed and Breakfast

Christ Church

Rousham House

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

This week in the Anglotopia Podcast, Jackie and I discuss our favorite British TV shows, how we discovered British TV when we were kids and we give a round-up of all the different ways you can watch British TV these days.

Show Notes

AcornTV

BritBox

TrueRoyalty.tv

HistoryHit.Tv

Amazon Prime

Netflix

BOB – Best of British TV

BBC America

UK TV Everywhere

In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, host Jonathan Thomas interviews photographer and adventurer Quintin Lake about his remarkable journey walking the entire coastline of Great Britain. Over five years, Quintin captured the beauty and diversity of Britain's shores through his photography, documenting the challenges and discoveries he made along the way. The conversation explores his inspiration, preparation, memorable encounters, and the profound impact the journey had on his perspective of Britain and himself. In this conversation, Quintin Lake shares his extraordinary journey of walking around the coast of Britain, discussing the challenges and insights gained along the way. He reflects on the beauty of capturing the perfect light in photography, the rich history of places like Northumberland, and the differences in camping rights between Scotland and England. Quintin also highlights the role of social media in enhancing his travel experience, the importance of both natural and industrial landscapes, and the evolving appreciation of architecture. He shares anecdotes of wildlife encounters, the impact of the pandemic on his journey, and the meticulous process of selecting photographs for his book. Finally, he reveals his future plans to climb and camp on the mountains of England and Wales, emphasizing the joy of exploration and discovery.

Producer's Note: You'll want to watch the YouTube/video version of this episode if you can, as Quintin shared a ton of pictures with us that he gave us permission to put into the video (we've also set up a gallery you can browse as well, see links below)

Links

• The Perimeter Book - Amazon Link
• Quintin Lake's Website
• Quintin Lake's Walk Blog
• Gallery of Pictures from the Walk
• Quintin Lake Instagram
• Turn right at Land's End: The story of his 7000 mile British coastal walk
• Notes from a Small Island
• Kingdom by the Sea
• UK National Trails
• Mountains of Britain
• Land's End to John o'Groats Walk
• Thames Path Walk

Takeaways

• Quintin Lake walked the entire coastline of Great Britain over five years.
• His journey was inspired by a meditative walk along the River Thames.
• Preparation for the walk involved both physical and mental training.
• The journey was broken into manageable stages, often using historic counties as guides.
• Quintin faced significant challenges, especially in the rugged terrain of Scotland.
• He encountered many memorable people along the way, including a farmer in Dumfries and Galloway.
• The experience changed his perception of Britain and its diverse landscapes.
• Quintin's photography captures the beauty and drama of Britain's coastline.
• He emphasizes the importance of being present and contemplative while walking.
• The journey taught him resilience and self-knowledge through overcoming physical challenges. Capturing the perfect light is essential for photography.
• Northumberland offers a rich tapestry of history and beauty.
• The right to roam in Scotland allows for more freedom in camping.
• Social media can enhance travel experiences by connecting with locals.
• Industrial landscapes hold as much value as natural ones.
• Architectural appreciation evolves over time and is not static.
• Photographing transient landscapes captures moments that may not last.
• Selecting photographs is a meticulous process that requires careful consideration.
• Wildlife encounters can lead to unforgettable moments in nature.
• Future adventures can continue to inspire and lead to new discoveries.

Sound Bites

• "I'd been a travel photographer for about 25 years and I'd always associated inspiration with the exotic... And then about 12 years ago, I got meningitis and was physically very limited... when my strength came back, I decided to do a kind of meditative slow walk down the River Thames... And the pictures were some of the best I'd ever produced."
• "The Norwegians have this great expression, the doorstep mile, the hardest part of any journey is taking the first step. I'm a great believer, just k...

In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, host Jonathan Thomas speaks with historian Adrian Tinniswood about his latest book, ‘The Power and the Glory,’ which explores the golden age of British country houses from 1870 to 1914. They discuss the evolution of these estates, the impact of new money and technology, the changing roles of servants, and the societal scandals that characterized this fascinating period in British history. In this conversation, Jonathan Thomas and Adrian discuss the evolution of the British aristocracy, focusing on the influence of figures like the Rothschilds and Duleep Singh. They explore the allure of English country houses for American elites, the architectural innovations of the era, and the decline of grand estates due to changing social dynamics and taxation. The role of women in managing these estates is highlighted, along with the diversity of ownership that transformed country house society. Adrian also shares his interest in exploring Regency country houses in future research.

• The Power and The Glory on Amazon
• The Long Weekend
• Noble Ambitions
• Adrian Tinniswood’s Website
• Adrian Tinniswood on Twitter

• Adrian Tinniswood’s trilogy completes a century of country house history.
• The period from 1870 to 1914 is marked by both opulence and decline.
• New money and ideas transformed the traditional aristocracy.
• Technological advancements changed the dynamics of country house life.
• The introduction of the motor car and railways made country houses more accessible.
• Electricity and modern conveniences began to reshape domestic life.
• The servant problem emerged as women sought other employment opportunities.
• Scandals in high society reflected broader societal changes.
• American millionaires and Jewish bankers influenced British aristocracy.
• The acceptance of new entrants into the country house world was complex and varied. The Rothschilds are viewed as new money due to their Jewish heritage.
• Alfred Rothschild’s eccentricities included pet zebras and a private orchestra.
• Duleep Singh’s acceptance in British society was complicated by racism.
• American elites sought legitimacy through ownership of country houses.
• Edward VII’s friendships with outsiders relaxed social conventions.
• By 1914, new money was largely accepted in British society.
• Cardiff Castle exemplifies extravagant architectural innovation.
• Death duties significantly impacted the sustainability of estates.
• Women played crucial roles in managing country houses, often overlooked.
• Diversity in ownership brought fresh perspectives to country house society.

• “It’s a fascinating period of the British country house.”
• “The idea of new blood being introduced is very distinctive.”
• “The servant problem starts to bite but it is slow to hit the country house.”
• “Rothschilds are still considered new money.”
• “Alfred Rothschild had pet zebras.”
• “Duleep Singh hated the English, with good reason.”

• 00:00 Introduction to British Country Houses
• 02:56 The Golden Age of Country Houses
• 05:50 Technological Advancements and Social Changes
• 08:51 The Servant Problem and Domestic Life
• 11:33 Scandals and Gossip in High Society
• 14:39 New Entrants to the Country House World
• 22:30 The Legacy of the Rothschilds
• 24:02 Duleep Singh: The Last Maharaja’s Struggle for Acceptance
• 26:52 American Elites and the British Aristocracy
• 29:35 The Changing Dynamics of Wealth and Class
• 33:32 Architectural Innovations in Country Houses
• 38:30 The Decline of the Grand Estate
• 42:09 The Role of Women in Country House Management
• 45:03 Diversity in Country House Ownership
• 46:24 Exploring Regency Country Houses

In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, host Jonathan Thomas speaks with Allen Packwood, director of the Churchill Archives Center at Cambridge, about Winston Churchill's role during the D-Day landings. They explore the complexities of military strategy, the scale of preparations, and the integration of civilian and military efforts. Allen shares insights from his research and discusses how Churchill's past experiences, particularly the Gallipoli campaign, influenced his decision-making during World War II. The conversation also touches on the dynamics between Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin, and the challenges of navigating post-war visions. This conversation delves into the complexities of Winston Churchill's leadership during World War II, particularly focusing on his relationships with the United States and the Soviet Union, his hands-on approach to military operations, and the challenges he faced in the post-war world. The discussion also touches on Churchill's character, his desire for direct involvement in key military events like D-Day, and the lessons that can be drawn from his life and career. Additionally, the potential for creating an AI model based on Churchill's writings is explored, alongside personal anecdotes and favorite quotes from the historical figure.

• Churchill Archives
• Allen Packwood
• Churchill's D-Day Book link

• Allen Packwood's journey to the Churchill Archives was serendipitous.
• Churchill's leadership during D-Day is often misrepresented.
• The planning for D-Day began as early as 1942.
• Civilian preparations were crucial for the success of D-Day.
• Churchill was deeply concerned about the impact on French civilians.
• Integration of British and American forces was essential for D-Day.
• Lessons from Gallipoli shaped Churchill's approach to D-Day.
• Logistics played a critical role in the D-Day operation.
• Churchill navigated complex relationships with Roosevelt and Stalin.
• By 1945, Churchill recognized the decline of the British Empire. The post-war world saw a shift in power dynamics favoring the US.
• Churchill emphasized the importance of maintaining relationships with the US.
• By 1945, Britain's global influence was significantly diminished.
• Churchill's hands-on approach sometimes interfered with military operations.
• His involvement in D-Day preparations was both frustrating and necessary.
• Churchill's desire to command on D-Day reflected his character.
• Post-D-Day, Churchill struggled with the changing military landscape.
• Churchill's dynamism and energy were key to his enduring legacy.
• The idea of an AI Churchill raises ethical concerns.
• Personal anecdotes reveal Churchill's complex personality and leadership style.

• "It's all luck that led me here."
• "Churchill's role in D-Day is often overlooked."
• "The scale of D-Day was unprecedented."
• "Integration of forces took time and effort."
• "Gallipoli taught Churchill valuable lessons."
• "Logistics were key to D-Day's success."
• "The British Empire was fading away by 1945."
• "The United States is now the dominant circle."
• "His interference was valid and useful at times."
• "The whole idea was complete madness."
• "Churchill's leadership changed after D-Day."

• 00:00 Introduction to Churchill's D-Day Role
• 03:12 Allen Packwood's Journey to the Churchill Archives
• 06:03 Uncovering Churchill's Strategic Decisions
• 08:54 The Scale and Complexity of D-Day Preparations
• 12:00 Civilian and Military Integration for D-Day
• 14:59 Lessons from Gallipoli and Their Impact
• 17:48 Navigating Relationships with Allies
• 21:05 Churchill's Influence on D-Day Logistics
• 23:55 The Post-War Vision and Its Challenges
• 29:35 The Post-War Shift in Global Power Dynamics
• 32:25 Churchill's Hands-On Leadership Style
• 36:31 Churchill's Desire for Direct Involvement in D-Day
• 41:42 Churchill's Leadership After D-Day
• 44:29 Lessons from Churchill's Life and Career
• 50:04 The Concept of an AI Churchill
• 52:27 Personal Anecdotes and Favorite Churchill Quotes