British rural beliefs and superstitions

Whether you call it Christmas, Winterval or just ‘the holidays’, the period between late December and early January is cocoon time: a cessation of work and routine activities. It begins with tradition

October brings the first of the frosts, bewitching mist, the turning of leaves and a host of otherworldly visitors, finds John Lewis-Stempel

Britain is one of the last constitutional monarchies in the world, and the king or queen still plays a ceremonial role in the governance of the state. When Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, she was bur

November is traditionally a time for a slowing of the migration rush. That said, there are still plenty of birds on the move, and still just enough time to make serious progress on the endgame of your year list…

With its roots in Norse mythology, the fear of Friday is one of the oldest and most persistent superstitions, finds Ian Morton

Though the cheerful chest of a robin can be seen throughout the year, this friendly bird has become synonymous with the festive season. This largely dates back to Victorian Christmas cards depicting p