Reviving the festive spirit

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

The kindness of a saint has given us a Christmas tradition we’ve cherished for centuries. History loves a good story, and the genesis for this one comes from the extraordinary life of 4th-century Sain

Piecing together the inspirations and evolution of Mary Shelley’s famous monster

The literary locations that inspired ten of our favourite festive stories and wintry tales, plus where to stay to enjoy them for yourself

A SCROOGE MYSTERY By Andreina Cordani. Zaffre, HN, £16.99 Nearly a year after his life-changing Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge is still striving to be a better man. He throws himself into festive che

Every year since 1988, the royals have decamped to Sandringham in Norfolk to celebrate the festive period. Complete with its very own ballroom, there’s enough space for all the family and staff. The c