Early houses–pubs open in the early hours to feed and water the market trade–have been a cornerstone of London for centuries. Yet, as Will Hosie finds, they aren’t stuck in the past

Designer and decorative artist Bridie Hall explains why Ireland’s capital city has captured her heart

Nigel Walley, 61, has been swimming in the Thames since he was a boy and now regularly tackles the iconic river’s tidal section. He explains what it’s like to be in the water

We’ve made a list (and checked it twice) of independent brick-and-mortar shops well worth a visit this holiday season

Celebrating 100 years of the BBC Shipping Forecast, Jane Russell takes us on a series of coastal cruises through the forecast sea areas, exploring some of the special places on offer in each of them

I found it quite disconcerting, drinking a pint with Queen Boudicca and her Iceni warriors lurking behind me. I was in the Odd One Out, a quirky pub in Colchester and was getting used to finding histo