https://www.essentially-england.com/england-blog.html The England Blog: Site news and information about English history, England travel and traditional English food from the team at Essentially England. en-us England Mon, 9 Feb 2026 07:53:29 -0500 Mon, 9 Feb 2026 07:53:29 -0500 essentially-england.com https://www.essentially-england.com/norman-castles.htmlb649b70182be47814e79fc0574bfda3bAn Englishman's home is his castle - but it needed William the Conqueror to bring Norman castles to England to start this tradition.
Mon, 9 Feb 2026 07:53:21 -0500 https://www.essentially-england.com/northumberland-holiday-cottages.htmlecd4a4433e848d2890c56c712416ca72Northumberland holiday cottages are an ideal way to spend a week exploring England's secret kingdom.
Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:38:55 -0500 https://www.essentially-england.com/glamping-in-england.htmlf4f7af733b97dea2f2574c6d2307fb47When it comes to glamping in England, anything goes. Yurts, horseboxes, railway carriages, pods, medieval tents... whatever your heart desires!
Mon, 19 Jan 2026 08:59:59 -0500 https://www.essentially-england.com/matlock-holiday-cottages.html30e638d0c5761bbee9ec80f9f1c94ebcMatlock holiday cottages: the ideal place from which to explore Matlock and the Peak District. Mon, 19 Jan 2026 08:54:23 -0500 https://www.essentially-england.com/holiday-cottages-in-shropshire.htmlc0e915a32661f4ff5fbf5091b30ff059Shropshire is a wonderful area for a holidy whether you like walking, history or food. And holiday cottages in Shropshire are the ideal place to stay. Mon, 19 Jan 2026 08:43:00 -0500 https://www.essentially-england.com/aldeburgh.html7a17479688e7a5a53a04f2e54eeeb307Today we’re exploring Aldeburgh, a quaint coastal town in Suffolk, where music, food, and tourism flourish despite a rapacious sea right on the town’s doorstep.
Mon, 19 Jan 2026 08:28:37 -0500 https://www.essentially-england.com/tank-in-the-forest.htmlddeb491f9dea7e061a16f76a4d50e387This Tank in the Forest isn't abandoned! Join us as we head to Norfolk to pay our respects at the Desert Rats Memorial and explore their D-Day training camp.
Thu, 8 Jan 2026 08:23:28 -0500 https://www.essentially-england.com/gifts-for-sherlock-holmes-fans.html592c1264b43b66e752b3cc24fd497326Explore a curated collection of gifts for Sherlock Holmes Fans - From maps, to coins, to Sherlock's dressing gown. Find the perfect gift for your Sherlock fan!
Fri, 3 Oct 2025 11:49:15 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/quirky-stocking-stuffers.htmld956bff376f8566242f1773f7dedbed0A selection of intriguing and downright quirky stocking stuffers, Secret Santa presents, and other small gifts for the England lovers in your life.
Fri, 3 Oct 2025 04:19:27 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/countdown-to-christmas-traditional-advent-calendars.html09608aaea147ec9f639ad6246ceb7403Enjoy the countdown to Christmas with all the wonders of a traditional advent calendar.
Thu, 2 Oct 2025 08:52:58 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/knitted-christmas-stockings.htmle0893b5e4d72952ddb3dd8dbe06d672bKnitted Christmas Stockings used to be a thrifty way for children to show off their knitting skills. You can have these gorgeous stockings to brighten up your Christmas morning
Thu, 2 Oct 2025 08:07:04 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/tank-in-the-moors.html663c094011d4732c53a5b402ea172955A Tank in the Moors? Not a joke, but one of many pieces of abandoned military hardware dotting England's landscape. We combined finding this one with a hike.
Sat, 20 Sep 2025 11:32:06 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/clun.htmle9f26d2edaa106ff0751788fb66f76e2In the shadow of a ruined Norman fortress, tranquil Clun is a haven for hikers and a place for contemplation.
Wed, 30 Jul 2025 08:47:13 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/darby-houses.html465eedfb1b3cb6f5229429fa94d62f4cThe Darby Houses are two surviving homes of the Darby family, who for generations managed the Coalbrookdale Ironworks and designed the iconic Ironbridge.
Wed, 30 Jul 2025 08:30:30 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/blists-hill.html7738ea5af3ca1608d95b024483b5f02aStep back in time at Blists Hill Victorian Town in Shropshire.
Wed, 30 Jul 2025 08:23:50 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/cherry-bakewell-tart.html089a2a2fc85b563fc30bced6b95fc7a6Cousin to the equally famous Bakewell Pudding, this Cherry Bakewell Tart is ideal for picnics, fêtes, lunchboxes, and - of course - afternoon tea.
Tue, 29 Jul 2025 08:33:23 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/wellington-bomber-lp286-memorial-walk.html360799cac5557ffd4e8d4a834a4eb101Our Wellington Bomber LP286 Memorial walk meanders through gently rolling Oxfordshire countryside and along the Oxford Canal.
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 05:27:57 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/stowe-gardens.htmlbf3e9a11d5ac4a44280e541c3fcc31a1Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire is an 18th century English landscape garden filled with stunning vistas and elegant monuments.
Thu, 12 Jun 2025 06:37:39 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/apple-cake-with-cinnamon.htmldbeead8a4f77bafe4b69d66b2ca93b08Need something warming for a chilly afternoon? Paired with a cup of tea or coffee, this apple cake with cinnamon and spices is the perfect pick-me-up.
Wed, 11 Jun 2025 10:55:25 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/apple-and-cinnamon-bread-pudding.htmla13ff82216d4f95dfb3b519d8383926fThis apple and cinnamon bread pudding adds a spicy, fruity twist to an old favourite.
Wed, 11 Jun 2025 09:40:31 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/king-arthur-driving-tour.html81e52af8bf86c5ef43c059ccd92f3142Our King Arthur driving tour explores beautiful Shropshire stopping at sites linked to the myths of King Arthur and other historical sites.
Fri, 6 Jun 2025 06:23:29 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/snacks-and-savouries.html1bc8ff9dc230bc7bf18f1889c3ffa416Explore traditional English snacks and savouries. Timeless flavours from devilled whitebait to angels on horseback, and Gentleman’s Relish to spiced butter.
Wed, 23 Apr 2025 06:10:26 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/wild-garlic.htmla34fafbc05a14a60b0c43d7c10141ca5Discover the joys of using wild garlic in cooking. Tips and recipe ideas to help you enjoy this treasure of England’s ancient woodlands.
Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:52:51 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/oxfordshire.html819611ee3537c31598264919e4c1ab52Oxfordshire’s fame reaches beyond its illustrious university. Come and explore its fascinating history, vibrant culture, ancient landscapes, and raft of tiny, beautiful villages.
Mon, 17 Feb 2025 05:36:50 -0500 https://www.essentially-england.com/snacks-and-savouries-angels-and-devils-on-horseback.html6edabb6e0be11313429843fc3ec8bd31Whether as a tasty appetiser or the perfect end to a perfect meal, Angels and Devils on Horseback top the list of England’s most beloved traditional snacks and savouries.
Mon, 9 Dec 2024 04:58:07 -0500 https://www.essentially-england.com/earl-grey-tea-loaf.html23b1f3aa22d83e9099ed8a7df3ec2f6cIf you love afternoon tea, then this delightful Earl Grey Tea Loaf should be one of your go-to recipes.
Mon, 2 Dec 2024 06:48:50 -0500 https://www.essentially-england.com/thetford.html91b61f94023ea5ed7e90692937d33fdcSettled since ancient times and once the fifth biggest town in England, Thetford makes a fabulous day out for history fans and TV buffs.
Fri, 22 Nov 2024 06:09:02 -0500 https://www.essentially-england.com/devilled-whitebait.html9d1bbba171605a76743237ca3708dc19Devilled whitebait, beloved by the Victorians, is still a wonderful, tasty treat whether you enjoy it by the seaside or make it at home.
Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:31:20 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/how-to-make-coddled-eggs.html8e90cbfd24b91c4420d554d36aebd0d3Here’s how to make coddled eggs, a favourite Victorian breakfast treat, beloved by Queen Victoria and praised by poets.
Sun, 20 Oct 2024 04:55:11 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/christmas-stockings.html61ff0877621567734ac26dbed1c099cbChristmas stockings are a real English tradition. They come in all shapes, sizes and materials.
Fri, 18 Oct 2024 04:03:55 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/shrewsbury.html966f701b35f28370399cfe6007910daeThe historic town of Shrewsbury, the county town of Shropshire, is home to over 600 listed buildings.
Thu, 17 Oct 2024 05:45:35 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/creake-abbey.html5e3b1f459d3f0414606ee1139ebdbfc6Creake Abbey is an atmospheric ruin - with a sad story - in peaceful rural north Norfolk.
Thu, 17 Oct 2024 05:18:46 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/easy-leek-soup.html77de3f1c7742705472e3877de23a4b61Whether you offer it as a quick lunchtime treat or a warming, soothing start to a main meal, this easy leek soup won’t disappoint.
Mon, 14 Oct 2024 05:02:23 -0400 https://www.essentially-england.com/days-out-in-cornwall-helford-passage-and-frenchmans-creek.htmld1e74875757164a1eeea1efb496d3020For quintessential days out in Cornwall, you can’t do better than to explore the golden sands of Helford Passage and the pirate mysteries of Frenchman’s Creek.
Fri, 11 Oct 2024 14:18:58 -0400