Want one of the most stunning views of the Toronto skyline? You’ll find it at Casa Loma, which literally means “house on the hill”. This stunning castle was built at the turn of the twentieth century and was so opulent it bankrupted its owner, Sir Henry Pellatt. It is full of beautiful objects and gorgeous…
Continue reading ➞ House on the Hill: Edwardian Glamour at Casa Loma, Toronto
For me, autumn always seems to be period drama season, and also, that means Sunday nights spent in front of the TV watching the drama unfold against the backdrop of different historical periods, whilst I drink either tea or wine and the weather gets colder. I love how period dramas can give you a feel…
Continue reading ➞ Favourite Period Dramas: Darcy, Green Gables and Morse
2018 is a special year in British Women’s History: it marks the centenary of the Representation of the People Act, when, for the first time, some women were eligible to vote. This moment in history has provided the opportunity for many heritage sites and organisations to reflect on the stories of women and their achievements:…
Continue reading ➞ Belton House: A Celebration of Creative Women
Sudbury Hall will always be one of my favourite country houses to visit as it is so close to home (it is another lovely Derbyshire country house), so I have very vivid memories of visiting (including a school trip when I was five in which I fell in love with this 1920 portrait of Violet,…
Continue reading ➞ Portraits, carvings and Pemberley: Sudbury Hall
In celebration of Jane Austen's birthday, I thought I'd write about the joys, wit and importance of her work.
I tried not to read too much about the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's new Romeo and Juliet at the Garrick before seeing it. Having booked the tickets over a year in advance, fuelled by a love of the play but also a love of the pairing of Lily James and Richard Madden in the titular…
Continue reading ➞ Why Kenneth Branagh’s Romeo and Juliet will take your breath away…
Just like I wrote practically a mini love letter to Paris, I could also write one to Rome. These European cities are so beautiful, and it is helped completely by the way they are enshrined in literature, film and other forms of popular culture.
Audrey Hepburn is often quoted as saying "Paris is always a good idea". Why are we so in love with this beautiful historic city?
This evening I decided to watch Austenland, the movie where the regency comes to life and lifelong Austen fan Jane, played by Keri Russell, is swept up in her own Austen storyline, but ends up wondering what is real and what isn’t. I really enjoyed it – as I do with anything that concerns Jane…
Last week I managed to slip into one of my favourite fairy tales again – but this time, from a completely different angle. Me and my mum went to see Disney’s Maleficent and I was very excited, but quite nervous. Sleeping Beauty, alongside the Little Mermaid, has always been one of my favourite fairy tales…
