There is something very special about English steam fairs. I'm always fascinated by the colourful rides and games, tents, vehicles and the general ambience. A few weeks ago I went to the biggest independent steam fair of the UK, Carters…

Women were employed in various roles in big households and they all had different tasks. In the biggest country houses they employed a kitchen maid, a scullery maid, a stillroom maid, a housemaid and a laundry maid. Let's find out…

  I've always loved gardens, especially English gardens. The more gardens I visit, the more I become interested, not only in the different plants and flowers I can see there, but in their history as well. I've written about the…

  What could be better than cruising on the Thames on a warm sunny summer day? Especially on the rural Thames, although I must say, hopping on a boat and seeing London from the river is a special and unique…

  English Christmas Customs have been discussed in this post already and I believe most of the traditions and customs are known by now. However, I found three less known English Christmas Customs which I am going to present in…

  There were many talented people who lived in the Thames Valley but there were two geniuses who have connections with Maidenhead: the greatest figure of the Industrial Revolution, the civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the romantic painter, Joseph…

  Do you still remember Mr Bates in Downton Abbey? Of course you do, he is the valet. But who is a valet in an English household and what are his duties? Let’s have a closer look as it is…