Category Archives: history

Kampot literary festival hopes to revive Cambodia’s lost art of storytelling

Atmospheric Kampot is hosting the likes of Jung Chang and Madeleine Thien as it seeks to rebuild Cambodia’s literary scene and defend its freedom of speech

Dun Carloway – 2

The broch is next mentioned in a report by the local Minister in 1797. By this time, brochs were believed to be watchtowers used as defense against, or by, Vikings. Dun Carloway featured prominently in reports on Western Isles brochs in the latter part of the 1800s, and as a result it was one ofContinue reading “Dun Carloway – 2”

Sports the Olympics Forgot – The Anti-Pope Games from Avignon

This is an excerpt from the Anti-pope Games story in my book, Sports the Olympics Forgot The next oldest race is the Greyhound Race that dates from 1621. Here the artificial hare is chased around three laps of the track by greyhounds dressed in monk’s costumes. The hare wears a Papal Crown and carries a Papal Staff.Continue reading “Sports the Olympics Forgot – The Anti-Pope Games from Avignon”

Sports the Olympics Forgot – Beagle Chasing, UK

On Easter Monday in Atherstone in Warwickshire an unusual sports event takes place that attracts hundreds of competitors. It’s the annual Beagle Chasing extravaganza,which dates from the restoration of Charles II in 1660. The chasing takes place over a number of distances and comprises individual and team events. There are no separate races for menContinue reading “Sports the Olympics Forgot – Beagle Chasing, UK”

Istanbul’s top 10 historic shopping arcades

Architecture and shopping go hand in hand at these characterful arcades, which also offer a glimpse into the city’s rich past

Derby – Suggestions for a visit

Recently, I visited Derby for the first time. I parked my car at the Parksafe car park in the Cathedral Quarter. This place styles itself as the safest car park in the world. You are issued with a plastic token, slightly larger than a credit card, when you arrive and before you can leave theContinue reading “Derby – Suggestions for a visit”

Take the kids to … HMS Victory, Portsmouth

A history-filled and fun day out exploring the story behind one of the nation’s greatest ships plus a trip around the harbour at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Vivid green pesto, great wine and fabulous walks … Genoa is a city of indulgence for Nicholas Walton

A historian’s favourite places to eat, walk, stay – and try onion chocolate – in this historic port city

Roppongi Hills: controversial blueprint for Tokyo’s new breed of high-rise – a history of cities in 50 buildings

Replacing a traditional neighbourhood in the heart of Tokyo, Roppongi Hills combines modern city life with suburban elements to create a self-sufficient and (hopefully) disaster-proof community. But only for Japan’s 1%