Long summer days with warm, light summer evenings are a feature in England. This article offers a few suggestions for cooling summer drinks using citrus fruits that are refreshing and easy to make.

Tanni Grey-Thompson is one of Britain’s greatest athletes and is a leading spokeswoman for sport. She was given the title Baroness when she became a member of the House of Lords in 2010. She has been in a wheelchair since the age of seven.

Gymnastics has three disciplines – Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics (a women only Olympic event) and Trampolining. Women in particular often reach their peak in this sport whilst young, as gymnastics requires incredible flexibility and strength.

Wimbledon – an English tradition, a Grand Slam tournament, a showcase for the best tennis players in the world. Andy Murray has given British tennis a fresh wave of hope, achieving a Wimbledon final in Britain’s Olympic year.

It is believed that the British have an obsession with weather – no surprise in England where sunshine and floods can coexist in a day.

At the start of each year and on her official birthday in June the Queen awards honours to people who have made outstanding contributions to their country, continuing an ancient tradition which has been performed by the monarch for hundreds of years.

Thomas Hardy’s poetry was first published when he was in his fifties. The deluge of poetry that came to print in Hardy’s later years is a delight – not perfect, not pure, but holding moments of genius and memories of a life well lived.

There have been some wonderful films about English kings and queens, starring many of Britain’s top actors and actresses. I have selected a few films which I feel showcase both English acting talent and pivotal points in the history of the monarchy; between them they have won a galaxy of awards.

Summer is festival season. England has a wide range of festivals, featuring different types of music. This article features a few of the highly popular music festivals that take place in England – from Glastonbury to the Glyndebourne Opera Festival.

Shropshire, for many an undiscovered gem, is a county with a rich history, good walking, great scenery and numerous castles.