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.

Bristol is a city rich in culture and learning. It has given birth to a huge diversity of talent. This article explores Bristol bred successes from actor Cary Grant to Paul Dirac, physicist and winner of the Nobel Prize.

Guy Fawkes was a Catholic who nearly succeeded in blowing up the Protestant King James I. His exploits are celebrated every year with bonfires and fireworks. Find out more about a man who could have changed the course of English History had the Gunpowder Plot been successful.

BBC Radio 4 is an English institution. It is unusual in broadcasting programmes that rely on the spoken word rather than music. Whilst some programmes come and go, there are parts of the schedule that have iconic status and are deeply rooted in English culture.

Barbara Erskine writes substantial novels which weave together the present and the past, providing insight into different periods of history. She is a mistress at creating word pictures which vividly evoke both time and place.

November in England is a time of remembrance - through the wearing of poppies, attendance at, listening to or watching commemorative services and participation in two minutes' silence.

England has always had plentiful crops of apples, from shiny green Bramleys to small, sweet Cox’s. Abundant apple harvests have given the English satisfying puddings for centuries.

A straight sets win in under two hours sees Andy Murray, at Wimbledon, achieving the ultimate win of his tennis career – Olympic gold. Sweet victory against Roger Federer who four weeks ago beat Murray in his first Wimbledon final.

American - English English - American is a handy, pocket sized book which acts as a two way mini dictionary of useful terms for people on either side of the pond.

Agatha Christie, sometimes known as the Queen of Crime, was a prolific author of novels and short stories which can still keep you guessing to the end...