The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey, first of a trilogy that could be seen as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings, is both epic and simple. The film is faithful to JRR Tolkien's story of a hobbit taken far beyond his own comfort zone, in adventures that help both change and mould his world.

I was given Jospehine Tey’s The Daughter of Time when I was a teenager, and have gone back to the novel over the years. I have always enjoyed quality historical fiction, and I would put The Daughter of Time close to the top of my list in this genre, although many might file the book under crime...

A massive 180 foot high chalk figure, carved into a Dorset hillside, the Cerne Abbas Giant is said to promote fertility. His origins are lost in time, though many theories abound as to his true origins...

The Brontë sisters Charlotte, Emily and Anne wrote some of English literature’s best loved classics including Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. The sisters suffered more than their share of tragedy, and did not live to see the full fruits of their labours.

The British Museum is the oldest national public museum in the world. Based in Great Russell Street near Russell Square it hosts a treasure trove of collections covering subjects from Ancient Egypt to The Enlightenment. Should you ever get the chance to visit, go for it!

Another film version of the British in India - but one with an unusual twist, for none of these people are young. They are earching for something they could not find in England, drawn by the promise of a retirement home in the sun. A stellar cast includes Judi Dench, Dev Patel and Maggie Smith.

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.

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.

William Shakespeare, creator of some of the greatest plays of all time, was born on 23 April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. You can still visit his lovingly restored birthplace and several sites associated with Shakespeare’s life and family today.

Stevie Smith, born in 1902 in Hull, was a writer who appealed to a younger generation. She wrote novels and poetry and illustrated some of her writings. She was awarded the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 1969.