Podcasts by Category
The Anglotopia Podcast is your deep dive into the rich and diverse world of British culture, hosted by Jonathan and Jacqueline Thomas, publishers of Anglotopia.net and Londontopia.net. Each episode takes you on a journey through iconic British television, captivating historical events, and essential travel tips, ensuring you experience the very best of the British Isles. Our engaging discussions feature important British guests and authors, covering everything from the latest trends and timeless traditions to hidden gems and popular landmarks. Whether you're a passionate Anglophile or simply curious about the UK, our podcast offers a delightful mix of insights and entertainment. Join us as we celebrate the charm, heritage, and unique allure of Britain, making every episode a must-listen for anyone who loves all things British.
- 22 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 21 - British Elections 101 (Without the Politics) and Favorite British Political TV Shows
Summary
The UK is having an election! In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, Jonathan and Jackie discuss the British election system and how it works from a non-party political perspective. They provide an overview of the parties involved, the role of the monarch, the campaign season, election day, and the counting and results process. They also touch on the concept of party manifestos and the importance of constituency-level vote counting. The conversation explores various British political TV shows and their relevance to the British political system. The hosts discuss shows like Yes Minister, The Thick of It, House of Cards, and more. They also mention books that provide a crash course in British politics. The conversation concludes with recommendations for viewers who want to learn more about British politics or enjoy political dramas.
Links
Non-sugar SweetenerBooks:
UK Explained The British Polity Yes Minister History The Shortest History of England How Britain Really WorksBritish TV Shows Discussed:
Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister The Thick of It House of Cards A Very British Coup The Politician’s Husband The Diplomat A Very English Scandal Stonehouse Anatomy of a Scandal The Amazing Mrs Pritchard Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years The Gathering StormRelevant Clips to Watch:
Michael Portillo Loses the Count Election 2019 BBC Coverage Politics Unboringed by Jay Foreman Yes Minister Funniest Moments The Definitive Malcolm Tucker Rant Anthology | The Thick Of It - BBCKeywords
British election system, parties, monarch, campaign season, election day, party manifestos, constituency-level vote counting, British politics, TV shows, Yes Minister, The Thick of It, House of Cards, political dramas
Takeaways
The British election system operates on five-year terms, with the Prime Minister having the power to call an election within that timeframe. The main parties in the UK are the Conservative and Union Party (right-wing), the Labour Party (left-wing), and the Liberal Democrats (middle of the road). The Scottish National Party and Northern Irish parties also play significant roles in elections. Manifestos are a major part of the election process, with each party outlining their policies and commitments if they come into power. Election day in the UK is not a national holiday, and media coverage is limited until the polls close at 10 p.m. Vote counting takes place at the constituency level, with a race to see which constituency can count the votes first. British political TV shows like Yes Minister, The Thick of It, and House of Cards provide an entertaining and insightful look into the British political system. These shows often highlight the power struggles, backroom deals, and comedic elements of British politics. Books like 'Britain Explained' and 'The British Polity' offer a crash course in British politics and provide a deeper understanding of the political system. Viewers interested in British politics or political dramas can find these shows on platforms like Britbox and Netflix. The shows mentioned in the conversation are Yes Minister, The Thick of It, House of Cards, A Very British Coup, The Diplomat, A Very English Scandal, Stonehouse, The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard, The Politician's Husband, Anatomy of a Scandal, and Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years, and The Gathering Storm.Sound Bites
"A party manifesto is like a contract with the voters" "This usually leads to some very wonderful political clips for later on of candidates being embarrassed that they lost in 'Portillo Moments' or like people surprised that they won an outburst." "So Michael Portillo is now known for his colorful pants and doing train tours around Britain on like your favorite show." "He lost his seat. He was a government minister and he didn't even win like, he's just standing there. Like he could see the soul drain from his body as he lost."Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the British Election System 02:20 The Role of the Monarch in British Politics 05:37 Party Manifestos: A Contract with Voters 16:54 The British Election Season: A Six-Week Affair 26:38 Insights into the British Election Process and Election Night Traditions 54:13 Exploring British Political TV Shows and DramasFri, 31 May 2024 - 56min - 21 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 20 - Exploring British Children's Literature and Its Generational Influences
Summary
In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, Jonathan and Jackie discuss British children's literature that influenced them and their own children. They talk about their favorite books, including The Velveteen Rabbit, Roald Dahl's works, Beatrix Potter's stories, Peter Pan, and Harry Potter. They also mention the impact of Disney adaptations and the cultural significance of British literature worldwide. In this conversation, Jonathan and Jackie discuss their experiences with British children's literature and the impact it had on their lives. They talk about their love for Harry Potter and the different ways they engaged with the series. They also discuss C.S. Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia, as well as their experiences with other British children's books and shows like Mog the Cat, Peppa Pig, and Bluey. They reflect on the influence of British culture in their childhoods and the enduring popularity of British children's literature.
Show Links:
Christ Church Twist Tea Non-Sugar Sweetener The Great British Dream Factory Book Let Us Entertain You (Documentary based on the above book). Let Us Entertain You BBC Link The Rest is History Podcast Roald Dahl Collection 16 Books Box SetTakeaways
British children's literature has had a significant impact worldwide and is beloved by people of all ages. Books like The Velveteen Rabbit, Roald Dahl's works, and Beatrix Potter's stories have influenced generations of readers. Disney adaptations have introduced many children to British literature, although they often differ from the original stories. Peter Pan and Harry Potter are iconic British stories that have captivated audiences around the world. British literature reflects a rich cultural heritage and continues to inspire imagination and creativity. British children's literature, such as Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia, had a significant impact on Jonathan and Jackie's childhoods. They engaged with these books and shows in different ways, with Jonathan being a big fan of Harry Potter and Jackie enjoying other British children's media like Peppa Pig and Bluey. The influence of British culture in their childhoods led to their love for all things British, including literature. Children's literature often tackles complex themes and can have a lasting impact on both children and adults.Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Podcast 02:43 Tea Time and Favorite Childhood Stories 06:43 Roald Dahl's Impact on British Childhood Media 09:34 Beatrix Potter: Whimsical Tales and Global Recognition 12:45 The Beloved Characters of Paddington Bear and Winnie the Pooh 14:38 Exploring the Vastness of British Literature 20:28 The Disney Influence on Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan 23:48 The Beloved Film 'Hook' and its British-American Fusion 26:35 The Phenomenon of Harry Potter 29:24 Engaging with Harry Potter and Other British Children's Media 37:43 The Importance of Lord of the Rings 41:33 The Popularity of Peppa Pig 43:19 Children's Media: Bluey and Mog the Cat 45:10 Mixed Feelings About Thomas the Tank Engine 47:02 The Appeal of Narnia 51:34 The Dark and Delightful World of Roald Dahl
Fri, 24 May 2024 - 52min - 20 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 19 - The Return, What's New With Anglotopia Plus a Discussion on Recent British TV
Summary
In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, Jonathan and Jackie Thomas discuss new updates to Anglotopia, including website changes, contests, and new books. They also talk about their new email newsletter design and the release of the Anglotopia book 'Great British Houses.' They mention the release of the 'Londontopia Dictionary of Cockney Slang' and the upcoming book 'The Anglotopia Guide to Bridgerton.' They also mention the announcement of a third Downton Abbey film. The episode concludes with a discussion on British television shows. In this conversation, Jonathan and Jackie discuss various British TV shows and movies, including the upcoming Downton Abbey film, Masters of the Air, The Three-Body Problem, The Gentlemen, Clarkson's Farm, and more. They also mention the plans for the Inglotopia podcast, including bringing in guest speakers and covering a range of topics related to British travel, history, and culture.
Links
Londontopia Lego Contest Great British Houses Book Londontopia's Dictionary of Cockney Slang Downton Abbey Film News Masters of the Air on AppleTV Three Body Problem on Netflix The Gentlemen on Netflix Clarkson's Farm on AmazonTakeaways
Anglotopia has made changes to their website and released a new design to optimize the reading experience on mobile devices. They have also launched a new email newsletter with a new design and added features, including a weekly post and a free desktop wallpaper. Anglotopia has released the book 'Great British Houses,' which is a compilation of articles on Britain's stately homes. They have also released the 'London Topia Dictionary of Cockney Slang' and are working on a book called 'The Anglotopia Guide to Bridgerton.' A third Downton Abbey film has been announced and is currently in production. Jonathan and Jackie discuss their love for British television shows and the abundance of great British movies and TV series. The upcoming Downton Abbey film will likely feature a mix of settings in the U.S. and England, potentially exploring 1920s America. Masters of the Air is a new TV show on Apple TV that focuses on the air war during World War II, with a majority of the scenes set in England. The Three-Body Problem is a hard science fiction show on Netflix that takes place in a parallel world, with a significant portion of the story set in the UK. Clarkson's Farm is a popular Amazon Prime show that follows Jeremy Clarkson's journey as a farmer in the Cotswolds, showcasing the challenges and beauty of British farming. The Inglotopia podcast is being rebooted with plans to bring in guest speakers and cover a range of topics related to British travel, history, and culture.Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back 00:30 Updates to Anglotopia: Website Changes and Contests 07:26 The New Anglotopia Email Newsletter 10:42 Introducing 'Great British Houses' 12:51 The 'Londontopia Dictionary of Cockney Slang' 23:15 Exciting News: A Third Downton Abbey Film 25:35 The Abundance of Great British Movies and TV Series 26:33 The Upcoming Downton Abbey Film 30:23 Masters of the Air 35:12 The Three-Body Problem 39:26 Clarkson's Farm 49:19 Rebooting the Anglotopia Podcast
Fri, 17 May 2024 - 52min - 19 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 18 - Blenheim Palace, Portsmouth Dockyard, and Rousham Park
In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, I talk about three great experiences from my trip last July that I haven’t had the chance to talk about yet. After we give some big operational updates about Anglotopia, I talk about my visit to Blenheim Palace. There are a ton of new exhibitions and things to see at Britain’s only non-royal, non-ecclesiastical palace. Thinking of visiting HMS Victory in Portsmouth? Listen to this first, as it’s in a major state of restoration right now. And I finish with a visit to Rousham Park (pictured in the thumbnail), a small private stately home and gardens not normally open to the public. Bonus, we also have new music because we didn’t realize we were using the same music as another British-themed podcast (sorry!).
Show Notes:
Christmas Cards and Advent Calendars
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Website
Fri, 21 Oct 2022 - 36min - 18 - Oxford, Dyrham Park, Steam Trains, and more!
In the next installment of podcasts about my trip to Britain this past July, I talk about my final days in Oxford and what I did after. I rented a car and visited Dyrham Park and the next day went on an incredible steam train journey. I give some insight into the special place I stayed in the Cotswolds. I also talk about the state of renting cars in Britain, which is a challenge post-COVID.
Producer's Note: This podcast was recorded in August, but we delayed the release due to the death of the Queen.
Show Notes:
Mon, 03 Oct 2022 - 39min - 17 - Anglotopia Podcast Special: The Death of a Queen and Why Some Americans Loved The Queen
In this special memorial podcast, we discuss the death of the Queen, how the week played out, the first days of the reign of Charles III, we explore why some Americans love the Royal Family so much, where we go from here, and what to expect in the coming days and months.
Producer's Note: We still have more podcasts coming about my trip in July, but they've been delayed for a few weeks until the mourning period has passed.
Show Notes:
DEATH OF A QUEEN: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? DAY BY DAY AFTER THE QUEEN’S DEATH
KATHERINE JENKINS SINGS GOD SAVE THE KING FOR BBC RADIO 4
HOW THE ROYAL FAMILY’S TITLES HAVE NOW CHANGED AFTER THE DEATH OF THE QUEEN
A THOUSAND MINOR BUT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES – ALL CHANGE FOR NEW KING’S COINS, STAMPS AND POSTBOXES
Sat, 10 Sep 2022 - 33min - 16 - Anglotopia Podcast: Return to Britain - How to get the Oxford Experience Yourself
In this second special podcast recorded while I was in England last month, I try to answer all the questions I received about my Oxford course. How can you have the Oxford Experience yourself? How much does it cost? What does it include? What is the accommodation and meal time like? What kind of classmates can you expect? What kind of tours and excursions are on offer? This is a great overall review of the entire Oxford Experience offered by Christ Church through the Oxford Department of Continuing Education.
Show Notes:
English Speak Union Oxford Courses
The official 'Oxford Experience' website (this is what I did)
Oxford College Bed and Breakfast
Mon, 22 Aug 2022 - 35min - 15 - Anglotopia Podcast: Return to Britain - Current State of Travel to the UK
In this special podcast recorded while I was in England last month, I talk about my travel experiences, traveling in the post-COVID age, dealing with the chaos of Heathrow, what it’s like to be in England after four years, and some first impressions of my time in Oxford. FYI: This podcast was recorded in late July, but I was not able to release it until now.
Show Notes:
Tue, 16 Aug 2022 - 23min - 14 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 13 - Catching Up On All Things British and British Travel in 2022
After a long, unexpected hiatus, the Anglotopia Podcast has returned! In this episode we watch up on what's going on with Anglotopia, we talk about our exciting new Union Jack Lightbox product and how it came about, then we talk about the resumption of 'normal' travel to Britain in 2022 - and talk about our own travel plans. Plus we lift the lid on the exciting new books we have planned to come out over the next few months. We hope to begin regularly recording new podcasts going forward.
Please note: the camera turned off halfway through recording us on video, so we have decided to just publish this as audio-only (and may only do audio-only going forward as it makes it easier to record).
Show NotesOxford Continuing Education Courses
Official School Holidays Schedule
Great Events in British History Book (link coming after release date)
Wed, 30 Mar 2022 - 53min - 13 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 12 - British Summer Time
In the twelfth episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, we discuss British Summer Time. Join us for a discussion for all things British Summer, included fun stories from our past trips in summertime Britain. There will be rain and sun. And tips for how you can make your own summer a little more British even though none of us can currently travel there!
Editor’s Note: This was recorded in June 2020 so might seem slightly out of date. But we haven’t been able to release it to now for lots of reasons that are too boring to go into.
Show NotesAdventures in Anglotopia - The Book
Adventures in Anglotopia ISBN Number: 978-0985477080
National Trust British Cookbook
Fri, 24 Jul 2020 - 1h 04min - 12 - Bonus Podcast: Adventures in Anglotopia Book Launch Facebook Live Audio
To celebrate the launch of Jonathan's new book Adventures in Anglotopia: The Makings of an Anglophile, we did a special Facebook Live session where we talked about the book, how it came about, the writing process and then I did a reading from it about Stately Homes then took questions. We've extracted the audio so you can listen to it if you like.
Details on the book are at http://adventuresinanglotopia.com
You can watch the original stream here on YouTube, if you prefer that.
Tue, 02 Jun 2020 - 1h 09min - 11 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 11 - British Food Discussion
In the eleventh episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, we discuss our favorite British foods, restaurants and share some funny food-related experiences we've had during our travels in Britain.
NOTE: Apologies for the bad audio for the first 8 minutes or so, I had forgotten to hit record on the main microphone...
Listen to the Podcast in the official Anglotopia Mobile App on iOS or Android.
Subscribe to the Podcast RSS Feed
Show NotesJackie Wolfskill's Tour - English Castles & Palaces Tour with Downton Abbey
BBC Food Yorkshire pudding Recipe
Tue, 14 Jan 2020 - 1h 15min - 10 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 10 - We're Back! Catching Up, New British Products, British TV, and More!
And we're back! After an unexpected hiatus, the Anglotopia podcast has returned. This episode is a catch-up episode where we talk about where we've been, what we've been up to, future plans, what British TV we've been watching and much, much more!
Royal Oak Foundation (use code Anglo2019 to save 10%) Cornish Smuggler’s Tea Christmas Cards British Film & TV Map Confessions of a Bookseller The Sea Room The Salt Path Great British Bake Off (Netflix) Father Ted (BritBox) Derry Girls (Netflix) Zomboat (Hulu) The Crown Season 3 (Netflix) Home Fires (PBS Masterpiece) His Dark Materials (HBO) The Cockfields (Gold) Cunk on Britain (YouTube) The Reluctant Landlord The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan Just Another Immigrant (Showtime) Martine Clunes Islands of America Doc Martin Series 8/9
Mon, 25 Nov 2019 - 57min - 9 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 9 - Our Britain Bucket Lists
This week in the Anglotopia Podcast, we talk about our 'Britain Bucket Lists,' the things we would like to do the most in Britain in the next few years. Some are mundane, some are exciting adventures, all of them take in the best of Britain. What's on your Britain Bucket List? Let us know in the comments!
SHOW NOTES:The Mugs We Use in the Podcast - Emma Bridgewater
Hadrian’s Wall Walk Official Website
Tregothnan Tea in the Anglotopia Store
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
Royal Oak Foundation (Use coupon code Anglo2019 to save 20% off your membership!)
Tue, 23 Apr 2019 - 1h 00min - 8 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 8 - The National Trust and The Royal Oak Foundation
This week on the Anglotopia podcast, we talk about one of Britain's most important heritage institutions, The National Trust, guardians of Britain's stately homes and landscape. We talk about the history of the trust, our favorite National Trust places to visit and some tips to make the most of your visits to a NT property.
This episode was sponsored by the Royal Oak Foundation. Anglotopia readers and listeners can join the Royal Oak for 20% off using coupon code ANGLO2019 at Royal Oak's Website.
Show NotesNational Trust Brownies Recipe
National Trust Facts and Figures
National Trust Tips and Tricks
Join Royal Oak - Use Coupon Code ANGLO2019 to save 20%!
Fri, 22 Feb 2019 - 1h 07min - 7 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 7 - Talking British TV - Our Favorite Shows and Round-up of Various Ways to Watch British TVFri, 08 Feb 2019 - 1h 06min
- 6 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 6 - Why We Love Gold Hill and the Story of How Anglotopia Got Started
This week in the Anglotopia Podcast, we tell two inter-related stories - why I'm so obsessed with Gold Hill in Shaftesbury Dorset and how that led to the creation of Anglotopia. The story starts in the late '90s and goes until 2011 and it has many interesting twists and turns. If you've ever wondered why Anglotopia exists and what our hopes and dreams with it are - this podcast is for you. And apologies - it goes over 1 hour.
For reference - here is the actual poster I talk about in the Podcast. I still have it after all these years, despite having hundreds of my own pictures of Gold Hill now.
Show NotesDreams of Britain: My Love Affair with Shaftesbury Dorset Finally Explained
History of Anglotopia (this is woefully out of date).
British Airways Face of Opportunity Trip Diaries
Jonathan's 2011 Royal Wedding Coverage
Fri, 01 Feb 2019 - 1h 19min - 5 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 5 - Planning Your First Trip to Britain
In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, we've used a reader request. How do you plan your first trip to London? There's a lot of ground to cover and I'm sure we missed something things but we hope this is a good primer for planning your first trip to London. Warning: contains opinions that many may not necessarily agree with.
Show NotesAnglotopia Tour Operators Page
London Restaurant Recommendations
Fri, 11 Jan 2019 - 1h 12min - 4 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 4 - Land's End to John O'Groats - Scotland
And finally, we get to the Scotland episode! In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, we resume talking about our Grand Adventure from last year. This episode is mostly about our visit to Scotland. We fell in love with the place and can't wait to go back. This concludes the series talking about the trip - next week we'll begin talking about more topical British related stuff!
Show Notes:Anglophile Zen - Dunrobin Castle
Sign Up for the Anglotopia Newsletter Here
Anglotopia/Reformation Mayflower 400 Tour
Fri, 04 Jan 2019 - 1h 16min - 3 - Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 3 – The Christmas Special
In the third episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, we take a break from talking about our Grand Adventure earlier this year to talking about British Christmas and our experiences from past trips. Happy Christmas from Anglotopia!
Show Notes:Link to Articles About our Christmas Trip
British Import Stores in the USA
Thu, 03 Jan 2019 - 52min - 2 - Anglotopia Podcast Episode 2: Land's End to John O'Groats - Bristol to Durham
In this episode, we talk about our travels in Northern England during Anglotopia's Le Jog trip this past September. You can click below to listen to the podcast or scroll down further to watch it on YouTube. Please be sure give feedback, we appreciate it!
Show Notes:
Castle Combe Hotel in Castle Combe
Thu, 03 Jan 2019 - 1h 02min - 1 - Anglotopia Podcast Episode 1 - Planning the LeJog Trip and Cornwall
This is Anglotopia's first ever podcast! We kicked this podcast off by discussing our drive from Land's End to John O'Groats. We also discussed the planning that went into the trip. Join us for an hour-long conversation into how our Epic Journey this past September began.
Show Notes:The Great British Adventure Map
Polurrian Bay Hotel in Cornwall
Mr. Bean's at the Seaside Episode
For questions- Please email us at info@anglotopia.net or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube
Thu, 03 Jan 2019 - 1h 06min
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