Named “a jewel in the UK’s crown” by none other than Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and tucked down at the end of England, Cornwall is arguably the most beautiful place in the UK. Cornwall is famous for its food, surf spots, and some of the best views in Britain. As...
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Frank Sinatra, Jay-Z, Bad Bunny, and Taylor Swift have all sung about it. It’s the backdrop for countless films, musicals and TV shows, the scenery for endless romcoms: New York City (The Big Apple, the city of dreams) is world-renowned for Christmas and the festive season. But what about the...
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Gavin and Stacey is a beloved icon of UK comedy television that has entwined itself into Welsh and British culture alike. (The following contains spoilers for Gavin and Stacey: The Finale, but you should have seen it by now!) Written by Ruth Jones and James Corden, Gavin and Stacey is...
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In 2001, the world was introduced to the princess of Genovia. A quarter of a century later, The Princess Diaries remains a well-loved 2000s Disney classic. Based on Meg Cabot’s novel of the same title, The Princess Diaries follows Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway), a high school student in San Francisco....
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My Lady Jane, an eight-episode series available on Prime Video, blends history, fantasy, comedy, and romance all together. The series centres on historical figure Lady Jane Grey (Emily Bader), who takes up the English throne – for a historically accurate nine days – from her cousin Edward VI in order...
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After hearing that the girl he’s been yearning for will be at the Capulet party on Sunday evening, Romeo sneaks in, hoping to find Rosaline, but by an act of chance he instead meets Juliet. The next day, Romeo and Juliet are married, shortly afterward Tybalt kills Mercutio, and Romeo...
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What are the ingredients for a ‘great’ British romcom? A carefully chosen soundtrack? A hastily made cup of tea? An inevitable ‘running late’ scene? A sprinkling of Hugh Grant exclaiming “bugger!”? There are many elements to the perfect British romantic comedy, and writer/director Richard Curtis knows exactly how to craft...
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Where in the UK can you see Malala Yousafzai, Hugh Bonneville, and Dawn French on the same weekend? At the Hay Festival, of course! Set up in 1987, the Hay Festival is a literary and cultural festival that takes place every year in the charming town of Hay-on-Wye in Wales. Hay is “world renowned for books”, boasting a staggering number of 25 independent bookshops. With a variety of cafés and its own castle too, Hay...
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It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen’s novels are continually adapted and re-imagined for modern audiences. With the recent release of the BBC series The Other Bennet Sister and the upcoming Netflix series Pride and Prejudice, it begs the question: why is Austen’s work so well-loved by readers...
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Lauren Marples revisits A Knight's Tale for its 25th anniversary
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It’s that time of year when ‘Winner of the International Booker Prize’ is the most important irremovable sticker on the cover of a book. With the winner of this year’s prestigious prize having recently been announced, fascination around this respected award has elevated. Its grandfather the Booker Prize, established in...
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Lauren Marples discusses the controversial discourse surrounding Christopher Nolan's upcoming adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic
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Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Amélie, Lauren Marples explains why the modern classic is still relevant today
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