In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, Jonathan and Jackie discuss tips and tricks for having a great transatlantic travel experience. They cover topics such as the different classes of travel, the importance of timing your flight, and the need for rest on the plane. They also provide advice on how to combat jet lag and make the most of your first day in a new time zone. Other tips include bringing travel accessories like noise-canceling headphones and a neck pillow. In this conversation, Jonathan and his wife discuss various tips and tricks for comfortable long-haul flights. They cover topics such as neck pillows, noise-canceling headphones, bringing your own entertainment, packing snacks, dressing for comfort, and the importance of being polite to the flight crew. They also provide insights on the differences between flying to and from England, including the effects of turbulence and the need for entertainment during daytime flights. Overall, their advice focuses on making the flight as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

• Cornish Tea on Amazon
• Friends of Anglotopia Club
• Anglotopia Calendars
• Anglotopia Guide to Bridgerton
• 101 Oxford Travel Tips and Tricks
• My Current Travel Pillow
• Bose QC-35 Noise Cancelling
• My favorite battery bank

• Consider the different classes of travel (first class, business class, premium economy, coach) and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
• Take the latest flight possible to help adjust to the new time zone and avoid jet lag.
• Try to get as much rest as possible on the plane, whether through sleep aids or natural methods.
• Plan your first day in the new time zone carefully, including breakfast and outdoor activities to help reset your internal clock.
• Bring travel accessories like noise-canceling headphones and a neck pillow to make your flight more comfortable. Invest in a good neck pillow for comfortable sleep during long flights.
• Consider using noise-canceling headphones for better audio quality and to reduce noise.
• Bring your own entertainment, such as an iPad loaded with TV shows and movies.
• Pack snacks that you enjoy to avoid relying on airplane food.
• Dress comfortably for the flight, but still presentable.
• Be polite and respectful to the flight crew.
• Prepare for longer flights when flying back from England due to the Gulf Stream.
• Bring a battery bank to ensure your entertainment devices stay charged.
• Be mindful of the entertainment you watch, as others can see your screen.
• Sync screens with your travel partner to watch the same content.
• Remember that the flight is temporary and will eventually end.

• “The plane all goes to the same destination.”
• “Take the latest flight you can for several reasons.”
• “Book your stay to include the night you’re leaving the US.”
• “I just remember the feeling of being lifted out of the seat, like a feeling of weightlessness.”
• “Invest in a good neck pillow.”
• “I find for me to lean against something more comfortably, AirPods work.”

• 00:00 Introduction and Updates
• 10:23 Choosing the Right Travel Class for Your Needs
• 22:52 Timing Your Flight to Beat Jet Lag
• 26:05 Making the Most of Your First Day in Europe
• 30:45 Essential Travel Accessories for a Comfortable Flight
• 33:20 Neck Pillows and Comfort
• 36:17 Bring Your Own Entertainment
• 44:57 Being Polite to Flight Crew
• 48:10 Checked Luggage for Souvenirs and Dirty Clothes
• 56:33 Remembering the Flight is Temporary

In this episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, we interview John Goodall. John Goodall is the architectural editor of Country Life magazine, responsible for producing weekly articles on country houses in Britain and abroad. He has a background in medieval architecture and has written guidebooks for English Heritage. Goodall became interested in architecture while living abroad and developed a fascination with medieval buildings. He enjoys the privilege of visiting and writing about a wide range of country houses, meeting interesting people, and commissioning high-quality photography. He believes that country life is a national treasure and values its role as a historical record. In this wide-ranging discussion, we talk about his work, architecture, Britain’s heritage legacy, and American architecture as well.

• Country Life: 125 Years of Countryside Living in Great Britain from the Archives of Country Life
• Country Life Magazine

• John Goodall is the architectural editor of Country Life magazine, responsible for producing weekly articles on country houses in Britain and abroad.
• He has a background in medieval architecture and has written guidebooks for English heritage.
• Goodall became interested in architecture while living abroad and developed a fascination with medieval buildings.
• He enjoys the privilege of visiting and writing about a wide range of country houses, meeting interesting people, and commissioning high-quality photography.
• He believes that country life is a national treasure and values its role as a historical record.

• “I became interested in buildings when I was living abroad and latterly, we served in India and that’s a place that I began to look at buildings that seemed completely different to anything I was familiar with.”
• “One of the things I love about traveling to Britain is that we can see old things.”

• 00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Recent Events
• 02:41 The Editorial Process for Featuring Houses in Country Life Magazine
• 06:00 Preserving the Historical and Cultural Significance of Architectural Landmarks
• 11:12 Addressing Problematic Histories and Heritage Conservation
• 27:00 Challenges Faced by Country Houses and the English Countryside
• 46:29 Exploring British Heritage and Architecture
• 46:58 Appreciating the Beautiful Architecture in the Midwest and the US
• 47:22 Discovering Fascinating Country Houses in Country Life Magazine

What’s it like to own a castle in England? This week we talk to Peter Frost-Pennington, husband of the owner of Muncaster Castle in Cumbria, England. He shares the history and attractions of the castle. The castle is located in the Lake District National Park and is known for its strategic location on the coast and its connection to the Roman Empire. The castle has been in the Pennington family for over 800 years and has been open to the public as a tourist attraction since 1968. The castle also houses the Hawk and Owl Centre, which specializes in owls and other birds of prey. The castle is also famous for the 'Luck of Muncaster,' a Venetian glass bowl given to the family by King Henry VI as a symbol of protection. Muncaster Castle is a living legend with a rich history and connection to the UK's heritage. During World War II, the castle served as a safekeeping place for Britain's national art treasures. The castle is also known for its diverse habitats and wildlife conservation efforts, including the preservation of endangered species like vultures. The castle has American connections, with John Paul Jones spiking cannons in the nearby port of Whitehaven during the American War of Independence. Muncaster Castle is also famous for its ghosts, including a crying child, a white lady, and Thomas Skelton, the Fool of Moncaster. Join us as we explore all this fascinating history and get a portrait of what it’s like to live in a castle in the modern age!

• Muncaster Castle Official Website
• My Visit to Muncaster in 2018
• Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
• Lake District National Park
• Visit Cumbria

• Muncaster Castle is a medieval castle located in Cumbria, England, on the edge of the Lake District National Park.
• The castle has been in the Pennington family for over 800 years and has been open to the public as a tourist attraction since 1968.
• The castle is known for its strategic location on the coast and its connection to the Roman Empire.
• The castle houses the Hawk and Owl Centre, which specializes in owls and other birds of prey.
• The 'Luck of Muncaster' is a Venetian glass bowl given to the family by King Henry VI as a symbol of protection.
• Muncaster Castle served as a safekeeping place for Britain's national art treasures during World War II.
• The castle is known for its diverse habitats and wildlife conservation efforts, including the preservation of endangered species like vultures.
• Muncaster Castle has American connections, with John Paul Jones spiking cannons in the nearby port of Whitehaven during the American War of Independence.
• The castle is famous for its ghosts, including a crying child, a white lady, and Thomas Skelton, the Fool of Muncaster.

• "Muncaster Castle is a fabulously romantic and very strategic place."
• "Muncaster Castle is recognized as the start of the Hadrianic or the Roman frontier."
• "The Pennington family originally lived in the Roman bathhouse, which is now part of the castle."
• "Well, it's a lovely, it's a living legend and that's what makes this place so special."
• "We've actually got a lock of his hair in this very room."
• "We got the contents of the Tate Gallery. And we've had a local gentleman who's done a lot of research on this lately and found a lot more that we didn't know."

• 00:00 Introduction to Muncaster Castle and its Owner
• 05:04 The Roman Connection and Ancient Origins of Muncaster Castle
• 07:49 Accommodation and Experiencing the Peace of Muncaster Castle
• 12:05 The Transformation of Muncaster Castle into a Place of Entertainment
• 22:57 The 'Luck of Muncaster' and its Significance
• 28:38 Muncaster Castle: A Living Legend and UK Heritage
• 32:38 Running a Heritage Attraction in the UK
• 37:34 Living in a Fishbowl: Balancing Home and Tourist Attraction
• 41:59 Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future
• 48:15 American Connections: John Paul Jones and Muncaster Castle
• 52:33 The Ghosts of Muncaster Castle: Legends and Hauntings

This week, we have a special guest, author Jane Tippett, who has written a new book about Edward VIII called Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII. Tippett discusses her book on the abdication crisis and the life of King Edward VIII. She talks about her research process and the surprising access she had to the Royal Archives. Tippett explores Edward’s role as a writer and the significance of his memoirs. She also addresses the controversy surrounding Edward’s relationship with Nazi Germany and dispels misconceptions. Tippett highlights the complex dynamics between Edward, his ghostwriter Charles Murphy, and figures like Winston Churchill. Overall, this interview and her book offer a fresh perspective on Edward’s life and the challenges prevailing in the narratives.

• Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII on Amazon
• Abdication Crisis Article on Anglotopia
• Win a signed copy of Once a King
• Jane Tippett Official Website
• Edward and Mrs Simpson Drama
• The Royal Archives

• Author Jane Tippett had surprising access to the Royal Archives for her research on King Edward VIII and the abdication crisis.
• Edward’s memoirs, written with the help of ghostwriter Charles Murphy, offer a new perspective on his life and challenge prevailing narratives.
• Tippett dispels misconceptions about Edward’s relationship with Nazi Germany and highlights his role as an appeaser.
• Winston Churchill played a complex role in the abdication crisis and had a strained relationship with Edward during the writing of his memoirs.
• The book provides a fresh lens on significant moments in history and offers insights into Edward’s humanity and individuality.

• “Edward’s memoirs offer a new perspective on his life and challenge prevailing narratives.”
• “Churchill’s role in the abdication crisis was complex and had implications for his own political career.”
• “One of the most surprising threads in the research was discovering Edward’s talent as a writer.”

• 00:00 The Abdication Crisis and King Edward VIII
• 04:08 Charles Murphy: Shaping Edward’s Memoir
• 13:54 Edward’s Relationship with Nazi Germany
• 23:17 Edward’s Life in the Bahamas
• 25:17 The Fictionalized Portrayal of Edward’s Story
• 28:51 Edward’s Memoirs and Misconceptions
• 31:05 The Royal Family’s Reaction
• 32:57 Accessing the Royal Archives
• 35:39 Edward as a Writer
• 40:19 Winston Churchill’s Role
• 46:13 A New Perspective on Edward
• 47:00 Jane Tippett’s Next Book

Jules Mittra, the founder of In and Beyond Bath, discusses travel in the West Country of England with a focus on Bath and the Cotswolds. He emphasizes the importance of thoughtful travel and experiencing the off-the-beaten-path gems of the region. Jules offers personalized tours for small groups, allowing for meaningful connections and engagement. He aims to make the tours more than just sightseeing by sharing the stories and significance behind the places visited. The conversation also touches on the cultural encounters and personal growth that can come from travel, as well as the exciting events and attractions in Bath and the surrounding area. The conversation explores the historic attractions and natural beauty of the Bath and Cotswolds region, as well as cultural differences between the UK and the US. Jules Mittra highlights the prehistoric sites, burial mounds, and stone circles in the area, emphasizing the rich prehistory and stunning landscapes. He also discusses the southern Cotswolds, which are less well-known but equally beautiful. Jules mentions the Mendip Hills, Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury, and Wells as must-visit places in the region. He also talks about the relaxed and communal atmosphere in the UK compared to the US, as well as the filming locations in Bath and the surrounding areas, including those featured in Bridgerton. Finally, Jules shares his favorite places outside of Bath and the Cotswolds, which are Ludlow and the Shropshire Hills.

• In and Beyond Bath
• Visit Bath
• Cotswolds Tourism

• Thoughtful travel involves experiencing the off-the-beaten-path gems of a region.
• Personalized tours for small groups allow for meaningful connections and engagement.
• Travel can lead to cultural encounters and personal growth.
• Bath and the West Country of England offer a wide range of exciting events and attractions. The Bath and Cotswolds region is rich in prehistoric sites, burial mounds, and stone circles, offering a glimpse into the area’s prehistory and stunning landscapes.
• The southern Cotswolds, although less well-known, are equally beautiful and offer a different experience from the more popular northern Cotswolds.
• Other must-visit places in the region include the Mendip Hills, Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury, and Wells.
• The UK has a more relaxed and communal atmosphere compared to the US, with a stronger sense of community and more opportunities for interaction.
• The Bath and Cotswolds region is a popular filming location, with many historic buildings and picturesque landscapes that have been featured in various films and TV shows, including Bridgerton.
• Outside of Bath and the Cotswolds, Ludlow and the Shropshire Hills are one of Jules Mittra’s favorite places to visit in England, offering medieval charm, stunning countryside, and a vibrant food scene.

• “It’s the small stuff that has the impact.”
• “Smaller groups allow for meaningful connections.”
• “American tourists want to connect with culture and history on a deeper level.”
• “It’s rich with prehistory. Landscapes are extraordinarily beautiful.”
• “You get off the main roads into the kind of back roads, and you are in a whole other world.”
• “Somerset is one of the most beautiful parts of England, which doesn’t get anywhere near the attraction of the Cotswolds.”

• 00:00 Introduction to Thoughtful Travel and In and Beyond Bath
• 03:12 Exploring the England We Love: Historical, Cultural, and Landscape Gems
• 06:20 The Value of Small Group Tours: Creating Meaningful Travel Experiences
• 33:36 Cultural Contrasts: Anxiety and Community in England
• 43:09 Bridgerton Filming Locations and Recommendations for Fans
• 48:52 Ludlow and the Shropshire Hills: A Favorite Place to Visit in England