England
Why everywhere should be more like Essex
Apart from the Wye Valley, where I grew up, there are only two places in Britain I’d consider living: Kent…
Yes or no, I’ll never feel the same about the Scots
I doubt I’m alone among English readers of this magazine in having felt uncomfortable with our last issue. ‘Please stay…
Countries shape character (so get ready to like Scots less)
Is national character real? If so, how is it formed?
We need more opinionated English eccentrics making documentaries like, ahem, me...
Is it just me or are almost all TV documentaries completely unwatchable these days? I remember when I first started…
You owe it to yourself to visit John Clare country
This has been a terrible year for horseflies. It’s bad enough if you’re human: often by the time you swat…
Dan Snow's diary: Making World Cup history
Could there be a more timely advert for the Better Together campaign than on the field of sport? What the…
Shakespeare invented Britain. Now he can save it
Shakespeare defined our united national culture – and now he can help save it
As England's cricketers wobble, the rugby team are finally getting it together
My friend Miles was bowling in a festival of wandering cricket clubs in Oxford the other day. First wicket down…
Hurrah for Andrew Strauss
Andrew Strauss is a serious man and Driving Ambition (Hodder, £20, Spectator Bookshop, £18) is a serious book. It looks…
It’s the summer of the topless man – and there’s nothing we can do to stop it
Topless men. What does that mean, then? I was opposite one on the tube the other day, heading north from…
