January – named after the Roman god Janus, the god of gates and doorways who has two faces that look in opposite directions – the year past and the year to come.
Time travellers, prepare to raise a mug of mulled cider and your voices in song because it’s time to delve into the ancient and charming tradition of wassailing orchards. If you’ve ever wondered how to ensure a bountiful apple harvest…
If you’re looking to combine a slice of ancient English tradition with a modern community twist, make your way to Guildford, Surrey, for the Twelfth Night Wassail. Held in early January, this lively event celebrates the old custom of wassailing—a…
For those seeking a winter escape steeped in history and hearth-side cheer, the Ashen Faggot Ceremony in Laymore, Dorset, is a glowing beacon of old English tradition. Taking place around Twelfth Night or on New Year’s Eve, this annual custom…
Ready your finest red-carpet attire, time travellers, because we’re heading to the glittering world of the Grammy Awards, where music legends are crowned, and unforgettable performances become the stuff of history. Dubbed “Music’s Biggest Night,” the Grammys are a celebration…
Pack your powdered wigs and prepare for a dose of medical history, time travellers, because we’re heading to London, on January 31, 1747, to witness the opening of the London Dock Hospital, the first clinic dedicated to the treatment of…
Dust off your passports and prepare for an adventure, time travellers, because we’re heading to Paris, on January 31, 1893, to witness the birth of Dame Freya Stark, one of the 20th century’s most intrepid explorers and travel writers. Born…
Dust off your tricorne hats and brace yourselves, time travellers, because we’re heading to Whitehall Palace, London, on a cold morning in January 1649, to witness one of the most pivotal moments in British history. Charles I, the King of…
Grab your helmets and brace yourselves, time travellers, because we’re venturing north to the rugged Shetland Islands for Lerwick’s Up Helly Aa, the largest Viking fire festival in Europe. Held annually on the last Tuesday of January, this fiery extravaganza…
Brush off your Tudor finery and prepare to curtsy, time travellers, because we’re heading to Peterborough, England, for the Katherine of Aragon Festival, an annual event held each January to commemorate the life and legacy of Henry VIII’s first wife.…
Pack your trench coats and prepare for a stroll through the intrigue of 20th-century British politics, time travellers, because we’re heading to London, on January 30, 1915, to witness the birth of John Profumo. A man whose life spanned wartime…
