Best of British
SHAPE UP AND DANCE
David Hewitt remembers a short-lived 1980s aerobics craze accompanied by chart-topping keep-fit albums
5 min |
May 2025
Best of British
Eclectic Eltham
Two new acquisitions illustrate the stories of more than one of Eltham Palace’s historic owners, learns Claire Saul
4 min |
May 2025
Best of British
WHEN HULL LET ITS HAIR DOWN
Colin Allan goes through the archives to get a flavour of VE Day on Humberside
4 min |
May 2025
Best of British
Stand Up, Dennis Potter
Chris Hallam remembers the celebrated TV dramatist
5 min |
May 2025
Best of British
Gotta Lotta Bottle
Susan Brewer reflects on the importance of the delivery of bottled milk to our doorsteps and looks at some milk marketing collectables
5 min |
May 2025
Best of British
No Doubting Thomas
Craig Amess celebrates 80 years of The Railway Series books featuring Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends
7 min |
May 2025
Best of British
LONDON'S EIFFEL TOWER
Michael Montagu tells the story of Sir Edward Watkin’s lost Great Tower of London
3 min |
May 2025
Best of British
The Road to Ruins
Brian Conduit on the joy of exploring architectural remains
4 min |
May 2025
Best of British
Question time
Send us your questions and we'll track down the answers
3 min |
May 2025
Best of British
LET'S DO THE TIME WARP (AGAIN)
Chris Hallam explores the longevity of The Rocky Horror Show
5 min |
May 2025
Best of British
Love Is All
Philip Williams and David Williams pay tribute to the rich legacy of 1960s singer Malcolm Roberts
4 min |
May 2025
Best of British
Ring of Iron
Jan Johnstone remembers a game once played in nearly every village and town
4 min |
May 2025
Best of British
First In Line
Memories of official openings from The Francis Frith Collection
2 min |
May 2025
Best of British
BRITAIN NOW
TOPICAL SNIPPETS FROM AROUND OUR NATION
3 min |
May 2025
Best of British
Finger Licking Good
Simon Stabler investigates the early days of the one of the UK's first fast-food chains
5 min |
May 2025
Best of British
SPORTING TRAILBLAZER
Spencer Vignes unearths the story of George Robledo, the first overseas star of English football
5 min |
May 2025
Best of British
BACK IN TIME WITH COLIN BAKER
BoB's very own Time Lord recalls car trouble in Hull and, with the help of a colleague who quickly went from bit part to title role, upstaging Nigel Patrick
2 min |
May 2025
Best of British
Yesterday Remembered
We welcome your memories of around 800 words and pay £20 for each story published. Don't forget to include pictures with your submission.
10+ min |
May 2025
Best of British
Face to Face
David Barnes looks at the parallel lives of Olivia Newton-John and the Bee Gees
7 min |
May 2025
History of War
MARCH 1945
To commemorate 80 years since the Second World War, History of War will be taking a look at some of the key events taking place during each month of the conflict
2 min |
Issue 143
History of War
INSIDE PICKETT'S CHARGE
On 3 July 1863 a Confederate regiment – the 19th Virginia Infantry – marched into the jaws of Hell in one of the most infamous events in American military history
10+ min |
Issue 143
History of War
Heroes of the Victoria Cross: MILTON FOWLER GREGG
On 28 September, 1918, this Royal Canadian Regiment officer led his men through uncut barbed wire into enemy trenches
5 min |
Issue 143
History of War
BATTLE OF THE NILE NELSON vs NAPOLEON
In 1798, Britain's most celebrated admiral pursued the French across the Mediterranean, attempting to thwart General Bonaparte's mission to Egypt. The pursuit culminated in what was arguably the most strategically important naval battle of the Napoleonic Wars
10+ min |
Issue 143
History of War
HITLER'S 'ALPINE FORTRESS
With the Rhine crossed and the Ruhr taken, Allied Supreme Commander Dwight D Eisenhower had to decide what came next. His orders would help shape the fate of Europe for decades to come
3 min |
Issue 143
History of War
REMAGEN GATEWAY TO THE REICH
On 7 March 1945 the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine at Remagen was still standing - capturing it intact was vital to the Allied advance into Nazi Germany
3 min |
Issue 143
History of War
BLUNTING THE SULTAN'S SPEAR
During his 1532 invasion, Suleiman the Magnificent faced a seemingly simple obstacle in the small fortress of Koszeg, Hungary. What ensued was a bloody struggle between Ottoman firepower and imperial grit
8 min |
Issue 143
History of War
A13 MK III CRUISER COVENANTER TANK
Plagued with mechanical issues, the Covenanter was envisioned as an improved cruiser design but never deployed for overseas service
4 min |
Issue 143
History of War
THE RUHR POCKET
The world's largest industrial complex, the Ruhr was where Nazi Germany's war machine was forged. If the Allies could capture it the conflict in Europe would effectively be over
3 min |
Issue 143
History of War
FREDERICKSBURG
The Confederate invasion of the north had been repulsed in Maryland by the Army of the Potomac. President Abraham Lincoln now urged his military to seize the initiative and crush the Confederates in the east and capture their capital Richmond. It would culminate in another catastrophic defeat
10 min |
Issue 143
Best of British
Pieces of Eight
The lovable rogues of childhood fiction belie the harsh reality of the scourges of the seas. Claire Saul previews the National Maritime Museum's latest treasure
4 min |