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The great houses of The Strand, 'London's Golden Mile' that 'helped shape England’s architectural identity’
A scheme to pedestrianise parts of The Strand is throwing light on the road’s gilded history, finds Jack Watkins.
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Kenwood House: How one of London's most famous landmarks was saved from destruction
It’s almost inconceivable nowadays to think that one of London’s most famous landmarks was once destined for redevelopment. A century on from the fight to save it, Jack Watkins finds out what happened
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In Focus: Mallard, the steam locomotive that's a true British masterpiece
Sir Nigel Gresley's Mallard steam locomotive is one of the great pieces of 20th century engineering. Jack Watkins tells its tale.
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Mind your step: The world's biggest slugs are alive, well and thriving in England
Prowl the wilds of Dartmoor at night and you just might stumble upon Limax cinereoniger, the world's largest land slug. Jack Watkins gets a closer look.
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In Focus: The lions of Trafalgar Square by Sir Edwin Landseer
The famous bronze lions that stand guard at Trafalgar Square are among the world's most famous sculptures. Jack Watkins takes a look and pays tribute to their creator, Sir Edwin Landseer.
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Curious Questions: What was the first OS Map?
Jack Watkins traces through the history of Ordnance Survey maps, going way past the 'official' first OS map — which was of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight — to find the tale of the extraordinary William Roy, whose cartographic concepts have barely changed in almost three centuries.
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In Focus: Gerald Durrell, the 'pioneer with a marvellous sense of humour'
The author, conservationist and avid nature-lover describes his childhood in Corfu with the 'recollections of a child in a kind of earthy paradise,' in his book, My Family and Other Animals, finds Jack Watkins.
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Paddington Station: The everyday masterpiece, still a marvel 165 years on
Jack Watkins discusses Isambard Kingdom Brunel's much-revered Paddington Station, and how it has adapted with the changing times — with help from a little bear in a red hat.
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Blackcaps: The small garden birds with a big voice
Small, shy and chubby with a neat black cap, this effervescent bird sings its heart out in spring. Jack Watkins meets the blackcap, also known as the March nightingale.
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The Cheltenham Gold Cup: Everything you need to know about the week's big race
It is 90 years since Golden Miller won the first of a record-breaking five victories in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Jack Watkins looks back at other equine heroes of the race and assesses the Irish raider Al Boum Photo’s chances of making history at this year’s Festival.
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The story of the red telephone box, one of the iconic emblems of 20th century Britain
The red telephone box has been part of the landscape of Britain for a century. Jack Watkins takes a look at its history and impact — and worries for its continued survival.
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Barry Cryer: An anecdotal stroll through decades of comedic performance on stage, radio and TV
The peerless Barry Cryer on self-obsessed humour, an eczema cure and Boris Johnson.
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How London's Grade-I listed 'Victorian Jurassic Park' ended up on Historic England's at-risk list
The dinosaurs of Crystal Palace Park and the beleagured Gunnersbury Park are under threat. We must work to save them, says Jack Watkins.
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In Focus: T.S. Eliot's Journey of the Magi, the masterpiece that was dashed off in 45 minutes
Far from a celebration, the poem is a metaphor for the voyage Eliot believed the human spirit must make to experience Christ.
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In Focus: Handel's Messiah, the Christmas music that was created for Easter
Handel's Messiah
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The Forth Bridge: A masterpiece that's 1.5 miles long, 360ft high, made of 54,000 tonnes of steel and all set on granite piers sunk 90ft deep
The Forth Bridge, designed by Sir Benjamin Baker and Sir John Fowler, is one of the great masterpieces of Victorian engineering. Jack Watkins tells its story.
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In Focus: How an amateur gardener created Sissinghurst, one of the most influential gardens ever made
'No garden had greater influence in the second half of the 20th century' according to John Sales, the National Trust's former head gardener. Jack Watkins tells the tale of Vita Sackville-West's momumental achievements in creating the gardens at Sissinghurst.
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How the poppy captured the imagination of the nation
Poppies aren't just beautiful, natural flowers lighting up the countryside; they're inextricably linked with our history. Jack Watkins looks at how the ‘painted glass’ that ‘never glows so brightly as when the sun shines through it’ became a powerful symbol of the brevity of life.
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The six varieties of poppy every gardener needs to know
From common poppy and the poum poppy to the bright yellow Welsh poppy, Jack Watkins takes a look at these exquisite natural flowers.
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Blenheim Palace: The tale of the only country house to be granted the title 'palace'
With its 856ft-long, exuberant frontage, Blenheim Palace is the crowning glory of Vanbrugh's work. Jack Watkins takes a look at this genuine masterpiece.
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The Yellow Room at 39, Brook Street: Perfection in design from the woman with 'the finest taste of anyone in the world' and her talented artisan partner
Jack Watkins takes a look at the Yellow Room, the famed space in Mayfair that brought out the very best in Nancy Lancaster and John Fowler.
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The Anglepoise lamp, a British invention that puts all other lighting in the shade
Jack Watkins takes a look at the creation of the Anglepoise lamp, still a perfect design that's yet to be superseded almost a century later.
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Stone curlews: The oddball of the bird world with a touch of the prehistoric look
With a sinister yellow gaze and legs ‘swoln like those of a gouty man’, the prehistoric-looking stone curlew is nonetheless an endearing little fellow, finds Jack Watkins.
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The enduring appeal of Peter Rabbit
Beatrix Potter's most famous creation, Peter Rabbit, remains as popular as ever, despite his genesis being well over a century ago. Jack Watkins investigates the enduring appeal of one of the naughtiest rabbits in children's literature.
