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John Goodall: Every attraction has a visitor threshold and pushing beyond it is destructiveThe Natural History Museum is officially the most visited UK museum but, this week's Athena asks, how much do visitor numbers matter?
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Under the arches of the Grand Palais, Hermès proves it's the master of leatherPhotographs by Christope Taniere; videos by Louis Sheridan.
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‘Never back a grey horse’: Where the Cheltenham Festival superstition comes fromJack Watkins breaks down this piece of Cheltenham folklore, as this year’s festival begins .
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'It’s come to my attention that standards are slipping': Sophia Money-Coutts on how to behave at the theatreOur weekly columnist is calling out badly-behaved theatre goers.
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The real rock stars: Meet the makers of the Olympic curling stonesOne of the most remarkable players in the Winter Olympics, Kays Scotland’s curling stones are both objets d’art and serious bits of sporting kit
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It has been hard to keep track of the cascade of good news about the Arts, so we've done it for you2026 is shaping up to be a bumper year.
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Don’t old towns need saving?Out with the old and in with the new isn't always a good thing, this week's Athena argues.
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‘They don’t just fling themselves at you — they choose you’: Everything you need to know about the Scottish terrierFrom Queen Victoria and Franklin D. Roosevelt to Rudyard Kipling and Humphrey Bogart — the Scottish terrier has been winning admirers for centuries, but it is a breed that chooses its people carefully.
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Make sure you don't skip these South of England art and history highlightsIn our final instalment of Charlotte Mullins' fifty treasures series she journeys to the South of England and the Isle of White.
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The seven artistic wonders of the Midlands to put on your bucket listIn the latest instalment of her fifty treasures of the British Isles series, Charlotte Mullins takes a look at what's to be found in the Midlands.
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Top arts and culture things to see in Wales — that give you a real sense of our shared historyIn our series, Charlotte Mullins continues her list of the fifty most important cultural and historical things to see in the British Isles – this time in Wales.
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The ultimate guide to London in the rain, from the best cosy pubs and restaurants to spas, saunas and cinemas, and what to wearHere's how to make the most of the British capital — even when its at its worst. Illustrations by Tom Jennings.
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Scotland's unmissable art and history touchstones — and where to find themAs part of her list of 50 unmissable treasures in the British Isles, Charlotte Mullins takes a look at some outstanding pieces of our heritage, located in Scotland.
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What to see in the North of England if you want to learn more about the artistic history of our countryCharlotte Mullins journeys to the North of England for the fourth instalment of our series which highlights the 50 treasure's of the British Isle's which best encompass our artistic history.
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London is teeming with things that define our artistic history — here's how you can visit themOur capital is full of interesting sights and objects, finds Charlotte Mullins in the latest instalment of her list of fifty treasure that encapsulate the visual history of the British Isles.
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From a spectacular funerary monument to a victory Armada portrait: Here are our must-see treasures in the East of EnglandIn our new series, Charlotte Mullins explores the visual history of the British Isles in 50 treasures. Her second instalment looks at the treasures to be found in the East of England.
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The artistic and historical treasures in Ireland that you must visit at least once in a lifetimeIn our new series, Charlotte Mullins explores the visual history of the British Isles in 50 treasures, from Ice Age caves to Sutton Hoo. Her first instalment looks at the treasures to be found in Ireland.
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'Herod’s catapult has been confiscated': The Nativity play that might be alright on the nightNever work with animals and children, they say, but surely it isn’t a proper Nativity without them?
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Two turtle doves: Why the endearing bird is an animal for all seasons, not just ChristmasThe beautiful, soft-voiced turtle dove is a symbol of courtship and love and must be saved, urges Mark Cocker.
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A lifelong Londoner on how to beat the throngs and make the most of the city this ChristmasToo few people know how to do Christmas right, says Will Hosie. Here are his tips and tricks for navigating the capital this festive season.
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What on earth is the person who comes up with Annabels's otherworldly facade displays on? London's most magical Christmas shop displaysPhotographs by Greg Funnell.
