Jules Mittra, the founder of In and Beyond Bath, discusses travel in the West Country of England with a focus on Bath and the Cotswolds. He emphasizes the importance of thoughtful travel and experiencing the off-the-beaten-path gems of the region. Jules offers personalized tours for small groups, allowing for meaningful connections and engagement. He aims to make the tours more than just sightseeing by sharing the stories and significance behind the places visited. The conversation also touches on the cultural encounters and personal growth that can come from travel, as well as the exciting events and attractions in Bath and the surrounding area. The conversation explores the historic attractions and natural beauty of the Bath and Cotswolds region, as well as cultural differences between the UK and the US. Jules Mittra highlights the prehistoric sites, burial mounds, and stone circles in the area, emphasizing the rich prehistory and stunning landscapes. He also discusses the southern Cotswolds, which are less well-known but equally beautiful. Jules mentions the Mendip Hills, Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury, and Wells as must-visit places in the region. He also talks about the relaxed and communal atmosphere in the UK compared to the US, as well as the filming locations in Bath and the surrounding areas, including those featured in Bridgerton. Finally, Jules shares his favorite places outside of Bath and the Cotswolds, which are Ludlow and the Shropshire Hills.

• In and Beyond Bath
• Visit Bath
• Cotswolds Tourism

• Thoughtful travel involves experiencing the off-the-beaten-path gems of a region.
• Personalized tours for small groups allow for meaningful connections and engagement.
• Travel can lead to cultural encounters and personal growth.
• Bath and the West Country of England offer a wide range of exciting events and attractions. The Bath and Cotswolds region is rich in prehistoric sites, burial mounds, and stone circles, offering a glimpse into the area’s prehistory and stunning landscapes.
• The southern Cotswolds, although less well-known, are equally beautiful and offer a different experience from the more popular northern Cotswolds.
• Other must-visit places in the region include the Mendip Hills, Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury, and Wells.
• The UK has a more relaxed and communal atmosphere compared to the US, with a stronger sense of community and more opportunities for interaction.
• The Bath and Cotswolds region is a popular filming location, with many historic buildings and picturesque landscapes that have been featured in various films and TV shows, including Bridgerton.
• Outside of Bath and the Cotswolds, Ludlow and the Shropshire Hills are one of Jules Mittra’s favorite places to visit in England, offering medieval charm, stunning countryside, and a vibrant food scene.

• “It’s the small stuff that has the impact.”
• “Smaller groups allow for meaningful connections.”
• “American tourists want to connect with culture and history on a deeper level.”
• “It’s rich with prehistory. Landscapes are extraordinarily beautiful.”
• “You get off the main roads into the kind of back roads, and you are in a whole other world.”
• “Somerset is one of the most beautiful parts of England, which doesn’t get anywhere near the attraction of the Cotswolds.”

• 00:00 Introduction to Thoughtful Travel and In and Beyond Bath
• 03:12 Exploring the England We Love: Historical, Cultural, and Landscape Gems
• 06:20 The Value of Small Group Tours: Creating Meaningful Travel Experiences
• 33:36 Cultural Contrasts: Anxiety and Community in England
• 43:09 Bridgerton Filming Locations and Recommendations for Fans
• 48:52 Ludlow and the Shropshire Hills: A Favorite Place to Visit in England

Laura Kurton from English Cottage Vacation joins the podcast to discuss their all-inclusive travel experience in the Dorset countryside. They offer tailor-made itineraries for guests, including popular sites like Bath, the Cotswolds, and the Jurassic Coast. The cottage itself, Well Cottage, is an 18th-century thatched cottage with a mix of modern and historic features. The village of Fontmell Magna, where the cottage is located, offers amenities like a shop, pub, school, and a beautiful church. The area is known for its gardens, including Stourhead House and Gardens, as well as attractions like Stonehenge and Longleat Safari Park. The conversation revolves around the unique aspects of traveling in Dorset, England, and the services provided by English Cottage Vacation. The absence of motorways in Dorset allows for a slower, more immersive travel experience. The hosts emphasize the importance of relaxation and taking in the atmosphere of the English countryside. They also discuss the tipping culture in the UK and the convenience of using credit cards instead of cash. The conversation concludes with a focus on the rawness and cultural immersion that guests can experience through English Cottage Vacation.

• English Cottage Vacation
• Tipping in England Article
• Guy Ritchie Golden Age of Aviation Air Show
• Compton Abbas Airfield
• Fontmell Magna History

• English Cottage Vacation offers all-inclusive travel experiences in the Dorset countryside.They provide tailor-made itineraries for guests, including popular sites like Bath, the Cotswolds, and the Jurassic Coast.
• Well Cottage is an 18th-century thatched cottage with a mix of modern and historic features.
• The village of Fontmell Magna offers amenities like a shop, pub, school, and a beautiful church.
• The area is known for its gardens, including Stourhead House and Gardens, and attractions like Stonehenge and Longleat Safari Park. Dorset, England is unique for not having motorways, allowing for a slower and more immersive travel experience.
• English Cottage Vacation offers a service where guests can relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the English countryside.
• Tipping culture in the UK is different from the US, and it is not necessary to tip as much in rural England.
• Credit cards are widely accepted in the UK, and guests do not need to carry much cash.
• English Cottage Vacation aims to provide guests with a culturally immersive experience of England, allowing them to experience the rawness and beauty of the countryside.

• 00:00 Introduction to English Cottage Vacation
• 02:59 Creating Tailor-Made Itineraries
• 07:00 The History and Charm of Well Cottage
• 11:22 Fontmel Magna: A Quaint English Village
• 21:30 Tranquility and Natural Beauty in Dorset
• 29:29 Tipping Customs and Cash Usage in England
• 36:27 Exploring Royal Sites in England
• 39:08 Immersing in the Rawness and Charm of Rural England

Summary

Ever wonder how Anglotopia came into being? We tell the story and more as we talk about how Anglotopia has launched a Friends of Anglotopia club, which is a paid membership that aims to remove Google ads from the website. The main feature of the club is the Sunday Post, an exclusive article released every Sunday on the Friends of Anglotopia member site and in members’ email inboxes. The club also offers other membership perks, such as discounts on British products and access to a private chat room. The goal is to reach 300 paid members to remove the ads for everyone. The launch of the club has received positive feedback and has already gained around 50 members. Jonathan and Jackie discuss their journey from starting Anglotopia in a closet in Chicago to launching the Friends of Anglotopia Club. They talk about the challenges they faced, the growth of their website, and the importance of their partnerships. They also explain the benefits of joining the club and address common questions about it.

Links

• Friends of Anglotopia Club
• Join the Friends of Anglotopia Club
• Announcement Blog Post about the Friends of Anglotopia

Takeaways

• Anglotopia has launched a paid membership called Friends of Anglotopia club.
  The club aims to remove Google ads from the website and provide exclusive content to members.
• Membership perks include discounts on British products and access to a private chat room.
• The goal is to reach 300 paid members to remove the ads for everyone.
• The launch of the club has received positive feedback and has gained around 50 members so far. Starting a blog and monetizing it can be a challenging process, but with persistence and learning about internet marketing, it is possible to make money from it.
• Partnerships with organizations like Visit Britain, British Airways, and the BBC have been instrumental in the growth of Anglotopia.
• The Friends of Anglotopia Club offers exclusive content, early access to the podcast, discounts, and the opportunity to provide feedback and shape the future of Anglotopia.
• The club is not a paywall for the website, but rather a way to support the operations and growth of Anglotopia.
• Members of the club can enjoy ad-free reading, access to exclusive excerpts from upcoming books, and a private RSS feed with full read access to the website.

Summary

In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, Jonathan and Jackie discuss British children's literature that influenced them and their own children. They talk about their favorite books, including The Velveteen Rabbit, Roald Dahl's works, Beatrix Potter's stories, Peter Pan, and Harry Potter. They also mention the impact of Disney adaptations and the cultural significance of British literature worldwide. In this conversation, Jonathan and Jackie discuss their experiences with British children's literature and the impact it had on their lives. They talk about their love for Harry Potter and the different ways they engaged with the series. They also discuss C.S. Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia, as well as their experiences with other British children's books and shows like Mog the Cat, Peppa Pig, and Bluey. They reflect on the influence of British culture in their childhoods and the enduring popularity of British children's literature.

Show Links:

• Christ Church Twist Tea
• Non-Sugar Sweetener
• The Great British Dream Factory Book
• Let Us Entertain You (Documentary based on the above book).
• Let Us Entertain You BBC Link
• The Rest is History Podcast
• Roald Dahl Collection 16 Books Box Set

Takeaways

• British children's literature has had a significant impact worldwide and is beloved by people of all ages.
• Books like The Velveteen Rabbit, Roald Dahl's works, and Beatrix Potter's stories have influenced generations of readers.
• Disney adaptations have introduced many children to British literature, although they often differ from the original stories.
• Peter Pan and Harry Potter are iconic British stories that have captivated audiences around the world.
• British literature reflects a rich cultural heritage and continues to inspire imagination and creativity. British children's literature, such as Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia, had a significant impact on Jonathan and Jackie's childhoods.
• They engaged with these books and shows in different ways, with Jonathan being a big fan of Harry Potter and Jackie enjoying other British children's media like Peppa Pig and Bluey.
• The influence of British culture in their childhoods led to their love for all things British, including literature.
• Children's literature often tackles complex themes and can have a lasting impact on both children and adults.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Podcast
02:43 Tea Time and Favorite Childhood Stories
06:43 Roald Dahl's Impact on British Childhood Media
09:34 Beatrix Potter: Whimsical Tales and Global Recognition
12:45 The Beloved Characters of Paddington Bear and Winnie the Pooh
14:38 Exploring the Vastness of British Literature
20:28 The Disney Influence on Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan
23:48 The Beloved Film 'Hook' and its British-American Fusion
26:35 The Phenomenon of Harry Potter
29:24 Engaging with Harry Potter and Other British Children's Media
37:43 The Importance of Lord of the Rings
41:33 The Popularity of Peppa Pig
43:19 Children's Media: Bluey and Mog the Cat
45:10 Mixed Feelings About Thomas the Tank Engine
47:02 The Appeal of Narnia
51:34 The Dark and Delightful World of Roald Dahl

Summary

In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, Jonathan and Jackie Thomas discuss new updates to Anglotopia, including website changes, contests, and new books. They also talk about their new email newsletter design and the release of the Anglotopia book 'Great British Houses.' They mention the release of the 'Londontopia Dictionary of Cockney Slang' and the upcoming book 'The Anglotopia Guide to Bridgerton.' They also mention the announcement of a third Downton Abbey film. The episode concludes with a discussion on British television shows. In this conversation, Jonathan and Jackie discuss various British TV shows and movies, including the upcoming Downton Abbey film, Masters of the Air, The Three-Body Problem, The Gentlemen, Clarkson's Farm, and more. They also mention the plans for the Inglotopia podcast, including bringing in guest speakers and covering a range of topics related to British travel, history, and culture.

Links

• Londontopia Lego Contest
• Great British Houses Book
• Londontopia's Dictionary of Cockney Slang
• Downton Abbey Film News
• Masters of the Air on AppleTV
• Three Body Problem on Netflix
• The Gentlemen on Netflix
• Clarkson's Farm on Amazon

Takeaways

• Anglotopia has made changes to their website and released a new design to optimize the reading experience on mobile devices.
• They have also launched a new email newsletter with a new design and added features, including a weekly post and a free desktop wallpaper.
• Anglotopia has released the book 'Great British Houses,' which is a compilation of articles on Britain's stately homes.
• They have also released the 'London Topia Dictionary of Cockney Slang' and are working on a book called 'The Anglotopia Guide to Bridgerton.'
• A third Downton Abbey film has been announced and is currently in production.
• Jonathan and Jackie discuss their love for British television shows and the abundance of great British movies and TV series. The upcoming Downton Abbey film will likely feature a mix of settings in the U.S. and England, potentially exploring 1920s America.
• Masters of the Air is a new TV show on Apple TV that focuses on the air war during World War II, with a majority of the scenes set in England.
• The Three-Body Problem is a hard science fiction show on Netflix that takes place in a parallel world, with a significant portion of the story set in the UK.
• Clarkson's Farm is a popular Amazon Prime show that follows Jeremy Clarkson's journey as a farmer in the Cotswolds, showcasing the challenges and beauty of British farming.
• The Inglotopia podcast is being rebooted with plans to bring in guest speakers and cover a range of topics related to British travel, history, and culture.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back
00:30 Updates to Anglotopia: Website Changes and Contests
07:26 The New Anglotopia Email Newsletter
10:42 Introducing 'Great British Houses'
12:51 The 'Londontopia Dictionary of Cockney Slang'
23:15 Exciting News: A Third Downton Abbey Film
25:35 The Abundance of Great British Movies and TV Series
26:33 The Upcoming Downton Abbey Film
30:23 Masters of the Air
35:12 The Three-Body Problem
39:26 Clarkson's Farm
49:19 Rebooting the Anglotopia Podcast

In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, I talk about three great experiences from my trip last July that I haven’t had the chance to talk about yet. After we give some big operational updates about Anglotopia, I talk about my visit to Blenheim Palace. There are a ton of new exhibitions and things to see at Britain’s only non-royal, non-ecclesiastical palace. Thinking of visiting HMS Victory in Portsmouth? Listen to this first, as it’s in a major state of restoration right now. And I finish with a visit to Rousham Park (pictured in the thumbnail), a small private stately home and gardens not normally open to the public. Bonus, we also have new music because we didn’t realize we were using the same music as another British-themed podcast (sorry!).

Show Notes:

Royaltopia sign-up

Anglotopia Store

Queen Commemorative Timelines

Christmas Cards and Advent Calendars

Queen Salt & Pepper Shakers

Blenheim Palace Website

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Website

Rousham Park Website

Rousham Park Image Library

In the next installment of podcasts about my trip to Britain this past July, I talk about my final days in Oxford and what I did after. I rented a car and visited Dyrham Park and the next day went on an incredible steam train journey. I give some insight into the special place I stayed in the Cotswolds. I also talk about the state of renting cars in Britain, which is a challenge post-COVID.

Producer's Note: This podcast was recorded in August, but we delayed the release due to the death of the Queen.

Show Notes:

Oxford Experience Information

Dyrham Park

The Angel Sherston

Railway Touring Company