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‘We nearly drowned a couple of times. I loved it': Meet the royal boat builder who's spent 45 years chasing perfection
Spending his days working with traditional techniques and timber as Old Father Thames flows by only feet away, boatbuilder Mark Edwards’s career is steeped in history, Hollywood and royalty, discovers Ben Lerwill.
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Curious Questions: Why do all of Britain's dolphins and whales belong to the King?
More species of whale, dolphin and porpoise can be spotted in the UK than anywhere else in northern Europe and all of them, technically, belong to the Monarch. Ben Lerwill takes a look at one of our more obscure laws and why the animals have such an important role to play in the fight against climate change.
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The wildlife safaris you can take without even leaving Britain, from puffins and golden eagles to dolphins and deer
The word ‘safari’ may evoke lions and Land Cruisers, but you’ll never run out of wildlife-based thrills on these shores. From seabird skyscrapers to ostentatious otters and rutting red deer, Ben Lerwill discovers the best British Nature trips on offer.
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This is how we brew it: The cafés of the Cotswolds
Having lived in the shadow of its Antipodean counterpart, British coffee-shop culture is finally thriving. Ben Lerwill visits the Cotswolds, where it all began
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'One of the most amazing things in terms of food in this country' — How a tower of thorns makes salt
Made with wind, sea and thorns on the wild west coast of Scotland, Blackthorn Salt brings surprising health benefits, as well as being a unique example of sustainable craftsmanship.
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Not just for Christmas: The enduring appeal of jigsaws
Born as a brain-teaser to teach children geography, the humble jigsaw puzzle is now one of the world’s favourite pastimes. Ben Lerwill explores its enduring appeal.
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Beekeeper’s Hut review: A shepherd's hut in North Wales with impressive political links
Liberal politician William Gladstone would likely be pleased to find out that his Welsh estate is still in family hands, but it's hard to know what he'd make of the custom-built shepherds huts that have been newly installed in the grounds. We sent Ben Lerwill to judge for himself.
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Curious Questions: How did garden gnomes take over the world — and even The Queen's private garden?
Vertically challenged, bearded and rosy-cheeked, cheerful gnomes might make for unlikely cover stars, but — says Ben Lerwill — they’ve long graced books, album covers and even The Queen’s private garden.
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Curious Questions: Why did the Victorians become so obsessed with travelling the world?
On the 150th anniversary of the death of British explorer David Livingstone, Ben Lerwill asks why intrepid British men and women have long been–and still are–fond of venturing to the farthest corners of the globe.
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Perry: The pear cider dubbed 'the English champagne' that's been an English passion for centuries
Not to be confused with cider, the art of perry-making is more than a craft — it’s an English passion. Ben Lerwill meets some of our best producers of fermented pear juice.
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Curious Questions: Why do churches have gargoyles?
Inevitably hideous-looking and often mischievous, why do gargoyles and grotesques adorn some of our most solemn churches, asks Ben Lerwill.
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Curious Questions: Where do the names of our weights and measures come from?
Arms, feet, local stones and even barleycorn have all played a part in our bid to quantify the world, discovers Ben Lerwill, as he weighs up the stories behind how units of measurement were standardised.
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Curious Questions: Why is smell the most evocative of our senses?
The smell of something familiar can transport you back in time as none of the other senses will, says Ben Lerwill.
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Curious Questions: Why do we send Christmas cards?
From the first Christmas card, born out of a lack of time, to today’s, adorned with crystals or wildflower seeds, the soft thud of festive post on the mat continues to spread good cheer, says Ben Lerwill.
