New requirements for travellers to the UK, exploring Saxon churches and dressing as Catherine Howard!
21st April 2024 History Travel Newsletter
Hello Fellow History Lover!
This week:
Electronic Travel Authorisations are beginning to be rolled out for all travellers to the UK. Learn about what they are.
Exploring Anglos Saxon England - Deerhurst. Virtual Tour video now on Youtube.
Me and the History After Dark girls joined Samatha Rees from The Tudor Royalty Experience at Sudeley Castle.
Last week:
Spares who became Heirs
Secrets of the Churchill War Rooms with curator Kate Clements
Ask a historian your questions about Arthur Tudor
Travel with historian Gareth Russell on ‘The Anne Boleyn Tour’ 2025
Click Here to read last week’s newsletter.
Electronic Travel Authorisations
What is an ETA?
The UK Government are introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme as part of the digitisation of the UK border. An ETA is a digital permission to travel.
Who needs one?
Eventually everyone travelling to the UK, who doesn’t need a visa, will need an ETA. The ETA scheme is currently only open to Gulf and Jordanian nationals. Other nationalities cannot and do not need to apply yet.
When will I need to get one?
The date when this will be a requirement for the rest of the world has not been released yet but it could be by the end of 2024. You can sign up for updates on the UK Government’s webpage - click here.
How much do they cost?
An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.
Who arranges this for me?
You do. Like any other document which you need to travel, you are responsible for obtaining it and making sure it is in date. If you do not you risk not being allowed to travel.
How do I get an ETA?
For the latest information go direct to the UK Government website - click here (link goes to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta)
Exploring Anglo Saxon England - Deerhurst
In lieu of Tea Time History Chat Live this week…a virtual tour!
Originally published as an exclusive for my Patreon community (Patreon.com/BritishHistory) this is a 'live walkaround' of a place called Deerhurst which, incredibly, has TWO surviving Saxon Chapels. St Mary's first appears in records in the early 800's but could have been established in the 700's. It was the priory church of Deerhurst Priory with some incredible surviving features from its early history. Odda's Chapel was forgotten about for centuries, absorbed into a house built in Tudor times and rediscovered in the 19th century! We take a look inside both, sited within a few hundred meters of each other! This was recorded back before I could afford a roving mic but the support of viewers of my channel and members of my Patreon means I now have great mics and am less at the will of the weather! So, please be patient during this video when the wind noise is up temporarily.
Spending the day dressed as Catherine Howard
As ways to spend your day go I really don’t think there is much to beat being dressed in a beautiful Tudor gown and walking around Sudeley Castle! That is exactly what I got to do by invitation of Samantha Rees from The Tudor Royalty Experience this past Wednesday. Myself and the other History After Dark girls, Dr Kat and Catherine, had been invited for the second year running to help draw the winners of Samantha’s competition to win, amongst other things, a full Tudor dress!
I spent the day in a gorgeous red and black gown reminiscent of one potentially worn by Henry VIII’s fifth queen, Catherine Howard. Unlike the earlier gowns, this one has straight sleeves (far more practical for when we sat down for a cream tea!)
Samantha will be joining me twice within the next few weeks dressing my guests on The Anne Boleyn Tours!
You can follow the tours by watching my Instagram - Instagram.com/British_History_Tours
You now have the opportunity to join The Anne Boleyn Tour in 2025!
NOW ON SALE
The Anne Boleyn Tour 2025
with Historian, Gareth Russell
Tour Dates (2 available)
29th April - 3rd May 2025
16th - 20th May 2025
There are more tours to add to the 2025 calendar so keep an eye out in these newsletters and on the British History social media for updates.
Join me on Wednesday 24th April at 3pm (UK time) on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram for Tea Time History Chat Live! You can also catch me on History After Dark on Wednesday at 8:15pm.
Wishing you a fantastic week!
Philippa