Tradition

The myth of the Victorian Christmas

Our values today are of consumerism and instant gratification, inherited from our Victorian forebears

Sacred Cows
A real taste of the sea

Forget hoary folk tales and savour plump herring at its best, says Felipe Fernández-Armesto

Eating In
Is it time for the honours system to go?

From the questionable calibre of candidates to clandestine cancellations, Michael Collins queries the future of this (not so) honourable tradition

Artillery Row
Secrets of Portobello

Thomas Woodham-Smith treasures a classic antiques street market

Dealing
Will COVID-19 make marriage fashionable again?

How couples have changed their views on marriage in a post-Covid world

Artillery Row
Lost elysium of the Cambridge Backs

One of Britain’s most celebrated views will soon be dramatically changed

Features
A belly full of agitpropera

Opera really doesn’t need the help of activist directors when it comes to politics — it’s all there already

On Opera
Buck fizz

Patrick Galbraith describes the exhilaration of hunting

Country Notes