The United Kingdom has one of the longest and most involved histories in Antarctica of any country. From the very earliest days of exploration, to the commercial activities of the sealing and whaling days. Britain also provides some of the most compelling stories from the Heroic Age and was a leading light in the International Geophysical Year, IGY leading to the Antarctic Treaty.

For example, in 1823 the British sealer James Weddell discovered the sea now named after him to the east of the Antarctic Peninsula and reached the then most southerly point at that time 74° 15' S towards the end of a sealing voyage during an unusually mild and calm season. No one else managed to penetrate the Weddell sea again for 80 years.

For lots more information about the history of exploration and discovery in Antarctica click here.