Exploring England: Navigating Through History, Culture, and Culinary Delights
Visiting England is like finding your way through a well-developed hedge maze: You can't hurry through it. Around nearly every bend in the road, you'll find stately homes, crumbling castles, magnificent gardens, thatch-roofed cottages, cozy pubs, and beautiful churches to explore. It's easy to spend hours admiring the details—a painting here, an architectural detail there. In fact, despite the country's relatively small size, you never seem to see it all.
From Shakespeare and royalty to Stonehenge and thousands of years of history, England is a wonderful place to visit. And London is a destination in itself.
GEOGRAPHY
The United Kingdom (UK) is composed of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. "Great Britain" refers to the island that comprises England, Scotland, and Wales - while the term "British" typically refers to people or things related to the UK as a whole. "British Isles" is a geographical term encompassing both Great Britain and Ireland.
FUN FACTS
Numerous canals wind through England and canal tours offer an unusual leisurely activity. Not designed to cover a long distance, canal cruising via narrow boat is a relaxing way to visit small towns and meet the local people (especially at canal-side pubs).
If you're a sports fan, you should take in a football (soccer) match. High-profile top teams play in big stadiums, but most Saturdays and Sundays, local football teams play in just about every park in the country (except in high summer).
One of the world's greatest day trips has to be the Eurostar train ride from London (St. Pancras International) to Paris (Gare du Nord): two European capitals, an engineering masterpiece, and a culture clash all in one day. Leave London early, spend several hours strolling around Paris, and return in time for a nightcap.
If you're in England around 5 November, attend some Guy Fawkes celebrations, which include fireworks and bonfires. Fawkes tried to blow up Parliament with kegs of gunpowder in 1605—hence the fireworks.
Small, semiwild native ponies still roam freely in Dartmoor National Park, on Exmoor (Somerset), and in the New Forest (Hampshire).
SIGHTSEEING
Much of England's charm stems from its long and varied history, manifested in an array of castles, cathedrals, and ruins that run the length of the country. Explore pagan roots at Stonehenge, Roman influence at Hadrian's Wall, Shakespearean times at Stratford-upon-Avon, and royal history in the Tower of London.
Royalty is another major attraction in places such as Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Hampton Court Palace.
In truth, you can't travel far in England without coming across a castle or stately home with extensive grounds to tour.
London is often the first port of call for visitors to England. London abounds with culture, history, shopping, and nightlife, with highlights including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, Tate Modern, London Eye, and Tower Bridge.
While London offers plenty for tourists, those who do venture outside of the capital will catch a glimpse of the "real" England. Regional cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham are modern, cosmopolitan places with their own unique histories and cultural offerings. Surrounding these cities are huge variations in local culture and scenery, from the rugged Yorkshire moors to the tranquil Suffolk farmland. There's the dramatic scenery of the Lake District, Old English beauty in the Cotswolds, and the sunny coast of Cornwall, to name just a few.
England's size means that visitors can take in quite a lot in a short amount of time; however, you can never exhaust everything the country has to offer, which is why visitors always seem to return.
The Cotswolds
“Christine was so easy to work with and provided many great choices as we were in the planning stages. It was our first trip to London so we were overwhelmed by how many things there would be to choose from. Christine’s listening skills combined with the resources she offered made my job as a busy working mom straightforward and seamless!”
CUISINE
Thanks to England's diverse population, you'll find excellent restaurants serving every imaginable kind of cuisine. In particular, Indian and Chinese, but you'll also find Italian, Middle Eastern, Thai, Spanish, and even Caribbean cuisines. Kebab houses are now as common as fish and chips shops. (And just to let you know: Chips are what North Americans call "french fries," and what North Americans call potato chips are called "crisps.") Be sure to get fish and chips if you visit a coastal town.
The emergence of "gastropubs," pubs that serve restaurant-quality food, means that good British fare is more widely available. The more traditional offerings include shepherd's pie (filled with lamb and covered with mashed potatoes) or cottage pie (the same but made with beef), Cornish pasties (filled with beef, potato, and onion), and bangers and mash (translation: sausages and mashed potatoes). Some meats not common to North American menus, such as rabbit and venison, are more likely to turn up on an English table. Fresh fish, including salmon and lake trout, is especially good. Curry houses are popular for the British when they eat out; in fact, chicken tikka masala has been voted the national dish for many years.
SAFETY
England is a relatively safe country. Petty crimes such as pickpocketing and purse-snatching can be a problem in larger cities, especially around popular tourist sights and on crowded public transportation. If you're traveling by car, keep your belongings out of view and locked in the trunk.
When at the ATM, it's best to draw cash from machines during daylight hours or inside a bank and shield your fingers on the keypad when inputting your PIN.
TRAVEL TIPS
You'll most likely get the best exchange rate by withdrawing pounds at ATMs. Most post offices offer decent exchange rates. Traveler's checks and credit cards are widely accepted.
In restaurants, a 10%-15% service charge is sometimes included in the bill. If not, tip 10%. It's not usual to tip in pubs or bars or anywhere where there's only counter service, and it's not expected. Taxi drivers do expect a tip, and typically receive 10%. Many British people will round amounts up rather than worrying too much about giving a certain percentage.
England has no season when the weather is predictably wonderful, which is why talk of the weather is a national pastime. May and October are pleasant times to visit when day temperatures tend to be cool. Temperatures from June to September are generally a bit higher.
English gardens are at their best from June to August, but spectacular spring displays can be seen in woodlands during April and May (a bluebell wood is a must). Some like to visit in the winter because there are fewer tourists and the weather is often tolerable (although it does rain more, and many sights outside of cities may be closed). Take a collapsible umbrella and sweater no matter when you go.
TRANSPORTATION
Most major airlines serve London's Heathrow (LHR) or Gatwick (LGW). If you're going by car, allow at least 90 minutes to get to Heathrow from London and at least 70 minutes to get to Gatwick. Your best bet is to take the express trains that serve both airports. Alternatively, there's a subway service to Heathrow and a bus service to both.
You can fly to Manchester (MAN) if you're visiting Yorkshire, the Lake District, or the Isle of Man; or Birmingham (BHX) if you're headed for the Midlands. Internally, there are frequent domestic flights to most major cities.
Yet another way to arrive is by sea—the main cruise ship port is Southampton.
Or, if you're arriving from the Continent, ferries cross from almost all countries bordering the English Channel or North Sea. (The channel can be fairly rough at times, so avoid the ferries if you are prone to seasickness.)
The Channel Tunnel links England with France at a point close to the Belgian border. High-speed Eurostar trains (from London, St. Pancras station) through the tunnel will get you between London and Paris or Brussels in less than two and a half hours. All vehicles can cross to France via ferry from Dover or by a separate Channel Tunnel service (called "Eurotunnel" or the "Shuttle").
If you're planning on driving, know that driving is on the left, which may take a few days to get used to if you're unaccustomed to it. Within cities, public buses or taxis will get you where you want to go. In London, you'll come to rely on the subway (the Underground or, more colloquially, the tube); if you plan to ride it regularly, purchase a Visitor Oyster card, which allows flexible, unlimited usage—it'll save you a bundle.
As we come to the end of our journey through England, I hope this guide has sparked your curiosity and excitement for exploring this fascinating country. From the historic landmarks of London to the idyllic countryside villages, England offers a wealth of experiences waiting to be discovered.
As a travel advisor specializing in England, I invite you to let me plan your trip tailored to your interests and preferences. Whether you dream of exploring iconic attractions, immersing yourself in local culture, or indulging in culinary delights, I'm here to curate a personalized itinerary that ensures an unforgettable and stress-free experience.
