Are you due to travel to England for the first time?
In this article, we are going to list some things you’ll probably wish you had known otherwise. So traveling to England soon – keep reading.
England is not only one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but it’s also one of the safest.
England has some of the safest roads in the world, plus it’s extremely rare to find any tectonic or extreme weather problems.
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Traveling to England For The First Time
Whether arriving in London or heading to one of the cities in northern England to get into the fabric of English culture there is much to see.
Overall, it has some of the most visited locations in the world.
However, there are some things that first-time travelers need to peg before arriving here.
English People Love Tea
Brits love their tea, but they almost love their coffee just as much.
It comes as no surprise that a country with low temperatures in the winter and moderate temperatures in the spring has an obsession with hot drinks.
You’ll find that most Britons will stay at home to drink tea, but go out to cafés to drink coffee.
‘Tea’ to the UK citizens will 99% of the time refer to black English Breakfast tea.
Although England is exposed to all kinds of Oolong, Rooibos, Bubble, Green, or fruit teas to name a few.
However, if you ask the typical tea drinker in Britain what their favorite type of tea is, they might give you a brand of English Breakfast tea such as Typhoo or PG Tips.
England is not alone in the UK
England isn’t the only country in the United Kingdom and Britain isn’t the same as UK.
England is the largest country in the United Kingdom, with the largest population and the largest cities.
This means that sometimes the other countries are unfortunately overshadowed. Here is a helpful guide to what the names mean:
British Isles (unofficial grouping of all the countries and islands):
England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Great Britain (the largest island in the British Isles):
Mainland England, Mainland Scotland and Mainland Wales
United Kingdom (the official country):
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
There are some wonderful off-the-beaten-track locations in Scotland you can visit if time permits whilst you are exploring the British Isles.
Cars drive in the left lane
No matter whether you are in London, or on the road to one of England’s most charming villages for a weekend break, cars always drive in the left lane. With the driver sitting on the right side of the vehicle that is.
For many people who visit the UK from other countries, except for maybe India or Australia, the concept of driving in the opposite fashion to what they’re used to can be daunting or difficult to experience.
With practice, however, visitors who hire vehicles soon find their stride and get used to the idea.
England is obsessed with its sports
You may already have an idea as to how much English football teams have become worldwide brands, but this only scratches the surface.
What do Football (Soccer), Rugby, Cricket, Baseball, and Darts have in common? They all originated in England.
Although the U.S could be considered the most sports-crazed country in the world, English sports have had more of a worldwide impact than any other country in the world.
Rugby, Cricket, and Football are considered to be the biggest sports in the UK, which is why many countries who were formerly colonized as part of the British Empire adopted them as their most popular sports (and end up being better than England sometimes…)
English Food is Terrible
Joking! The food isn’t bad, as the stereotype may let it seem.
It’s difficult to hold a reputation as having amazing cuisine and gastronomy when you’re 20 miles away from the best food country in the world.
France has the reputation, cuisine, and culture for creating and maintaining the best food in the world, which definitely overshadows the contributions that English cuisine has.
You know, England was technically under French rule for almost 300 years during Europe’s formative years. You’d be surprised how much it’s revealed in the language, the architecture, and the food.
Traveling to England For The First Time
England is an amazing place to visit, so everyone should give it a try if they ever feel the need.
At some point, all travelers to Europe, or even travelers from Europe, should visit England.
This doesn’t necessarily mean a visit to London or Stonehenge, but a visit that is well planned, researched and thought through.
England has a lot to offer, and the information is only a Google search away.
