England
Top Tips for Your Trip: England Travel Guide
Find top spots to visit, what to eat, do’s and don’ts, local phrases, and more in our England travel guide!
When to Visit
Trying to pick travel dates? Here’s the weather you can expect along with the popular travel seasons in England!
■ Weather: England has year-round rain and oftentimes unpredictable weather. However, during the summer months, it warms up on average to 74°F. With the winter months then dropping down as low as 33°F. So travel can be recommended all-year, mainly depending on your weather preference.
■ Save on Your Trip: The summer months and December typically bring higher prices and larger crowds. So visit outside of peak season from January to May or from October to November.
“Stonehendge – Wiltshire, England”
“Brighton Palace Pier – Brighton, England”
Whether you’re renting a car, taking the bus, or hopping on the train, it’s easy to travel from city-to-city! Below are just twelve of the many incredible cities to look into for your next trip to England.
■ York: Explore one of the world’s largest cathedrals.
■ Cambridge: Punt down the river to see the seven colleges.
■ Canterbury: Enjoy timber-framed houses and a river tour!
■ Liverpool: For fans of The Beatles and the Premier League.
“Anfield Stadium – Liverpool, England”
“Borough Market – London, England”
TOP THINGS TO SEE
There are so many incredible sites in England. Get ideas for your must-see list with the castles, markets, beaches, famous attractions, and more below.
■ London Sites: From Big Ben and Buckingham Palace to the Tower of London and the London Eye, there are so many famous sites to see. So be sure to save time for all the well-known spots and for finding your own hidden gems!
■ Stonehenge: Definitely add this popular pre-historic monument to your list. Not only is Stonehenge one of the wonders of the world, but an experience you’ll never forget.
■ The Roman Baths: While guests are not allowed to soak in the hot spring-fed water, visitors are invited to view the historic Sacred Spring, temple, Great Bath, and more.
■ The Cotswolds: Quintessential English villages with stone-clad buildings, lush tree-lined streets, and rolling hills.
■ The Lake District: This National Park is filled with beautiful coastlines, mountain views, and stunning lakes. Fan favorites include Windermere, Buttermere, Castlerigg Stone Circle, Ullswater, Scafell Pike, and Derwentwater.
■ Ocean Views: If you love the smell of the salty air, check out Jurassic Coast, Watergate Bay, White Cliffs of Dover, Hunstanton Cliffs, Seven Sisters, and Robin Hood’s Bay.
■ Harry Potter Sites: Take a photo at Platform 9 3/4 in King’s Cross Station, see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the West End, or go on a Warner Bros Studio Tour.
■ Tidal Islands: The Holy Island of Lindisfarne and St. Michael’s Mount are castle topped tidal islands with deep history and gorgeous views.
“The Roman Baths – Bath, England”
“River Cam – Cambridge, England”
What to eat and drink
England is filled with restaurants featuring food from around the world. But when it comes to traditional British cuisine, below are just twelve of the country’s popular dishes.
■ Fish and Chips: Nothing goes better with fish and chips than mushy peas and a pint of beer!
■ Sunday Roast: Meat, potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, veggies, stuffing, gravy, and more!
■ Full English Breakfast: Eggs, sausage, bacon, tomatoes, beans, mushrooms, and toast.
■ Afternoon Tea: Enjoy tea, sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and cakes.
■ Scotch Egg: A hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage and breadcrumbs, then baked or fried.
■ Cornish Pasty: This pastry shell stuffed with meat and veggies is popular thanks to tin miners.
■ Bangers and Mash: Sausage links served over a big stack of mashed potatoes and lots of gravy.
■ Shepherd’s Pie: A hearty meal of minced lamb and topped with mashed potatoes.
■ Black Pudding: Sausage made from pork fat, congealed blood, onion, herbs, and oats or barley.
■ Chicken Tikka Masala: This English staple was created by a Bangladeshi chef in Glasgow.
■ Steak and Kidney Pie: The name says it all: steak and kidney with a pastry crust and gravy.
■ Beef Wellington: Fillet steak topped with pâté and duxelles, then baked in puff pastry.
“River Wear – Durham, England”
“Durdle Door – Jurassic Coast, England”
CURRENCY INFORMATION
No matter your vacation budget, get the 4-1-1 on all things money related for a trip to England!
■ Currency Overview: England uses the pound sterling (£), sometimes seen as GBP. The breakdown of £1 equals 100 pence (p). Notes are available in £50, £20, £10, and £5, with coins in £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p. The £1 in some areas is called a “quid”.
■ Traveling to Nearby Countries: If you will be traveling outside of England, please note that Scotland and Northern Ireland’s pound sterling are not the same as those in Wales and England. So you may need to make a currency exchange. For those heading to Ireland or any other European country after your trip to England, you will need Euros (€).
■ Currency Exchange in England: You can use a private currency exchange like Travelex which can be found at most major train stations, city centers, or airports. A local bank or post office should also be able to make an exchange. Be sure to search around for the best exchange rate and commission fees before making an exchange.
■ ATMs and Bank Cards: Another option is to get the local currency from an ATM or cashpoint. Not keen on caring around bills and coins? Use an international debit or credit card with a chip and PIN (if needed). Be sure to notify your bank before using your card in a new country. Also, to find what charges will incur by using an ATM or credit/debit card while abroad.
“Clifton Suspension Bridge – Bristol, England”
“City Centre – Chester, England”
CUSTOMS TO NOTE
From tipping and driving abroad to greetings and what to wear, learn the do’s and don’ts of England.
■ Greetings: For someone you don’t know, say a simple hello or goodbye. Meeting an acquaintance? Reach out for a handshake. Then for friends and family, give them a hug! You might even get a kiss on the cheek.
■ Tipping: When eating out or in a cab, it’s custom to tip 10-15%. Some automatically add a service charge up to 12.5%, so make sure you don’t tip twice. Drinking in a pub? A tip is not expected, but a pound is always appreciated.
■ Driving: About 30% of the world drives on the left side of the road, and England is one of them! Renting a car? Most vehicles are manual, with many rental companies charging extra for automatic, so check when booking.
■ Clothing: Feel free to pack your favorite outfits as there are no specific clothing requirements in England. However, the weather can be a bit unpredictable, so look at the weather forecast before your trip to pack accordingly.
■ Eating: The fork stays in the left hand, tines down, with the knife in the right hand. Then the knife is used for cutting and to move food onto the back of the fork. Utensils are not switched between hands.
■ Tap Water: It’s said the United Kingdom has some of the best tap water in the world. So you can save money by filling up your re-usable bottle at the hotel or by ordering a glass of tap water out at a restaurant or while out at a pub.
■ Lines: “The queue” as the British call it is a very sacred system. So don’t try to skip the line or have a friend save you a spot. No matter how late you’re running or tempting it might be, it is very much frowned upon.
■ Identification: The United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England are not the same. England is a country, which makes up Great Britain with Scotland and Wales. It then becomes the United Kingdom by adding Northern Ireland.
“St. Ives Harbour Beach – St. Ives, England”
“Leeds Castle – Kent, England”
PHRASES TO KNOW
English is the official language of the UK. And as England has their own slang, find out below what phrases you might hear so you can speak like a local!
■ Flat = Apartment: “This flat has the most brilliant view.”
■ Chuffed = Excited: “I’m chuffed for these fish and chips.”
■ Knackered = Tired: “All this exploring has me knackered.”
■ Boot = Car Trunk: “Feel free to put your suitcase in the boot.”
■ Alright = How Are You?: “You alright?” “I’m good!”
■ Mate = Friend: “I’m going out to dinner with my mate.”
■ Loo = Bathroom: “Excuse me, where’s the loo?”
■ Cheeky = Playful: “I’m going to get a cheeky ice cream.”
■ Trolley = Shopping Cart: “Can you grab a trolley?”
■ Lift = Elevator: “Let’s take the lift instead of the stairs.”
■ Brolly = Umbrella: “Grab your brolly for later!”
■ Gutted = Disappointed: “I’m gutted we have to leave.”
“York Minister – York, England”
“Carfax Tower – Oxford, England”
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Where would your first stop be on a trip to England? Or for those who have been before, what was your favorite part? Share your answer in the comments below.
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March 14, 2021
