Such is England’s reach on popular culture, you may think you already know the country before you visit. Though if you’re expecting to be surrounded by a bunch of well-heeled James Bonds or a gaggle of eccentric Monty Python characters, then think again.
But while the everyday English aren’t quite the same as how they’re portrayed in film, television and books, this is a country with a number of peculiarities that are good to know before visiting, especially when venturing outside of London. From practicalities like train prices to etiquette tips on how the English approach queueing, it’s always important to be ahead of the game when visiting this wonderful and varied country.
Here are a few key things to know before traveling to England.
You may need a jacket, even in summer
Preparing for all types of weather is an essential part of the English experience. England’s maritime location in the wild North Atlantic means that even in summer, biting winds and untimely rain showers can unexpectedly scupper a balmy afternoon.
That doesn’t mean you need to take an umbrella everywhere, but just pack a jacket in your suitcase and always check the weather on whatever app you use. As a rule, London is usually a couple of degrees warmer than other parts of the country.
And if not, we’ll still discuss the weather
It’s in our blood, a part of our national psyche. And the more lamentable the forecast, the more likely we are to talk about it. Come rain or shine, prepare to offer an opinion on the day’s weather, and express that it’ll hopefully brighten up as the week goes on.
Train prices can get steep
Unlike some other countries in western Europe, England’s train system was privatized many years ago and this, along with other factors, has lead to some of Europe’s highest train prices.
Try to book ahead of time and look out for cheap advance fares. While not as quick as train travel (and certainly not as romantic), coaches such as National Express and Megabus offer far cheaper prices when traveling across the country and are highly recommended for those on a budget.
There’s a whole world outside of London
London’s big, bold, and full of iconic English landmarks and experiences. But it isn’t everything. If you have the time to explore beyond the capital, you’ll discover a variety of landscapes, people, and cultures.
From the wild coastlines of Cornwall to the soaring hills of the Lake District, there’s much to see in this ancient land.
Crossing the English Channel means different plug sockets
Yes, England is in Europe but it doesn’t always play by European rules (in more ways than one). If you’re backpacking around Europe, remember that the UK and Ireland use type G plug sockets (three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern) so make sure you have the right power adapter when arriving in England as it differs from the rest of the continent.
Many museums are free
England is home to many of the world’s greatest museums and you won’t need to pay a penny to enter some of them. Especially great for rainy days in London, you can peruse dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum or masterpieces by Turner at the National Gallery and spend the money saved at the pub later on.
Pronouncing place names will be a challenge
Alongside some truly bizarre place names, England also has several towns and counties that aren’t pronounced the way they are spelled. Names with a -ter suffix are particularly notorious for this.
Bicester is pronounced biss-ter rather than bi-ces-ter, Gloucester is pronounced gloss-ter rather glou-ces-ter, Leominster is pronounced lem-ster rather than Leo-minster. You get the picture.
Hit the beer garden when the sun comes out
The English need no excuse to go to the pub on a sunny summer afternoon and sitting indoors is almost unthinkable. Find a table in the beer garden at the local boozer and order in a few cold pints. Job done.
Expect to hear a different accent in each region
Traveling just a few short miles in England can often mean a change in accent, so train your ears to prepare for this. Regional accents are hugely diverse and, while they’re still noticeably English, can be difficult for even fellow countrymen to understand.
The accent you’ll hear in Birmingham ("Brummie") differs wildly to what you’ll hear when you arrive in Newcastle ("Geordie"). London is a separate case as it’s so cosmopolitan that you can expect to hear a variety of different accents and languages throughout the day.
Never jump a queue
Sometimes polite to a fault, the English are very orderly when queueing and those who jump a queue can expect stern looks and grumbling at the very least. So get in line and patiently wait your turn to avoid any awkward situations.
You’ll hear "sorry" a lot
Even in situations where the fault lies with you, you might receive an apology. Only Canadians say sorry more than the English so get used to hearing it and, eventually, saying it.
English food has come a long way
Stereotypes about the English are often amusing and sometimes painfully true, though the one about the poor standard of English food can be comfortably consigned to history’s trashcan.
Towns and cities across the country are now dotted with superb restaurants offering a strong emphasis on fresh and locally grown produce. You’ll find cuisine here from all over the world too, amid an ever-growing list of Michelin-starred restaurants.
As has its beer
The pub is a rite of passage here and the English love a pint of beer. But England has grown out of its cruel 1970s caricature of warm stale beer and these days there are myriad styles to sample, up and down the country.
From real ales at historic Victorian pubs to craft beer at bright modern taprooms, choose from sours, stouts, saisons, New England IPAs and beyond.
Summer is festival season
From Glastonbury in June to Reading and Leeds in August and everything in between, there are lively music festivals running throughout the summer in England. No matter what week you’re here, there’s bound to be a festival on somewhere.
There are also a plethora of smaller festivals that are often great value and easier to navigate too, such as Birmingham’s superb Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival.
If you encounter any health issues, you’ll be in good hands
Visitors from EU countries will be covered for some treatment on the National Health Service (NHS) if they fall ill during a visit by using their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Visitors from non-EU countries that have a reciprocal healthcare arrangement with the UK may be also be covered for some treatment needs, particularly emergencies.
Measurements can be confusing
Don’t be surprised if you get into a metric muddle. For some things, the English use metric measurements and for other things we use imperial. Though metric measurements became legal in the UK back in 1875, Britain has never fully transitioned to using metrication in all situations. Roads are still measured in the imperial unit of miles for example, and height is often discussed in feet and inches.
