Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit the country of England! England is a great place to visit and I often recommend England for a first-time international trip. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your England vacation.
Hate #1: Weather in England
The weather in England is not great. It does rain a lot and it never really gets hot. Even in June, you will need an extra layer of clothing and a waterproof layer. It doesn’t get super cold in the winter, but it also doesn’t get super hot in the summer. The best time to visit England is in the summer when you have the smallest chance of rain. However, you should always be prepared for rain in England or it can really put a damper on your trip.
Hate #2: Public Transportation in England
You’ll probably use public transportation quite a bit to get around England, but it can be frustrating. Train tickets are very expensive; sometimes it’s actually cheaper to fly from London to York or from London to Edinburgh than it is to purchase a train ticket. There are also a lot of delays in the train system, so make sure you build some extra time into your England vacation to account for train delays.
Hate #3: Tourist Safety in England
They drive on the left in England, which inherently poses some safety issues for tourists. Whether you are driving or just crossing the street, you have to constantly remind yourself that they drive on the left. It’s very common for a tourist to look the wrong way and then step out in front of a car. You just have to be vigilant about paying attention and when driving in England, it helps to have a passenger keeping an eye out for you as well.
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Hate #4: Prices in England
London is very expensive. Once you get outside of London, prices are a bit better but still higher than some other countries. Your vacation money will go twice as far in Portugal or Spain than in England. It’s totally worth visiting, just be prepared to budget a little more for your England vacation. Once you’re there, search out free things to do in England, like the British Museum. The best way to save money in England is to get out of London as quickly as possible.
Hate #5: Great Expectations of English Culture
In the US, our impression of English culture is based on movies and TV. We probably watch too much Downton Abbey, so we tend to expect English people to be very refined. England is great, and the people are great, but they aren’t all prim and proper like you might expect. Just like any culture, English people run the gamut of personalities. There are definite safety issues in England and English people can get rowdy, especially when it comes to football and rugby matches. Don’t assume everything is safe and serene like a TV show.
Love #1: English Culture & Customs
Some of the things I love most about England are the “English-isms.” From the rituals of Changing of the Guard to the British sense of humor, the people of England are fantastic. Even in the service industry, they are so helpful and friendly. It’s really cool to experience the chippies serving fish and chips, seeing corner pubs everywhere, and pretty much every English stereotype you would expect comes to life in England. This is even more evident when you get out of London into some of the English villages.
Love #2: England Outside of London
There is so much more to see in England outside of London. London is great, but you wouldn’t say New York represents all of America any more than London is representative of all of England. You really have to rent a car and get out into the small districts and villages. The English countryside is beautiful, and there are quaint English villages all over the country. And then you have other cities you can visit, like Liverpool or Manchester. England even has beach destinations in the south! When planning your England vacation, make sure you build in some time outside of London so you can experience the “real England.”
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Love #3: Public Transportation
England has a really good tourist infrastructure. Although it’s expensive and there can be delays, the buses and trains go pretty much everywhere. They make it really easy to get around, even to some of the smallest English villages. If you aren’t comfortable driving in England, it doesn’t mean you are stuck in London or that you have to join a group tour of England. While I recommend renting a car for maximum flexibility, it is possible to explore England by public transportation.
Love #4: Service in England
England has the best service in Europe. The service in England is very professional and helpful. It’s the closest you’ll find to American service overseas. If you get lost, you can pop into pretty much any shop and they’ll gladly help you find your way. English people, in general, are super helpful, and the service industry is no exception.
Love #5: English Pubs
You can’t visit England without at least one trip to the local pub for fish and chips. The English pub atmosphere is totally unique, especially in smaller English villages where it’s the local gathering place for families and friends. Nothing will make you feel more English than having a warm pint of beer with fish and chips in a local pub.
England is really great, and if you haven’t traveled internationally, it’s the perfect first-time trip overseas. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to visit England. Want more tips for traveling in the United Kingdom? Check out these other blog posts: