Here’s our loose collection of posts on English life and its many weird and wonderful traditions:
English Universities: From the ancient to the modern
Share Tweet Pin England is home to several of the world’s top universities. From the ancient colleges of ‘Oxbridge’ to 20th Century newcomers like Warwick, English universities are pushing the boundaries of medical, scientific and social research, attracting talent from around the world. Here are just some of England’s world…
The English Weather: The Making Of A Local Obsession
We take a look at what lies behind the national obsession with the weather in England, and find out how the language has evolved to cover every aspect of the Englishman and woman’s favourite topic of conversation.
Why is it Always Cloudy in the UK?
Everyone has the same old question: “Why is it always cloudy in the UK?” Because we hear about the rain and the gloomy weather but rarely about the sunny days in the UK. To be honest, bright sunny days are somewhat rare in the country. The United Kingdom is cloudy…
The Great British Pantomime Tradition
Pantomime, or ‘Panto’, is an essential part of the Christmas experience for a British child. What are these strange shows, and where do they come from? We investigate this strange tradition: What Is Pantomime? Panto is a musical show put on at Christmas for children that follows several key tropes…
British Movie Locations: Where Your Favourite Movie Was Made
Many of the movies we’ve come to love have done so partly because of the locations in which they’ve been filmed. Here, then, are some of the best of these places, with directions and info on what to do if you visit. Enjoy …. Notting Hill ‘Notting Hill’, the romantic…
Top 10 Strange English Place Names | Great Snoring, Crapstone & More
If you take a look at the map of Britain, you will notice that there are some strange English place names. Here are 10 of the strangest of these. While some of them are pedestrian, more than a few were bizarre, suggestive and downright hilarious. With its chequered history and…
Traditional English Food With Strange Names
Discover traditional English foods such as Toad In The Hole, Bubble And Squeak, Spotted Dick and Jellied Eels. The English have never been known for their cooking ability (the French, very unfairly, call us the Rosbifs – or ‘roast beefs’). However what we don’t have in culinary skills, we make up…
The Great Public Schools Of England
Check out our guide to the public schools of England, gorgeous and prestigious schools to royalty and the powerful around the world.
Saltaire Village, Bradford: One Of England’s World Heritage Sites
Saltaire is one of the few relics of the Victorian age that tells a story about the working class that doesn’t end in destitution.
British Insults, Slang & Phrases: The Ultimate Guide
Our list of 101 words and phrases that will have you speaking the lingo as if you were born in England…
Harry Potter Movie Locations: A Magical Tour Of England (And Scotland)
It’s now 17 years since we first saw the world’s favourite wizard, Harry Potter, come to life on screen. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (or ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’ in the US) was released way back in 2001 and easily became the highest grossing film of that year.
The Top 10 British Inventions: From The Kettle To The World Wide Web
For such a small nation, there have been lots of great British inventions. Indeed, here are many things we wouldn’t have without British ingenuity and exploration of ideas. Some basic things that we take for granted wouldn’t be possible if weren’t for someone smart Brit many years ago. So the…
10 Fun Facts About England: Weird English Traditions
There are lots of fun facts about England due to its long history which has thrown up lots of strange anomalies and rather strange ways of doing things, or traditions.
Solve These 5 Baffling English Mysteries
England’s long history is full of mysterious stories that have never been fully explained–or at least not to the satisfaction of modern-day detectives, historians, and ghost hunters. Visit the sites where these fascinating legends took place and make up your own mind about the truth. Solve These 5 English Mysteries…
9 Tips For Americans At An English Football Match
Soccer’s popularity has skyrocketed globally, becoming one of the most widespread sports for people to both play and watch. However, Brits have been aboard this bandwagon for far longer than Americans. If you’re traveling abroad in England and have the opportunity to catch either a Premier League, UEFA or minor…
10 Great Family Friendly Attractions in England
England’s a great place to visit, but can be a challenge if you have to keep children amused. Here are a list of family friendly attractions in England, suitable for all the family, kids and adults alike.
10 Weird and Wonderful English Village Rituals
Whether you are visiting England for the first time or you are a regular vacationer, you should do more than pass through the villages. They have some weird and wonderful rituals that may seem silly, but are often centuries old.