England: An Educational Travel Guide

1. Travel by Train

The national rail service is brilliant, so make use of it! Travel by train in England can get you just about anywhere in the country and allows you to avoid having to drive manual on the opposite side of the road! Book trains in advance for the best deals, and be aware of etiquette on public transport, especially in London. Avoid eye contact, remove your backpack and have your tickets ready so you don’t hold up the people behind you. When you ride on the train, make sure to pick up delicious food from Marks and Spencer to enjoy on your travels — a Wensleydale and carrot chutney sandwich with a packet of prawn cocktail crisps is excellent train food.

2. Buy an Oyster card in advance

An Oyster card is a smartcard that can be used on various forms of public transportation in London, including buses, the Tube, trams and more. Order a pre-paid card before your London tour to avoid queues and confusion, and you’ll have the option to add money as you go. Rides are cheaper using the smartcard than single tickets or Day Travelcards, and you can even show them at restaurants, shops, galleries and more around the city for more discounts!

3. Get out of London!

London is a world-class city, and you truly can spend a week or more just scratching the surface of the sites and culture there. But England has so much more to offer! Be sure to make time during your tour of England to visit the university cities of Oxford or Cambridge or other larger cities like Manchester or Liverpool. Or head to the Lake District or the Peak District, explore the history of Bath or enjoy seaside towns like Whitstable or Margate.

4. Money Matters

A trip to England doesn’t have to be a pricey one. Many museums and art galleries are free to visit, so take advantage. Supermarkets usually have fee-free ATMs, while banks are more likely to charge. Another expert tip? Everything below a fiver is in coins, so don’t travel without big, strong pockets. And familiarize yourself with what the coins and bills look like in advance to save time and avoid confusion when you’re making purchases.

5. Make Restaurant Reservations

England hasn’t always been world-renowned for its cuisine, but that’s quickly changing! The food is no longer something to laugh at, so do some research ahead of time and choose a few great restaurants for your trip. If you’re not planning on setting up your American phone with international roaming, try getting a pay-as-you-go phone for a prepaid SIM to make all your restaurant reservations when you arrive.

6. Brush Up on the Language

Yes, they do speak English in England. No surprise there. But you may experience a little culture shock when you arrive and find the quirky accents, regional dialects and colloquialisms difficult to understand. (There are 18 different words for “bread roll” for example). The BBC’s “The English We Speak” or our very own “How's Your English?” video are good places to start for regular lessons.

7. Be Prepared for Weather

England has a reputation for being a little … drippy, to say the least. There’s always a chance that you could travel around the country for a week or two and have mostly sunny days! But you’re more than likely to see some rain at some point. Be prepared, but don’t wear rain boots. Nobody but farmers (and tourists) wear wellies, and they are too heavy to walk around in, not to mention pack! Dress in layers, and have a hood or packable umbrella at the ready wherever you go.

England Fast Facts

• The United Kingdom, also called the U.K., consists of a group of islands off the northwest coast of Europe. These include England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• The population of England is 65 million
• England’s currency is the Pound Sterling
• England is 93,635 square miles in total
• England is famous for cricket, soccer, rugby, boxing, and golf - all of which were invented in England
• England is known for its many great writers, including William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Robert Burns, and J.K. Rowling
• English people consume more tea per capita than anybody else in the world

A Guide to English Culture

The popular television show Downton Abbey brought to light castles, aristocracy, the contrast between the rich and poor, and those unforgettable ballrooms! We continue to be fascinated by the rich culture and all things British. 

• Royalty: The most culturally British part of England is the Royal Family, which is now as much of a tourist attraction as a political institution. To get a glimpse of that modern-day fairytale, visit Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guards, Kensington Palace, Sandringham Palace, and the Tower of London.

• Tea: The British people are known for their copious consumption of tea, drinking several cups of English Breakfast Tea each day. You may even spot a raised pinky while those Brits are drinking their “spot of tea,” keeping in line with those world-renowned English manners. 

• Food: There is no doubt that England has some of the best Fish & Chips in the world, traditionally wrapped in newspapers. English culture is also known for delicious scones and clotted cream, Cornish pasty, trifle dessert, beers, and crumpets. 

• Tradition: A very British ritual is the Sunday roast, which consists of roast vegetables and roast meat with gravy, and Yorkshire pudding. A full English breakfast includes bacon, sausages, eggs, toast, mushrooms, tomatoes, and tea or coffee.

• Pub: Going to the pub (short for public house) is a very British pastime to socialize, have a beer (or two), and enjoy a pub meal. If you go to a pub with your friends, it is common practice to buy a round of drinks for those who you came with.

• Gardens: Two things heavily ingrained into the English culture and landscape are castles and English gardens. There are an estimated 800 medieval castles and 1,500 country houses that speckle the countryside, some dating back a thousand years. English gardens rose to popularity in the 18th century with stylized groves, artificial lakes and ponds, dense paths of colorful flowers, and sweeping lawns. 

Today, tourists come from around the world to view English gardens with their hedges and architectural centerpieces like bridges, rotundas, follies and temples. 

Other customs of note in England are:

• The British are quite punctual and if you are late, you may be considered rude. 
• In the UK, it’s customary to keep people at arm’s length otherwise you will make the person you are speaking with feel uncomfortable.
• British people avoid extended eye contact. 
• If you are invited to the home of a native British person, it is customary to bring a small gift of chocolate, wine, or flowers.
• The person who has invited you to dinner is typically the one who pays. 

Best Times to Visit England

The climate in England can be varied and unpredictable, so always bring your umbrella when visiting England. Winter can be very cold, with windy and wet weather. The coldest month of the year in the UK is January, and December sees the least sunshine. 

July and August are peak months to visit England, Scotland, and Wales, with very long days and nice, warm weather. During summer, the temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. July is typically the warmest month of the year and June is the sunniest. 

Traveling during Britain’s "shoulder season" (May, September, and early October) is easier and less expensive than in peak season. Plus, shoulder season travelers enjoy smaller crowds and better room availability.