Traveling to the UK
10/7/2022
Updated 9/9/23 Now that we can travel again (YEAH !) I keep getting asked about top tips for travelling to the UK, so I guess I should put them in a blog, to save my typing fingers! For those of you who dont know, I grew up in the UK, moving to the USA when I was in my 40s. I lived all over, but mostly in the south, East Anglia, West Country, Home counties and outskirts of London. I try to travel back each year to visit family. My last visit was September 2023. So here we go ! - my 20 top tips for travelling to the UK: 1 - The weather is unpredictable. It just is. Think about where the UK is and how the winds from four different directions bring all kinds of weather: Hot wet; hot dry; cold dry; cold wet. It can change in hours. The further north you go, the colder it will get, but pack for every weather type and enjoy the drama of ever-changing weather. The joke is that if you can see (insert name of hill), then rain is coming, if you can’t see it, it’s raining...Yes even in the summer. 2 - You can buy anything you forget to pack. It’s a little more expensive in the UK compared to the US, but not so much that you should panic. If you forgot something like a converter, try to buy at the airport or look for a Boots store. They have a travel area. 3 - Pack only bags you can carry ! This is my tip for every traveler. In the movies you always see folks with suitcases the size of a small continent. Don’t do it ! No matter where I go, I always end up carrying my case at some point - let’s talk about the rail station in Hong Kong where the lift/elevator was broken and I had to take two large suitcases up a twisted staircase during rush hour...It’s also not normal for hotels and B&Bs to have someone to help with your bags. Assume you are wheeling/carrying them and be pleasantly surprised if someone helps you. 4 - Heathrow and Gatwick are not in London. They are, however, on the Underground rail. If you are flying in to spend time in London, get the Underground to your destination. A taxi is going to bust your budget, and probably take you longer. You can always get the Underground to the area near your hotel and take a taxi from there. 5 - Get an Underground rail card and don’t be afraid to use it. The Underground is busy, smelly, but also cheap and really useful. Learn your route before you get to the station. The locals will swear at you if you spend too long looking at the map and blocking routes. The locals know their routes - so you can ask someone about your destination while waiting for the train. They won’t want to chat, but they will answer your question. If you get on the wrong train, just hop out and change platforms - it happens. You only pay as you enter and exit, so you can ride all day if you get really lost :) 6 - The trains outside the Underground are really expensive. If you want to make a rail journey to another town, book ahead. If you must purchase a ticket on the day, be ready for some sticker shock. 7 - Don’t hire a car if you are staying in London. Even the locals hate driving in London, and you could find yourself in a Congestion Charge zone and get an unexpected fine or fee. It’s much easier to get around by Underground, taxi or just walk. 8 - Do visit some of the smaller museums. London has some big "collection" museums, where "collection" clearly means treasures stolen from other countries. Some people are working on returning stolen goods, but its not happening fast enough. If you cultures art and treasures were stolen, think about how you will feel to see it displayed. Each small town will have its own museum showing locally collected artifacts, and with information about the town, its people and history. National Museums Liverpool includes the International Slavery Museum. Canterbury has the Roman Museuem, Glasgow, London, Coventry, Manchester and Lowestoft all have transport Museums. 9 - GET OUT OF LONDON... London is not like the rest of the UK. For a first-time visitor who wants to use the train, or just drive the freeways/motorways, I suggest Bristol, Liverpool, Brighton, Canterbury, Oxford, York, Ely or Glastonbury. Bath is beautiful, but hard to get to in the car. Edinburgh is amazing, but obviously a long trip (but Americans think a long trip is days rather than hours). If you want to see Stonehenge, also go to see Avebury. Often, they are available together as part of a day trip offered by the big hotels. Stonehenge is iconic, but it’s also behind a fence and next to a busy road. Avebury is in a small village and you can touch the stones. 10 - Food can be expensive in the UK, but I have some budget busters for you ! Firstly, jet lag will mean you are hungry in the morning, so eat a "Full English" (Sausage, bacon, eggs, beans, hash browns, toast), to start your day. Some hotels offer it as part of the deal. If not go to your local supermarket or department store. Most have a small cafe or restaurant, where the food is super fresh, and they use top ingredients (they want you to go buy the sausages from the store!). This will probably be self-service, and you will sit at plastic chairs and people watch as others shop. While it’s no frills, its good quality food at a more than fair price. Remember that we cook our bacon lightly - it’s perfectly safe and you might get to like it better that way. Eggs come as scrabbled, fried or boiled. You can try and add to your egg order, but don’t be surprised when they ask what "sunnyside" is. 11 - While you are at the supermarket or department store (Tescos, Waitrose, Marks and Spencers, Asda, Sainsbury's, John Lewis, Debenhams...), look out for their "Meal Deal", and gather a picnic lunch. They will offer a packed sandwich, drink and crisps (potato chips), for a loss leading price, to get you in the store. Its the perfect way to set you up for a day of adventures. 12 - Talking about food, try to avoid the big chains and give the pubs a try. Each one will have their own menu and specialties. I am going to suggest you try a Cornish Pasty, Steak and Ale pie, Curry, Ham and Eggs, Ploughmans lunch (cheese, bread and pickles), or Fish and Chips. The Lasagna will be very different, because it’s made with mincemeat and not sausage meat (no fennel - hurrah !). Don’t bother with the chilli, or a pizza. Drink the local beer. If you are not big beer fan, you can ask for a "Shandy", which is beer mixed with 7up. Much more refreshing and perfect for a lunchtime drink. Do not expect fast food in a pub. You are expected to spend a few hours, enjoying the atmosphere, and some places wont serve your food until you have ordered your second round of drinks. If you are in a hurry, just tell them, but its still going to take a while. You wont get free refills on your soft drinks anywhere. 13 - Even if you think you don’t like curry, go out to an Indian restaurant and get some curry ! Its totally different in the UK to the US. Every town will have a number of really good curry houses. 14 - Take the open top bus. Most of the big cities have a big red bus tour with some kind of all day, or two-day ticket option. You will learn so much about the city, and the top of the bus is the best place to really enjoy the architecture. 15 - The UK has gone almost totally Touch free/Contactless for payments. You will need a credit card with the touch free symbol. You can use it at most stores, hotels, cafes, resturants and even to access the underground. Keep your coins for pay and display car parking. Most machines will take everything silver, but not the coppers. You will probably not need any paper money, except for tips. 16 - Brits only tip for good to exceptional service, and then almost always just food servers. If someone waits on your table, offer them a tip. You don’t need to tip others. If you stay in a hotel, you can tip your servers daily, or at the end of your visit. Leave your small change in your room for the cleaning staff. Some people will expect a tip from you because you are American, and you may find you get better than average service because of this. However, some people, particularly self-employed, can be insulted if you offer to tip them - as if you assume they are poor or not paid enough. If in doubt, offer, but don’t be offended if your offer is turned down. 17 - The British use a wide range of swear words and insults that can be harsh to sweet American ears. They use words to call their kids, that you might not call your worst enemy. Some of these have evolved to become terms of endearments, Its just a language difference. Don’t react - making the Americans blush is a fun pastime for bored Brits. 18 - Kids love castles. Take a look at English Heritage site before you set out and see if you want to do a tour of their locations. You can visit castles, stately homes and iconic locations around the country. Check out if it would be worth it for you or your family to get an annual pass, even if you are just spending a week in the UK. 19 - If you are looking for something quick to eat, look for a Greggs and buy a pie. You will find them on most high streets, but also in some motorway service stations. If you stop at a motorway service station, you should be able to get more than gas/petrol - they will likely have one of the big burger/fried chicken options, but also a mini supermarket selling the sandwich "meal deal", and a few travel essentials like sweets/candy. 20 - Have fun ! Yes it will rain, the museums are full of stolen stuff, its stressful to drive, the food is heavy and folks will swear at you - but that is what makes your trip an adventure ! Comment below if you have a tip for others ! Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance wrtier, teacher, mentor and performer, originally from the UK, but now based in Arizona. Check out her classes in the East Valley of Phoenix, her books on Amazon, or book her to teach a workshop anywhere in the world !
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