In this video, we'll cover what not to do when you're traveling to England.
From enchanting small towns to the cosmopolitan cities like London, you'll probably agree
England is one of the must-visit places.
But what are some of the absolute DON'Ts of England?
Knowing this might help make your trip more pleasant.
This video is based on our many trips to England.
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And share your own experience or ask a question in the comments below.
Let's explore.
First of all, let's just get rid of this one right away…
Don't confuse England with the United Kingdom or Britain
The United Kingdom or shortly U.K. stands for The United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, commonly referred to as just the United Kingdom which consists of
four different entities with its own governments, distinctive national identity, and culture.
Great Britain, also known as Britain, is U.K.'s main island and includes England, Wales,
and. Scotland.
While most of the traditions are the same across the U.K., there are some distinct differences
between them.
So, let's explore England where London is located.
Don't assume all food is bad.
Although British food is not considered the best in the world, you can find some great
traditional fish and chips and other international food varieties in England, especially in
the last couple of years in bigger cities, like London.
Talking about food, here is just quick info about lunch and dinner time.
The typical England lunchtime or luncheon is between noon and 1.30 pm, and the British
eat dinner or supper at restaurants between 6:30 and 8:00 pm.
Don't eat in the restaurants located next to the main tourist attractions.
Restaurants next to famous attractions, especially in big cities, are many times a tourist trap
and are sometimes overpriced, especially those selling fish and chips.
There are many great places located just a short walk away.
Use Google, TripAdvisor, or Yelp to find a great place near you with good reviews.
Also, don't forget to visit one of countless food and other markets in London and other
places across England.
Don't assume tipping is mandatory.
Tipping in England is not mandatory.
However, if there is no service charge included in your bill and you are satisfied with your
service, a tip of around 10% is appreciated when you order at the table.
Don't assume everything stops for an afternoon tea.
Afternoon tea is actually a light meal that includes tea, and is typically eaten between
3:30 and 5 pm.
Although the people of England love a nice cup of tea, and you've probably heard about
the famous 4 o'clock tea break, people don't just take a break in the afternoon and stop
working to enjoy some tea, sandwiches, and cakes.
It became more common to drink tea when you go for a visit, where you can take time to
enjoy it properly and have long conversations while sipping your cup of tea.
And a quick pro tip: drink your tea the way people in England do: with milk.
Don't assume they don't drink coffee in England.
While people do drink a lot of tea, over 160 million cups per day, coffee is gaining popularity,
and 70 million cups of coffee are being consumed in the U.K. every day.
The coffee in England is similar to the one you find in the U.S.
Of course, at Starbucks and similar coffee shops you can get anything.
Don't drive if you feel unsure.
If you want to drive around England and the U.K., you need to be prepared to drive on
the left side of the road.
Also, some cars still have a stick shift, so don't forget to ask for an automatic.
If you really want to explore beautiful villages and breathtaking nature, you will have to
rent a car.
If you're coming from a country that uses metric system, pay attention because the U.K.
uses imperial system for roads, with some exceptions where you might see both metric
and imperial systems used on the same sign.
Pay attention to road signs and speed limits.
Use your phone for navigation but pay extra attention to the road.
If you feel unsure of driving in England or elsewhere in the U.K., use internal flights
or convenient train transportation to travel between main British cities, like between
London, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and others.
Once you are in the city, you can walk around or use public transportation.
Did you know you can even take a train from London to Paris and it will only take a little
over two hours?
Don't forget to look right when crossing the street unless stated otherwise.
Be very careful when crossing streets.
Always look right-left-right.
There is also a sign on the road that says, look right or look left.
Just follow that.
Pay extra attention when in traffic, regardless of your mode of transportation since they
drive on the left.
Don't stand on the wrong side of an escalator.
Stand on the right side since the left side is reserved for the people in a hurry.
Don't expect to party all night long.
Most bars and pubs, especially in London, close by 11 pm.
While there are many great party places in England, you'll probably have better luck
in Ibiza, Berlin, or Prague if you want to party all night long.
But do go visit at least one of the pubs while you're there as it is an exciting experience.
Don't forget to check how many daytime hours there are when you visit.
If you want to experience more attractions during daytime, don't visit England between
October and April.
The country is located in the northern part of Europe, and days are longer during the
summer months.
In winter, the sun sets between 4 and 5 pm as opposed to the summer months when it sets
around 9 pm.
So, keep this in mind when booking your stay.
By the way, check out our video on top 10 things to do in London
or buy our London travel guide, the links are in the description.
Don't forget to visit free museums.
England, and especially London, is home to some of the most amazing museums in the world,
and many of them are completely free of charge, so be sure to visit at least some of them.
Just don’t forget to visit the official website to check if they’re really free.
Don't visit just the touristy places.
Don't just travel to London.
And definitely don't try to see all of England in one week since the England mainland alone
extends over 650 km or around 400 miles.
From beautiful coastal towns, cobblestone villages, breathtaking castles and villas,
prehistoric Stonehenge, Bath's Roman spa, centuries-old universities, like Oxford or
Cambridge, to picturesque hills and stunning landscape, there are plenty of other places to explore.
Don't expect the rest of England to be cheaper than London.
London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and that also applies to accommodation,
transportation, food, and activities for tourists.
But prices in the rest of England can also be quite high.
Of course, the accommodation prices depend on many factors, such as the time of your visit,
the type of accommodation or location.
You can get cheaper options if you book budget-friendly guesthouses or hostels or if you sleep outside
city centers.
Don't forget to bring comfortable clothes and shoes.
Don't bring a heavy suitcase.
Pack light and smart and plan to wear the most comfortable clothes and footwear because
you'll probably do a lot of walking while exploring the cities and nature.
And just a quick tip; if you bring a carry-on suitcase, you will be able to get flights
to other destinations around the U.K. and across Europe, a lot cheaper since most flights
don't charge for carry-on luggage or only charge a small fee.
Don't assume it rains every day.
And although it doesn't rain daily, we do suggest packing a raincoat, light umbrella,
and waterproof shoes.
And always check for the weather forecast before traveling.
Don't stay only at hotels.
Choose to stay at an Airbnb instead.
Especially if you visit the countryside - there are many beautiful and authentic accommodation
options you'll remember forever.
Don't forget to watch your belongings.
England is generally a safe destination, so you normally shouldn't be worried about specific
areas to avoid or staying inside at night.
However, typical for all major world destinations packed with tourists, there are quite a lot
of pickpockets, especially in the crowded areas close to major attractions and on public
transport.
Don't jump the queue.
Whether you're waiting for ice cream or for people to come out of the tube,
people in England respect the line.
So, be patient while waiting for your turn.
Don't greet inappropriately.
People in the U.K. are generally more reserved than, for instance, people in Italy or Spain,
or the U.S.
Hugs and kisses are usually reserved for close friends and family, so go for a
handshake instead.
Don't forget to be on time.
If you are meeting someone for lunch or a meeting, people in England are very punctual.
They respect and value if you are on time.
Don't do small talk.
Especially not on public transport.
People here are generally reserved, so don't do small talk and don't make eye contact if
not necessary.
They might feel very uncomfortable and confused.
Don't forget to say please and thank you.
Don't forget to say please and thank you when ordering food in restaurants and other places
with services.
The majority of English people are very polite, and they show their appreciation very often.
They do apologize a lot.
However, we also experienced some underline mood when they might say please and thank you
in a more assertive way.
So, try to read between the lines and be polite.
Don't forget to bring a travel adapter.
If you're coming from outside the U.K., you will need a special U.K. travel adapter to
charge your phone and other devices.
England uses type G plug.
We recommend purchasing a travel adapter before traveling to England so you will not have
to deal with this when you arrive, and might pay more at the airport.
In fact, it is worth purchasing the universal travel adapter so you can use it in other
countries too.
Are you traveling to London?
Continue to our video on what you absolutely must know before you travel there.