English Life & Traditions

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 leaders in academia,…

What is it about the English that they spend so long discussing their weather? We take a look at what lies behind the national obsession and find out how the language has evolved to cover every aspect of the Englishman and woman’s favourite topic of conversation. “England’s Weather” Don’t Forget…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

English Public Schools: Eton, Harrow, Winchester & More A British education at one of the great public schools of England has long been sought by the rich and powerful of the world. Kings, Maharajas, Princes, Heads Of State and more have sent their offspring to the schools of England for…

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. One of England’s 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, Saltaire is a perfectly preserved, purpose-built industrial village. Built by philanthropist Titus Salt in 1851, it has survived…

Here’s our guide to the choicest British slang, insults and phrases: The British language has many nuances, something Shakespeare made use of back in the day. Today, there may not be as many poets and playwrights playing around with language as there was then (or rather: there are more, they…

It’s now 20 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. In the years following,…

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…

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. Anyway here are the best: 10 Fun English Facts 1. England Isn’t A Sovereign State England is actually a part…

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…

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…

England’s a great place to visit, but can be a challenge if you have to keep children amused. Let’s see if we can help with some family friendly attractions in England… Many of the places that adults enjoy visiting – historic buildings, beautiful cottages etc – can quickly bore younger…

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 rituals that may seem silly, but are often centuries old. 1. Straw Bear Festival, Whittlesea Every January in Whittlesea is the Straw Bear…