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Why You'll Love England: First Trip to England Tips and Advice

7/11/2022

15 Comments

 
Heading "across the pond"? Check out everything you'll want to know before your first trip to England!
First trip to England Tips and Advice
Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

First trip to England?

Why do I keep going back to England? It's a question I've been asked many, many times...probably because we'll have taken a total of 3 trips to England (plus one to Scotland) during our first 5 years of being married! And my husband lived there for 6 months before we were married.

Anglophiles? You bet!

Well, I've decided to do a combo post to address both the above question and another of my frequently asked questions: what do first time visitors to England need to know before their trip? So let's talk through what you need to know before your trip, and why you will *love* every moment of your trip to England.

Throughout this post, I've also compiled a ton of links to full articles on other topics that I've previously covered, such as specific regions within London and day trip outside of the capital. For example, if you're looking for some more general tips on traveling to Europe from the US (including plug adapters and other practicalities), check out A First Timer's Guide to Visiting Europe.

So grab a cup of tea, turn on one of your "favourite" British Detective shows, and let's "have a go!"
First Trip to England: Tips and Advice

First Trip to England: Pubs

First trip to England Tips and Advice
Nothing better than a fresh pint! (Stock)
Oh pubs. Perhaps my favorite place in the world is "sat" in a pub (the English do that verb differently - they presumably had it first; no idea why we changed it), pint (or half pint!) in hand, fire in the grate, giant turtleneck on, eaves dropping on someone else's conversation and pretending I'm in an episode of Midsomer Murders, minus the murders, obviously.

To unpack my passing "half pint" reference - in England, if it's lunch or you just aren't feeling like having a giant beer, you can order a "half pint," which comes in an adorable, small glass, so you can fit in at the pub, even if you aren't a big drinker! For my teetotalers, orange or tomato juice are the go-tos of the non-drinking-yet-in-the-pub crowd. And yes, I love pints so much that I gave them first billing in my blog name. Now *that's* love.

Pubs are great for many reason. They're neighborhood or town gathering spots for locals, a bit like Cheers, but cozier, and for visitors, pubs offer a window into the "normal" life of the English. They visit on Christmas, after work, weekend afternoons, and for a casual dinner.

Let's discuss just a few points on pubs before we move on - this will help you avoid awkward interactions on your first trip, if you're never been in a pub before! Pubs are significantly different from restaurants. You don't have a "waiter." Walk in, and select a table, or sit at the bar. Unlike in American restaurants, if you're just having a drink, you can still grab a table - since there aren't waiters, it isn't considered rude. One more note on tables - if you don't make it clear you want to keep your table, someone may take it. For example, if you leave the pub, taking your drink, to smoke, the table will appear empty and get snapped up!

OK, so you've found a table. Now, you go to the bar to order drinks and food. You can order them separately, should you wish, and you may need to ask for menus if they aren't on the tables. You'll wait for your drinks at the bar, while the bar tenders "pulls" them, but your food will either come up at the bar as well when it's ready, or sometimes they'll give you a number and bring it to you.

Definitely make time to explore Britain's pubs, especially in small towns and on day trips. They're cheaper than full-on "restaurants" and more relaxed, and they're pretty much the coziest place I've ever been. Stop by on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and you'll see whole families just chilling in the beer garden area. It's the best. Check out this list of England's 8 Oldest Pubs.
First Trip to England, Tips & Advice
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

First Trip to England: The History

First trip to England Tips and Advice
Tower of London (stock)
English people reading this will say this 'goes without saying,' but to American who've never been "across the pond," the sheer breadth of English history is just incredible. As my English friends well know, we've only been around for a short portion of your history, and the oldest building I'd ever been in before I went to England was built in the 17th century - and it wasn't my home/church/city hall/pub - it was a *museum* and I couldn't touch anything.

History in England oozes from its pores - a gleaming new office block stands next to the tiniest pub you've ever seen that's so squeezed between buildings that it could be Grimmauld Place, just appearing before your eyes. Modern restrooms have been crammed into the basements of buildings never meant to accommodate such "amenities," and half the random fields you pass have plaques discussing battles so old you'll likely have to write them down to look up later.
First trip to England Tips and Advice
Welford-on-Avon (stock)
Love British TV? Check out the best shows on Acorn TV and Britbox!

First Trip to England:
​Can't go wrong with London!

First trip to England Tips and Advice
Gorgeous London (stock)
England is not just London (obviously), but for any visitor, especially a first-time visitor, London is going to be a major highlight. "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life," is a cliche because it could not be more true. England's capital city is a bustling metropolis with a history that is hard to beat. Around every corner you'll find something new and excited, mashed right up against the oldest building you've ever been in. From high-end shopping and theatre available every night, to street art and a new surprise around any corner, you could easily spend a lot more than one week's vacation exploring just the smallest corner of London.

Where to stay in London? Well really you just can't go wrong, as long as you're near the center of the action. While staying far outside the city may seem like a great money saver, you'll spend money - and more valuable time - on the Tube trying to get to the places you actually want to visit.

​That said, we've stayed in both Westminster (at The Goring - full review here) and in Covent Garden (at The Waldorf Hilton). London is massive and the sights you'll be seeing are spread throughout the "centre" of the city. You'll likely be traversing/Tube traveling through quite a bit of it!

As much as you'll likely spend a majority of your time in London, and it's always been our home base, I strongly encourage you to get outside of London and really see what else England has to offer. If someone came to the US and only went to New York City for 3 days, I certainly wouldn't think they'd understood everything there is to know about the US, but I do find people often do the reverse when visiting Europe.
Big Ben, First Trip to England Tips and Advice
Big Ben!

First Trip to England: The Tube

First trip to England Tips and Advice
London's Underground (stock)
Of course, as mentioned above, one of the great things about London is its public transit system, The Underground, or, more commonly, The Tube. Not only does the Tube have the most catchy public announcement phrasing ever "Mind the Gap," but it's clean, safe, efficient, eco-friendly, and quick!

​What more could you want?

First Trip to England: The Royal History

First trip to England Tips and Advice, Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace (stock)
From castles to palaces, plaques, naming conventions, museums, and everywhere in between, on visit to England is complete without delving into the history of the current Royal Family, and those that came before it. Definitely take some time to brush up on the Royal before you go - it'll help you appreciate the sights you'll be seeing, and help you link up the various parts of what you're learning. For modern "history," I'd highly recommend Netflix's The Crown, though, obviously, it's no documentary!

If you're lucky, you may have time to take in a Royal spectacle while you're in town! Check out the Royal Family's website for their public appearances.

First Trip to England: That English drizzle

https://www.pintspoundsandpate.com/englandandscotlandtravel/what-to-do-in-london-in-rain
London in the rain (stock)
The English have spent centuries figuring all the perfect ways to warm up from that crazy rain and bone-chilling cold. From pints to Barbour coats and the coziest sweaters you've ever seen, they're really turned it into a bit of an art form. A roaring pub fire is certainly my happy place - and don't you dare let the rain get you down - the English certainly don't let the drizzle get in the way of their daily lives!

That said, you will probably want to check out What to Wear in London for some tips on staying dry, as a tourist, along with What to Do in London When It Rains.

First Trip to England: The inevitable tea

First Trip to London Tips and Advice
Of course "tea" isn't just about the beverage (stock)
"Tea" is one of the ways the English shake off the cold - the drink itself is endlessly being poured and offered, and it often comes with food! Just to confuse things, slightly, some people in England use the word "tea" to refer to "dinner." You likely won't run across this much, especially in touristy areas, but if you're preparing for your trip with some British tv watching, it can get confusing!

If you're thinking "I can't possibly live without coffee," then check out a First Timer's Guide to Traveling to Europe, on where to find coffee, and how to order it.

"High Tea" is of course another fabulous variation on the tea troupe - and a must-do for a first visit to England. We hugely enjoyed our tea at The Queen Mum's "favourite," The Goring.
Tea at The Goring hotel, London. First Trip to England.
Tea at The Goring Hotel, London

First Trip to England: Easy day trips

First trip to England
Stamford, Lincolnshire
In addition to the Tube in London, trains in England are clean, safe, speedy, and efficient. You can get pretty much anywhere that tourists will want to be visiting by train. I have written extensively on this topic, so I've included a few other blog posts to give you some more information:
  • England & Scotland by Train (includes the top day trips from London)
  • Train Travel in Europe
  • Visiting Winchester from London
  • A Day Trip from London to Stamford, Lincolnshire
  • Exploring Canterbury Cathedral from London
  • From London to Bath: A Historical Day Trip

First Trip to England:
​How to charm the English

First Trip to London Tips and Advice. English manners for tourists
English manners for tourists (stock)
I love the English, and I find them endlessly fascinating. While a shared language allows for ease of communication during your travels, it also you to understand and observe their culture far more than on other foreign travels.

I've done a great deal of "banging on" about how to charm the French, as they're notoriously touchy about tourists and interactions with Parisians is often something that worries tourists.

Ironically, Americans generally don't have the same concern about the English, probably in large part because the English would never say something if they were offended. No reason we shouldn't try as hard with them!

A few tips to impress the English when you're across the pond:
  • Don't be pushy. They're very particular about waiting in lines.
  • Don't fling wet umbrellas around (and you'll have a lot of them).
  • Speak *quietly.* They certainly do.
  • Don't be presumptuous.
  • Don't unnecessarily talk to strangers. They find it odd.
  • Always remember, you aren't at home.
First Trip to England.
Stamford, Lincolnshire

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope you love England as much as I do and I so appreciate you popping by to prepare for your trip! ​Let me know your tips in the comment section! xx

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First Trip to England Tips and Advice
First Trip to England Tips and Advice
15 Comments
Sarah link
10/22/2019 12:20:55 pm

This is a great guide. I have never been to England, but would like to visit one day. It's nice to know these things ahead of time so you aren't caught by surprise or scrambling once you get there.

Reply
Pints, Pounds, & Pate link
10/24/2019 03:29:11 pm

Aww thank you so much, Sarah! I appreciate it! It's a wonderful place - I hope you'll get to visit soon! xx

Reply
Gwen
5/20/2020 10:07:20 am

I very much enjoyed my pub experience. My husband and I went to a pub outside Trafalgar Square for fish and chips (which I was surprised to find also came with peas😃) We thought hard cider would make the perfect pairing. However when I ordered hard cider the bartender looked at me as though I was crazy. He said “I do not know what you are talking about.” After a few seconds of awkward silence on my end I finally said, “I want apple juice with alcohol in it. Do you have that?” 🤦‍♀️ He said “we have 20 different kinds, which do you want?” I pointed to the first when I laid eyes on and scurried away. Apparently all cider there is hard. 😬 The fish and chips and cider did turn out to be a great pairing though! 😃🇬🇧

Reply
Julianne | Pints, Pounds, & Pate link
5/20/2020 12:08:43 pm

hahaha I love it!! I recently learned on a Rick Steves episode about "scrumpy," which appears to be a cider with a wildly high alcohol content - so you should check that out on your next visit ;) xx

Reply
Heather
5/31/2020 12:43:54 pm

We don’t drink tea, coffee, or alcohol for religious reasons. Is there an appropriate alternative to tea?

Reply
Julianne | Pints, Pounds, & Pate link
6/8/2020 07:50:54 am

Hi Heather! Hmm not really that I'm aware of - there are herbal teas that don't have caffeine, if that might work? Interestingly, there are more alternatives to alcohol in pubs than we really have in States - particularly during the day, orange and tomato juice are common alternatives to alcohol. Hope you have a great trip!

Reply
Lisa
12/29/2021 01:23:24 am

Hi. I’m British. Always lived in England but have travelled. You can drink what ever you would like. Pretty much like in the USA.

Reply
Anel
6/2/2020 05:30:20 pm

As someone English, I found it so weirdly fascinating reading about my culture from visitors! The tea drinking is a necessity for a great experience, and I can’t tell you how in the winter my wardrobe is all about looking chic while practical in case it rains, again. 😂 you’ve got to the love the tube and the afternoon tea and watching a theatre production then eating in a tiny lit up restaurant out of the rain is a magical experience. Anyone who hasn’t visited yet, give England a try. I promise we are not as tourist adverse as the French but the queue thing is no joke!

Reply
Julianne | Pints, Pound, & Pate link
6/8/2020 07:53:26 am

Aww thank you!! Haha isn't it strange reading these "in reverse?" I recently read one about driving in the States which I found bizarre! But I'm glad you enjoyed! There's no place in the world I love more than the U.K. - can't wait to go back! We were meant to go in March, 2020, so naturally that trip got rescheduled! xx

Reply
Sally
6/7/2020 06:31:27 am

I am Australian, not English, but your “tips to impress the English“ would also apply in Australia (except the umbrella one) because these are the things about American tourists that most annoy people (and cause endless eye rolls). Unfortunately, in my experience, many American tourists carry on as if they are still at home and make no attempt (and don’t catch the cues) to adjust their behaviour in other countries.

Reply
Alex link
6/20/2020 06:19:35 am

You should mention taking the London buses. It is really the key to the London experience. Of course, you’ll get lost and confused but it won’t matter as with the Oyster card, your travel for the day isn’t going to cost much more than a fiver anyway. The top deck of a London bus is the way to see the capital. The Tube is quicker and more efficient but nothing like as much fun. Real Londoners takes buses. You can try just getting on them randomly. You’ll end up in some great places and learn the geography of the city. Hop off if you see something interesting that you want to check out.

Reply
Sonya
7/5/2020 01:18:33 pm

I have been to England 3 times for work and one of those times I lived there for 6 months and I LOVE every single minute of it. I am from Georgia. All of your suggestions were on point to me. I too love the pub atmosphere and sunday brunch in the pub is quite lovely. I have never in my life felt more safe than when I was in England. I stayed in Oxford on all 3 of my trips. DEFINITELY get out to the little villages and experience that. The countryside is beautiful and don’t even get me started on the churches and architecture! I promise myself that I will live there some day. Here’s to someday!

Reply
Sarah
7/6/2020 05:11:00 pm

As an English gal myself, it was so nice to read how much you loved it over here! I always find it interesting to get a different perspective of our little island from visitors. If you haven't been already, i'd highly recommend Cornwall for your next visit, it is the perfect place if you like cosy pubs and dramatic coastlines with little smugglers coves and plenty of history! And if you're lucky you might get some of our good weather, it does happen I promise! Thank you for a lovely read that made me smile. :)

Reply
Taylor Anderson link
3/17/2021 03:59:25 pm

I like how you mentioned to wait in the queues, as British people are very particular about their cues. I think it would be awesome to go to England someday. Thanks for the great travel tips when visiting England!

Reply
Amber
9/25/2022 07:18:07 pm

Really interesting to read a travel blog on England from an Americans point of view. If you come to again, we have plenty more to offer than just London!
To experience the true beauty of England, check out some of the national parks, Peak District, Lake District, Cornwall etc 😊 stunning natural views & plenty of the quaint stone architecture that seems to appeal.
Also, it’s well worth travelling over to Wales! Some of the most stunning scenery in the UK, a small but stunning connecting country which probably gets overlooked. In particular Snowdonia, Gower & Pembrokeshire. Enjoy !

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