20+ Tips I Wish I'd Known Before My First Trip to England

Heading "across the pond"? Your "favourite" anglophile has rounded up everything you'll want to know before your first visit to England.

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Preparing for your first visit to England?

Why do I keep going back to the United Kingdom? It's a question I've been asked many, many times...probably because we took 3 trips to England and Scotland during our first 5 years of being married. Oh and did I mention that my husband lived there for 6 months before we were married?

Anglophiles? You bet.

Black cabs on The Strand

For my money, there's no better place in the world for a luxurious, relaxing, historic, and, frankly, charming vacation. From the splendor of London to the cozy, quaint nature of the Cotswolds, England has so much to offer first time visitors and seasoned European travel veterans. The British people are welcoming, there's obviously no language barrier, the public transit system is manageable and accessible, you can visit countless world-class museums, and you have everything from modern, major cities to Disney-esque villages.

As with any international destination, there are a number of things that are certainly worth knowing before you go, and that's why you're here!

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 trips 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.

Alright, let's do it! Grab yourself a cup of tea, turn on one of my 20 Classic British Detective Shows, and let's "have a go" at learning everything you need to know before your first time visiting England!

First Trip to England: Arriving in the U.K.

Assuming you'll be landing in London at Heathrow Airport, you can expect a fairly streamlined entry process (there are other London airports, including Gatwick Airport and London City Airport, but I've only ever flown into Heathrow). London is one of the most visited cities in the world, so they can process thousands of visitors a day. The easiest way to get to central London from Heathrow is the Heathrow Express, which takes visitors from Heathrow to London Paddington in 15 minutes. It costs a little, but book online for the lowest fares and it's worth the spend. Kids under 15 are free. From Paddington Station, you can take the Tube anywhere you want to go, or hop in a famous black cab and hope for a chat with one of those classic London taxi drivers.
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First Trip to England FAQ:
​When do I exchange my money?

The are two things you need to know about accessing money during your time in the U.K. First, tell your bank that you'll be abroad so they don't freeze your credit cards. The vast majority of transactions will be on your credit card, so make sure they're prepared and that you have a card without foreign transaction fees. Second, change your money at your American bank (usually for free) before your trip. It's easier, hassle-free, and without charge. The cash exchange places in airport or on the street will rip you off.

First Trip to England: Pubs

Nothing better than a fresh pint!

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.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

First Trip to England FAQ: Is English food really that bad?

I think we can all agree that the Brits get a lot of slack for their less-than-desirable cuisine. In fairness, traditional British good can be a bit "bland," but it's really fine. A bit light on the vegetables and heavy on the fried (hello, fish and chips), but it certainly gets the job done. But with the influx of immigrants over the years, they've thankfully added some delicious new flavors into the mainstays of British fare. Be sure to indulge in a full English breakfast, particularly after a 'heavy' night at the pub.

First Trip to England: The History

Tower of London

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.

Welford-on-Avon

Love British TV? Check out the best shows on Acorn TV and Britbox!

First Trip to England:
Falling in Love with London

Westminster & Big Ben

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.

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!

Read up on all of my top tips for visiting London >

First Trip to London FAQ:
Where Should I Stay in London?

You really can't go wrong, as long as you're near the center of the action and a Tube station. While staying far outside the center of the city in a suburban area may seem like a great money saver, you'll spend money - and even more valuable, time - trying to get to the places you actually want to visit. London is *massive* and what looks like a short walk on a map is likely much further than you're anticipating.

That said, we've stayed in both Belgravia at The Goring 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!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.

Essential London Sights

On my first visit to England, before I was the expert, I had my husband, fresh off of his time living in London, who made sure I saw the main attractions I wanted to see. You'll find various lists of what first-time visitors need to see in London, but here are mine:

• Westminster Abbey
• The British Museum (featuring the Elgin Marbles and the Rosetta Stone)
• Buckingham Palace
• Kensington Palace
• St Paul's Cathedral
• The London Eye (spring for the 'fizz')
• The Churchill War Rooms (not for the claustrophobic)
• Tower Bridge (just see it - doesn't require a tour. And please, please, please don't call it "London Bridge")
• The City of London (grab a drink at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese!)
• Trafalgar Square

First Trip to England FAQ:
​Should I get the London Pass?

St Pauls Cathedral, London

Yes! The London Pass is absolutely worth the investment. Be strategic about which sights you visit, don't buy it for every day you're in London (you might want to do other things some day. Just be sure to consolidate), and be sure to include a few "deep dives" that maybe you wouldn't have checked out otherwise. The very high entrance fee at The Tower of London alone makes the pass practically pay for itself. The London Pass even includes the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich, which is just a fun (included on the Pass!) Thames boat ride away!

FAQ: How long should I spend in London?

...When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.

Sadly, we all have lives to get back to. You can easily and happily spend 10 very happy days in London, throwing in a few short day or half-day trips to mix things up. If you don't have much time, make sure you give the greatest city in the world at least 3 full days.

First Trip to England: The Tube

London's Underground

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 FAQ: Public Toilets

When I first started the blog, my husband told me I should call it "is there a bathroom here?" He's not wrong.

Overall, I'd say that the approach to public toilets in the U.K. is the same as in the U.S.: There are some truly public, free toilets scattered throughout London and in the main areas of villages you'll visit. They're reasonably clean, and few and far between. In general, use the bathroom at tourist attractions (museums, stately homes) or places where you've eaten. You can also drop into a pub, cafe, or coffee shop and buy something small just to use the bathroom. There are a few pay public toilets in a pinch. Generally, I go to a Pret a Manger and get a coffee and water and a quick rest before I continue my meandering! 

First Trip to England: The Royal History

Buckingham Palace

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

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 afternoon tea

Of course "tea" isn't just about the beverage

"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: Easy day trips

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. My essential day trips on a first visit to London would be:

•           Windsor Castle & Hampton Court Palace
•           Oxford or Cambridge (not both)
•           Bath

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

English manners for tourists

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.

Stamford, Lincolnshire

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope you fall madly in love with England, and my husband and I certainly have, and that this voyage 'across the pond' will be the first of many lovely trips for you. I so appreciate you popping by to prepare and get your juices flowing before you go! Let me know your thoughts, questions, and suggestions in the comment section! xx

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