England
Country Overview
England is part of the United Kingdom. Scotland lies to its north, Wales to the west and the English Channel lies to the south separating the country from continental Europe. In addition to the mainland, 100 smaller islands are considered part of England. In addition to notable developments such as the Anglican Church, the English language, and the English legal system, England was also the first industrialized nation. The first technological discoveries occurred in 18th century England, but these advancements quickly transformed into major international changes that would mark a major turning point in history known as the Industrial Revolution. London, the capital of England, was home to much of the industrial development and as a result was the world’s most populous city between the 19th and 20th centuries. Now, London has become a major tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors. While it is a truly global city and the world’s leading financial center, it also is a source of history.
London contains four UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Westminster area (including the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret’s Church), Greenwich, and the Tower of London. The Tower of London is a historic castle that sits on the River Thames. Best known for its basement of torture chambers, the Tower of London makes for a fascinating visit. Men locally known as Beefeaters have historically been responsible for looking after prisoners in addition to guarding the British crown jewels. More recently, they act as tour guides and in many ways serve as a draw themselves as historical icons with outfits to match.
Like the Tower of London, many of the notable tourist spots lie on the River Thames. The London Eye and Big Ben rest upon the river which is filled with boats sailing for Greenwich, a district south of London that is a breath of fresh air in this populous capital.
Culture
British culture in highly unique and has been a large influencer to countries in Europe and the world. From Shakespeare to Virginia Woolf, England has been a source of literature advancements that continue into the modern day. London, specifically, is home to some of the most infamous playwrights and has a very lively theatre community. Museums and art galleries are also spread throughout the city including London’s British Museum which is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world.
While the British do very much enjoy the arts, England also has a strong sports heritage and it was there that formal leagues in soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, squash, tennis, hockey, boxing and many others first originated. Cricket is thought to have first developed among farming and metalworking communities in the early medieval period.
Many of English food customs also have spurred from the Medieval Period including the traditional example of the Sunday roast. This typically involves beef, lamb, or chicken with a variety of boiled vegetables, gravy, and Yorkshire pudding, a pastry developed to soak of the flavors of the roast. Pub cuisine is also quite common and it is there where you will find fish and chips, fried fish with a side of french fries typically dressed with salt and vinegar. The sausage is also a British food staple and is served in one of the best-known local foods, bangers and mash, a sausage served with mashed potatoes. While England certainly has its traditional meals, diversity has played a great role in the world of British cuisine and Indian foods have become a very common even in pub areas which is a direct result of British colonization of India until the 1940s.
Travel Tips
The voltage in England is 220. You will need a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. While using an adapter is essential, often an adapter doesn’t account for voltage differences and certain devices can become over-heated or destroyed. Consider buying a hairdryer, curling iron, or other heated styling device locally.
Be sure to bring copies of your passport to carry with you when traveling in England, as opposed to carrying the original. Leave the original in a safe place.
The Tube, London’s metro system, is a common area of transport that is wide-reaching and fast. Consider buying an Oyster Card that you pre-load and will allow you to easily switch between various modes of transportation without messing with change. Also be sure to note that when using escalators in the Tube stations to press yourself against the side rail. Londoners are always rushing to and from appointments and you are expected to be out of the way.
Traffic in England runs on the opposite side of the street when compared to the USA. This is even true of sidewalks, so be sure to walk on the left side and look to the right first before crossing the street.
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