Who here has been to England?

I have never been out of the country before. On Thanksgiving day I will leave to go to England, coming home on the 29th. I'm going to meet some friends I have known for a long time online as well as going to see VNV Nation live a few more times. I start off in Newcastle for a night, then off to Sheffield for a night, then off to London until I leave. I am so excited for so many reasons it would be too long to name them.....

But, just the fact it will be my first time out of the U.S. is exciting enough as it is. I am also very nervous, there is someone I will see that I had some 'strange' experiences with the last time I saw them and I think it's going to be um...probably even stranger....

Anyway, just wondering if anyone has anything they'd like to share if they have been there - memories, tips, ettiquette, etc.....

(20 in fact) so I have no relevant info to relate except that I loved it loved it loved it! For some reason it was sunny almost the whole 2 weeks we were there---I heard that was unusual. If you get a chance, go to Scotland too. I still remember Edinburgh.
Beautiful beautiful; and even the ugly was beautiful---just because it was different.
Do ME a favor and get a REAL recipe for scones--I can't seem to get them right here.
Felt like home. Someday, I want to spend a few years there.......

All recipes listed at:

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/worldgreatbrit/greatbrit.html

Scottish Honey Scones recipe at:

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/worldgreatbrit/greatbrit81.htm

Good luck!

We are going to London, Paris, Edinburgh, and New York City next May for a holiday. Can't wait!

From Edinburgh.

I lived in Glasgow for nearly 6 years and it's my FAVORITE city anywhere in the world...it's EVEN nicer than The Crescent City.

Glasgow is a very compact city, it's small compared to other cities, but it has EVERYTHING you're going to need. Also, it's IMPOSSIBLE to get lost in the city center, because Glasgow only has 3 main streets and they're all interconnecting: Sauchiehall Street, Argyle Street and St. Vincent Street.

Glasgow also has the BEST little cinema EVER: The GFT, built in the 1920s and it's still all Art Deco and inside it's all polished wood and marble and brass...FABULOUS. Here's their website:

http://www.gft.org.uk/

It's on Rose Street, which is just off Sauchiehall Street. And you could also go to the Glasgow Center for Contemporary Art, on Sauchiehall Street:

http://www.cca-glasgow.com/

Glasgow also has the BEST public park on the PLANET...Kelvingrove Park, here's an interactive website where you can see an aerial picture and learn more about the park:

http://www.brocweb.com/kelvingrove/

NO, I DON'T work for the Glasgow Tourism Board :) I just ADORE the place down to my soul.

You NEED to visit Glasgow mon amie :)

away for a total of four weeks -- Paris first, then Edinburgh, London and finally New York City.

We might just have enough time to get to Glasgow, says my travel agent husband, sitting right next to me.

Those places look very interesting. That park MUST BE GORGEOUS, and I adore ART DECO THEATRES!

Thanks SO MUCH for the links!

Radio_Lady, Movie and Book Reviewer extraordinare...

Should you get to Glasgow...yeah that's a GOOD travel agent ya got mon amie ;)

The Willow Tea Rooms, one on Buchanan Street and one on Sauchiehall Street:

http://www.willowtearooms.co.uk/buchanan.htm

http://www.willowtearooms.co.uk/sauchiehall.htm

And THIS particular GEM, Miss Cranston's Tea Rooms:

http://www.misscranstons.com/tearooms.htm

http://www.misscranstons.com/bakery.htm

http://www.misscranstons.com/chocolates.htm

Oh YES indeed, I DO declare, Miss Cranston's is gorgeous.

I'm glad to pass info on.

I DON'T think that Faye that started this thread likes me...she's ignored all of my comments, but answered most of the OTHER ones that people have posted. I was only trying to help afterall.

:cry:

On Edit: The Willow Tea Rooms first opened in 1904. Charles Rennie MacIntosh was the main architect in Glasgow, MANY of the buildings were designed by Rennie MacIntosh including Glasgow University, which I believe is the oldest University in the whole of Europe...if not the oldest, it's in the top five oldest, I'll have to check.

what the hell are you talking about? why wouldn't i like you? i am still reading the damn thread, people keep replying...i'm just kinda reading :P

also CRM House for an Art Lover
http://www.houseforanartlover.co.uk/

is something not to miss - and there's a cafe there too so you can stop for a cup of tea :)

Charles Rennie MacIntosh is famous for The Glasgow School of Art as well as Hillhead house in Hellensburgh

but enough about Scotland -- it's England we should be advising on...... :)

AND THE CANDY == TRY LOTS OF CANDY while you are in England - it's the best!!!!!

Rennie MacIntosh didn't design the University, it was Glasgow School of Art...I confused the two.

Glasgow School of Art is a fantastic building, this link has a bit of history and some excellant pictures:

http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Glasgow_School_of_Art.html

Glasgow University is worth looking at, both from a historical and architectural perspective. A friend of mine several years ago, he lost a very close vote to become Rector of Glasgow University...but we won't hold THAT against them :) This is their website, very interesting stuff on this page Past and Present, gives the whole rundown of when the place was built and whatnot...1451 is a VERY long time ago:

http://www.gla.ac.uk/general/welcome/past_present.html

This part of the same website has some lovely pictures of the University:

http://www.gla.ac.uk:443/pictures/

And this particular picture of the University is taken from Kelvingrove Park, which I mentioned last night. This is a beautiful picture and I like that the photographer has managed to get a bit of the River Clyde in his picture:

http://www.gla.ac.uk:443/pictures/medium.cfm?name=kelvin.jpg

Dammit :( That picture that they won't let me post, on the previous above link for all the University pictures, it's the last picture at the bottom left.

Yes, as you said, enough of Scotland, it's England we should be advising on...it's just that Radio_Lady mentioning Edinburgh reminded me of Glasgow and my complete adoration of that place.

I should have known.....but thanks so much!!Yumm...scones with strawberrry jam.......

sell the lawyers and the guns and just bring the money

whew, england has gotten sky-high!!!! have a debit card or another way to get extra funds should you need it

don't forget there are many great museums that are absolutely free in london, such as british museum, musem of natural history (dinosaurs!!!!) tate museum etc. so you will be able to sightsee during the day even after the clubs, pubs, and restaurants have relieved you of your last dime

there is no reason to be nervous, have fun!

i'm sure my last day or so there i will be completely broke other than my money i will need to get on the tube to the airport :eyes:

so thanks, i will definately look into getting some free sightseeing!

wears off in the morning.

"yesterday" :shrug: :P

And have visited a few times since, but the last time I was there was 1996. I think you will have a great time. My best advice to anyone is research and know what you're going to do and where you're going to go in advance if possible.

I felt safer on the streets in England than I do here, but when in a foreign country you can never be too careful. Also, carry your passport with you at all times.

I miss London.

It was our first trip abroad, and wwe went to England since we would not have problems with the language....

We LOVE England, and have been back. It's a gorgeous country, and the people are so nice.

Just be polite as you would anywhere and enjoy yourself! Do let us know how it went, would you?

I always write a travel diary, and I find that this helps me remember just what I did each day.....You might consider doing this, esp. since this is your first trip abroad.....

Have a blast!


:hug:

My niece is doing her senior year at Oxford. Have a wonderful trip!

hardest barrier to manage, and of course, there isn't one for you in England.

Just be polite, make jokes, smile and enjoy.

Try to get to Maggie Jones restaurant in Kensington High Street, and the usual sites are fantastic. The tube is INSANELY easy to get around on, and YOU MUST go to Harrods. You MUST.

You simply MUST.

I found that, because I was American and the English were, well, English, I and they assumed we would understand each other. I didn't take as much care in speaking at first because I thought, hey, we're both speaking the same language. Bad assumption. It often took a few "Pardon?s" before we could communicate.

I'd say, be sure to enunciate when in England.

So I don't know if my experience will be relevant. However, I found that people in London were very willing to help me out when I was lost or needed information. I LOVED being in London. So much to see and do.

If my experience is any guide, people will be very willing to help you if you ask for help. People were unfailingly polite and ready to give advice if I asked, back when.

Enjoy! And don't forget to post when you get back!

I did when I went last year for Christmas. It was wonderful.
Just remember not to say "pants" to anyone - it doesn't mean jeans. :-)

am visiting son at xmas...not certain how cold it will be

I needed my long trench and gloves, but I didn't need thermals or anything.

The day time at present is strangely Springlike, but as SOON as it gets dark around 4.45pm the temperature drops dramatically.

Who HAS thermals anyway? :) 'Cept, maybe some people in Northern Scandanavia perhaps.

The Met Office informs the country that this Winter is going to be rather brutal...so I would advise anyone visiting to bring the appropiate warm clothing in case of the event.

It won't get as cold as...Chicago though. My ex-boyfriend and I got marooned in Chicago one December, for near on 4 days and it was like SIBERIA, it was awful.

On Edit: Spelling error.

could be different than what i consider cold :shrug:

Where I am, which is in a tiny village outside of a place called Tatton (I have two neighboring tiny villages hilariously named Lower Peover and Over Peover!) Tonight, I'd say it was about 2 degrees.

Probably at the most in the night, it could go down to -4 degrees below zero. During the daytime we're looking at say between 12 degrees and 14 degrees.

Heck, it's a shame you're only visiting for four days, you'll have to make a return trip because I'd recommend you visit Coniston Water in Cumbria. On your journey from Newcastle to Sheffield, if you're going by train, then you'll go through Cumbria.

Coniston Water apart from it's staggering beauty is famous for: Arthur Ransome basing his novel 'Swallows And Amazons' there, and for Sir Donald Campbell being killed there in 1967, in his Bluebird, whilst attempting to break the waterspeed record, he was going for 300mph and it all went tragically wrong.

Keep Coniston Water in mind for next time, here's a gallery of pictures for you to see:

http://www.nickbarlow.com/pics/cumbria/coniston/

(NOT as awesome as Loch Lomond, but as people should be aware by now, I am biased toward the land of Rabbie Burns and Mogwai :)

in Fahrenheit or Celsius?? :scared:

and those pics look very nice, looks like a calming place. i'm afraid i won't have time to see anything like that on this trip :(

Just don't wear shorts or something :)

The degrees I was mentioning are in Celsius.

So tonight it's 2 degrees Celsius = 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

During the daytime:

12 degrees Celsius = 53 degrees Fahrenheit.
14 degrees Celsius = 57 degrees Fahrenheit.

If it went down in the night to -4 degrees Celsius, that would be around 26 degrees Fahrenheit.

And to think, just a month and a few weeks ago, there I was in an environment that started out at 104 degrees, then went into the mid-90 degrees...and in the night time it was 80 degrees and I was thinking 80 degrees was slightly chilly! Jaysus, roll on Louisiana and Texas in February.

thanks :)

The other half I live in Louisiana.

I'm in England right now. If you're going to Sheffield, or if you can spare a day away from London...then you should visit Manchester...Manchester's better than Sheffield actually.

Etiquette: British food sucks, but there's an abundance of French, Italian, Japanese etc restaurants in Manchester and London.

The weather is INCREDIBLY all over the place...prepare for the worst possible scenario.

Beware of London black cabs, if they discover that you're American, they'll give you a complete tour of the WHOLE of London...when you ONLY asked to be taken from say Pimlico to Hampstead...thus resulting in you paying about £25-£30 when it SHOULD have only cost you £12.

TELL EVERYONE YOU'RE FROM CANADA...it helps avoid people thinking you supported Junior, it helps avoid you having to spend an HOUR explaining to them that you DIDN'T and DON'T support Junior.

REMEMBER BRITAIN DRIVES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. You also cannot MOVE the car if the traffic light goes on Red...EVEN if no others cars are coming from the other directions.

As you'll be going first North and then to London. I must say that I think people in North England are more friendly than people in London.

YOU WILL POSSIBLY HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING THE NEWCASTLE ACCENT, which is called Geordie.

Okay, that's all off the top of my head and it's all basically stuff to watch out for, tips I suppose.

On Edit: Be prepared for a SHOCK at HOW EXPENSIVE EVERYTHING is compared to America. If you buy something at home, it's going to be TWICE or sometimes THREE times the amount in Britain.

Example: You go somewhere and you want a cup of coffee. At home it'll be $3, the SAME type of coffee in Britain will cost you £3-£4, which in dollars would be $5-$6...YES, in London it's very well going to cost NEAR $6 for a cup of coffee.

Jeez, you will be there a damn short time. Most of the cities you are visiting, I have only passed through (Newcastle and Sheffield). But are gritty industrial cities.

You will have very little time in London. Too little time to see lots of the tourist sights. I don't know where you are staying, but try to walk through the neighborhoods. It is a lot less overwhelming than trying to take in the Tower, Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Pauls, etc., etc. (I could go on for hours) in a day or so.

For me, England has always been very familiar. But it is on a much smaller scale than the US. People there have always been extremely polite to me...but I try to blend in as much as is possible for a 5' 10" woman.

Have a wonderful time.

I once went to Vegas with a Brit and had a horrible time convincing him that it was proper etiquette to tip the bartender. I didn't understand at all.

Congratulations on 100 posts, by the way!!!

:( but it has to be i guess....i couldn't afford to take off work any more days than that, i already probably won't get paid for the holidays of Thanksgiving and the day after because i'll be out of work the following Monday and Tuesday as well. it's gonna kill me that week moneywise....

so i'll just have to suck up every second and experience i possibly can while i'm there, right? i can't wait!!!!

If London, by far the best way to get up to Newcastle is by train - Great North Eastern Railway from King's Cross. The tube at Heathrow goes directly to King's Cross (about an hour), or there's the express train which goes to Victoria Station in about 20 mins - then you have to get to King's Cross anyway.
You can book your train tickets online from here and pick them up at the station over there at automatic ticket booths

http://www.gner.co.uk/GNER

It's a hell of a lot cheaper than buying the ticket on the same day at the station.
Newcastle has a new bridge called the "Winking Bridge" (I think), it's a tourist attraction

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/news/story/0,11711,790851,00.html

I went to the University of Sheffield in the late 60s. Sheffield used to be the biggest steel-manufacturing town in the UK, until Thatcher ruined the British steel industry. The city has plenty of pedestrian only precincts, and the outskirts are beautiful upland moorlands of the Pennines. Buses and trams are extrememly cheap and frequent, and the city can be explored very easily from the top of a double-decker bus; being built on 7 hills (i'ts always 7 hills!), the rides can be thrilling in a tame sort of San Fran way.

Enjoy yourself - try to get a little sleep on the way over, as you'll be landing at the equivalent of around 2 am US time.

my flight goes from Newark here into Amsterdam, then i wait an hour to switch planes, which will then take me to Newcastle. I'll be staying in Newcastle upon Tyne.

I already got my train tickets, the following day i'll be taking Virgin trains to Sheffield, already got them reserved, just gotta get the ticket from the machine when i get there...then from Sheffield, i take a train to Kings Cross in London, which is only minutes walk from my hotel....

then when i leave on the 29th i'll take the tube to Heathrow...

I hear they're in dire need in Newcastle ... ;)

The coldest winter I spent was a summer in Scotland. Anyhoo... remember the old travel adage... half the clothes and twice the money. Have fun! And, BTW, yes, the beer is supposed to be warm.

I'm telling you!

I loved London, was there 5 days. British Museum, Tower of London, Harrods, House of Commons were excellent. If you take the tube(subway) be sure to "mind the gap..."

That there's literally a gap between the platform and the tube train that you're ABOUT to get on.

So be careful, or else you might get hurt.

On Edit: I'm sorry my other post re. England wasn't all happy-clappy, but I thought it sensible to point out what you should be careful about.

:hi: i'll be sure to remember that!

:hi:

definately not when i plan on getting l......

oh nevermind :hi:

to "Mind the Gap". The GAp is the gap between the train and the platform where you can be trapped or your leg goes into it and you die.

So, Mind the Gap. :)

"Mind the gap....mind the gap...mind the gap"

I was in London and then Paris for a two weeks in Oct/Nov 1992; was following the elections in the Herald Tribune and was thrilled when Big Dog won; if I was overseas when Duhbya won, I'd probably still be there...

x(

I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time. (Regional - but bloody true - stereotype) Up North, they don't feel the cold ... don't let your mates talk you into a night out without your coat. Madness!

If you've got any specific questions, come over to the UK forum. We've got several Londoners & Thankfully_in_Britain lives in Sheffield.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=191

That you do :)

Bear in mind my recollections are a couple of decades old, but during my visit to the U.K., people were extremely helpful regarding things such as directions (people OFFERED help and didn't wait for me to ask).

As for the weather, my advice is dress in layers and pay special attention to foot gear. I recall that when I lived in Europe, my first shock was dealing with how cold my feet got during the course of a day of walking around, and of course rain brought its own problems.

Have a great trip, Faye!

Too much fun to specify. The thing to do is challenge the Beefeater Guards. Come on, this is England. It's not like they'll actually shoot or anything.

My family members still bust up at the memory of the time I intentionally kept creeping closer to one of them when I was 15. Finally the guard blurted out, "Stay behind the white line." It was classic. A big deep voice but faked even deeper than any human could have for a norm. I was startled and jumped back. All the other tourists around me were laughing like hell and daring me to do it again.

Prestigious position. I think you have to serve more than two decades to get that assignment. Fancy red uniforms and tall black hats. You would recognize them from a picture.

thanks

My Beefeater Guards post was admittedly flippant, just an excuse to mention that incident because my parents and sister always kid me about it.

One great thing to do is visit Piccadilly Circus right in the heart of London. You'll get the flavor of the city, especially if you also take the underground to get there or depart from there. For tourists they even have instructions written on the street, saying "Look Right," to prevent instinct from kicking in and looking in the wrong direction when you're trying to cross the street, since of course they drive on the left.

I loved it.

Memories? People in small towns seem to HATE americans. I had to show my passport more than once so that they'd treat me nicely.

She'll probably be okay in London. However, in Newcastle and Sheffield I would advise her to tell people she's Canadian...just in case.

It's NOT as bad as it WAS during the beginning of the Murdering Orgy aka Junior and Blair's Iraq War...it's not as bad now as it was at the start of THAT. But, I'd still suggest outside of London, to say she's from Canada.

:shrug: lol

Fake an Irish one :)

enough about Irish things or people :blush: i already got it bad as it is

it just got hot over here

and am American. I have NEVER had a problem.

Though the people with English accents who come up to me on the street asking for directions (in many cities) are rather annoying. Since I cannot help them much.

:shrug:

that was my personal experience *shrug*

the people i met in small towns were v. friendly, the londoners also, tho londoners are much busier and fast-paced these days than in times gone by

where did you go, the cotswolds area seems quite enthusiastic abt tourists

They just think you're really bizarre. Just like small towns everywhere, I guess. You might find that people here think that Bush is a joke but as soon as they realise that you think the same you'll be fine.

:scared:

I was 22 and was there by myself. I had gone to Europe by myself that trip. I was lucky in that I had relatives in Luxembourg and Belgium and family friends in Germany...all of whom I visited.

It was the first time I had been away from home by myself. You will be fine. Have a wonderful time.

Stationed on an Air Force base (RAF Chicksands), just outside a little village called Shefford.

I've always wanted to go back, but have never had the opportunity. It's a magical island.

One funny thing- after a while, I got my driver's license and bought an old Morris Minor car (it was passed along from person to person on base as they rotated in and out). For some reason I found it very easy to get used to driving on the other side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right side of the cab. I never quite understood why the gas pedal, brake, and clutch were in "our" positions, tho. Anyhoo, for some reason I found it far harder to get used to driving when I came back over! I had to get used to it quickly, however- my parents made me drive home from the airport...

:rofl:

And walk into a pub and order a whisky mac. (It's made with Stone's Geen Ginger Wine and Scotch, so be sure you want that strong a drink, but it warms you up all over and is oddly tasty.)

Brits pretty much love us (I married one) and if you don't be an "Ugly American" you'll get along fine.

The trains and the Tube are wonderful.

ENJOY! I'm envious.

i have lots of family there. i went when i was a year old and don't remember that of course.

i went about 2 years ago for a cousin's wedding. it was only for the weekend though and i didn't really do any sightseeing tourist type stuff.

but i did like just being in a different place. i know you will have a lot of fun there and want to go back again.

...but it was forty years ago.

And, believe me, London was a very cool place to visit at the height of the "British Invasion," even as a 9-year-old. I can only imagine what it would have been like had I been a teenager...

exchange money at the airport. The exchange rate is piss-poor and will cobble your funds early.

Try not to carry too much cash at all, anyhow. Use a debit card or credit card 90% of the time. Unlike currency exchanges, banks use the "real" exchange rate posted for any given day. As a result, you get the bank's rate, and NOT the manipulated rates offered by exchange places. It's okay to get some cash before you leave, but get it at a bank or a travel agency that deals with it a lot, like Thomas Cook. And keep it to a bare minimum. You can check out daily rates of currency exchange at http://www.xe.com to see what to expect.

And in relation to that, regardless of how you look at it when you get there, remember how much you are using. The pound has always been about 1.5 or 2 times greater than the American dollar. So that £5 hamburger is actually about $8.

The parks in London are gorgeous. The British treat their leisure time far more valuably than Americans. You will see lots of people in the parks, and most Brits are happy to answer questions you might have, though they are a lot more reserved than Americans.

If you have time, write to the Tower of London, tell them the dates you will be there, and see if you can secure tickets for the "Ceremony of the Keys." It's a midnight ritual at the Tower, and only a small number of people are allowed to go each night. But it's fascinating.

While you are there, take advantage of some of the guided tour buses. With limited time, you will want to take at least one bus tour to simply see more and hear more than you might otherwise get to. And consider one of the more bizarre ones, the "Jack the Ripper's London" tour, which will get you into the mood for ghost stories and some healthy terror.

Be prepared for LONG airport walks. And be aware that London has TWO major airports, Gatwick and Heathrow. Heathrow is further away from London, and takes longer to get into the city.

but i am told i can just take the tube straight to it, not too expensive for the ride either...

all that stuff around and trying to figure out where I'm going.

There are good buses going to central London, from where you can catch a cab to your hotel for cheap. Be prepared to nap for a good 2-3 hours when you get there, from jet lag.

Returning, we were very tired and hired a private car from the hotel for the 2 of us, which was $45 and worth every penny, being a mercedez with the fellow handling the bags, right up to our gate.

See, the bus was $12 each and the cab $6 quid, it all adds up, right?

The hotel desk will usually have an affordable ride, I've found, so definitely ask for their best bargains.

Maybe this was because I happened to be visiting a friend in London at the same time that the German soccer team was playing England there, but I had some strange experieces.

The first thing to happen when I got off the Eurostar, was that the guy at immigration gave me the 3rd degree. He looked through my US passport, but when he asked my place of residence and I said "Augsburg, Germany" he gave me a strange look and examined my German residence Visa. He asked me why I lived there and I told him "I'm a student there", he asks "Why would you want to study in Germany?" and I say "I am studying German language and literature." He grunted in a semi-satisfied manner. He was bothered by the fact that I had no return ticket (I planned to buy that at the station on my way back) and made sure to stamp me as not eligible for govt. aid, as if I would want to mooch off of the UK when I could mooch off of the BRD.

But other than that people were generally cool. Although I got strange looks when people asked what I did and I told them that I studied German lit and lang.

Mixed in so far, that I had about three or four nasty experiences and thirty or forty were positive (and that's not counting the situations where Scots were involved).

Nasty was the usual stuff: Hitler greetings, strange comments ("Do you want to invade this country"), you get the drift.

Positive were actual friendships and conversations with veterans, classmates and so on (I actually went to school in the UK for a few weeks).

I have pretty much given up on the English media and would be careful with mentioning football - that aside people are generally cool ;-) .

the chocolate....
Flakes....
a 99 (ice cream)....
a double nouget (ice cream)....
Fry's chocolate creme....
Crunchie Bar....
Cadbury buttons
Milky Bar
Smarties......

The Brits have peculiar words for many things. Money is referred to as "goolies" in slang, so you should for instance say "I'd love to come to the pub but I haven't got any goolies." "Quid" is the modern word for what was once called a "shilling" -- the equivalent of seventeen cents American. Underpants are called "wellies" and friends are called "tossers." If you are fond of someone, you should tell him he is a "great tosser" -- he will be touched. The English are a notoriously demonstrative, tactile people, and if you want to fit in you should hold hands with your acquaintances and tossers when you walk down the street. Public nuzzling and licking are also
encouraged, but only between people of the same sex.

Habits

Ever since their Tory government wholeheartedly embraced full union with Europe, the Brits have been attempting to adopt certain continental customs, such as the large midday meal followed by a two or three hour siesta, which they call a "wank." As this is still a fairly new practice in Britain, it is not uncommon for people to oversleep (alarm clocks, alas, do not work there due to the magnetic pull from Greenwich). If you are late for supper, simply apologize and explain that you were having a wank -- everyone will understand and forgive you.

Universities

University archives and manuscript collections are still governed by quaint medieval rules retained out of respect for tradition; hence patrons are expected to bring to the reading rooms their own ink-pots and a small knife for sharpening their pens. Observing these customs will signal the librarians that you are "in the know" -- one of the inner circle, as it were, for the rules are unwritten and not posted anywhere in the library.

Likewise, it is customary to kiss the librarian on both cheeks when he brings a manuscript you've requested, a practice dating back to the reign of Henry VI.

One of the most delighful ways to spend an afternoon in Oxford or Cambridge is gliding gently down the river in one of their flat- bottomed boats, which you propel using a long pole. This is known as "cottaging." Many of the boats (called "yer-i-nals") are privately owned by the colleges, but there are some places that rent them to the public by the hour. Just tell a professor or policeman that you are interested in doing some cottaging and would like to know where the public yerinals are. The poles must be treated
with vegetable oil to protect them from the water, so it's a good idea to buy a can of Crisco and have it on you when you ask directions to the yerinals. That way people will know you are an experienced cottager.

Food

British cuisine enjoys a well deserved reputation as the most sublime gastronomic pleasure available to man. Thanks to today's robust dollar, the American traveller can easily afford to dine out several times a week (rest assured that a British meal is worth interrupting your afternoon wank for).

Few foreigners are aware that there are several grades of meat in the UK. The best cuts of meat, like the best bottles of gin, bear Her Majesty's seal, called the British Stamp of Excellence (BSE). When you go to a fine restaurant, tell your waiter you want BSE beef and won't settle for anything less. If he balks at your request, custom dictates that you jerk your head imperiously back and forth while rolling your eyes to show him who is boss.

Once the waiter realizes you are a person of discriminating taste, he may offer to let you peruse the restaurant's list of exquisite British wines.

If he doesn't, you should order one anyway. The best wine grapes grow on the steep, chalky hillsides of Yorkshire and East Anglia -- try an Ely '84 or Ripon '88 for a rare treat indeed. When the bill for your meal comes it will show a suggested amount. Pay whatever you think is fair, unless you plan to dine there again, in which case you should simply walk out; the restaurant host will understand that he should run a tab for you.

Transportation

Public taxis are subsidized by the Her Majesty's Government. A taxi ride in London costs two pounds, no matter how far you travel. If a taxi driver tries to overcharge you, you should yell "I think not, you charlatan!", then grab the nearest bobby and have the driver arrested. It is rarely necessary to take a taxi, though, since bus drivers are required to make detours at patrons' requests. Just board any bus, pay your fare of thruppence (the heavy gold-colored coins are "pence"), and state your destination clearly to the driver, e.g.: "Please take me to the British Library." A driver will frequently try to have a bit of harmless fun by pretending he doesn't go to your requested destination. Ignore him, as he is only teasing the American tourist (little does he know you're not so
ignorant!).

Speaking of the British Library, you should know that it has recently moved to a new location at Kew. Kew is a small fishing village in Wales. It can be reached by taking the train to Cardiff; once there, ask any local about the complimentary shuttle bus to Kew. Don't forget that buses are called "prams" in England, and trains are called "bumbershoots"--it's a little confusing at first. Motorcycles are called "lorries" and the hospital, for reasons unknown, is called the "off-license". It's also very important
to know that a "doctor" only means a PhD in England, not a physician. If you want a physician, you must ask for an "MP" (which stands for "master physician").

For those travelling on a shoestring budget, the London Tube may be the most economical way to get about, especially if you are a woman. Chivalry is alive and well in Britain, and ladies still travel for free on the Tube. Simply take some tokens from the baskets at the base of the escalators or on the platforms; you will find one near any of the state-sponsored Tube musicians.

Once on the platform, though, beware! Approaching trains sometimes disturb the large Gappe bats that roost in the tunnels. The Gappes were smuggled into London in the early 19th century by French saboteurs and have proved impossible to exterminate. The announcement "Mind the Gappe!" is a signal that you should grab your hair and look towards the ceiling. Very few people have ever been killed by Gappes, though, and they are considered only a minor drawback to an otherwise excellent means of transportation. (If you have difficulty locating the Tube station, merely follow the signs that say "Subway" and ask one of the full-time attendants where you can catch the bumbershoot.)

One final note: for preferential treatment when you arrive at Heathrow airport, announce that you are a member of Shin Fane (an international Jewish peace organization -- the "shin" stands for "shalom"). As savvy travellers know, this little white lie will assure you priority treatment as you make your way through customs; otherwise you could waste all day in line. You might, in fact, want to ask a customs agent to put a Shin Fane stamp in your passport, as it will expedite things on your return trip.

And last, but not least, this is all meant as humour. It is entirely tongue-in-cheek and I cannot recommend you pay the slightest attention to any of it.

:D

Couldn't get on anything... but I did go to the WWII museum where Churchil conducted the war.

PM me if you want to talk; I can probably answer just about any question you have.

So, yes.

My brother and I were tripping around Europe in 76 and went to London, Bath, Stonehenge and Wales(Llanberis pass) to go climbing. We were at Stonehenge for the Solstice and there was a big rock festival going on. When I went in 2000 the tour guide said the stones were closed off due to problems from a huge rock festival in 76.
Enjoy your trip and have a pint of bitters.

and if you have the time, go to Edinburgh.

been back many times to visit relatives - just let the Brits know you don't support bush inc and you will be fine

My business takes me to London several times a year. During my most recent trip I was able to get out of the financial area and hit the west end for some fun. One place I went was "The Ice Bar", which is actually part of a bar called Below Zero. www.belowzerolondon.com
Everything in the bar is made of ice and it is kept at -5 degrees C. It is pretty cool (pun intended). The bar, walls, tables, bar stools and chairs and the glassed are made from ice. It is all absolute vodka drinks. It was a bit pricey, but was fun. They give you thick long capes and mittens to stay warm and dry. I would try it if you are in that end of town.

London is fun. I rarely go out of town and can't comment on the rest of the UK. Enjoy yourself

1991-early 1992 to be exact. London is my most favorite city in the world. It's very cosmopolitan, although it can be a headache for North Americans trying to navigate the streets. I've been back once since then (I was in the wedding party for a friends' wedding), and I would jump at the chance to live over there again, even if for a short time.

For your first visit, do all the tourist-y stuff: the Tower, Westminster, the Tower Bridge, etc. Maybe get rush tickets in Leicester Square to go see some theatre-- London is the home to the best English-language productions, and NOT just the cheezy musicals, either.

Have a good time and enjoy yourself!

Don't worry overmuch about etiquette. Use the 'ugly American' to your strength. If you have a stupid question to ask of a shopkeeper or someone, go ahead and ask, and smile. If you get asked about politics, just make it known your president embarrasses you and you'll do fine.

Use your debit/credit card to get cash and don't go to the exchangers. Keep track of your balance and purchases in your own head or paper tally instead of using the ATM to find out what it is. I freaked out when every ATM showed me having something like 2k less than what was actually in there. Tried to use a phone to call my bank, but the keypads were different or something and the touch tones weren't registering.

Many restaurants have a strict serving time for dinners and lunches. Plan to have your meals when they are serving, or plan to have to eat at fast food joints.

If you don't have to see the Tower and the other standard tourist stuff, don't, you'll be spending too much of your vacation waiting in line.

If you won't be in the company of natives the whole time you're in London, and you plan to hit more than two-three areas of town in a day, get a tube pass for the days you'll be there. Especially if you're going to do any shopping or changing of clothes.

For train travel in and out of London, inquire about getting APEX return rates. I was able to get an APEX fare from Cornwall --> Newbury and discard the return ticket, and it was still cheaper than a one-way fare.

Couple things: Portobello Road market is very hip and colorful, but the goods are seriously over-priced. If you're going to be looking for souvenirs and such, you might do better in Newcatle & Sheffield and the smaller places.

If you have the opportunity to enjoy a "Cornish tea," DO IT. The clotted cream is pure heaven.

Oh - and have a wonderful time. I got so knocked out by all the color that when I got back to the states I bought an easel and supplies and started oil painting.

Oh and one last thing: while most of the tube stations do have escalators, some don't, and some have escalators for *some* platforms but not others. Be prepared to do some stair climbing.

Paris and southern France on the same trip. Got to all of the tourist stuff in London and loved everything about the town-except the food. Big mad cow scare going on at the time, lived for a week on fish 'n chips and Bass Ale. Hope you have a great trip.

but I kinda like the Beatles.

where you'll be-- seems less "touristy" and more yr. quintessential England-- Yorkshire Moors, Peaks District, Lake District, mtns along Scottish border (forget what those were) all very beautiful. Although of course the south (esp s.w.) is wonderful too--my fav places were Tintagel castle (ca. 900 AD ruins perched ontop of rock cliffs) and Dartmoor. You could spend a lifetime exploring all the nooks and crannies of that country-- its so full of stuff!

When I was there I was told several times that I didn't seem like the typical American because I wasn't always talking about me me me and all the things I own and have done. I took that as a compliment! When I returned to US I was struck by how competitive we are as a people even on a personal one-on-one level. The British politeness and habit of understating things I came to really appreciate...