England Local Customs

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Most Viewed Local Customs in England

101.

Fish and Chips   York

Fish and Chips, York

 3 Reviews  Britains most popular hot take away meal is Fish and Chips. This tasty combination is usually eaten with salt and vinegar; in Scotland sometimes with a special brown sauce. The favourite fish is Cod,... 

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102.

Pronunciation   Oxford

Pronunciation, Oxford

 3 Reviews  Oxford has some intuition-defying pronunciations. If you really want to sound like a native you'll have to say Bay-lee-ill for Balliol (college), Bod-lee-inn for Bodleian (library), Maud-Lynn for... 

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103.

Geordie - language   Newcastle upon Tyne

Geordie - language, Newcastle upon Tyne

 10 Reviews   Perhaps more than any other in the country, the Geordie dialect can seem impenetrable to a non-Geordie, (a Geordie being a native of Newcastle). The differences between this and standard English... 

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104.

English Pubs   York

English Pubs, York

 2 Reviews  While people generally know pubs because of the beer, they are inexpensive places to eat. There is an asociation called CAMRA who works to preserve old pubs and after buying their guide I visited... 

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105.

May Day   Oxford

May Day, Oxford

 4 Reviews  May Morning is one of Oxford's most popular celebrations. Very many Oxonians (and tourists) party the whole night through only to gather on Magdalen Bridge at the unchristian time of 5.30am. The... 

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106.

girls...girls...girls   Newcastle upon Tyne

girls...girls...girls, Newcastle upon Tyne

 2 Reviews  You may notice when you visit Newcastle that there is the occasional coat shop....This is for Tourists only who think Newcastle is cold.... All year round in Newcastle on a night time you will see... 

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107.

Punting   Oxford

Punting, Oxford

 1 Review  Punting is a very popular passtime, particularly in the summer. I think punting is exclusive to Oxford & Cambridge - I've never seen it elsewhere. It's a lot more difficult than it looks - have a look... 

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108.

beer...beer..beer   Newcastle upon Tyne

beer...beer..beer, Newcastle upon Tyne

 5 Reviews  Newcastle Brown Ale is the best known beer from Newcastle. It's been brewed in the city since the 1920s and it's famous blue star logo has been there since the start. It’s available on draught, in... 

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109.

Rowing   Oxford

Rowing, Oxford

 1 Review  Rowing is one of the most popular sports at Oxford, and amongst the colleges the competition is fierce. Whilst the drawbacks of rowing are all too obvious - early starts at 6am, training 7 days a... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Doctor Who

by brummielaura

Doctor Who is the longest sci-fi TV programme in the history of planet Earth! The first episode aired in the 1960s and it has since become an essential part of British popular culture. Most people know the Daleks - the notorious villains which look like pepperpots and can manipulate things with their little plunger arms. Some phrases have entered everday language, such as 'it's bigger on the inside' (referring to the Doctor's spaceship, the TARDIS ) or 'exterminate' (the Daleks' battle cry). Weird, whacky, at times emotional, and always excellent entertainment.(The picture is from the 2008 Doctor Who exhibition in Earl's Court, London).

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Curry

by brummielaura

Curries are one of the nation's favourite dishes. Originally brought to England by migrants from the Indian sub-continent, these days you can find curry houses in all cities (not so much in the countryside though, I've been told).Some typical dishes are: Bhuna: medium heat, with lots of onions Jalfrezi: hot Korma: mild sauce with coconut and almonds Madras: hot Rogan Josh: medium heat, with lots of tomatoesA popular dish is chicken tikka massala.Then there are the 'baltis' - a type of curry first created in Birmingham, and named after the flat iron pan in which it is cooked (and traditionally also served).You can have either naan bread or rice with your meal (or both!).A tip - don't try the vindaloo curry. The story goes that this has been created for young British lads who were trying to show off... it's so hot it will burn your tongue away!

Fish & chips

by brummielaura

Maybe fish and chips is no longer the most popular takeaway in Britain (it is chicken tikka masala these days I believe), but it's still firmly among the nation's favourites.The battered fish normally is cod or haddock, although other types of fish can also be available. Chips are a must. Optional side orders include mushy peas (they are bright green and I have no idea what you do to make them look like this!), pickled onions or curry sauce. Served with lots of salt and vinegar.You buy your fish & chips from your local 'chippy'.

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The Queen's Guard

by brummielaura

England is a monarchy! And all official royal residences are guarded by the aptly named Queen's Guard and the Queen's Life Guard (don't ask me what the difference is!).Changing the Guard is always a great tourist attraction!You can find the guards in the following places:Buckingham PalaceSt James's Palace Windor CastleTower of LondonPalace of Holyroodhouse (Edinburgh)Edinburgh Castle

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English Breakfast

by brummielaura

Admittedly, it takes a while getting used to but the English breakfast (also know as 'full breakfast', 'cooked breakfast' or 'fry-up') can't be beaten.Contents vary but most include:- Baked beans- Eggs (fried or scrambled)- Sausages - Bacon- Toast- Black pudding- Hash browniesTuck in!

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FANCY DRESS: BRIT LIFE ©

by DAO

Men? Fancy Dress? Sure! Women and children too. Fancy dress is not a garment, it’s a bit of British fun! Dress up as Superman, Wonder Women or Scooby Doo! From movie characters to super heroes, it’s always a good time to dress up! Often people do this to celebrate milestones like Birthdays and Exams, but some just do it. I have seen the full gamut from Vicars to prostitutes, French maids and even complete cross-dressing. Hmmm. That last one may not have been fancy dress.Just about every town has at least one fancy dress shop where you can rent a full range of costumes. Enjoy!BRIT LIFE ©

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THE KIDS ARE BREAKING UP! BRIT LIFE ©

by DAO

”The children break up on Friday” Truly chilling words. Will their tiny arms and legs suddenly fall off? Will they become decapitated suddenly? All of them? This tip has been written on 18 July 2008. They day the kids break-up in England. Before you become very scared or are afraid you will see little body parts littering the roads in school uniforms – it’s OK. Really. ‘Breaking up’ is a British expression meaning the schools are closing for the summer holidays or other breaks during the year and the children are off school for a while. The first time I heard it I could only imagine complete carnage. BRIT LIFE ©

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Traditional games at the village fete......

by leics

Most English villages have some sort of village fete (or fair, or fayre), often associated with the local church. Schools and other institutions have them too, because they are a good way of raising money.There is usually some sort of entertainment: a band, perhaps, maybe some children dancing, displays of dog agility or tae-kwon-do, a tug-of-war competition between local pub teams.......And there will be stalls. Traditional ones you may well see include:Hoop-la: throw a wooden ring over a prize set on a wooden block, and you'll win it.A coconut-shy: knock the coconut off with your ball and it's yours.Skittles: in the old days the best score won a piglet. Now you'll just get some other sort of prize.'Bash-the-rat': hit the 'rat' as it comes out of the drainpipe and you'll win something.'Tombola': Pick a raffle ticket. If it's the right one you'll win the prize with the number.And there...

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WISHING PEOPLE HAPPY NEW YEAR !

by DAO

In The UK, it is essential that you greet people with “Happy New Year” the first time you see or speak to everyone you know. I don’t mean just on New Year’s Day, anytime in the New Year. This goes on for weeks as you start talking to people you occasionally work with or friends you have not seen for a while. My latest ‘Happy New Year’ was in May once! So Happy New Year to anyone who reads this tip!

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COFFEE IN YOUR ROOM

by DAO

’Coffee making facilities’ is the odd way this fantastic bit of British Culture is usually described. You get an electric kettle, tea, coffee, milk, sugar and biscuits (cookies) in your room! That’s every room. Whether you stay at a 5 star luxury hotel, countryside Bed & Breakfast or the worst hotel in London – you get this! In some places like America you get a whole pot of coffee – that’s it. Here you get a choice and it’s there before you leave your room. Nice to have a cup of coffee ready when you get out of the shower. Enjoy!

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Top 3 Hotels in England

The Montague On The Gardens  London

 5 Reviews and 1067 Opinions  The concierge was fabulous, the hotel very grand, and despite the rooms being small they were... 

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Radisson Edwardian Manchester  Manchester

 4 Reviews and 929 Opinions  I had a great time there. Stayed due to business 4 nights in the hotel. Staff was great, friendly... 

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Guy Fawkes Inn  York

 4 Reviews and 233 Opinions  We went to the pub new years gay. I ordered the fish and chips and found a lump of metal in the... 

 Hotels in York

The Place

Reviews and photos of England attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for England sightseeing.

Experience England
Local Customs: Cities in England
  1. London Local Customs
  2. Manchester Local Customs
  3. York Local Customs
  4. Birmingham Local Customs
  5. Oxford Local Customs
  6. Liverpool Local Customs
  7. Newcastle upon Tyne Local Customs
  8. Blackpool Local Customs
  9. Bath Local Customs
  10. Cambridge Local Customs
  11. Brighton Local Customs
  12. Nottingham Local Customs
  13. Bournemouth Local Customs
  14. Bristol Local Customs
  15. Torquay Local Customs
  16. Chester Local Customs
  17. Sheffield Local Customs
  18. Scarborough Local Customs
  19. Canterbury Local Customs
  20. Eastbourne Local Customs
  21. Leeds Local Customs
  22. Newquay Local Customs
  23. Windsor Local Customs
  24. Whitby Local Customs
  25. Stratford-upon-Avon Local Customs
  26. Portsmouth Local Customs
  27. Plymouth Local Customs
  28. Coventry Local Customs
  29. Lake District National Park Local Customs
  30. Reading Local Customs
  31. Durham Local Customs
  32. Cheltenham Local Customs
  33. Weymouth Local Customs
  34. Salisbury Local Customs
  35. Dover Local Customs
  36. Richmond Local Customs
  37. Exeter Local Customs
  38. Kingston upon Hull Local Customs
  39. Folkestone Local Customs
  40. Halifax Local Customs
  41. Weston-Super-Mare Local Customs
  42. Derby Local Customs
  43. Warwick Local Customs
  44. Gloucester Local Customs
  45. Greenwich Local Customs
  46. Saint Ives Local Customs
  47. Kingston upon Thames Local Customs
  48. Winchester Local Customs
  49. Norwich Local Customs
  50. Middlesbrough Local Customs
  51. Oldham Local Customs
  52. Skegness Local Customs
  53. Southport Local Customs
  54. Peterborough Local Customs
  55. Tunbridge Wells Local Customs
  56. Ipswich Local Customs
  57. Royal Leamington Spa Local Customs
  58. Hastings Local Customs
  59. Barrow in Furness Local Customs
  60. Stonehenge Local Customs
  61. Glastonbury Local Customs
  62. Wimbledon Local Customs
  63. Leicester Local Customs
  64. Stockport Local Customs
  65. Southampton Local Customs
  66. Sunderland Local Customs
  67. Shrewsbury Local Customs
  68. Ely Local Customs
  69. Clacton-on-Sea Local Customs
  70. Bognor Regis Local Customs
  71. High Wycombe Local Customs
  72. Watford Local Customs
  73. Hereford Local Customs
  74. Swindon Local Customs
  75. Skipton Local Customs
  76. Berwick-Upon-Tweed Local Customs

More Cities in England

 

Questions and Answers

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Q:  Hi! We r planning to go Paris from London on 16th June Saturday by eurostar. We r planning to stay at L'Elysee Val D'Europe hotel... 

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A: Lookin on google maps I notice that the L'Elysee Val d'Europe is basically sitting on top of a railway station. It's not the station where the Eurostar stops, but that is... 

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