Top United Kingdom hotels
Eating / Drinking Edinburgh
32 Reviews When I told one of my friends I was going to Edinburgh, he said "You must try haggis!" I asked him what it was, but he told me (ironically) that I'd better just ordered it in a restaurant in...
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Local people/language Glasgow
10 Reviews The presence of 43 university departments of Scots language in German Universities as opposed to zero in English universities somewhat shows up the inequalities of the United Kingdom.Glasgow...
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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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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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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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Belfast Pubs Belfast
3 Reviews It is a tradition that the School's Rugby Cup Final is held on St. Patrick's Day. In 2005 the finalists were Royal Belfast Academical Institution and their regular combatants Methodist College...
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Men In Kilts Edinburgh
18 Reviews now you can't come to Scotland and not try the nation's second favourite drink - Irn Bru (Iron Brew). it's made fae girders (not really but it's supposed to give you super human powers - just like...
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Rangers/Celtic Glasgow
7 Reviews Football violence - between the fans of 2 teams' supporters - is not limited to Glasgow on the odd occasion when it happens. It happens in every city in Europe. All of these comments are blowing it...
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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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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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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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Music Festivals Belfast
2 Reviews Every day on Royal Avenue, you will see street entertainers, who are always fun to see. There is the bagpiper player, who is practically part of the scenery every Saturday now! This pic is of two...
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Tips For Travellers Edinburgh
11 Reviews Bus 35 will also get you into the center of Edinburgh at £1.20 instead of £3.50 the Airlink charges. Both buses can be found at their respective stops right outside the airport doors. Also, consider...
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Weather Glasgow
2 Reviews Scotland, while very scenic is famous for the weather being unpredictable. It can change very fast in a short space of time, especially in mountain and sea areas. When packing, always best to ensure...
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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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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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Driving Belfast
2 Reviews If you are travelling to Belfast from Dublin or other city in Republic of Ireland you need known that meazurement units change from Kilometer to Miles and meters to yards, and the signs about...
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Festival, Tattoo, Hogmanay, Etc. Edinburgh
16 Reviews Before the festival begins, there is a Cavalcade of floats advertising the participants. It was not advertised because of security,but we heard from a friend and made our way to Prince's Street down...
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Bagpipes Glasgow
3 Reviews Highland warriors danced over the blades of two crossed swords before and after their battles. They were very careful not to touch the swords with their feet while they danced because they believed...
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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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Viewing murals. Belfast
2 Reviews It has recently become popular to visit areas of Belfast where there are murals painted on the gable ends of rows of houses. Some of these areas can be fairly rough areas and should really be avoided,...
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Accent Edinburgh
8 Reviews Very helpful indeed. aboot - about auld - old bairn - child ben - mountain bonnie - beautiful brae - slope braw - fine cock-a-leekie - chicken and leek soup coo - cow dae - do deid - dead doon -...
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New Year/Hogmanay Glasgow
1 Review This picture is of fireworks at midnight at George's Square. The Scots really enjoy New Year (Hogmany) and have some of the world's largest parties. It is considered that the first person over the...
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Miscellaneous Edinburgh
11 Reviews Just outside St Giles Cathedral on the cobbles on the west side towards the castle you will find a big heart. It is the Heart of Midlothian and the custom is to spit on the centre and it is supposed...
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Money Edinburgh
6 Reviews If you reside outside of the European Union, you will most likely be able to claim back the VAT (value added tax 17.5%) you have paid. Make sure you keep all your receipts. Some shops, selling more...
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The armistice that ended the First World War has become a major holiday not only in the US (where it's called Veteran's Day), but also in Europe. The British call it Remembrance Day. All cities and towns have mermorials to those who served. On this day, they are often decorated. Special observances are held. It is a time for all of us to pay our respects, especially for those who were killed in line of duty.
In continental Europe, the concept of an ice cream van is a strange one - in England it is a way of life. In suburban Britain, ice cream vans go around the housing estates. Contrary to the myth that parents try to perpetuate to avoid buying children ice-cream, the melodious strains of the ice-cream van's sirens going do not mean that there is no ice-cream left. They in fact merely indicate that the ice-cream van is in the area and selling ice-cream. A traditional thing to order is a vanilla ice cream in a cornet with a flake, an ice-cream that has been immortalised in "Little Britain" as a Whippy with flake - whippy being a creamy vanilla ice-cream. Don't, however, expect to get that great a choice of flavours - usually the menu on the side of the van will be the entire range of things that the van has.
Voluntary driving tests started in 1934 and became compulsary in the UK on 1.6.1935, as a road safety measure. The minimum age to take the test is 17. When it was first introduced the test was the responsibility of Local Authorities, now it is central government. In 1939 the tests were suspended until the end of World War 2 in 1946. In 1996 a theory test was introduced, and in 2000 the theory test changed from being a paper test to being a test sitting at a computer. From 2002 this test also began to test hazard perception and in 2003 questions about vehicle maintenence were addedFrom 2000 the actual test included driving on faster stretches of road, such as dual carriageways, but learner drivers are not allowed to drive on motorways."According to the most recent World Health Organization numbers, the rate of fatal traffic accidents in Britain is 5.6 people every 100,000 people, a...
The first pillar boxes in the UK appeared in 1840. Initially they were a dark green but the present red was quickly adopted. Prior to 1840 letters and mail were paid for on receipt. The present boxes are normally round but these very early one were octagonal, this box is outside Worcester Cathedral.The photo is of the 1857 fluted Victoriar pillar box from my Malvern page.It is a very reliable service compared to most parts of the world.
The decimal system of currency in the United Kingdom is still relatively new. It was not until the 1966 that the government announced its decision to adopt decimal currency. The official changeover took place on 15 February 1971 and the British public bade farewell to the romantic £sd coinage. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own bank notes, and the Channel Islands have their own coins as well.
Tipping is a nationwide custom in Britain and for good reason. From what I've been told some employees have to rely on tips to make up their income as wages sometimes are not that good.Coming from Australia I was not familiar with this custom but tried hard to comply. I did'nt eat in restaurants where table sevice was given so didn't need to tip waiters etc. Cafes had small bowls on the counter where spare change could be deposited.Taxi drivers were always well tipped as my luggage got a bit heavy and and I was grateful for their help.Sometimes I just completely forgot to tip someone and I absolutely refused to tip bad service.
St.Paul facade under restoration!but the most wonderful thing is that even like this the covering wall paper is presenting a view of what is hidden, really wonderful idea, and better than just a cover with nothing!
Churches inside in London, has a special different style than the other European ones, I mean you could feel the little difference by entering a church and watching the altarif you have been before to many other churches in European countries, you will immediatly understand what I am talking about!
Ha ha ha ha ha, in the wax museum, I was surprised to see some visitors with a big smile willing to have a picture with Sadam, however it is possible as there were also other visitors with the same will to have pictures with other politic persons of the same epoch realeted with Sadam's last storyand it was also surprising me LOL
This is the enterance of St.Paul's Cathedral, you can realize the beautiful statue of the Queen, I used to see religious statues of virgin Mary in the front of the cathedrals, but here in London, the Royal culture is obliging such an individualism...
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...
The Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh
5 Reviews and 770 Opinions Two men wearing kilts (or trews) welcome you at the door and an open fire welcomes you in the lobby,...
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...
Reviews and photos of United Kingdom attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for United Kingdom sightseeing.
Q: In mid May we will be traveling from Glasgow to London. I think we have decided we would prefer rail to air for various reasons. ...
A: Hopefully someone local will have the specifics, but on all of my trips to Edinburgh from London, I've not booked in advance and had no issues with travel. Your profile...
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