It is impressive how the United Kingdom can be a state-of-the-art country while maintaining its nature’s beauty that is frozen in time. Made of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, these countries work hand in hand to preserve the peace, progress, and culture admired by lurking outsiders worldwide.
The United Kingdom occupies about 242 495 square kilometers of land area in the continent of Europe and is home to around 66.6 million British citizens and ex-pats combined. Each country still has its autonomy but is bounded by the regulations of the United Kingdom.
Climate and Seasons
United Kingdom’s climate is temperate and humid in general and frequently changes any time of the day. The good thing is that despite frequent climate changes, summers and winters are bearable and don’t reach the extremes.
Places in high-altitude areas experience the most rainfall, like the Lake District, Wales, and Scotland. On the other hand, the Southeast experiences a warmer climate, getting cooler as you go north.
The United Kingdom also experiences four distinct seasons. The perfect time to visit is during the spring season, from March to early June, and autumn, during September to November. These are the busiest times in the country where the days are longer, and vibrant greeneries enliven the surroundings.
Getting Around
Exploring the scenic places and busy corners of the United Kingdom is made possible by numerous ways of transport. The transport system in the country is pretty decent where commuting can be a wonderful experience.
You can take a bus or what British citizens called “coach” that sometimes has free wi-fi even built-in toilets if you’re stuck in traffic. The famous double-decker buses are an integral part of the United Kingdom’s identity.
For longer trips and comfortable seating, you can opt-in riding the train. The United Kingdom has about 2500 stations connecting London to other countries and towns.
Driving can be tricky if you are used to driving on the right side of the road since the United Kingdom is a left-driving territory. For tourists, it is highly recommended to utilize the public transport system for a safer journey.
More Than Fish and Chips
The United Kingdom is globally known for fish and chips, but the traditional British cuisine is more than deep-fried fish and fries on the side. Fish and chips, though, are still a must-try when visiting the United Kingdom as you will see about 10,500 fish and chips shops all over the country.
Among other signature British cuisines include:
- Shepherd’s Pie – is a baked lamb meat pie and potatoes that originated from Scotland. The minced lamb meat is sauteed along with spices and veggies topped with potato as the crust.
- Chicken Tikka Masala – is another dish pioneered by a Scotland-based Bangladeshi chef in the 1970s. It is a creamy curry dish mixed with tomato, chicken, and other spices.
- Full Breakfast – is a notable British breakfast often eaten during the weekends and is famous throughout the United Kingdom. A full breakfast has all the goodness you need to start the day – egg, bacon, sausage, beans, toast, tomatoes, and black pudding.
- Roast Dinner – is a dish that started as an after-mass meal. It is now being served in pubs and diners all over the United Kingdom.
Roast Dinner is made of roasted meat sided with hearty vegetables like potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic drizzled with gravy. Roast Dinner is also often cooked at home over the weekends.
- Yorkshire Pudding – is a dish that identifies England. It is a pastry often filled with jam and served alongside Roast Dinner. Yorkshire pudding has a signature eggy and savory taste.
Sceneries to Behold
The common theme of the United Kingdom’s sceneries is fantasy-like. That’s why tourism is always at its peak in the country. The country reached the 15 million visitors mark in 2018 and continuously earning a spot on everyone’s bucket list.
London
You’ll miss out a lot if visiting United Kingdom’s capital is not on your itinerary. Multiple attractions can be seen in London alone, like the 924 years old Tower of London beside the banks of the Thames River that served as a military place and prison in ancient times.
Other Spots in London:
- Windsor Castle
- Tate Modern
- National History Museum
- British Museum
Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital is also one of the most visited in the United Kingdom as the city was able to preserve its historical masterpieces. Edinburgh Castle is a well-known infrastructure in Scotland, situated at the top of a volcano plug. The castle houses a significant artifact in Scottish history – the Crown Jewels of Scotland.
Other Spots in Edinburgh:
- Holyrood Palace
- The Royal Mile
- Arthur’s Seat
- Royal Yacht Britannia
There are many more not-so-secret spots you can visit in every corner of the United Kingdom, all guaranteed to relax your eyes and widen your imagination about the past. There’s an abundance of hotels and Airbnb’s if you’re planning to jump from city to city to see as many spots as you can.
Brit’s Way of Living
Whether you are planning to visit this paradise or are just curious if British citizens’ culture is identical to your values, these rounded-up norms are what make British culture unique.
- Courtesy is a norm in the United Kingdom, where you will often hear please, sorry, and thank you among locals.
- Dinner is Brits’ biggest meal of the day. When you are invited to someone’s house, you are expected to bring something as a gift.
- Brits express disapproval by tutting. They are very particular in things like offering a seat to a disabled or an older person and standing on the right side of the escalator, which will warrant tuts if you don’t adhere to them.
- Most Brits’ go to church only during special events like weddings and Christmas.
- Brits moved out of their parent’s house when they reached 18.
- Car horns are only used when there’s an emergency. Honking is not usual in the country.
- Life’s milestones and unhappy situations are usually shared over a cup of tea by Brits.
