Underrated English Travel Experiences Not To Be Missed
Even people who have never set foot in England have an idea of what a trip to the island would be like. It’s all Afternoon Tea, London skylines, fish and chips, and rainy weather. However, while those things are undoubtedly an aspect of English life, they don’t tell the whole story. It would be like an outsider thinking that they knew the United States just because they’d visited Disneyland. It’s a part of the country, but there’s much more to discover!
In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the more lesser-known and underrated things to do on a trip to good ol’ blighty.
City-Hopping
If you’ve been to England before, ask yourself this: have you really been to England, or was it just London? Now don’t get us wrong; London is a world-class city and should most definitely be on your list if you’re visiting the UK. But there’s also many other fantastic cities that should also feature on your itinerary.
In Bristol, you’ll find both traditional and bohemian culture crashing into each other to form a dynamic, engaging city. Further north, there’s Liverpool, which was once home to the Beatles and which now treasures its status as a cosmopolitan city filled with culture, excellent food, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Sporting Events
If you want to get a taste of British passion at its finest, then look at visiting a sporting event. The three sports that have the best atmosphere are soccer (just be sure to call it “football” when you’re across the pond), boxing, and horse racing. Tickets for the biggest soccer games and boxing matches can be difficult to come by, but you’ll have no trouble securing entry for events just below the top tier.
Horse racing is another story — there are meets virtually every day. When you’re in the UK, you can look up horse racing racecards to find out what races are taking place during your travels, or you can even build your trip around one of the country’s biggest events, such as the Grand National or the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Into the Outdoors
It’s true that England can’t match other countries when it comes to sublime nature, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing of value there. Not at all. The English outdoors is picturesque, even breathtaking, on a more understated and discreet (you could even say: “English”) level.
Travel north to the Lake District, and you’ll be treated to rolling hills, quaint villages, and views as far as the eye can see. It contains a charm that you just don’t get in other countries. In the southern part of England, you’ll have the dramatic Cliffs of Dover, which jut out from the English coastline, facing France.
Saturday Night On The Town
Every culture has its rhythms. In Spain, for instance, you might struggle to find a restaurant open for lunch after 3 pm because everyone has gone inside for their afternoon siesta. It can be disconcerting at first, but eventually, you fall into the rhythm. In the UK, you’ll find that the Monday — Wednesday period is relatively quiet, but after that and for the rest of the week, things begin to ramp up.
One of the best insights into English culture can be experienced on Saturday evening, when people leave their homes, seemingly en masse, and head to the nearest watering hole. If you’re a visitor from another country, look at joining them. You can have some pretty memorable moments just by sitting yourself at the bar in a local pub and watching life unfold. Don’t be surprised if you end up in multiple conversations with people throughout the night. They do say, after all, that a pub is just a communal living room, where everyone is welcome.