One of my favourite things to do in any city is to track down independent bookshops and buy something at each one. Aside from the fact that it helps keep bookshops open for future readers to enjoy, you can write a few notes inside the cover and have a much nicer souvenir than some plastic …
Read moreThe Most Beautiful Independent Bookshops in London, England
Anyone who’s watched much British TV will have, at some point, seen a person bringing grapes to a friend or loved one in hospital. The first time you see it, it might just seem a bit odd – but when it pops up over and over again, it leads a lot of people to wonder: …
Read moreWhy Do British People Bring Grapes to the Hospital?
If you’ve watched much British television, you’ve no doubt seen electric kettles on more than a few countertops. You may have even wondered why people have them. After all, can’t you just boil water on the stove or heat it in the microwave? You can, of course, but electric kettles have advantages over both of …
Watch enough British TV, and you’ll eventually hear someone talking about Lucozade. If you haven’t spent much time in UK hospitals or supermarkets, you might find yourself wondering about the mystery beverage. What is Lucozade? Lucozade is a British soft drink that’s long been known for its purported medical benefits – first as a sort …
Read moreWhat is Lucozade? A Guide to this Distinctly British Beverage
If you’re from North America and you visit the UK, it won’t be long at all before you notice the snack selections are very, very different. Sure, you’ll spot some of the items you know and love – but you’ll also see brands and flavours you wouldn’t encounter in North America (outside of a British …
Not long ago, I saw an American baker post a photo of her scones in a British group, where she was quickly eviscerated. Why? Well, she had made an American-style scone, having no idea it wasn’t the same kind of scone British people typically enjoy. In the years we’ve been blogging about British TV …
Read moreWhat’s the Difference Between American Scones & British Scones?
To those not accustomed to the Scottish tradition, Robert Burns Night might seem an odd thing. In the middle of the cold, dark, long winter, Scots (and many non-Scots with Scottish ancestry) come together on January 25th to read the poetry of Robert “Rabbie” Burns, enjoy some traditional music, and eat a meal of soup, …
Read moreWhat is Robert Burns Night & Why Do People Celebrate It?
If you’re an American who enjoys travel to the UK, you’ve probably been wondering about some of the latest headlines: “British Pound Plummets to Record Low Against the Dollar” “Pound Hits Record Low After Tax Cut Plans” “Strong Dollar is Good for the US but Bad for the World” “Pound Resumes Slide after BoE and …
Whether you’re an ex-pat missing things from home, a frequent visitor who’s fallen in love with British products, or just a devoted Anglophile who wants to buy something from a British business, international shipping can be a headache. Though many shops DO ship to the US or Canada, there are many that don’t. Even when …
Read moreHow to Get British Products Forwarded to the US or Canada (When They Don’t Ship There)
In the United Kingdom, city status is conferred upon places by letters patent or royal charter. It’s kind of a quirky system, where some cities are actually neighborhoods that don’t contain the entire city in the traditional sense (like the City of London or the City of Westminster), while other cities are actually made up …