The Brits around here may be a bit mystified by this post, but bear with us because it’s a topic that comes up from time to time in emails and our Facebook groups. If you’ve travelled in the UK or watched a lot of British television, you may have encountered a mysterious substance called “salad …
If you spend much time around Scottish TV and culture, you’ll eventually hear of a holiday called Hogmanay. If you’re not sure what it is, the short answer is this: It’s the Scottish celebration of the last day of the year. Bigger, more ebullient, and a little darker than a typical Western New Year’s Eve …
Read moreWhat is Hogmanay? A Guide to the Scottish New Year’s Celebration
One of the things many Americans find quite surprising about the UK is the fact that Halloween, as a general rule, isn’t as big of a deal as it is in the United States. Before we go any further, I should make it very clear that we’ll be generalising a lot in this piece. In …
Read moreHalloween in the UK: How It’s Celebrated in England, Wales, Scotland, & Northern Ireland
Anyone who knows much about British country life will know about Wellington boots (aka “wellies”) – if not by name, then by sight. They were originally made of leather, with the design inspired by Hessian boots and the name inspired when they were popularised by the 1st Duke of Wellington. By the early 19th century, …
Whilst planning a 15-day tour of England and Scotland for my parents, one of the highlights of their trip was stone circle access at Stonehenge. Unlike most visitors, they were able to go beyond the ropes and walk around inside the circle, examining the stones up close and experiencing the site from the inside out. …
Read moreThe Mystery of Stonehenge Special Access: How to Get the Inner Circle Tour
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 …