Britain: What to Know Before You Visit the UK

[@perfectchaosone8253]

Opening with "The UK is more than just London" has won a lot of respect from me, It's nice that people do realise this and want to share it.

[@tex9629]

Me, a brit watching this to see what people from other countries have to know 🤔

[@gazXspace]

Thats why I clicked on it 😜

[@fasthracing]

same

[@Kameliius]

Ngl, I didn't know anything about the UK before watching this video although I was going to visit England back in 2020 before Covid hit but I never got to actually visit England due to Covid. I'm looking forward to actually visiting the UK in like the next 2 to 3 years when I saved up enough money

[@Ben-ef6wb]

All I’m saying I’m a Brit and he listed some really good places but if you’re around London you gotta experience Camden Town and all our stadiums but I just wanted to see what people think they need to know but they forgot our chavs who are pains in the asses to deal with

[@phillipmoore6249]

Outside of London, would you agree with me that it’s not diverse, geographically not appealing (all farm land) and the weather is consistently gloomy and cold……..is the USA a better country? Your fellow brits think not lol

[@pjschmid2251]

One important thing to keep in mind for Americans planning to rent a car in the UK is that most rentals are going to be manual transmissions unless you request otherwise. Since you’re already going to be driving on the left side of the road on the right side of the car you really don’t want to have to fumble around with trying to shift with your left hand even if you were an experienced manual transmission driver. I highly recommend you request an automatic transmission it will cost more but it’ll be well worth it.

[@Ricardo_C]

Save the manuals !

[@pjschmid2251]

@@Ricardo_C Save them from what? And, for heaven sake why?

[@Ricardo_C]

@@pjschmid2251 they are super rare here in the USA. Only car guys like myself can appreciate the fun of selecting your own gears. A manual transmission is the best anti theft device here 🤣

[@pjschmid2251]

@@Ricardo_C Rotary dial telephones are also very rare. Only old ladies like me can appreciate the satisfaction of dialing a phone 🤣. Things age out of existence for a reason, because better things come along.

[@Kwippy]

Of course if you are an American diplomat, you can drive on the right side of the road, hit people, and just saunter on home back to the US.

[@DigitalNomadOnFIRE]

lol DO NOT rent a car in London though, totally unnecessary. Get busses and the tube.

[@Ccccc-mi3tr]

London IS ONE CITY

[@chuckh4077]

Why would I need a TV while on a bus?

[@phatboi6650]

Busses are shite, just use the tube

[@mattmcc1994]

Watching this as someone who has lived in a few different parts of the UK - this guy actually knows his stuff. He is making a lot of references that I would only expect a local to know.

[@helenwood8482]

He's mostly talking a load of bollocks.

[@njkpower8351]

@@helenwood8482 what

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

Matthew, you're 100% right. He's totally spot on. He definitely knows his stuff - almost like a local.

[@lordsleepyhead]

Literally everything he mentioned is in guidebooks/websites for tourists. Pretty basic stuff that people from outside the UK who are interested in visiting the UK can find in a million guidebooks and websites. Except for recommending going to Kent. No idea what that was about...

[@SERGEYTIMOFEYOVICH]

@@lordsleepyhead Perhaps there is a reason it’s in a guidebook… maybe because it’s good information… 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@krackenkiller9286]

UK resident here: Pretty much spot on opinion. Would probably highlight a little more promentantly the pub Sunday Roast (particularly lamb in Wales), and the curry houses especially in the bigger cities.

[@yodudeHQ]

It’s kinda crazy how we just don’t think of Sunday roasts as significant, then you see foreigners making a big deal of them. They’re kinda just there and always have been

[@naponroy]

@@yodudeHQ Gosh I wish I had known about this stuff before I went to England and Wales. My great grandmother was the last person in my family to actually regularly make roasts of any kind.

[@tosht2515]

@@yodudeHQ When I visited London the lounge of my hotel served Sunday roast. Quite delicious with 3-4 meats and lots of veg but the Yorkshire pudding took it over the top for me because it’s not super common in the U.S. 👍

[@yodudeHQ]

@@tosht2515 I’d say I’ve only went about 10 sundays in my life without having one, it’s such a personal thing to everyone but that’s what makes it amazing. It used to just be a meal to get rid of leftovers, but these days Britain has amazing quality meat and veg, and it’s the perfect example of simple cooking done right in my opinion, the whole family gets together and has a laugh around the table and in my family we all have a certain aspect we make, the discussion on Friday nights is dominated by what meat we’re having on Sunday 😂 I’m glad you got to experience this part of British culture and enjoyed it so much

[@yodudeHQ]

@@naponroy BRING IT BACK it’s such a good tradition to bring the family together, you can even just use leftovers

[@barrysteven5964]

You can easily spot Brits from visitors in London at the pedestrian crossings. Foreigners wait patiently for the green light, locals check if it's 'safe' to cross and just go even if the light's still on red. There are no laws in Britain about crossing the road in towns. No such thing as 'jay walking'.

[@Rob1Rich]

Yes good observation. In the US I've done just that - crossed the road against a red man as there is clearly no traffic coming only to get funny looks from locals.

[@grimefighter8867]

Yeah but still as an American, you dont wanna risk it since they drive on the opposite side and all

[@Devin7Eleven]

@@Rob1Rich What part of the US you live in? Here in the western rockies, everyone jaywalks

[@Rob1Rich]

@@Devin7Eleven I’m not from the USA my experience is from trips to SD and LV

[@ExpertGarden]

Sounds like NYC haha

[@waziotter]

I’m from Northern Ireland and have lived in London for 20+ years. I’ve also lived in Scotland. If you want to get away from the usual tourist destinations but still see the best of the UK, this is my top ten… London: 1. Brick Lane - the Indian/Bangladeshi food hub on London. The best curries in the city. You can also book experiences where you work in the kitchen to make your own dinner. 2. If you are here in the cricket season (April to September) try to go to a county game. The world’s best players will be on show. It is usually easy to get tickets for games. Both the Oval and Lords are great venues. If you get good weather it is a fantastic day or night out. Elsewhere in England 3. The South Downs: what everyone thinks of when they think of English countryside. Rolling hills. Picture perfect villages. 500 year old pubs. There are too many highlights to mention but to pick 3 villages off the top of my head, try Alfriston, Ditchling or Southease. 4. An old fashioned seaside break in a traditional resort town. The big ones are Brighton, Blackpool and a couple of others. My favourites are Lyme Regis, Southend & Scarborough. 5. Manchester. Seriously. Scotland 6. Orkney. It’s a total pain to get to (tiny plane from one of the big cities or ferry from the North Coast of Scotland) but 100% worth the effort. Full to the brim of ancient history (we are talking 6000 year old villages) and the best diving in Britain. Amazing walks and wildlife too. Plus the food is much better than you’d expect - the seafood and lamb are astounding. Like a lot of the Scottish Islands it is more like visiting Scandinavia than the rest of mainland Britain. 7. Glencoe. You won’t believe somewhere that beautiful is only 90 minutes from Glasgow. 8. Pitlochry. Close your eyes and think of a Scottish village straight out of Brigadoon. That’s Pitlochry. Northern Ireland. I’m taking the Game of Thrones stuff as read. Although don’t bother with the dark hedges. It has been totally destroyed by tourism to the extent that some of the trees have fallen down. I’ve also got issues with the “bombs and bullets” tourism in Belfast & Derry. I grew up in Belfast. I and everyone I know were affected by the terrorism of the 70s, 80s & 90s. It doesn’t sit right that people are now making money out of rubber-necking tourists. 9. Portrush & Portstewart. There 2 resort towns are about 5 miles apart. They are where NI goes to enjoy itself. Barry’s Amusements in Portrush is an institution . Generations of kids - myself included - have been underwhelmed by the ghost train and thrown up on Northern Ireland’s only roller coaster. 10. The coast road from Larne to Castlerock. One of the most spectacular drives in the world, although not for the faint hearted. Stop off at Glenariff Forest Park and do the 5 mile waterfall walk. It is beautiful.

[@KatarinH2]

Barry’s has closed down…. !

[@waziotter]

@@KatarinH2 I know. I found out a couple of days ago. Bloody gutted!

[@chuckh4077]

I want to visit Ireland to hunt for Leprechauns. I want to find their pot of gold. Any tour guides for that? 🤭

[@shaunsteele8244]

I've always wanted to visit Orkney... visited Scotland several times but haven't made it that far north

[@takkC]

Thoroughly disagree about Brick Lane, curries aren't as uniquely good as they used to be, lots of availability. I'd recommend the Beigel shop instead, the one with the yellow sign.

[@calcifer1234]

You are making me excited about my own country! I’m glad you have enjoyed it here, and I hope you continue to do so.

[@lonalxaia]

Not Luton.

[@99xs]

@@lonalxaia live laugh Luton my friend

[@ljrigsbee]

I think intercity travel in the UK is best done by train, especially with 1 or 2 people. Normally you can book train tickets 6 weeks or so in advance, and you can find good deals if you are flexible. I went from London to York round trip for under £30 by traveling on specific trains. A car might be useful for exploring the Yorkshire Dales or the Highlands in Scotland, but it’s harder to appreciate the scenery when you have to pay attention to the road. Hotels in larger cities probably won’t have parking either, especially towards the city center. (B&B’s further out generally do, though)

[@karenomahoney3869]

London is undoubtedly expensive but one thing to note, there are dozens of amazing museums and they are all free.

[@brownjatt21]

I was just watching a video about London before this and he does mention that.

[@robdavies82]

The Lake District & Northumberland are my favourites. The north often gets overlooked but is probably England’s best gems. Wales - I find north Wales is my favourite area, especially around Conwy and Anglesey. I’ve also just come back from Inverness, the main city of the Highlands. Amazing scenery!

[@gogledhol]

Exactly! I'm from northern England, I love wales it's a stunning country, and I am going to Scotland later on this year. I hope more international tourists come to the north and other parts of the UK more, London is a phenomenal city and it's definitely something to see, but up north and wales and Scotland there is so much to do, especially nature wise, but also urban areas like the cities, plus our economies need it.

[@TimeyWimeyLimey]

Blackpool is buzzing right now. It's our version of Atlantic City and well worth a visit on any northern adventure to see how we do the seaside with a bit of roll up roll up razzmatazz.

[@timwills4481]

On my last trip, I made it to Durham Cathedral and Beamish Museum; both highly recommended.

[@stevegarside4667]

Exactly! South Wales is extremely overrated.

[@Books-and-coffee0]

I left my heart in England, I can't wait to go back 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@Joe-gg4nq]

He's right York is great. Lots of Viking history in particular.

[@thomasswanton47]

Best city in the world

[@minidwarfdude9230]

I live in york and it’s alright for a day trip but it’s not that special it’s just another city

[@facecrash24]

@@minidwarfdude9230 I've moved 21 times and I can say that York is hands down the best of all of the places I've lived.

[@mishapurser4439]

I've lived in York for a few years. It never gets old. I fell in love with the city when I was a student here and decided to live here permanently.

[@globaltreats]

If you want good coffee in Britain, DO NOT go to starbucks or costa. We have plenty of great independent coffee shops here.

[@kenbrown2808]

and if you want good coffee in the US, don't go to starbucks. - but most americans still go to starbucks.

[@rat-matt-miniatures8705]

Couldn't agree more, go independent as much as possible.

[@flip1sba]

Certainly! But many would still go to Starbucks for the city mugs and other collectibles.

[@jerry2357]

IMO Costa is better than Starbucks, but Caffe Nero is better than either if you want a familiar chain.

[@wildsurfer12]

Damn right we do!

[@richardbate8642]

Even though I live in the UK (London), I felt excited watching this - really engaging video! Sound advice about trying places other than London. The Cotswolds and the Peak District are both stunning, as are the places mentioned in Wales / Scotland. I notice another comment mentioned the museums are free, it's probably also worth mentioning their are lots of large parks in London - which are also free, such as Regent's Park. However, if you are planning on spending time outside in the UK then you needs layers of clothes as the weather changes a lot! Even in just one day!

[@Mardi-Shorts-DevonGirlUK]

Devon & Cornwall too? 😊 Come surfing, have a cream tea and see the rich pirate history.

[@chrisstuart3]

Mark, I’m very sorry you had to see that accident. I hope you are okay. ❤️

[@Fan652w]

I write as an Englishman who does not drive, but uses all forms of public transport - bus, tram, train and boat. Public transport in LONDON is very good and reasonably priced. But outside London the public transport is usually not up to the standards you find in the rest of western Europe. Two points particularly to note. Firstly, outside major urban areas public transport is in the evenings and on Sundays poor or even non-existent. Secondly bus tickets outside London are usually operator specific. A ticket issued by company X cannot be used on a bus run by company Y. Contrary to what Mark implies, bus travel in Britain is not cheap.

[@dresdi]

"reasonably priced" lmao

[@QWERTYOP80]

Untrue. The Manchester Metrolink is fantastic and covers much of Greater Manchester. It’s also fully wheelchair accessible until the London tube.

[@lexm17]

Nottingham and Manchester are I suppose exceptions but the trains are dreadful and expensive unless you book well in advance. Better off going in the car as you can cover a lot of places in a short stay

[@Fan652w]

@@lexm17 I live in Nottingham, and while our buses are undoubtedly better than most of Britain, there is still no proper integration between bus operators. And there is no integration with the trams. In Manchester, the recently re-elected Mayor Andy Burnham has promised to introduce London-style franchising of buses.

[@Fan652w]

I am English and live in Nottingham. The fact remains that London fares are generally cheaper than what we have to pay outside London. Fares are perhaps the only thing where London is cheaper than the rest of Britain.@@dresdi

[@DeannaAllison]

Really good advice. I'm English, and I found myself watching this video partly out of nostalgia for my old home (I emigrated 4 years ago and I'm planning to return to the UK for a visit this year). Speaking as a native, your advice seems to be absolutely spot on!

[@WifeMamaArtist]

York by train from London is really easy. It’s only a couple of hours and the station is right in the centre. It’s a very walkable place, I’ve spent a long weekend there and didn’t get a single cab or bus. I’d also recommend a trip to the Lake District. One of the most beautiful places!

[@andyleckey8153]

Was just about to comment, what about us in N.Ireland? Then we did get a mention at the end. To add to Marks recommendations in N.Ireland i would also visit the Titanic experience in Belfast where the Titanic was built. Also the walled City of Derry/Londonderry that has the entire walls still intact. Also for Game of Thrones fans, there are many filming locations to visit such as The Dark Hedges and Ballintoy Harbour where you can also cross the Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge. Further past Giants Causeway is the ruins of Dunluce Castle and a few miles from there is the town of Bushmills where you can tour the world famous Bushmills Whiskey Distillery.

[@philipbarrett3151]

It sounds slightly morbid but a tour of the murals & Troubles (he remained extremely neutral) by a local taxi driver was a highlight of the trip. Belfast has a lot to offer.

[@jamesbovington8218]

Love visiting all these places in Ireland. Ireland is a wonderful country and the north of Ireland brings its unique contribution to the whole.

[@tb5563]

@@SarcasticCynic tell me your American without telling me your American

[@FlowElectron]

For any Americans visiting the UK, may I recommend the south west, Dartmoor national park is lovely and the south west coast is all lovely, I would definitely recommend it, I may be biased as I live in Devon, but it's honestly lovely and beautiful, if you want the cultural stuff, plymouth has a bunch of stuff to do with the mayflower and North American discovery, and if you see a national trust property, they are great places to go for a few hours, definitely visit Pembrokeshire in Wales, if you can go to the Jurassic coast, Dartmoor and Exmoor are also very impressive, and if you want, my home town is lovely, Tavistock in Devon, lots of history if your into that kinda thing, and great food too, and lovely views

[@jom1164]

Id suggest visiting Lincoln on your way up north if you get the chance. A castle with a Victorian prison in the grounds and a cathedral, all very close to each other. Plus steep hill and some nice shops. It’s not as big as York but the cathedral and castle is quite impressive.

[@marcusskidmore7290]

Good call.

[@discogareth]

Weird seeing those older photos of Big Ben, it’s been covered in scaffolding and covered up for a couple of years now being renovated. Can’t wait until it’s finally finished.

[@janejohnstone5795]

Always take winter clothes...with you...even in July..dont underestimate the cold weather...it comes at any time...also narrow roads...otherwise very pretty...and historical....😊

[@TheRealSandman]

Being from the UK, I like seeing how people not from the UK view the country. Everything is just normal to me & I don't think twice about some of these things, it's nice to see a different view point UK :)

[@Husqy1000]

Mate…. I’m 41 , I’ve lived in the uk all my life . You’ve just made me want to holiday in my own county !

[@ThunderBroomPilot]

You NEVER get used to driving on the left side because of muscle memory. Always be alert, and never just flow like in the US. AND, be super careful when making RIGHT turns (those are the ones when you cross oncoming traffic). Left turns are ok as they are like our right turns. Their right turns are like our left turns. You might have to diagram to understand, but when you make a right turn, which lane you choose to drive in the other street will have to be a conscious decision. Otherwise, your muscle memory will make you select how we drive. I almost had a head on collision in the UK with a Volvo truck to learn this. Above all, never relax, and drive very alert, as in no distractions. Also, they do have different habits of driving close to big cities and way out. You need to talk to someone locally to learn the details, especially how to PROPERLY drive in the runabouts. I LOVE STICK SHIFT, as it makes you feel the driving. LONG LIVE STICK SHIFT.

[@dieseldragon6756]

Another British person here, with a few full-ins for Jorvik (York). 🚄🇬🇧😇 ⛪️ Getting to York: Fairly easy overall, this is accessible by car from the M1/A1M (North east of Leeds) and by direct trains from Edinburgh, Newcastle, Peterborough and London Kings Cross. 👍🏽 🏬 The bit of York where all the buildings are very close together is „The Shambles”, and is the surviving part of York’s Medieval town. It’s well worth seeing (It’s literally in the middle of the city centre) and you might recognise seeing it in several movies, including Harry Potter! 🪄😇 ⚔️ Best bit of York? The Vikings, of course! Always remember to pay the Jorvik centre a visit! 🤘🏽 🚂 And whether you come by train or not, the National Railway Museum (Immediately west of the station) is also well worth a visit. Home to many railway milestones (British and otherwise) and possibly the only place you’ll find a genuine JR Shinkansen outside of Japan! 😁

[@waziotter]

One note for Merkins renting cars in the UK. It will, by default, be a manual (stick shift). If you want an automatic you will need to specify that when you book. And it will be about 50% more expensive.

[@tinypizza4278]

As someone who works for a tourist attraction, I would like to say make sure you have a contactless card or apple/google pay as most places prefer or require contactless payments

[@norvaz94]

America is behind. Not everywhere offers it.

[@thomasohare8552]

Renting a car is good if you're outside London. DO NOT use a car in London. (He said this but just to repeat) Getting a cab is a must have for some tourists, but don't go too far within London, the prices can be huge!

[@JanoJ]

Before you tip, check your recipt.. it may include an "optional" Service charge (this is optional and you can refuse to pay that part or change the amount, if you feel the service was poor/better than expected). if the service charge is added, you DONT need to tip further. In general though, the british are NOT as religious about tipping as americans, as resteraunts tend to pay their staff reasonable wages. Indeed usually any "tips" are shared

[@louiseogden1296]

Post Offices will often change money if you're in a smaller town. If you're a Regency literary hound, forget Bath. Come to Basingstoke where Jane Austen actually grew up, and then take a drive south towards the coast. Scenery to die for. Also, try a cornish pasty. Very nice. Thanks for a lovely video. The Giant's Causeway is amazing. My family comes from Northern Ireland so we've been there so many times.

[@thewatcher720]

Don't forget the south west. The countryside is gorgeous. Glastonbury in Somerset, Devon, Dartmoor and Cornwall are well worth exploring.

[@davidjones332]

It always fascinates me how driving on the other side of the road is seen as so scary by Americans. Tens of thousands of Brits drive across Europe every year, and equal numbers of Europeans come the other way, and it rarely ever causes a problem. Driving standards in Britain and the road casualty rates are light years in advance of the US.

[@brownjatt21]

Well the US only borders Mexico and Canada which both drive on the same side. They don't really have an opportunity or option to practice driving on the other side wouldn't you say.

[@philabrahams383]

I would point out that if you want to use a bus in London you are going to need either contactless card debit or credit or a Oyster card as all buses are cashless now. If I was you and you are going to stay in London get A Oyster card before coming here and keep it topped up just read the instructions on how to use it. But the main thing you have to remember is you use the trains or tube always tap in and tap out because if you don't TFL will charge you for a full day travel.

[@lifewithjosef]

Confirming the Oyster Card, it made in London travel so much easier.

[@kenbrown2808]

also confirming, and you can order a tourist oyster card online and get it before you go. makes a great souvenir. also, with the oyster card, there is a cap on how much you pay per day (and the rest of your travel that day is free) , while using a touchless card will charge every trip.

[@philabrahams383]

@@kenbrown2808 you can also get your money back on the Oyster card if you no longer need it so don't just throw them away.

[@kenbrown2808]

@@philabrahams383 right. I accidentally dropped mine, but we left a couple pounds on my wife's. we will use it if we ever go back to London (so much else to see), or might gift it to someone else if they go.

[@TipCounter4You]

Got stationed in the UK for the Air Force and been here over a year....I've gone to Lizard point, Norwich, Dover...still never been to London.

[@breadstick3793]

Don’t bother it’s awful

[@lyndoncmp5751]

London is amazing. One of the great cities of the world. None greater. The architecture, the history, the activities, the vibe etc. Such an exciting place. Some wonderful places even away from central London, such as Richmond with its park, Little Venice. Lovely river and canal walks. Avoid greater southeast London though.

[@jordangould4763]

Lakenheath or the hall?

[@TipCounter4You]

@@jordangould4763 Neither actually. I’m at RAF Croughton

[@breadstick3793]

@@SgtTechcomDN38416 who says I hate big cities? I just hate crime infested dirty cities 😭

[@johnwilletts3984]

Perhaps my best recommendation would be to forget about hotels and book a ‘Holiday Cottage’. You pick a region such as say Lake District, Yorkshire Dales or North Wales etc. Then check out the Holiday Cottages on line. There are some amazing places to rent from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. Instead of being confined to a single hotel room, you get a full house for the same price as a hotel. These places come equipped with all you need including a kitchen to cook meals. You can stay in a medieval thatched cottage or a Georgian town house. This way you will mix with the local community, make friends and socialise in the pub. You could always take the train to London and see Buckingham Palace etc on a day trip.

[@jessicametzger798]

Gonna try that now. Thanks!

[@gogledhol]

I love that you're telling people to explore the rest of the UK. London is a beautiful city, don't get me wrong, but the other places are usually forgotten by tourists (especially northern england). Like you can come see York or Newcastle or Manchester, Liverpool, Carlisle etc. You can come see the lake district the yorkshire dales, the north penines, the peaks, forest of bowland etc. Or you can wander around all the quaint little villages scattered across the countryside. Northern England is commonly overlooked by tourists but it's such a beautiful place, and if you want to look into the history, it's rich. From the native celtic tribes, to the normans and the vikings, the saxons. Up north it tends to be much cheaper aswell compared to the large touristy places in the south.

[@matthewsmith2787]

Newcastle is a nice place to visit, especially if your a soccer fan

[@gchecosse]

Scottish and Northern Irish banks are allowed to issue banknotes, but it's still the British pound. Legally speaking these are just vouchers, and people don't have to accept them even in Scotland. However in practice you'll never have a problem spending them in any chain store in England.

[@benthamite6053]

My dad proposed to my mum at the Royal Crescent in Bath, really pretty place :)

[@2pugman]

I regret not staying in Bath for a few days.

[@dresdi]

@@2pugman bath is such a beautiful city

[@Jellygamer0]

@@dresdi sweltering in the summer though...

[@dawg7915]

Love Bath. great place

[@lostamonglocals5382]

Goodness we miss the UK, can't wait to return

[@fleabiter]

I'm british and I can tell you that this guy knows his stuff. this is a great set of basics to know.

[@fleabiter]

@@SarcasticCynic about what.. my opinion, wolters world opinion or, is this a cry for help.. what is it you are struggling to say?

[@barrysteven5964]

​@@fleabiter Judging from his string of random, silly and attention seeking comments I think this is Feed ME Donuts talking about himself. And he's right. Nobody cares.

[@zupermaus9276]

The only place you don't queue is the bar/ pub. Table service there is also a Covid phenomenon, you'd normally order at the bar.

[@1986kerrichinchilla]

As a Brit its fun to see how people not from the UK talk about us. Some recommendations if you dont mind, if you go near Staffordshire try a oatcake, its like a savory pancake, i recommend cheese and bacon.

[@jordandenning7367]

You need to come to the West Midlands and Black Country it's a hidden gem for tourists. We have so much history and things to do

[@MeansToTravel]

Loved this video! Thanks for helping me relive my trips to the Uk a bit! 😀🙏🏻🇬🇧

[@scottbradbury5808]

It really makes me laugh how Americans are more passionate about the UK, more than us Brits are 😁 huge respect to you.👍

[@MeansToTravel]

@@scottbradbury5808 LOL that you wrote this comment on July 4th!

[@scottbradbury5808]

@@MeansToTravel haha sorry, we don’t celebrate that here in the UK, I apologise 😂

[@reginafromrio]

He's spot on mentioning renting a car to get out of London and yes, I practiced driving around the parking lot and it really does feel unnatural at first but you get used to it after a couple of round abouts. That's the most challenging part. Oh and remember the gear shift will still be in the middle so put your thinking cap on :)

[@WyeExplorer]

Hey, now that's a top in selling my country. I live on the border with England and Wales near the Brecon Beacons and yeah it's gorgeous. Mark

[@jenblack98]

Another tip from a brit. If you are travelling by train you can get returns where you can return any time within a month. They will be more expensive than a day return but they can be cheaper than buying singles if you want to stay longer than a day somewhere (or for train tickets to airports). Another tip is to see if you can get a cheaper fair by splitting your ticket and that can save you a lot of money (i once saved like £23 by splitting my ticket). Also, book trains in advance. Sincerely, A brit who can't drive.

[@johnlochness]

B&Bs in the UK tend to be rooms in someone’s home, so you’re unlikely to have access to a lounge or evening meals. All the B&Bs I’ve stayed in in the US tend to be more like what we call a guest house. I get a lot of American visitors to my B&B ON Loch Ness expecting many more facilities than you get in a UK B&B.

[@doobvids181]

The trains are pricey but if you book far in advance the fares are often only 30-40% of what they would be to buy on the day

[@nevillemason6791]

Check out a BritRail Pass which are only available to non-UK residents. There's various options (entire UK, England only, Scotland only, parts only of England or Scotland, etc.) that give unlimited train travel for a set time period. If you're going to do a lot of train travel it's certainly worth investigating.

[@orangarnold]

I grew up just outside of York, great to see it getting some love

[@Mardi-Shorts-DevonGirlUK]

With regards to queueing. Yes we're about the politeness but.... it is worth asking in a shop queue, if you have only 1 or 2 items, and it's people with baskets full or trolleys full, just politely ask if they mind if you nip in before them. In fact, I always let people with hardly any items go first to the till. If you smile at the customer in front of you with a big basket, there's a good chance they will automatically say 'after you' etc. Well we do in the South West UK anyhows ❤️

[@leighbee13]

I’d disagree with renting a car, I’d get a train to visit other cities Brighton, bath etc, I live in London and wouldn’t use a car to go those places, you don’t have to worry about parking and it’s much quicker to get the train. Plus driving in London is really challenging. It can be complicated with the big train stations but as long as you leave yourself time to navigate it people will help you out.

[@archereegmb8032]

Excellent information. You covered everything the first timer might need to know. Great job.

[@johneklund-dowling5205]

A tip about credit cards in the UK and most of Europe. American Express is often not accepted. Use Visa or Mastercard.

[@kieranmccarthy4407]

I agree with you about York I would highly recommend a visit to the Minster. Also West Sussex especially Petworth House and Arundel Castle.

[@philipbarrett3151]

Just don't steal Mary Queen of Scot's stuff!

[@joebogle3172]

The Scottish and Northern Irish notes can be taken to any Banks in England and exchanges for English money. Also a cashier can Refuse them if they don't know how to check if they are real (All Notes have security features) Tourist Places in the UK can accept Euros and US dollars but give change in Sterling but this is Rare.

[@patricialockhart2135]

Edinburgh is my local city and its fantastic but. The presenter is right. York us amazing. BTW, York is easy to get to from both Edinburgh and London with frequent high speed trains.

[@Jbobo05SS]

The salt beef sandwich from Burough Market is unreal.

[@Joker-yw9hl]

Great vid as always. Makes me realise how little of the UK I've seen myself as an actual resident. Don't think I've ever been further north than Shrewsbury for crying out loud

[@serenityinside1]

Joker: that’s pathetic !! 🙄. For ffs you like in a beautiful diverse country with some of the best scenery on earth !!

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

Take Marks advice on York - it's stunning and a really enjoyable trip. The Minster, walk the walls, take a river cruise, check out the history, the ancient streets, the ruins, the ghost tours etc etc

[@Joker-yw9hl]

@@TheGramophoneGirl ah I've heard such lovely things about York. It's got to be done!

[@isiteckaslike]

You DO tip in pubs if you're having a full meal there, especially if there's a few of you in a group. You don't tip if you're just having a few drinks and bar snacks. Generally the more full the meal the more the expectation is that you should tip. That is why you tip in restaurants here - because you're having a full meal and the people will have put an effort in to serving you properly. Thus, you don't usually tip in cafes if you're just having a cup of tea, but you might well do if you also have a full breakfast/lunch with it. So, basically the more full the meal (anywhere) the more likely the expectation is that you should tip.

[@kenbrown2808]

the local custom for tipping when you're getting drinks at a pub is to tell the barkeep to have one for himself. also, look at your bill for the meal, and if it includes "service" that is the recommended tip, already included.

[@Evemeister12]

@@kenbrown2808 spot on

[@leesmart2157]

You can exchange money in alot of places. Virtually every post office and travel agent (search for tui shops) will have an exchange counter inside

[@katekat6379]

Tipping is definitely not something I often see here👀 you don’t get looked at rude for not tipping or anything, it’s common for people to say “keep the change”. It’s more so out of convenience though, like a I can’t be bothered to wait for change or I don’t want that change😂we don’t go out of our way to do it.

[@Rob1Rich]

enjoyed your video. Thanks for posting it. But as a Brit who has been to the US over 20 times and knows lots of Americans I would say - unless you're staying outside of a large city don't hire a car. Imagine the stress of driving with your family out of London or Manchester with your family for the first time on the left. Also unless you specify an automatic you better be OK driving a manual stickshift. If you're London based the trains are fantastic for exploring. Your favorite (see that) place, York, is just under two hours on the train so a doable day trip. Also that first breakfast sausage you've used looks insipid. I'd be sending that back to get browned and a minus point for the hotel/B&B. I like how you pronounced Bath like a northerner with a hard A I wasn't expecting that!

[@reginafromrio]

Americans are into lines or queues, as well. We don't like a line skipper. What we WILL do is if we're in a grocery store and we have a full cart and someone is behind us and they only have a few items, we'll ask if they want to go first. It's just polite.

[@wildsurfer12]

You might want to update your section about ATMs, as many bank branches have closed and many stores in big cities will now only accept card payment. Supermarkets will still have free ATMs but to be safe you should get a currency card like a FairFX card, which doesn’t charge you when you use it abroad or take cash out of a foreign ATM.

[@Jay-lr3me]

Something that hasn’t been mentioned much is the south west. Somerset(where bath is), Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. If you’re here in the summer, consider these places, very beautiful and lots of great beaches, fishing towns, wild landscapes. Cheddar gorge is great, so is Dartmoor national park. I personally love port Isaac in Cornwall but most towns on the coast of Devon and Cornwall are brilliant.

[@tubadude905]

Lived in the UK (North Norfolk) for 12 years and visit friends and family there often. No kidding on looking right before crossing the road...the roads are much narrower than the US so there's little margin for error if you do step out into traffic. My advice to visitors is always to get off the beaten path - the countryside is really quite beautiful.

[@thegeneral123]

If anyone has any questions about North Wales, just ask. Lived here most of my life.

[@AmandaFromWisconsin]

Not really a travel/tourism related question, but do many people speak Welsh there?

[@thegeneral123]

@@AmandaFromWisconsin In my town, no. Probably less than 5%. The further inland you go though and west. Especially the more rural areas. Yes, small pockets and villages where most if not all have Welsh as their first language.

[@winklepicking3202]

Amanda From Wisconsin nearly 30% of the nation speaks Welsh, but don’t worry likely all of that 30% will be able to speak English too both languages are taught in Welsh and English medium schools ☺️

[@tonyowen8349]

Hi Amanda I live in Anglesey Welsh language is more like 55-60% here it’s very much part of day to day life here 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿💕

[@matthewsmith2787]

I have never been to Wales before, is there any places to avoid ?

[@robertharmon3915]

Mark you need to try and recomend the ciders in the U K.

[@kenbrown2808]

Americans should be aware, that in the UK, any cider will be hard cider, and if you want non alcohol, you order juice.

[@matthewsmith2787]

Come to Northumberland located in North East England , such a lovely coastline, plenty of fish and chips too

[@kenbrown2808]

we're planning on visiting next year.

[@byronhall5145]

Your knowledge of uk is amazing. The buildings nearly touching each other in york are called the shambles. You can go whale watching from Witby and Dolphin spotting in cardigan bay wales.

[@Teverell]

Go and visit a heritage railway. It's a fun day out and they go through some gorgeous scenery, though they can be tricky to get to. My favourites are the Kent and East Sussex Railway (the main station is Tenterden in West Kent), the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway ( a one-third scale railway across the Romney Marsh) and, if you're down in the West Country, the West Somerset Railway, which is one of the longest heritage railways in the UK.

[@KempSimon]

- Or the Isle of Wight Steam Railway?

[@Teverell]

@@KempSimon I haven't done that one! I would love to, though!

[@dave928]

been to the UK 4 times, hopefully will visit more. actually looking into retiring there.

[@jasminespencer3992]

Careful with taking Uber or Lyft to places outside of London because it can be hard to get one coming back. We took an Uber to visit a friend near Windsor in a residential area and it took almost 2 hours for an Uber to be available to then pick us up later that day, because they are just weren’t cars out there.

[@Raylufc]

In central London they prefer payment by card but not where I live in south london they will give you a discount for cash. just 3 miles from central london in Camberwell there are loads of restaurants Italian Lebanese Greek are half the price of central London

[@99xs]

Due to covid I think card has become the preferred payment option

[@shereenwallace7790]

My suggestion is stay anywhere but London and do a day trip there. Save a bunch on hotel! Have fun it is so beautiful there!!

[@michaelwray1034]

The Northumberland coast.. Bamburgh castle straight out of a movie.. Scotland.. Gorgeous.. 😉 I also think your ok in most places with cash.

[@janimize-3066]

I’m from the England but I’m still watching this

[@timmmahhhh]

I think we all like to see what "foreigners" like to say about our places. Heck when Mark does a Chicago video I watch that, ha. Mark lives a few hours south so that's foreign enough. :)

[@aerodylluk2543]

I find it funny that the UK has this reputation for bad food. Admittedly we have been tied to europe for so long that it is hard to know what 'British food' really is. But you can get good food pretty much anywhere in the UK and the cities have a great selection.

[@matthewsmith2787]

You can get good and bad food anywhere in the world. To avoid bad food, check the reviews of a particular restaurant

[@pashvonderc381]

@@SarcasticCynic Bollox, it ain’t that much of a dump, and what’s all this bollox about the Empire?? And quite possibly I think that you could also say if it weren’t for the Yanks etc intervention you could well be speaking Russian,

[@djrudog1158]

@@SarcasticCynic says a boy called feed me doughnuts..

[@shaunsteele8244]

most Americans preconceived notions about the UK come from the 19th century lol

[@andrewharrison6475]

I think you’ll find driving on the left is the right side of the road

[@Richard47484]

Can I put in a word for the West Country and especially Cornwall? Very different from London and oozing Olde Worlde charm. Go easy on the cider though, it can be very strong!

[@yodudeHQ]

Absolute shithole

[@bfcyouthelement1986]

@@yodudeHQ 😂😂😂😂

[@Mardi-Shorts-DevonGirlUK]

Yes! I'm from Dev & Cornwall area... Beautiful part of the country x

[@whyohwhy3407]

Very very honest, unbiased and informative! Thank you 🙏

[@sams3015]

Mark, how could you forget the 3 prong plug (or as I like to call it: the father, son and holy sprit plug). I’ve seen Americans trying to shove two prongs in those before, a bad idea! Also found in Ireland, British OST / Commonwealth Caribbean, Hong Kong & UAE

[@marsgal42]

When I get there (or anywhere else with different plugs) I like to go out and buy an adapter or USB charger. Nothing heavy that first jet-lagged zombie day, but a good reason to get out and about.

[@matthewsmith2787]

Voltage is 240v and three pin plugs

[@mar.c1]

You forgot to tell people if they enjoy sports, to give a soccer (Premier League) game in England a try. The whole crowd and atmosphire is an incredible experience.

[@yvonnehorde1097]

A secret tip are youth hostels: You can even stay there with your family. You should also really try Indian restaurants. The stuff is amazing for a reasonable price. And if you go to London go to the Tate Gallery and the British museum, as they are for free.

[@wildsurfer12]

I wouldn’t say that going to Bath was cheaper than going to London, the accommodation and food is just as expensive. There are fewer tourist traps there but it’s still not a cheap place to visit. Neither is Edinburgh.

[@pollyduron674]

I just returned from there and loved it and the food!!!

[@CONTACTLIGHT2]

I'm a brit. Mark is spot on with all of this advice.

[@jamesgillespie9000]

Thank you for giving Northern Ireland a shoutout!

[@kristaylor7119]

As BBC a brit who now lives in Vancouver Canada, I feel I would recognize 🇬🇧 anymore

[@philipbarrett3151]

No joke, I remember a bank teller in London not wanting to accept a Scottish pound note! At 6:13, that's black pudding so you're probably "up North" & feeling brave (hint: it's good just don't think about it too much). Need to be careful of pickpockets in London, also the rental car is a good idea but do not pick one up until you're leaving London as parking is almost non-existent, even at hotels. Overall, this is a nice guide & very accurate especially compared to the cringe-worthy other options all over KZbin. My addition would be that the British love to complain about their country, you are NOT welcome to join in!

[@kenbrown2808]

the black pudding I tried was a bit dry and meh.

[@MarkPitsmoorOwl]

SHEFFIELD is a very cool city it’s also the 4th Largest city in England it’s in the North in southyorkshire Sheffield

[@monkeydust100]

If you're staying outside london you can usually get the underground ticket included in the cost of your train ticket (or for a small extra cost)

[@MarkPitsmoorOwl]

Yorkshire Dales are very cool and are home to Englands 3rd & 4th Largest city’s in Leeds & Sheffield

[@bengiethedoggy]

FYI sometimes a return ticket will be more expensive than 2 singles. I would say its around 50/50 in my experience in the north of england.

[@yodudeHQ]

Really? In my experience it’s always cheaper to get a return, this is in Newcastle though (metro and buses)

[@markhancock8320]

A cheap day return is, as the name suggests, cheaper than two single tickets.

[@lizzieburgess674]

Round here, a cheap day return is about 10 or 20p more than a standard single ... however by booking a couple of weeks in advance you can (often) get 2 singles for less than the cost of the CDR BUT - and its a big but - those tickets will be total;y inflexible and non-refundable. Miss the train or change your plans and you've lost your money. Not a problem with either standard singles or returns of any sort, you can use them within their period of validity.