Social Profile
Food & Drink: Good English cooking is superb and there are some restaurants specialising in old English dishes. In general, the north of the country tends to offer more substantial and traditional food, at more reasonable prices than the south. Every region, however, will have its own speciality; these will include roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, game or venison pies, rack of lamb and many fish dishes. Britain is still the home of puddings: spotted dick (suet pudding with currants and raisins); plum duff (suet roll stuffed with plums); and syllabub (a Medieval dish consisting of double cream, white wine and lemon juice). The English cream tea is still served in tea rooms, particularly in south coast seaside resorts. It generally consists of scones, jam, butter, clotted or double cream and, of course, tea. There are many regional varieties in baking: the flat pancake-type scones of the North of England and Scotland; Scottish black bun, a fruit cake on a pastry base; Bakewell tart, a pastry base covered with jam, almond filling and topped with icing; and breads of all description. For those who want variety, London and the larger cities offer every type of ethnic food imaginable, Indian and Chinese being particularly popular and good value for money. Cheddar and Stilton are the most famous British cheeses. Tipping is not compulsory and it is up to the individual whether to pay the ten to 12 per cent service charge often added automatically to bills. Table service is usual but there are self-service snack bars. Set-price lunches, especially on Sundays, with a choice of about three dishes, are particularly good value, as is pub food.
The British pub is nothing short of a national institution and even the smallest village in the remotest corner of the country will usually have at least one. There are about as many beers in England as there are cheeses in France and the recent revival of real ale has greatly improved the range and qualities of brews available. Look out for the sign ‘Free House’ outside a pub, meaning that beer from more than one brewery will be sold there. Bitter and lager are the most popular beers, but stout, pale ale, brown ale and cider are also widely drunk. Wine bars and cocktail bars are now common in the larger cities and towns, and the latter will often have a ‘happy hour’ (when prices are reduced) in the early evening. Under 18s may not be served with alcohol and children under 16 are not generally allowed into pubs, although they may sit in the garden. Licensing hours vary between towns, but many pubs, especially in main centres, are open typically 1100-2300; the visitor should not be surprised however if they find a pub closing for a period in the afternoon. On Sunday, hours are 1200-2230. Private clubs often have an extension into the early hours.
Nightlife: The main cities, London in particular, have a vast range to choose from: theatre (including open-air in the summer), opera, ballet, concerts, films, restaurants, nightclubs and discos, as well as, of course, pubs. The weekly magazine Time Out publishes a comprehensive guide to events in the capital.
Shopping: Woollen and woven goods such as Harris Tweeds are famous. Printed cottons and silks are to be found, as well as fashionable ready-made clothes. China and porcelain Wedgwood, Crown Derby, Royal Worcester and Royal Doulton are good buys, as are luxury food and chocolates. Antiques are to be found all over the country. In London, Charing Cross Road is famous for bookshops, and there are the street markets: Petticoat Lane for clothes and Bermondsey for antiques, to name just two. Tax Free Shopping: Many shops throughout the country now operate a tax-free shopping scheme for overseas visitors. The store will provide a form which should be completed at the time of purchase. Upon arrival at Customs, present the goods and the forms (within three months) to the Customs Officer, who will stamp the vouchers certifying that the goods are being exported, and that you will be entitled to a refund of Value Added Tax (VAT). For further information, contact the British Tourist Office which will be able to supply details. Shopping hours: In major cities, Mon-Sat 0900-1730; in London’s West End and other large shopping centres, shops stay open to 2000. Many local shops stay open to 1900 or 2000 and some even later; many of these are open on Sunday morning or all day. Larger shops will open Sun 1000-1600. Some towns and areas of cities may have early closing one day a week, usually Wednesday or Thursday.
Special Events: For a complete list, contact the English Tourist Board. The following is a selection of the many festivals and events taking place in 2003:
Jan 2-13 London International Boat Show, London. Jan 16-19 West London Antiques and Fine Arts Fair, Kensington, London. Jan 18-19 Motorbike 2003 (motorbike show), Spalding, Lincolnshire. Feb 7-16 Comedy Festival 2003, Leicester. Feb 21-24 London Fashion Week, London. Mar Bath Literature Festival, Bath. Mar 6-7 Crufts 2003 (dog show), Birmingham. Mar 16-18 London Book Fair, Hammersmith, London. Mar 29 Head of the River Race (Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race), London. Apr 13 Flora London Marathon, London. Apr 17 Easter Egg Rolling, Doncaster. Apr 19 Lacock Abbey Easter Concert, Lacock, Wiltshire. May 3 May Day Celebrations (traditional event), Lustleigh, Devon. May 3-25 Brighton Festival (the largest arts festival in England), Brighton. May 10-25 Isle of Wight Walking Festival (walking events), Shanklin. May 14-18 Royal Windsor Horse Show, Windsor. May 20-23 Chelsea Flower Show, Chelsea, London. May 29-Jun 1 Dickens Festival, Rochester. Jun 6-7 Keswick Beer Festival, Keswick, Cumbria. Jun 14 Trooping the Colour (official birthday parade of the Queen), London. Jun 23-Jul 6 Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships, London. Jun 23-Jul 10 City of London Festival, London. Jun 27-29 Glastonbury Festival (open-air music festival), Glastonbury. Jul 5 Gold Hill Fair (country fair), Shaftesbury, Dorset. Jul 8- 13 Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Greater London. Jul 19-20 Pilton Green Man Festival, Barnstaple, Devon. Aug 2-9 Skandia Life Cowes Week 2003 (yacht-racing regatta on The Solent), Cowes, Isle of Wight. Aug 7-10 Bristol Balloon Festival, Bristol. Aug 21-26 International Beatles Festival, Liverpool. Aug 24-25 Notting Hill Carnival (West Indian street carnival), London. Aug 30-31 Shepway Air Festival 2003, Folkestone, Kent. Sep 6 Party in the Park (pop music and fireworks), Tonbridge, Kent. Sep 23 Druid Order Autumn Equinox Ceremony (Druidic ritual celebrations), Primrose Hill, London. Oct 11-25 Canterbury Festival, Canterbury, Kent. Oct 31 Halloween Adventure, Groombridge Place Gardens, Royal Tunbridge Wells. Nov 5 Guy Fawkes (bonfires and fireworks), throughout the country. Nov 8 Lord Mayor’s Show (parade), London. Nov 28-30 City of Durham Christmas Festival, Durham. Dec 23 Carols at the Old Cross (carol singing with brass band), Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Celebrations, across the country.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
Terms and Conditions apply.
|
|
