England country report. English history: from the Roman colony to the British Empire. Why does England not have its own Parliament?

These names are often heard in speech, used in newspaper publications, pronounced on radio and television. By them is meant an island country in the north-west of Europe. But how identical are these concepts, is there a difference and in what? For starters, it's all about the UK.

Geographic realities

It is necessary to distinguish between the generally accepted geographical name of the region and its state structure. Intuitively, most people understand that behind the concept of "Great Britain" lies a much more extensive territorial and state entity than behind the term "England". And this is fair.

In geographical terminology, "Great Britain" refers to only one island of the archipelago.

• Footprint at 229946 sq. km makes it the 9th largest in the world.
• Population in 30 million people puts in the world table in third place.
• In a meridional perspective reaches 966 km, in parallel - 2 times less. Separated from mainland countries by the Pas de Calais and the English Channel. The largest peninsulas are Cornwall and Wales.

Historical excursus of toponymy

In the 5th century AD e. there was a resettlement of the islanders across the English Channel to the mainland of modern France, where the so-called "Little Britain" was formed, today it is the French province of "Brittany".

In the 6th century A.D. e. to distinguish between the places of settlement of the ethnic group, the island part of the land was called "Big Britain", which in Russian was transformed into "Great Britain".

Government of Great Britain

England

• Its territory is the largest historical and administrative unit"United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". It occupies 2/3 of the island of "Great Britain", borders in the north with Scotland, in the west - with Wales.
• England Square- the largest in the state of Great Britain and is 130395 km.
• England is separated from Europe only 34 km in the area of ​​the English Channel, which made it possible to lay the Eurotunnel connecting the UK with continental Europe by a high-speed railway line.
• England does not have its own parliament. The county councils are the link of the regional level of government.

Thus, the term "Great Britain" in the sense of the abbreviated designation of the state "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland" in geographical and socio-political aspects is much broader than the term "England", denoting only one, albeit the dominant, region of the country.

For many people, Great Britain and England are consonant concepts, synonyms that are used to name the same state. But in fact, everything is not so simple, and there are serious differences between them, which we will discuss later in the article.

What is Great Britain

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the full name of an independent island state located in the north-west of Europe and occupying the largest territory in it.

Great Britain was founded in 1801. It includes such territorial units (the so-called "historical provinces") as northern Scotland, the Principality of Wales, which have sufficient autonomy and their own parliaments.

England is also one of the "provinces" of Great Britain (by the way, the largest in the country). Around it, in fact, from the very beginning, the formation of the modern state took place. But, unlike other parts of the kingdom, it does not have its own legislative and executive powers, and their role is performed by the national parliament of Great Britain.

In addition to these territories, the United Kingdom owns three more Crown Lands - the islands of Jersey, Maine and Guernsey, as well as fourteen overseas territories, which include, for example, Gibraltar, Bermuda, Falklands, etc.

England: country information

Despite the large number of dependent lands, England, again, is the historical core of the United Kingdom, and its population is 84% ​​of all inhabitants of Great Britain.

Here the English language was "born", and from here the formation of a powerful state began. The beginning of this was laid by the Angles and Saxons, who conquered the territory at the beginning of the ninth century, displacing the Britons who inhabited it. In 825, King Egbert of Wessex united most of the petty kingdoms into one, giving it the name England (this translates as "Land of the Angles").

But when in 1707 Scotland became part of the state, and the United Kingdom was formed, it was decided to call it Great Britain, so as not to infringe on anyone's pride. After all, the name, for example, Great England (Great England) would be absolutely unacceptable for the Scots.

Some features of the British government

That the meaning of the word "England" in our minds is closely intertwined with the meaning of the word "Great Britain", and even some explanatory dictionaries cite these names as synonymous, a cultured person should still understand what their internal difference is.

Of course, the role of England for the whole state is difficult to overestimate. After all, it was her legal, legal and constitutional innovations that were adopted by many states of the world. And it was this part of the United Kingdom that became the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, making Great Britain the world's first industrialized country.

In general, the United Kingdom has a rather complex state system, which, nevertheless, does not prevent it from being an example in maintaining democratic relations within the country.

Interestingly, the UK does not have a single constitution. It is to some extent replaced by a set of acts of a different nature, common law rules, including many judicial precedents, and some constitutional customs. The most important of them include (signed back in 1215), as well as the Act of Succession to the Throne.

Why does England not have its own Parliament?

Due to the fact that England is the only constituent part of Great Britain that does not have its own parliament and government, a movement has formed in the country in support of its creation. After all, if decisions relating to Scotland alone can be made by the Scottish legislature, then decisions regarding England are made by Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Irish deputies who are members of the national parliament.

But in response to this, representatives argue that if the largest part of Great Britain receives independent authorities, this will lead to the fact that the remaining small territories will sharply lose their significance, and this, in turn, may lead to the collapse of the Kingdom.

Once again about the differences between England and Great Britain

We hope the article helped to finally understand how England differs from Great Britain. And in order to finally systematize the information, we once again recall their main differences:

• Great Britain is an independent state, which includes England as an administrative unit;
• England has no foreign policy relations, and Great Britain is an indispensable member of international organizations (UN, NATO, European Union, OSCE, etc.) and "arbiter of fate" for countries dependent on it;
• England does not have its own currency, armed forces and parliament;
• The territory of England is only a small part of the whole of Great Britain.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is an island Western European state, the political system of which is a constitutional monarchy. Great Britain consists of several countries with certain cultural and linguistic differences - England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The country completely occupies the island of Great Britain, the northern part of the island of Ireland and most of the rest of the British Isles and is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the North and Irish Seas. Ireland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands are considered the closest neighbors of the United Kingdom. The Isle of Man and the various Channel Islands are "crown lands", and are linked to the United Kingdom by various mutual obligations, while not being part of it (and also part of the EU).

Today, the UK is a mixture of indigenous cultures and numerous immigrants - Pakistanis, Africans, Indians. The capital and largest city is London, which is the world's financial, economic and cultural center with a population of over 8 million people.

The total population was, according to the 2017 census, 66,040,229 Human. More than 85 percent identify themselves as white British, other ethnic groups are Indians, Pakistanis, Irish, blacks from the Caribbean and Africa, and whites from other countries, including Russia (over 100,000 Russians live in London alone).

Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy, the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, the prime minister is determined by parliamentary elections. The prime minister is not directly elected by direct vote, he is the leader of the largest parliamentary party or coalition that forms the government. Members of Parliament are elected in constituencies throughout the United Kingdom, and members of the House of Lords (the upper house of the British Parliament) either inherit or are appointed to their seats in Parliament.

Current time in London:
(UTC 0)

The flag of the United Kingdom is more commonly known as the Union Jack, but its official name is the Union Flag. The flag is formed from the superimposed flag of St. George (England), the flag of St. Andrew (Scotland), also known as the St. Andrew's Cross, and the St. Patrick's Cross (Ireland). The flags of each state separately are also widespread, for example, the flag of the Red Dragon in Wales.

How to get to UK

The most convenient (and cheapest) way to get there is through major cities, where there are many flights. These cities are listed below, the links will take you to articles that describe in detail how to get to the corresponding city.

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Climate and weather in the UK

The climate of Great Britain, which is often called "Foggy Albion", is humid and temperate, determined by the North Atlantic current and proximity to the sea. The climate of the British Isles is characterized by warm, humid summers and mild winters, although many people are not pleased with the high rainfall. The weather in the United Kingdom can be changeable and is quite often windy and wet. British rains are nothing more than a legend, in practice, two or three hours of rain is a rarity, and at times in some regions of the country it can not rain for weeks, especially in the east. A much more frequent occurrence is the sky covered with clouds. As a rule, leaving the premises, you should be prepared for likely weather changes; a jumper and raincoat is usually enough, unless, of course, it is winter outside.

Since the UK stretches for about a thousand kilometers from edge to edge, air temperatures can vary significantly in the south and north of the country. There are also differences between the drier climate of the eastern part of the country and the wetter west. The weather in Scotland and the north-western part of England (especially in the Lake District) is generally rainy and cold, with heavy snowfall in northern Scotland. The northeastern and middle strip of the country is also characterized by a cold climate, although with less abundant rainfall. In the southeast of the country, as a rule, it is quite dry and warm, and the southwestern part of the island is warm and mostly humid. Wales and Northern Ireland experience cold to moderate temperatures and light rainfall, while the hilly areas of Wales experience occasional heavy snowfall. Although the highest places in the UK rarely reach 1300 meters above sea level, their impact on both temperature and rainfall is quite significant.

UK weather

Belfast

Cities and regions

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a commonwealth that includes several countries: England,Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland . Also part of the country are the "Crown Lands" (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) and fourteen "Overseas Territories".

The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are not strictly speaking part of the United Kingdom, but are the so-called "Crown Territories". This means that they have their own democratic government, laws and borders, and they are not members of the EU, but they are not fully sovereign either, falling under the influence of the British crown and allowing the British government to manage a number of issues in the islands. Great Britain became known as United Kingdom when, in 1801, the Irish and British Parliaments united to form the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland". In the 20th century b OMost of the Irish counties merged into independent Ireland, and only Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom.

England

England is the largest of the countries that make up the UK. It occupies an area of 133,395 km² and 53 million people live on its territory, that is, the vast majority of the country's population. Capital London.

England is made up of 9 regions, which include a total of 48 counties. The most populous region is South East England. The smallest region in terms of area is Greater London, but due to the fact that part of the agglomeration is part of the South East England region, it is he who is the most populated.

Scotland

Occupying territory in 78,772 sq. kilometers, located in the north of the island of Scotland has a harsh climate and is not too populated - only 5,222,100 people. The country consists of 32 regions, the largest of which - Highland - is located in the very north of the country. Scotland is famous for its mountains and lakes, as well as unique cultural traditions. The capital is Edinburgh.

Wales

A state in the east of the British Isle, inhabited by the Welsh - the ancestors of the Celts, so here you can still hear the Welsh language on every corner. Square - 20,779 km². The population is about 2,900 thousand people. The capital of the country is the city of Cardiff. Wales is administratively divided into 22 regions.

Northern Ireland

A state on the island of Ireland, consisting of 6 counties, with the capital in the city of Belfast. The most problematic part of the UK due to serious religious conflicts and the activities of the IRA terrorist group. In the last couple of decades, the situation has returned to normal. Today, approximately 1,810,900 people live in Northern Ireland.

Cities

Many large and small cities in the UK may be of interest to a traveler in the vicinity of its capital - London. Below, in alphabetical order, is a list of the nine major cities:

• Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland;
• Birmingham is the main city of central England, a great place for walking; motherland the famous dish "Balti";
• Bristol is a historic city and one of the most important ports in the history of the country, famous for its Georgian architecture, nautical and musical traditions;
• Cardiff - the capital of Wales, the center of various cultural events, has a unique combination of antiquity and modernity;
• Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, home to the world's largest arts festivals and home to numerous attractions; also the second most visited city in the United Kingdom;
• Glasgow - the largest city in Scotland, a new cultural center, the former "European City of Culture";
• Liverpool is a city known as the birthplace of The Beatles, as well as famous for its sports traditions (football clubs "Lithuerpool" and "Everton") and nightlife;
• Manchester - a thriving bohemian music center and at the same time a city with a rich industrial history; is the third most visited in the United Kingdom;
• Newcastle upon Tyne - the largest city in the north-east of England, a center of youth culture with a rich nightlife; the main local attraction is Adrianov Val;
• York is an outstanding historical center.

What to see

Great Britain is a country with a rich history and culture; moreover, it did not suffer as much during the Second World War as Germany, so a huge number of historical monuments have been preserved on its territory. The island has a unique, slightly harsh nature, the beauty of which can be appreciated by everyone - from the beaches of Brighton to the lakes and islands of Scotland.

sights

• - ancient megalithic structure located near Salisbury in Wiltshire. This famous collection of huge stones is known throughout the world, but it is still unknown what it was specifically used for.
• baht- a city with many monuments of Gregorian architecture, Roman baths and the wonderful Bath Abbey.
• Edinburgh- one of the most beautiful cities in Britain and the world, the second most visited after London. Its Old Town is an example of medieval architecture, and the Edinburgh Festival attracts huge numbers of tourists.
• Adrian's shaft- the ancient border of the Roman Empire, 122 km long, built in in 122 AD e. under Emperor Hadrian. It runs from east to west of the island, actually crossing it in the area of ​​the Anglo-Scottish border.
• York- a city in the north of England, surrounded by medieval walls; its most important sights are York Cathedral, the quarters of Chables, the castle and the abbey of St. Mary of the 13th century.
• canterbury cathedral- a magnificent medieval cathedral, founded at the beginning of the 7th century, and later rebuilt in the Gothic style. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the site of the death of Thomas Becket. The cathedral is sung in the legendary Canterbury Tales by Chaucer.
• Birthplace of Shakespearein Stratford-upon-Avon- a large number of tourists and admirers of Shakespeare's work travel to this city. Today, in many places, it looks the same as it did in Shakespeare's time.
• Liverpool - the city is famous not only as the birthplace of The Beatles, but also as one of the exemplary ports of the past, thanks to which it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• Fountain Abbey The ruins of this abbey are located in Yorkshire. This monastery was built in 1132, but was subsequently destroyed. However, its ruins are well preserved and have become a place of pilgrimage for tourists.
• Road of the Giants- located 100 kilometers from Belfast on the northern coast of Northern Ireland and is a series of rocks from of 40,000 massive pillars of black basalt.
• Castles in Wales a number of magnificent medieval castles have been preserved in the country, for example, the castles of Conwy, Harlech, Cardiff, Carnarvon. Some were built directly on the orders of Edward I, the English king who conquered Wales.
  
• Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is home to many famous British ships, some of which are on display today in the dock. The shipyard has more than five centuries of history.

Special mention deserves the capital of the country - London, which has played and continues to play a huge role in world history over the past at least a thousand years. It is not surprising that he keeps a huge number of attractions - from to; from to St. Paul's Cathedral; from to ; from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace. You can find out more about the sights of London.

sights

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and recreation areas

Leisure

Transport

Private guides in the UK

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with the UK in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

Clubs

Most clubs do not allow visitors under the age of 18. ID may be required at the entrance, although checking at the bar is less common. Clubs are usually cheaper on weekdays (Mon-Thurs), as most of the visitors to these establishments are students, but you usually have to pay an entrance fee. Nightclubs are popular in medium and large cities. Bournemouth, Brighton, Manchester, London, Leeds and Sheffield have world famous clubs, along with many alternative establishments. Prices in clubs tend to be much higher than in pubs, and opening hours may not be as attractive as they used to be, as pubs are now also open until late.

For clubs in small towns, the fee is usually £1-2 per night on weekdays and £2-3 on weekends, and over £5 during occasional special events. Regular clubs in big cities and alternative clubs in big cities charge £5-10. Large clubs, especially in large cities that provide large dance floors, usually charge more than 10 pounds for entry, and sometimes more than 15 pounds. For towns with large numbers of students, going to a club on weekdays (Monday-Thursday) is often much cheaper than on weekends, and many clubs attract students on such nights by offering discounted drinks and lower entrance fees.

Surfing

It would seem, what kind of surfing in England or Ireland? Countries that are by no means famous for their beaches, nevertheless, have at least a couple of well-known resorts in the surf community - we are talking about the Irish Bandoran and the British Newquay.

Bandoran

This spot is for both beginners and experienced surfers. Reef break, waves on both sides, cliffs located right there, medium-sized swells - it may seem that the “teapot” has nothing to do here, but with the help of a surf school, you can easily learn the basics of surfing. If you are interested in bigger waves, then you can go to Tullan Beach. In general, on the entire Atlantic coast of Ireland there are a large number of curious surf spots - both complex and simple, and the absence of crowds can only be put as a plus for them.

Newquay

The British were not very lucky with the climate, but they also found a place suitable for boarding - this is Newquay in Cornwall. There are many hostels here, annually clogged with surfers from all over the country. Fistral Beach is not protected from a large swell, and the nearby Watergate is quieter. It is best to go here in September-October, and the spot is considered suitable for beginners.

You can find out more about the best places in the world to practice this exciting sport in the article “Riding the board: what is surfing and where is the best place to conquer the waves”.

Movement around the country

Communication

The languages ​​of Great Britain are a separate topic for conversation. Despite the fact that the vast majority of the country's inhabitants are fluent in English, other languages ​​​​are also common - both the native inhabitants of the island of Scots and Welsh, and national minorities in immigrant neighborhoods. For example, about 300,000 Russian-speaking people live in London.

English- the main and official language of Great Britain, which one way or another is spoken throughout the country. Due to large-scale immigration, in some areas of large cities prevail.

Welsh- widely used in Wales, especially in the northern and western parts of it. Governments with responsibility for Wales use bilingual documentation (English and Welsh) and, for example, road signs in Wales are bilingual.

Gaelic can be heard on the lands of the Highlands of Scotland and on the nearby islands. The old Cornish language came back into the 'living' category in the twentieth century, but it is no longer passed down from parent to child as Welsh and Gaelic still are to this day.

You should be prepared for the fact that English learned in Russia may differ significantly from what tourists hear in Britain. Firstly, these are accents - British, Scottish, Welsh, Irish. Secondly, a huge number of idioms that are not known to everyone.

But the British themselves understand English of any kind very well, and guests for whom English is a second language should not be afraid to make mistakes. In the most difficult cases, when after the next phrase it is clear that they did not understand you, you just need to wait a bit until your message is understood or simply clarified. The British will never criticize or correct your speech. In London, you can easily come across cockney - a special slang of Londoners (mainly from the lower strata of the population), which is characterized by the incorrect pronunciation of some words and letters, and even rhymed speech.

Some examples of words that may be unfamiliar to foreign tourists:

• Wee - small (used in Scotland, Northern Ireland, some older English people)
• Loch - lake (used in Scotland)
• Aye - yes (in some regions of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Northern England)
• Poke - ice cream in a waffle cone (used in Northern Ireland)
• Downing Street - used to refer to the UK government.
• Cymru (pronounced by some foreigners as "Sim-roo", and by others, trying to reproduce it more accurately as "Cum-ree") - Welsh (used in Wales)
• Cockney rhyming slang is also used in some areas of London, but it is highly unlikely that you will encounter it in everyday speech.

Politeness

People in the UK are usually polite, good-natured and friendly. Contrary to popular belief, most British people are very talkative and sociable. A good sense of humor is characteristic of the whole country. The British are generally sympathetic towards tourists, but those who do not speak English should be prepared for difficulties, as few people speak foreign languages ​​well, even in tourist areas. The most widely spoken foreign languages ​​are French, Spanish and German. Many people know a few words of French, Spanish, or German from school but have had few opportunities to use them, so don't be surprised if people are reluctant to help you struggle with understanding difficulties.

Public displays of love will not be considered a crime, unless you go too far. Homosexual displays of love are unlikely to upset or offend anyone. On hot days, it is allowed for men to go out without a shirt, especially in parks, near the sea and other tourist places, but mainly in informal places. Shorts are allowed at any time of the year, except for establishments with a strict dress code. It is not customary for women to sunbathe bare-breasted, but it is perfectly acceptable for very young children to be naked on the beach. There are nude beaches in Britain, although most of them are in secluded places away from urban centers. In public saunas, segregation by gender is accepted, although people are rarely completely naked here.

It is acceptable to address people by their first names in most situations, although people who are unfamiliar try to avoid names so as not to sound too familiar. In a particularly formal or business setting, names are rarely used, especially before a close acquaintance; the forms "Mr. X", "Miss Y", "Mrs. Z" are used. Waiters, vendors, and other employees will often refer to you as "sir" or "madam," or as "Mr. X." It is customary to address older people as "Mr. X" or "Mrs. X" at least at the beginning of a conversation. The British caution is not what it used to be, and the suggestion to move from "formal" to "intimate" relationship is "just call me (name)", which they often do at the very beginning of the conversation. If they give you a short name (e.g. Pete, Sue, Tom, Liz, Dave, etc.), then this is a suggestion to leave all the formalities, although many people in Scotland prefer to be called by their full name.

Many British people use end-of-sentence end-of-sentence words when talking to strangers, such as 'beloved', 'dear', 'dear'. This often surprises Americans, who are much less inclined to do so. This is just an expression of friendliness and should not be taken literally. Note that this is acceptable when addressing a) a woman to a man, b) a man to a woman, and c) a woman to a woman.

It is commonly said that the Ritans are extremely evasive when demanding things from strangers. It is common for British people to ask questions around the bush if something needs to be asked, for example, it is more convenient for someone to say something like “could you tell me where I could find a fitting room?” in a clothing store instead of "where's the fitting room?". Although it is perfectly acceptable to ask direct questions, it can sometimes be perceived as being too harsh or even rude.

Dining etiquette is almost the same as everywhere else. Basically, attention is drawn to elementary norms of behavior at the table, such as “do not speak with a full mouth”, “do not eat with your hands” (unless it is food that is eaten with your hands like pizza and chips), etc. Usually, table etiquette is not the first necessity, except for the formal setting of restaurants.

When meeting or greeting someone, you can shake hands, the main thing is not to overdo it. It is considered good manners to stand up when shaking hands. Greetings between friends and acquaintances are usually more casual and expressive, and may include a hug, a pat on the back, or (between women or between a man and a woman) a European kiss on the cheek. Outside of a business setting, men rarely shake hands with women. "Gentlemanship" is still alive and well in modern Britain, so it's not uncommon for men to keep doors open for women, help them carry heavy bags, and refuse to let a woman go home alone. Most British men find it important to be "gentlemen" in this regard, although some teenagers are an exception to the rule.

Like many Europeans, some people in the UK have negative feelings about US policy, mainly due to the war in Iraq, which most people do not support. There is also a low level of hostility towards the EU, so many Britons can complain about Eurocrats, Brussels' wastefulness and overly bureaucratic practices. Many feel that British culture stands apart from continental culture. Again, this does not affect hospitality towards continental Europeans, who are welcome guests throughout the country, as evidenced by the latest wave of Eastern European immigration. Beware of calling Britain part of Europe or the British as Europeans, as many do not perceive themselves as such. Anti-monarchist remarks can cause resentment and should be avoided. Likewise, pro-monarchist remarks can be met with resentment, as part of the British dislike the royal family, and they should also be refrained from. Criticism of British traditions or cultural differences can be met with hostility, especially when compared to your country, especially if your country is the USA. Comments like "sports here are not as good as in our country" will be taken as an insult.

Despite the fact that the British often joke about the nations that make up the British Commonwealth (especially about Australia), there are really good relations between the British and representatives of these countries.

Also be careful when talking about sensitive topics like immigration, especially in cities like Bradford where racism is not uncommon. Many people are very tolerant and do not support racism, but there are exceptions.

While Londoners themselves may occasionally joke about the London bombings of July 7, 2005, don't follow suit. It's one thing when locals belittle their own dignity, but if a tourist raises a similar topic, it hurts people. A similar situation can arise when talking about the IRA or the situation in Northern Ireland. The IRA is not well liked in Britain, and any statements in its support are almost certain to provoke outrage. In general, opinions in various regions regarding Northern Ireland are divided, which means it is better to avoid this topic, although with the normalization of the situation in Northern Ireland, opinions began to be expressed less strongly.

The British are a proud and often patriotic people and anyone who does not respect the British way of life will be put in their place, despite the fact that the British criticize their country more than other nations.

Kitchen

Despite all the jokes and stereotypes, British cuisine has improved a lot over the past few decades. Restaurants and supermarkets of the middle and upper class meet the highest standards and the choice of international dishes is very rich. However, unlike their continental neighbors, many (especially the poorer) Britons continue not to make a cult out of food.

Dine in any of the restaurants in the city center will cost you a little more than, say, in the suburbs, pubs - a little more expensive in the countryside, but in general, anywhere in the country, a three-course order without drinks will cost the traveler from 10 to 15 pounds. Chicken tikka in masala sauce with rice is sometimes called the most popular dish in the UK, although roast beef is a more traditional national dish.

In many large stores, especially supermarkets, there is always a cafe or restaurant.
Smoking is now banned in all restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs without exception. However, some establishments have "smoking areas" and smoking is allowed by default in the gardens and terraces outside pubs and restaurants.

Restaurants

Larger cities have a variety of restaurants to suit all tastes, with a very wide selection of dishes from different cuisines of the world, including Indian, Chinese, Thai, French and Italian. Waiters usually expect a 10% tip, and in some establishments this is automatically added to the bill. However, if you are not satisfied with the service, you are not required to pay extra for the service.

Roadside eateries

Roadside eateries are known for their high food prices, but their main selling point is that they tend to be open 24 hours a day. Most of them are equipped with fast food outlets and all have a toilet. Some may have restrictions on the range of hot or cold dishes at night, although this does not apply to most establishments. If possible, it's best to look for cheaper places to dine, which are usually within a mile or two of a highway junction. Try to search for nearby establishments on the site, which contains a list of eateries located at a distance of 5 minutes from the highway.

Vegetarian restaurants

Vegetarianism has become widespread in the UK over the past few decades. If you are staying at a British home as a guest, please politely notify your hosts well in advance of any food requirements you may have, this will not be considered rude in any way.

In general, the best places for vegetarians are specialized vegetarian pubs and restaurants, which are always present in big cities, or simply restaurants with Indian, Chinese and Southeast Asian dishes. They usually have a range of vegetarian and vegan menus. By the way, the prices in vegetarian restaurants can be quite biting.

Popular and traditional dishes

British cuisine has a number of traditional dishes that you can enjoy while traveling to the country. For example, fish and chips(Fish and Chips) - deep-fried flattened fish (usually cod or haddock) with chips cut into fairly large pieces, always from a whole potato. This dish can be purchased at specialty Fish & Chips eateries that can be found anywhere in the UK. There is probably no better way to start your acquaintance with British cuisine than to order your own fish and chips.

Some of the most popular restaurants in Britain are Indian. They can be found in every city and town. Indian restaurants prepare food commonly known as "curry". The most common Indian dishes in restaurants include masala chicken tikka, shrimp biryani, and extremely spicy vindala (of Portuguese origin). The new trendy version of curry is known as "Balti", possibly named after the metal utensils in which it is cooked and served. Balti, as well as a number of other famous dishes such as masala chicken tikka, are created in the UK, although they are based on Indian food. Birmingham is considered the capital of the Balti, as the dish was invented here.

It should be noted that although these are all British dishes, British cuisine consists largely of imported products, and the menu of even the cheapest pubs will include many international dishes.

Blood sausage- sausage made from condensed pig's blood and breadcrumbs cooked in the gut. Available throughout the UK, but especially in the north of England and around Birmingham, it actually tastes better than its name suggests.

Cornish patty- beef with vegetables, baked in a dough envelope. The dish originates from Cornwall and is available throughout the UK. Usually very good in Devon and Cornwall, but can vary in quality elsewhere. Don't buy the ones that are sold in plastic bags at places like gas stations and roadside eateries.

Dough-fried bars "Mars" and "Bounty"- a dish originally from Stonehaven, formerly Kincardineshire (Scotland), available in other parts of Scotland and fish and chips shops throughout the UK.

haggis- a mixture of lamb giblets and oatmeal, cooked in a lamb stomach. Originally from Scotland.

Lancashire stew- a stew of vegetables and meat. Originally from Lancashire but can be found in establishments across the UK.

Laverbred- mashed seaweed rolled in oatmeal, lightly toasted. It is usually eaten with slices of bacon, although it can also be prepared as a vegetarian dish. Available in Swansea and West Wales.

Oatmeal is a signature dish of Stoke-on-Trent and the counties of North Staffordshire and Derbyshire. They are large oatmeal cakes with a spicy filling that are eaten hot. Not to be confused with Scottish oatmeal, which is somewhat similar to a biscuit.

potato bread- a mixture of potatoes, salt, butter and flour. A signature dish of Northern Ireland establishments, eventually added to the so-called "full English breakfast" (as an addition to unleavened bread), is part of the "Ulster fry". Also known as potato casserole in England and potato crisps in Scotland.

Yorkshire pudding- a spicy side dish made from liquid unsweetened dough. Flat and round in shape, it is often served with stir-fry (consisting of fried potatoes, roast beef, and Yorkshire pudding). Originally from Yorkshire, but as a side dish is popular throughout the UK.

Cheese - Although the British are not as proud of their cheese as their neighbors in France, there are many different varieties of cheese produced in Britain, which tend to have regional characteristics. Well-known examples are Cheddar (named after the Cheddar Gorge in Somerset), Lancashire (which can be both bold and crumbly), Wensleydale (a valley in Yorkshire), and Cheshire. The quality of these cheeses varies significantly depending on the place of purchase, so the local market is probably the best place for this.

Beverages

The legal age to buy and drink alcohol is 18 (although teens aged 16 and 17 can have a glass of cider, perry, or mead with a meal), but many older teens (under 18) don't seem to have big problems with the purchase of alcohol in small pubs or shops operating without a license. However, if you are over 18 but look younger, be prepared to have to prove your age when buying alcohol, especially in popular places in the city. It's easiest to show a passport or driver's license that has both a date of birth and a photo, which is more than enough for most sellers.

Noisy drunk parties and just beer gatherings are something that Britain has long been famous for, and this applies to all sections of British society. It's worth remembering the former prime minister, Tony Blair, picking up his son Ewan from the police after he was found drunk after celebrating passing exams at the age of 16. However, the British have a great sense of humor, and everything is forgotten after a hangover, at least until the next time.

Pubs

The pub (tavern) is the most popular place to buy booze in the UK. Every village has its own pub selling spirits, wines, beer, cider, cocktails along with potato chips, nuts and pork dishes. Many serve light snacks and meals. The largest share of alcoholic beverages is beer of various varieties, mainly light, bitter and strong. People not looking for "real ales" can go to any nearby pub, as most light beers and TV-advertised lager are available in any pub. Many prefer real ale pubs. In England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland there is a general ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants, although many pubs have outside areas where smoking is allowed.

British Real ale, advocated by CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale - is one of the best in the world, although its taste is unlikely to be appreciated by everyone. People who want to try "real ale" should choose the right pub - you can ask the locals for such.

The British usually follow a set of unwritten rules of behavior in pubs, although the establishments can be very different from each other.

• Don't bang money on the table to get the bartender's attention
• Tipping is not accepted in most pubs, so you should take all the change. Regulars familiar with the staff can order a drink from the owner or the bartender. "A pint to the best owner and one for myself." The owner will often take the money instead of drinking too much.
• Speak in a low voice and try not to draw attention to yourself, especially in small pubs.
• It is better to refrain from heated debates on controversial topics in pubs and bars, because if others join them, the situation can get out of hand
• If you need an extra chair, you can take it from another table. If someone is already sitting there (even if only one person is sitting at a table for six), you need to ask permission to take a chair.
• Be calm at the bar. Attempts to fit the queue can be perceived unkindly and lead to conflicts. If someone got into the line in front of you, you can safely announce it, you will receive support from others.
• In men's rooms, especially in large pubs or clubs, do not try to start a conversation or keep your eyes on the interlocutor for a long time. Toilets in British pubs are in-and-out places, some drunks may misunderstand a casually thrown phrase.

Many pubs are quite old and have the traditional names "Red Lion" or "King's Arms"; before widespread literacy, pubs were identified by most patrons by their signage. Recently there has been a trend, sharply opposed in some areas, to oppose chain pubs such as Hogshead, Slug and Lettuce and others owned by the JD Wetherspoon company. Another recent trend is the emergence of "gastropubs", which are the result of a rethinking of traditional pubs, with a selection of high quality food (at prices close to restaurants).

Beer in pubs is served in pints or half-pints, or in bottles. A simple beer order would be understood as ordering a pint, such as "London Pride, please." Or “half London Pride, please,” which means half a pint. Prices vary considerably depending on the city, pub and beer, but in general a pint will cost between 2-3 pounds. Pubs often offer food during the day. Drinks are ordered and paid for at the bar.

When applying for a licence, pubs can state any opening hours, it can still be changed by neighbors, etc. Normal closing times on weekends are between midnight and 1am, some large pubs open until 2am and clubs until 3-4am night. It is not unusual for some bars to be licensed until the early hours of the morning (6:00), although this is rare as many who are not at home at this time would like to go to a nightclub and then go home. Theoretically, a pub can get a 24-hour license, but few do. For more information on specific establishments in the British capital, see the London Pubs section.

Purchases

Britain is an expensive country even for the British themselves and, given the stability of the pound, even more expensive for foreigners. The high cost of basic necessities - from food and housing to transportation - means that you can spend up to 50 pounds (approximately $ 100) a day just for basic expenses, and much more if you use a taxi, live in hotels from 3 stars and eat at the restaurant.

Living in London and the lands of the south-east of the country will cost three times more than in any other region of the country. The northern regions of the country are distinguished by more reasonable prices.

Money

The currency of the United Kingdom is the pound sterling (£); it has 100 pence. Coins have denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 pence, as well as 1 and 2 pounds, and banknotes of 5, 10, 20 and 50 pounds. On one side of the English banknotes, the queen is depicted, and on the other, famous historical figures. Scottish and Northern Irish banks issue their own banknotes in the same denominations, with their own designs. Scotland also circulates £100 notes and older £1 notes. Merchants are rather reluctant to accept Scottish and Irish banknotes outside of their respective countries.

You can also sometimes hear the word "quid" [quid] for the pound sterling, which roughly translates as "sovereign". This word does not change and applies to both the singular and the plural; "three quid" means "three pounds". Similarly, in some regions, the slang word "pea" (pea) is used when referring to a penny or pence. And some people still use such traditional terms as "penny" (a penny or one pence), "tupence" (two pence) and "thrupence" (three pence).

As a general rule, shopkeepers and other establishments in the United Kingdom are not required to accept currencies other than the pound sterling, so don't even bother trying.

£50 banknotes are best avoided, as they are reluctant to accept change - shops simply don't always have change. Most major banks won't accept money from you if you're not a customer, which is annoying. However, you can exchange money without paying a commission in some post offices. It is also advisable to use credit or debit cards when making large purchases in excess of £100. Do not carry many small £10 or £20 bills, as they are not always accepted for purchases over £100.

ATMs, commonly referred to in Britain as cash-in points or less formally as 'holes in the wall', are ubiquitous and typically dispense £10 and £20 notes. Traveler's checks can be exchanged at most banks. It is also worth knowing that non-bank ATMs (they are easy to spot, they usually look like a small kiosk or booth, while bank ATMs are hidden in the walls of buildings) usually charge a service fee, even if you use a foreign bank card . On average, this amount will be 1.75 pounds per transaction, but the ATM will always warn about this and offer to cancel the transaction.

Visa, MasterCars and Maestro cards are generally accepted in most stores and restaurants, but American Express cards are usually only accepted in very large stores, so it's best to ask in advance. In English stores, mostly chip cards are accepted.

If you want to visit only England and Wales, then there should be no problem, since only Bank of England money is used in these territories. These banknotes are also accepted in most regions of Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, in Scotland, banknotes issued by the Bank of Scotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Cladsdale Bank are more common. These notes are accepted by most major retail outlets in major cities in England and Wales, but some smaller shops, especially in the south of England, may refuse to accept Scots notes. Scottish banknotes are also accepted and circulate freely in Northern Ireland. There are 4 types of banknotes in circulation in Northern Ireland issued by the banks of Northern Ireland. They are freely accepted and occasionally found in circulation in Scotland, and should also be accepted in most major retail outlets in major cities in England and Wales. But small merchants in small towns in England and Wales almost always refuse to accept Northern Ireland notes.

There is no difference in commercial value between the British Pound, the Scottish Pound Sterling and the Northern Irish Pound as they are all official currencies, but the traveler, especially in Northern Ireland, should be careful when choosing where to exchange these banknotes for British Pounds as most ports and airports charge for such services. It is recommended to exchange banknotes in hotels or banks, where they are exchanged one for one without commission or any fees. Sometimes this can also be done in subdivisions of large retail chains with their offices throughout the United Kingdom, whose employees exchange banknotes without a commission, if they are asked to do so. It is better for a person unfamiliar with British currencies to use banknotes of the Bank of England, especially since not a single seller in a store in Scotland or Northern Ireland will be offended when he is asked to give change in this currency, although there are exceptions here.

shopping

Although the shops in Britain are quite expensive, they are generally considered to be among the best places to shop in the world, both in terms of variety and quality of products; it all depends on what and where you buy. High competition in the market has greatly reduced the prices of food, clothing and electronics. Prices vary greatly, so it's always a good idea to visit multiple malls to find a product that's affordable. Avoid shopping in tourist areas, try to visit shops on the main streets or in suburban shopping malls - prices here will be much lower.

VAT (Value Added Tax, a statutory duty on many goods and services in the United Kingdom) is 15%. In most stores on the main streets, VAT is included in the price of goods. However, for expensive goods, especially computer equipment and electronics, stores may indicate the price without VAT, in such cases, the mark “price without VAT” must be present next to the value of the product price. The VAT amount can be returned upon return to Russia, read more about the return procedure.

Connection

Telephone

In case of emergency, call 999 or 112 from any phone. These calls are free of charge and are answered by emergency operators who ask for the location and the required service (police, fire, ambulance, coast guard or mountain rescue). You can also call this number from any mobile operator, even if you don't have a roaming plan. It is a very serious offense to call this number without a good reason.

UK calling code - 44 .

To call from the UK to Russia, you need to dial: 00 - 7 - the subscriber's number.

If you call a cell phone, you just need to dial the subscriber's number through +7.

To call from Russia to the UK, you need to dial: 8 10 44 - area code / operator code - phone number.

If you call from a cell phone, then simply dial +44 - area code / operator code - phone number.

Payphones are a thing of the past in recent years, but are still available in many public places - stations, airports, etc. Payphones usually charge cash (minimum 30p, although some private payphones may charge more), change is non-refundable, but you can continue using the money on the next call. Some newer payphones accept credit and debit cards and may even let you send email and surf the web. Phone cards are disappearing, although a number of prepaid phone cards can be bought from newsstands for cheap international calls. Some payphones now accept euros. A simple and cheaper alternative for international calls are direct dialing services, also used on mobile phones and sometimes on skype: , , , , , , , , or . This significantly reduces the cost of a call compared to standard services and does not require you to purchase a card or open an account. You just need to dial access numbers that are charged at different rates (for example, 0870 - at a non-geographic national rate)

mobile connection

Mobile phones are used by the vast majority of Britons today. The UK has almost complete mobile coverage - 99% of the island. Many cities also have 3G coverage. The main mobile operators - T-Mobile, Vodafone, Orange and O2 - use the GSM standard. Various services and services are also available, such as simple mobile Internet. Since 2003, new 3G networks based on the CDMA standard began to develop, the operator "" became the first provider of such services. Mobile phone rates in the UK are very expensive - 20-30 pence per minute when calling to phones of another operator and around 10 pence within the network. Tariff plans are mainly divided into 2 types:

• SIM card with contract- suitable for those who come to the country for a long time; the contract is concluded for 12 or 18 months, and for its conclusion a passport and proof of address are required; every month the subscriber pays from 20 to 70 pounds plus about 150 minutes he already immediately has on his account.
• Contractless SIM card- the phone account is replenished with cards or for cash through terminals, no contracts and no bills, some operators also offer a number of free sms. This is the best option for tourists.

You can purchase a SIM card from electronics and telephone retailers on the high streets, or buy it online. However, keep in mind that prices differ significantly - from cheap cards of companies and, which are easy to purchase at Carphone Warehouse stores, to expensive SIM cards of popular companies, and. However, these giants have an incredible number of offers, which are easier to find out on the official websites.

The cost of calls can vary significantly depending on when, from where and where the call is made. Calls from hotel rooms can be significantly more expensive due to additional charges, so it's best to check this out right away (it might be cheaper to use a payphone in the lobby). Calls from payphones and landlines to mobile phones can also be expensive, if possible, call your subscriber to a landline number. Beware of premium calls, which can also be very expensive. Text messages from mobiles cost around 10p per message, while a picture or MMS message costs around 45p (20p on some networks). Calls between landline phones are priced either locally or nationally based on regional area codes, if they are the same then dialing the code is optional and the call will be priced at the local rate. Please note that local calls are not completely free. The following table contains the first few digits for different calls to avoid some of the errors described above.

Education

Great Britain has been the center of education for 1000 years and has many old and famous universities. Many former polytechnics and other colleges have become universities in the last 25 years, and there are now more than 120 certified institutions in the UK, which has led to a relative degradation of research activity, so that now the phrase "British scientists" is almost never pronounced without irony.

In addition to London, the main universities in England are located in Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Bristol, York, Nottingham, Bath, Lowborough, Newcastle, Southampton, Warwick and Durham. However, the two most famous universities are Oxford and Cambridge (often called Oxbridge by the British) - have not lost their highest level and status, and are still considered reference. To be fair, there are several other world-class institutions in England, including several in London (the most famous of them: Imperial College, Cass School of Business, London School of Economics, University College and King's College, all - parts of the University of London).

Scotland has its own, partially separate education system with universities in Aberidine, Dundee, Edinburgh (Edinburgh, Napier University, Queen Margaret University and Heriot-Watt University), Glasgow (Glasgow University, University of Strathclyde and University of Caledonia), Stirling and St. Andrews.

There are only two universities in Northern Ireland: Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University (with campuses in Belfast, Jordanstown, Coleraine and Londonderry). Although Queen's University is older and more famous, both have earned a high degree of respect in the UK for their excellent quality of education.

Traditionally, the University of Wales included four large universities in the cities: Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea.

International students make up a significant proportion of the student population at UK universities, with over 300,000 students in 2004. All applications go through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) which acts as a clearing house sending applications to universities for consideration and then passing their solution to the applicants. Tuition fees for international students differ significantly, amounting to significantly higher amounts at prestigious institutions.

The UK - London, Manchester and Edinburgh in particular - remains an extremely popular destination for people who want to learn English. A huge number of organizations and companies are ready to satisfy their desire (among them there are both really worthwhile and not very attractive options).

Safety

The UK is considered, in general, not the most dangerous country in the world, but if you compare it with the Scandinavian countries or the Benelux countries, it is immediately clear that it is not always calm here. In general, more crimes are committed in the country than in other states of Western Europe, but this is hardly surprising for Russian tourists.

In tourist places, you should carefully monitor your pockets - special signs often warn about the presence of thieves here. Valuable documents should also not be taken with you, and it is better to leave them in a safe at the hotel.

A lot of street crimes are associated with the actions of young people, especially in neighborhoods with a large number of migrants from Pakistan, African and Caribbean states. For example, many areas of East London have become almost a ghetto, so you should not look there.

In case of any emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for an ambulance, fire department, police or coast guard after connecting. In almost all services of the country, calls requiring the involvement of the police are evaluated by urgency. In the event of a risk to life or property, the police will arrive immediately, while in less serious cases, the police may not respond as quickly.

In some places, minor crimes like pickpocketing can be more annoying than actually harmful, but even such crimes are not very common, except in the centers of big cities, etc. The main precautions are:

Outdoors:

• You should not show wads of money or wear massive jewelry.
• Be careful, if there are signs of vandalism on the territory and a suspicious-looking person is walking around, this is probably not the best place to stop.
• Walking anywhere alone at night should be done with great care, keeping to well-lit main roads, not walking along side streets.
• Try not to get drunk. If so, take a taxi home.
• Like many Western countries, in recent years the UK has developed something of a “culture of provocation”: disgruntled and mostly young people behave anti-socially, usually in a state of intoxication, and can shock others by shouting obscenities and doing rash things. It's best to ignore them if possible. Their language and behavior can be threatening, but in crowded places they are usually not dangerous. However, be careful: in deserted places and suburban areas, they can be more dangerous, and may even attack in response to any provocation from you. If this happens, don't try to fight, just run away. It is not uncommon for young people to carry knives, and even firearms in a number of places.
• If you suspect or feel threatened, go to the nearest official you see. It can be anyone from a police officer to a pub owner.

Using car:

• The UK is one of the top countries in the number of car thefts, so make sure you close your doors when you leave your car, or better yet, park it in a designated area.
• Keep the trunk closed - in some places, thieves open the trunk and steal bags while parked at traffic lights
• Keep mobile phones and jewelry out of sight - especially when parking your car.
• Park in well-lit places without objects blocking the car, if there are bushes, etc., thieves can open the lock without being noticed.
• Insurance should be extended to cover the cost of replacing glass, as it is not uncommon for thieves to break glass to get inside.

In public transport:

• Buses and trains: upon entering, stand near the driver/conductor. Be careful on buses and trains at night (especially in cities).
• Taxi: Get into licensed black taxis by voting on the road, or alternative private taxis (mini-taxi) by reservation. Do not stop mini taxis on the street, as this is prohibited by licensing law and the driver will charge you as much money as he wants. When using any taxi, it is worth checking its license, its number is written on the license plate. It is not uncommon for used black cabs with expired licenses to be taken on Friday and Saturday night routes.

In public places:

• In some cities it is illegal to drink alcohol on the street, although this law is widely violated.
• Nudity in a public place is very rare and although not a criminal offense, it can lead to prosecution if it is established that you intended to shock people in this way.
• Sex in public places is prohibited.
• The legal age for both heterosexual and homosexual public contact is 16 (in Northern Ireland it is 17). However, such contact in the case of a "trust relationship" (for example, between a teacher and a student, a lawyer and a client, etc.) is possible only at the age of 18.

The number of violent crimes. Most of them involve banditry and drugs in dangerous areas around the main cities, although the chances of a tourist ending up in one of these places are slim. Most travelers should generally be vigilant at night after pubs and clubs are closed, especially in taxi queues, and at places where football fans clash. A number of small towns, especially in the north, can be especially dangerous. However, the UK is no more dangerous than most other European countries, if the necessary security measures are observed.

The police in the UK are quite tolerant, although the new laws give them considerable powers over those who, in their opinion, are behaving inappropriately. Excessive profanity when speaking to a police officer or other member of the public can result in arrest or an £80 (approximately $150) fine on the spot.

Now there are also "community police officers" patrolling many areas. They are predominantly foot patrols in uniforms similar to regular police officers who have a certain amount of power that allows them to arrest offenders and levy fines for certain offences. Their rights are very different in different regions of the country.

Non-white tourists are unlikely to encounter overt racism or racial violence. White tourists should not visit places where there are large numbers of non-white immigrants. If someone makes any racist remarks that you find offensive, call the police. Racial crimes are a high priority for the police, so a quick police response is virtually guaranteed. It is unlikely that you will have to face any danger in public or tourist places. As mentioned above, if in doubt, go to the nearest law enforcement representative.

Health

The local emergency number is 999, but the EU 112 can also be used. For advice on non-urgent medical issues, you can call the National Health Service (NHS) 24-hour telephone number 0845 4647 (08454 242424 in Scotland).

Emergencies are handled by the National Health Service and are treated at any hospital with first aid departments. Also, be prepared to wait about 4 hours for an inspection if the case is not serious.

While treatment at hospitals and by National Service doctors is free for British citizens, overseas visitors in many cases must pay for the treatment. However, citizens of the EU and some other countries can receive certain health services if they have a European health insurance card.

A pharmacist can be consulted for advice for minor ailments and over-the-counter medicines (there are a large number of retail pharmacies where pharmacists must be registered with the Royal Society of Pharmacy and have a university diploma and/or certificates of completion of any additional courses ), well-known pharmacy chains include Boots and Lloyds, and many supermarkets have their own pharmacists.

Sexually transmitted diseases are very common among young people, so it is worth protecting yourself during sexual intercourse. There are about 50,000 HIV carriers in the UK. Many people practice unsafe sex, get the virus and don't know they are infected. So, as in the rest of the world, safe sex is the key to health.

Where to stay

The UK has a wide variety of star-rated hotels, from luxury 5-stars to budget 1-stars. There are also a large number of private establishments offering bed and breakfast (bed and breakfast, abbreviated as "B&B"), providing rooms and, as a rule, a "full English breakfast". It is also possible to rent a private house provided as a "holiday home". Many of these houses are offered on various free websites, or on the service providers' own websites. Many options can be found using search engines by asking the query "self-catering holiday accommodation".

Travelers on a budget can stay at the youth/tourist base.

• YHA England and Wales, tel. 0870 770 6113
• ScottishYHA Email: [email protected], tel. 0870 1553255
• HI Northern Ireland, tel. 028 9032 4733
• Recently, many independent hostels have appeared, some private hostels offer more attractive conditions than the Youth Hostel Association (YHA). Their addresses can be found on the website (Guide to independent hostels).

There are also many campgrounds with different levels of services provided.

Many travelers in the UK tend to travel in "campers" (caravans equipped with a kitchen, bedroom and toilet), in which case the accommodation travels with you. There are campsites and caravan parks in many parts of the country.

The most bizarre option is Landmark Trust Houses, a charity that buys historic buildings, various exotic buildings and other unusual pieces of architecture, especially those that are on the verge of collapse, restores them and rents them out to tourists. To order, call tel. 01628 825925 or write to [email protected].

The origin of the word "English" comes from the Old English language spoken by the Germanic peoples who conquered the British Isles in the fifth century AD. In turn, the words "Britain" and "British" come from words of Roman origin, these words were called the peoples of Britons and Celts.
There is the concept of "Englishness", which is distributed unevenly throughout the country.

We see the strongest gap between the southern part of England and the northern part of England. The South of England, which includes the South East Region, the South West Region, East England and Middle England, is most dominated by a dynamic economy. In this part there are financially successful cities, the main financial center of Great Britain is located here, the building of the national government is located here, in the same part of the country it is located.

In the northern part of England there is all the main industry of the country, so many chimneys rise here. In the northern part of the country are such cities as Yorkshire, Lancashire, Northumberland, Cumbria, Merseyside, and Cheshire. Due to some economic difficulties in the last decade of the 20th century, the northern part of the country experienced de-industrialization.

England is a cultural country, despite the fact that it is divided into several parts, each of them has its own cultural characteristics. And the interest of tourists is often riveted to the countryside of England. The traditional drink of the country is beer, and it also has its own rituals and preferences in art.

In England, traditional dances and folk music that date back to the pre-industrial era are very popular. Such a cultural heritage allows tourists and guests of the country to form their own idea of ​​the nation and culture of England. Also in England there is the concept of stratification of society, there is a working class, a middle class and a wealthy upper class.

In 1847 and 1848, a flood of immigrants from Ireland poured into England during the so-called "potato famine" in the country, and a large stream of immigrants arrived in England during the Second World War. This greatly affected the traditions and culture of the country.

Earlier in the period of the 1700s, Scots moved to England in large numbers, in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, due to economic considerations, many Scots also arrived in England. During the 1920s, deindustrialization began in Wales, from where a flood of Welsh people poured into England, who brought Celtic culture into English traditions in various forms.

Also, the culture of England was influenced by various European cultures: Flemish, Jewish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Turkish, Cypriot and others. All this happened in the twelfth century. long ruled the colonies of Afro-Caribbean origin.

Therefore, in England there are many visitors from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Africa. So, as we can see, many different nationalities live in England, and in order to understand by what criteria people call themselves English, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the culture of the country in more detail.

Emergence of the Nation

The emergence of the nation took place between 1200 and 1850 of the first period, when a quasi-national feeling was able to unite people during the Hundred Years War with France, which took place in the late Middle Ages (1337-1453).

Although there was a dynastic conflict between the English and French monarchs involved, this war was the cause in which Anglo-Saxon and Norman culture merged, so that it was this fusion that became the basis of English culture.

In the sixteenth century, one of the hallmarks of nationalism was anti-Catholicism. Henry VIII created the Anglican Church, completely redirecting his people to a slightly different church, thus the monarch avoided the constant intervention of the pope in the national affairs of the country. Elizabeth I, his daughter, created a sense of national unity through a conflict situation with Catholic Spain.

Another manifestation of anti-Catholic sentiment was the Battle of the Boyne in 1689, where William III and his army defeated the Catholic opposition in Ireland. William subsequently confirmed that Catholicism was a very controversial concept in matters of English and Irish law.

In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, England, along with Scotland and Ireland, competed in a stronger sense of national unity with countries such as Holland. And finally, by 1816, a general feeling of expansionist patriotism arises in England, the last step in the creation of which is the appearance of a prim English morality, which every inhabitant of England can boast of.

National features of England

English cultural roots lie in the fusion of Anglo-Saxon, Danish, and Norman-French culture that has existed as a synthesis since the late Middle Ages. Also, the constant process of finding the golden mean has always been the center of this cultural mixture.

ethnic relations

In 1290, the monarch Edward I expelled the Jewish from the English society, so that the Jews until the 20th century could not receive full rights and recognition in society in England. By the way, this is not the only moment of discrimination in English society, because at one time the Flemish guest workers expressed indignation at the fact that English workers were paid more than they were.

German, French and a small number of Protestant refugees in the 16th and 18th centuries faced ethnic prejudice very often. During the era of English nationalism and British imperialism, Irish, Scottish and Welsh Catholics also faced and resented discrimination.

In view of the fact that it was one of the largest colonial countries, a whole stream of immigrants poured into England from the colonies, the law for the period of the 1960s went towards newcomers, and they could easily obtain citizenship in the country, but by 1981 the situation in fundamentally changed, and the rights of immigrants in the UK began to be limited, it became almost impossible to obtain citizenship, as well as benefits for existence.

Margaret Thatcher promoted the development of free market capitalism, and in connection with this there was a strong economic decline in areas where ethnic minorities lived. This fact in 1980 caused violent protests from immigrants, which resulted in riots in the streets of London in 1981. A law on anti-racism was raised. Which somewhat improved the economy and the life of the non-white population.

Nevertheless, economic immigrants and political refugees, who came mainly from East Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa, carved their niche in society, but the non-white population began to be considered in society as objects of public interest.