travelling in britain is not very difficult

16 local tips to know before traveling to England

Jul 13, 2023 • 7 min read

These top tips will help you be prepared for anything on your trip to England © SolStock / Getty Images

Such is England’s reach on popular culture, you may think you already know the country before you visit.

Though if you’re expecting to be surrounded by a bunch of well-heeled James Bonds or a gaggle of eccentric Monty Python characters, then think again.

While the everyday English aren’t quite the same as how they’re portrayed in film, television and books, this is a country with a number of peculiarities that are good to know before visiting, especially when venturing outside of London . From practicalities like train prices to etiquette tips on how the English approach queueing, it’s always important to be ahead of the game when visiting this wonderful and varied country.

Here are a few key things to know before traveling to England.

1. You should pack a jacket, even in summer

Preparing for all types of weather is an essential part of the English experience. England’s maritime location in the wild North Atlantic means that even in summer , biting winds and untimely rain showers can unexpectedly scupper a balmy afternoon. 

That doesn’t mean you need to take an umbrella everywhere, but you do need to put a jacket in your suitcase and always check the conditions on your favorite weather app before venturing out. As a rule, London is usually a couple of degrees warmer than other parts of the country.

2. Be ready to discuss the weather 

Talking about the weather is in the English blood and a part of the national psyche. And the more lamentable the forecast, the more likely people are to talk about it. Come rain or shine, prepare to offer an opinion on the day’s weather, and express that it’ll hopefully brighten up/cool down as the week goes on. 

3. Train prices are steep

Unlike some other countries in western Europe , England’s train system was privatized many years ago, and this, along with other factors, has lead to some of Europe’s highest train prices.

Try to book ahead of time (around 12 weeks before travel for the best rates) and look out for cheap advance fares. While not as quick as train travel (and certainly not as romantic), coaches such as National Express and Megabus offer far cheaper prices when traveling across the country and are highly recommended for those on a budget. 

4. There’s a whole world outside of London

London’s big, bold, and full of iconic English landmarks and experiences . But it isn’t everything. If you have the time to explore beyond the capital, you’ll discover a variety of landscapes, people and cultures, and some wonderful things to do . 

From the wild coastlines of Cornwall to the soaring hills of the Lake District , there’s much to see in this ancient land. 

5. Crossing the English Channel means different plug sockets

Yes, England is in Europe, but it doesn’t always play by European rules (in more ways than one, with Brexit still something that people can't agree on seven years after the vote). If you’re backpacking around Europe, remember that the UK and Ireland use type G plug sockets (three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern), so make sure you have the right power adapter when arriving in England as it differs from the rest of the continent. 

6. Many museums are free

England is home to many of the world’s greatest museums , and you won’t need to pay a penny to enter some of them. Especially great for rainy days in London, you can peruse dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum or masterpieces by Turner at the National Gallery and spend the money saved at the pub later on.

7. Pronouncing place names will be a challenge

Alongside some truly bizarre place names, England also has several towns and counties that aren’t pronounced the way they are spelled. Names with a -ter suffix are particularly notorious for this.

Bicester is pronounced biss-ter rather than bi-ces-ter, Gloucester is pronounced gloss-ter rather than glou-ces-ter, Leominster is pronounced lem-ster rather than Leo-minster. You get the picture. 

8. Hit the beer garden when the sun comes out

The English need no excuse to go to the pub on a sunny summer afternoon, and sitting indoors is almost unthinkable. Find a table in the beer garden at the local boozer and order in a few cold pints. Job done.

9. Expect to hear a different accent in each region

Traveling just a few short miles in England can often mean a change in accent, so train your ears to prepare for this. Regional accents are hugely diverse, and while they’re still English, they can sometimes be difficult for even fellow England residents to understand. 

The accent you’ll hear in Birmingham ("Brummie") differs wildly to what you’ll hear when you arrive in Newcastle ("Geordie"). London is a separate case as it’s so cosmopolitan that you can expect to hear a variety of different accents and languages throughout the day.

10. Never jump a queue

Sometimes polite to a fault, the English are very orderly when queueing, and those who jump a line can expect stern looks and grumbling at the very least. So get in line and patiently wait your turn to avoid any awkward situations.

11. You’ll hear "sorry" a lot

Even in situations where the fault lies with you, you might receive an apology. Only Canadians say sorry more than the English, so get used to hearing it and, eventually, saying it.

12. English food does not deserve its negative reputation

Stereotypes about the English are often amusing and sometimes painfully true, though the one about the poor standard of English food can be comfortably consigned to history’s trashcan. 

Towns and cities across the country are now dotted with superb restaurants offering a strong emphasis on fresh and locally grown produce. Alongside traditional dishes , you’ll find cuisine here from all over the world amid an ever-growing list of Michelin-starred restaurants. 

13. Beer standards are high too

The pub is a rite of passage here, and the English love a pint of beer. But England has grown out of its cruel 1970s caricature of warm stale beer, and these days, there are myriad styles to sample, up and down the country. 

From real ales at historic Victorian pubs to craft beer at bright modern taprooms, choose from sours, stouts, saisons, New England IPAs and beyond. 

14. Summer is festival season

From Glastonbury in June to Reading and Leeds in August and everything in between, there are lively music festivals running throughout the summer in England. No matter what week you’re here, there’s bound to be a festival on somewhere. Getting tickets for the big events is a challenge, though – you'll need to look out for those around nine months in advance.

There are also a plethora of smaller festivals that are often great value and easier to navigate too, such as Birmingham’s superb Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival .

15. If you encounter any health issues, you’ll be in good hands

Visitors from EU countries will be covered for some treatment on the National Health Service (NHS) if they fall ill during a visit by using their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Visitors from non-EU countries with a reciprocal health care arrangement with the UK may also be covered for some treatment needs, particularly emergencies.

16. Measurements can be confusing

Don’t be surprised if you get into a metric muddle. For some things, the English use metric measurements, and for other things, they use imperial. Though metric measurements became legal in the UK back in 1875, Britain has never fully transitioned to using metrication in all situations. Roads are still measured in the imperial unit of miles, for example, and height is often discussed in feet and inches.

This article was first published Jun 26, 2022 and updated Jul 13, 2023.

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21 things everyone should know before visiting Britain

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updated 25.08.2021

Brits can be a funny lot. The country might be small, but you could spend a lifetime learning its quirks and idiosyncrasies. Regional pronunciation, strange road rules and its renowned drinking culture can all prove hazardous to the first-time visitor. Here’s our guide to surviving in Blighty.

1. There are three nations in Britain

2. tea is central to the national psyche, 3. brits rarely say what they mean, 4. a “swift half” will always end in the early hours, 5. you can drink on the street, 6. brits really do talk about the weather – a lot, 7. compliments make people nervous, 8. there are some astonishingly strange place names, 9. measurements are baffling, 10. queue jumpers will not be treated kindly, 11. stand on the right, 12. there are more weird traditions that you can count, 13. british food is world class, 14. that said, brits aren’t afraid of a bit of offal, 15. you might hear about a chain called nando’s, 16. in london, never make eye contact, 17. outside london, always make eye contact, 18. pronunciation is important, 19. london is not the centre of everything in britain, 20. britain has some of the world’s most gorgeous countryside, 21. a trip to britain is unforgettable, tailor-made travel itineraries for scotland, created by local experts.

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The Great British Road Trip

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6 days  / from 613 USD

Festive Feelings around Christmas in Scotland

Experience the magic of Christmas in the heart of the Scottish Highlands! Lovely Christmas Markets and winter festivals await visitors during the winter months, but this itinerary can also be turned into a summer festival hop!

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Scotland's Wildest Natural Scenery

Want to lose yourself in Scotland's wildest natural scenery? This itinerary is a breath of fresh air and perfect to explore the most enchanting landscapes of the Highlands. It will allow you to get to know the wildest landscapes of Scotland, its fast-paced history and its amazing traditions.

First things first. The most important thing to know is that Britain is home to not one but three patriotic nations: England , Scotland and Wales .

Expect to be offered tea in any eventuality. Celebrations, commiserations, rainy days, sunny days and everything in between all call for a good cuppa. Fierce debate rages as to whether the milk or tea should be poured first.

© Shutterstock

Unfailing politeness is observed in all circumstances. “Sorry” runs the gamut from a genuine apology to a passive aggressive warning that you’re about to be pushed out of the way. Use this handy guide for translations.

The pub, one of the greatest British traditions, comes with its own set of rules. Drinks are bought in rounds and you should stick to beer, ale and wine – never shots or cocktails. If you’re invited out for a quick one, prepare to crawl back home at closing time having eaten nothing but half a pack of salt-and-vinegar crisps.

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If you’re coming from the US, you might be surprised to see people with drinks on the pavement (sidewalk). Not only is this allowed, but given the faintest hint of sun Brits will congregate on any patch of concrete, grass or pavement going.

When it changes this much, there’s always something to say. And there really is nothing lovelier than the cloudless skies and gentle sun of a perfect British summer day.

London aerial view seen from London Eye, heavy fog hits London. Image include Westminster Palace, Big Ben, Victoria Tower, Westminster Abbey © Bikeworldtravel/Shutterstock

Compliment a Brit and they’re likely to brush it off or make a self-effacing remark, however pleased they are. Don’t even get onto boasting. “Self-praise is known as “blowing your own trumpet” in the U.K. and is tantamount to treason” according to the BBC.

Bottom Flash, Cock Alley, Booty Lane, Nether Wallop and Sandy Balls are all British places. Yes, really. There are so many odd place names, we even made a quiz of the best ones .

Distances on roads are calculated in yards and miles. Objects are measured in centimetres and metres. Height is stated in feet and inches. Food is weighed in grams and kilos. People are weighed in stone and pounds. Are you following?

Street view of the historic Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland © f11photo/Shutterstock

After tea drinking, queuing is the other national pastime. “Queue-barging is the worst solecism a foreigner can commit” say the bastion of traditional British values, Debretts.

If you value your life, stand on the right when you step on an escalator. If you want to walk up or down, stick to the left.

From cheese rolling to bog snorkelling, there’s no end to Britain’s weird and wonderful festivals and traditions . Eccentricity is among the most celebrated British traits.

British food has shaken off its poor reputation. You’ll find innovative fine dining everywhere from Cornwall to Edinburgh , hearty roasts and posh pub grub aplenty and exceptional Indian, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine among others. These days Britain even has its own vineyards .

Traditional british fish and chips © neil langan/Shutterstock

Aside from the classics like haggis (sheep’s stomach filled with sausage meat oats and spices) and black pudding (blood sausage), look out for a resurgence of nose-to-tail eating.

Everyone under the age of 25 has gone a bit nuts for a restaurant called Nando’s. The hype doesn’t really translate outside the country, and if you were drawn into the Tumblr furore, you'll find this summary helpful.

No matter how crowded the train or strange the situation, Londoners will steadfastly ignore eye contact at all costs. Striking up a conversation with a stranger on public transport is practically unheard of.

Hampstead Heath during the summer months in London © Chris Seddon/Shutterstock

Outside the capital, Brits are generally a friendly lot and happy to chat. Expect people to greet you with anything from “alright, pet” in Newcastle to the occasional “ey’up duck” in Derbyshire.

You’d better get familiar with “Worcestershire”, “Marylebone” and “Gloucester”. If you want to get ripped off by a London cabbie, there’s no better way than asking to go to “Lie-ces-ter” rather than “Less-ter” Square.

Unless you’re talking to a Londoner, in which case Britain solely exists within the M25 motorway.

Bucolic views don’t get much better than those you’ll find in the Scottish Highlands , the Brecon Beacons and the Lake District . If you want to get away from it all, there are numerous places to choose from .

There’s a reason it’s one of the most visited countries in the world. Check out our lists of things not to miss in Scotland , England and Wales for starters.

Explore more of Britain with the Rough Guide to Britain. Compare flights , book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.

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The Do’s and Don’ts While Travelling the UK

— Guest post —

The UK, officially known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, makes for an interesting country. Like every other nation, UK too has idiosyncratic patterns in behaviour, language, and culture. Make sure that you strictly adhere to every guideline that has been compiled for a great, blunder-free visit to this stupendous island nation:

1. Begin with the weather. The British love to talk about the weather. It is a time-tested technique and has been known to be one of the most effective means of breaking the ice and kick-starting a conversation in the UK.

2. Do not speak ill of the tube system in London. Every local is ferociously proud of and instinctively protective about it.

3. If you are not form the UK yourself,  then do not even bother to try putting on a British accent. You will only end up becoming the butt of every joke at a hi-tea party.

4. Speaking of tea, the English drink most tea in the entire world. Here tea reigns supreme. Conversations over tea with a Briton can become scintillating. So, go ahead and order a nice, strong cuppa.

5. Every town and city in the UK is not situated around London. Quit asking the locals that! Hire a car and travel across the country and you’ll get to know things yourself!

6. The silliest thing you could do in the United Kingdom is to compare the country with the United States of America. Don’t grumble about the constant rain or the exorbitant price of fuel. UK is the best! Period.

7. Don’t speak too loudly in Britain. It’s considered uncouth and boorish to do so, especially at public spaces. Most Britons aren’t hard of hearing!

8. Stop saying that the UK has no great cuisine to boast of. It may be true, but you do not have to reiterate the same to a local and earn his ire!

9. Not every family in the UK is interested in the royal family. Even if you have a keen interest in the British monarchy, bear in mind that not every Briton is smitten with the royal family. At the same time, don’t be too critical of the Royals in front of a Briton. Britons alone have the right to criticise the blue-blooded family, you see!

10. Language is a tricky thing in the UK. You do not have to answer every time you are asked ‘How do you do?’ Similarly, if you asked that to someone, do not always expect a prompt reply!

Last of all, if you travel in the U.K. and wish to sightsee and explore the country , the incessant rains here are bound to play spoilsport. To travel in comfort without spending a fortune, choose a car rental service which is affordable and offers amazing deals during the holiday seasons.

Written by Maria Stoyanova

Travel blogger and tourism graduate from Bulgaria, working in the field of Digital Marketing and PR for travel brands.

10 Free Things To Do in Edinburgh

Hiking the seven rila lakes in bulgaria, latest comments.

Fashion Girl / Fashion Travel / Fashion Travel Accessories | August 2, 2015

Great post 🙂 One thing I will never forget while traveling around London in 2011 during summer time was the terrible weather. It honestly felt like it was Autumn/Winter and to think it was in the middle of summer. It was a last minute trip. I flew there without doing my research and even thinking that the weather in UK is unpredictable. I didn’t even pack a single warm jacket or coat. It mostly rained with clouds and winds throughout my entire stay of 5 days in London. Some days I walked around the city while it was slightly warm in the morning and in the middle of the day through to afternoon and night it just suddenly got cold.

So one thing I would never do while traveling in London, UK in summer is not to explore or walk around without carrying an umbrella, raincoat and a warm jacket even though it’s in the summer time. London weather is just way too unpredictable and you can’t trust the weather forecast all the time. lol Nevertheless, I still had a wonderful time exploring London and I hope to live there one day 🙂

Check my website too if you like 🙂

From, Fashion Travel Accessories fashiontravelaccessories.com

Maria | Author | August 2, 2015

Lol! I guess I was lucky then! When I was in London for 4-5 days most of the time it was sunny, it rained just one day when we left 😀

Fashion Travel Accessories : Fashion Girl | September 12, 2015

You were very lucky then. The thing I hate about London is that it’s too windy. I don’t mind the grey sky and cold weather as long as it’s not too windy. 🙂

Maria | Author | September 12, 2015

I guess I got lucky while I was in London, no wind, no rain!

Matthew smith | August 6, 2015

London weather changes instantly when i was in london for my summer trip you cant imagine these weather changes initial days were sunny suddenly there was heavy rain started . but overall i gone through london city is awesome.

Albert | December 17, 2016

I already visit London and the people around is so friendly.. I will be back here someday. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Maria. Cheers UK

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Visiting England for the first time: 14 things to know before your visit

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: October 16, 2022

If you are planning a visit to England you may have loads of questions about what to expect when you arrive! Some of the most common questions we receive from our newsletter subscribers or UK Facebook planning group members revolve around etiquette and how to navigate some of the ‘hidden rules’ and quirks of English culture.

So if you are wondering what things should you do (or not do) when you are visiting England for the first time we have (with the help of members of our Facebook community ) put together some tips to ensure you have the best time and avoid any faux pas along the way.

• Don't push in (queue jump) or invade personal space
• Don't stand on the left side on escalators

Please learn the difference between the UK, Great Britain and England

• We don't all speak like the Queen (or know her!)

Some English place names are not pronounced the way you may expect

Tipping is generally voluntary (tip 10% for good service), what to do when you need to spend a penny, enjoy england (quirks and all), prepare for the english weather (expect the unexpected) and to become as obsessed as we are about it.

• Don't underestimate the English love of tea
• Don't talk too loudly in restaurants or on public transport
• Don't say we drive on the wrong side of the road!!!

Prepare for 2 taps in your sink!

• Don't try to see everything in one visit (you can't)

Enjoy your visit to England (and the rest of the UK)

14 things to know when visiting England for the first time

Don’t push in (queue jump) or invade personal space.

We English like our personal space so it is very important to not push into that bubble. If we need to squeeze past someone we will always say “excuse me” as we pass. This is the polite way of asking permission before you attempt to move through.

We also have a strong queue culture – we like to form queues and wait for our turn patiently. We are not fans of pushy people who push in front!

You may not be told explicitly to get to the back of the queue (we are generally too polite to actually tell you) but expect a LOT of tutting and ‘looks’ in your direction from the people you pushed in front of!

Don’t stand on the left side on escalators

When you are travelling on London Underground escalators always stand on the right. If you stand on the left you will find a lot of unimpressed people trying to get past you.

If possible we recommend that you avoid travelling during rush hour periods (and definitely before 9.30 am and after 4.00 pm) on weekdays.

Good to know – Push the button to open train doors as they don’t open automatically.

It might be useful to learn this!

• Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and Wales.
• The United Kingdom is Great Britain plus Northern Ireland.
• England is not the same as Britain.
• Scotland is not England. In Scotland, the people are Scots or Scottish. In Wales the people are Welsh.
• In England the people are English. You can call us Brits too. In Wales or Scotland use the terms above!

We don’t all speak like the Queen (or know her!)

Each region of England has their own accent and you may hear many accents as you travel around England. Some are easier to understand than others (and some are easier on the ear shall we say)

Do not expect many people to speak like the Queen. She speaks a form of English called Received Pronunciation which is considered the poshest by us commoners. It is also an indication of someone from the upper classes who probably attended boarding school and was raised by nannies (no stereotyping intended Boris)

There are some nicknames for people from the different areas which you may hear too:

• Geordie – Northern England specifically the North East (Tyneside and Northumberland)
• Mackem – North East (Sunderland and surrounding areas)
• Scouser – Liverpool and surrounding area
• Mancunian – Manchester
• Cockney – East End of London
• Brummie – Birmingham

If you spend enough time in England you will learn to recognise the different accents. Just don’t try to copy them – it is not that easy!

This follows on nicely to the point about regional accents as you may discover some place names are not pronounced as you may expect.

• Torquay – Tor/key
• Loughborough – Luff/burrah (I have heard this pronounced as Loo/ga/broo/gah)
• Alnwick – Ann/ick (don’t pronounce the ‘w’)
• Bicester – Bister
• Plymouth – Plim/uth
• Stroud – Strowd
• Morecombe – Mork/um
• Berwick – Ber/ick (don’t pronounce the ‘w’)
• and my personal favourite ….. Leicester – L/ester (as in J/ester and not Lie/cess/ter)

Whilst tipping is not expected in England it is always appreciated!

If you want to leave a tip for good service in a restaurant a 10% – 15% tip is generally the rule of thumb. Sometimes you will find that a service fee has already been added. If this is the case a tip will not be expected.

If you are taking a London cab just round up the fare as appropriate depending on the length of your journey.

If the baggage is taken to your room by a hotel porter we recommend a tip of £2.

If you are out and about in England and need the loo you may be wondering how to find a public toilet.

You will find public toilets in shopping centres, department stores, train stations and good old Macdonalds! There are some great apps available which you can use to find the location of the nearest public toilet and I have recently come across the Flush app which gives details including opening hours/cost plus directions of the nearest loo.

Embrace (and expect) England to be different to where you come from. Don’t go looking for the familiar but embrace the food, culture and opportunities to explore the country.

Don’t spend your entire holiday in London. Get out and about and see attractions in other parts of the country. There are so many places to visit and areas of outstanding natural beauty in England such as the Lake District National Park and the Cotswolds .

England is also filled with places of interest to history buffs (including the odd castle or two) stately homes, historic cities such as Bath (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site)and York , seaside towns and quaint villages . And as you explore don’t forget some unique English experiences such as enjoying a pint in an English pub, a hike through the countryside, an English football match (NOT soccer) or a fish and chip supper!

Enjoy random opportunities and places to visit as you travel.

While I love the nation’s capital and understand the interest in seeing famous sights and landmarks such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace a few days in London does not mean you have seen England.

You will need a coat/jacket whatever the time of year . If you are visiting in winter it may snow (this is more likely the further north you go) Don’t discount visiting the UK in winter – it’s low season (outside of Christmas and New Year) and places are quieter.

England is not the sunniest country in the world and compared to many countries we have a relatively short summer.

Summer weather tends to be pretty unpredictable so again, just keep an eye on any local forecasts or news bulletins.

Pack plenty of jumpers/cardigans and a pair of comfortable walking shoes!

We love the rain but our summers tend to be pretty unpredictable so just keep an eye on local weather forecasts etc. If it does start raining you will need your waterproofs! Unsure what to pack? Check out our packing list.

Don’t underestimate the English love of tea

Sorry all you coffee lovers but we English really do love our tea (well this one does anyway!)

If you order tea expect it to come with milk and sugar (which you can add). In a posh establishment (all of you planning afternoon tea in London) expect a teapot, tea leaves and a strainer! And a large choice of different teas!

I don’t drink coffee but I gather you may struggle to get a decent cup in England (or so my Aussie friends tell me)

Don’t talk too loudly in restaurants or on public transport

I cannot say this enough – the English are not loud! We are very aware of being respectful to others around us.

Do not talk loudly on public transport like trains, tubes or buses. This is considered quite rude and may result in stares and tuts especially if you are in a designated quiet zone!

Don’t say we drive on the wrong side of the road!!!

Because actually, YOU do!!! Hahahahaha – only kidding – just remember the driver’s seat is on the other side of the road when you jump in your hire car.

There are a LOT of cars crammed on England’s roads so don’t be surprised at just how busy they can be. Or just how narrow the roads are. Compared to the wide streets I have driven on in Australia or North America English roads are very narrow.

If you are planning to hire a car we recommend that you read our guide to renting (and driving) a car in the UK .

Good to know – If you are used to driving on the wrong side of the road (ie the right😉) you will instinctively look the wrong way when attempting to cross the street. Remember to look right (in fact, look both ways and double-check before crossing!)

Yes so for some reason water rarely comes out of one central tap in England (and in fact the UK). Nope, it comes out of a cold tap and a hot tap. So be prepared to freeze or be scalded.

There are a few historical reasons for this that I won’t bore you with but at least you will not be surprised when you come across 2 taps!

Don’t try to see everything in one visit (you can’t)

Although you may really really want to see it all you can’t. We have spent decades in the UK and we still haven’t seen everything! (I still have quite a bucket list for London never mind England!)

It may be tempting to plan lots of places to visit in England and numerous tourist attractions on your first trip but you will end up exhausted and potentially not enjoying any of it.

If you are struggling to put together your itinerary and feeling overwhelmed with the entire process why not take our 5-step itinerary planning challenge which will help you put together a draft itinerary.

If you still need help or simply want to chat it through we us we do offer an itinerary review service. Find out more about our itinerary review service here !

• England Travel Guide
• Guide to the 9 regions of England
• 12 Historic places to visit in England
• Literary destinations in England
• 24 Famous Landmarks to visit in England
• 12 Best cities to visit in England
• 12 Pretty towns and villages in England
• Best UK staycation destinations

Guides to popular tourist destinations include:

• Lake District Travel Guide
• Cotswolds Travel Guide
• Bath Travel Guide

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What are you looking for, travelling around britain.

VisitBritain/ Peter Kindersley

Introduction

Whether its lush green countryside, dramatics coasts, cute villages or bustling cities, you’ll find all you need on the different ways you can get around Britain.

Travelling around London

Britain’s busiest, most populated and diverse city is England’s capital: London. While lots of the central areas are easy to explore by foot, you will no doubt need some form of transport during your stay. If you know where you want go to, you can find the quickest routes for your journeys in and around London using Transport for London’s (TfL) handy journey planner .

Transport tickets and Oyster Cards

The cheapest way to get around is by using a Visitor Oyster Card , a pre-paid electronic card that can be used on buses, the tube, the tram and most rail services within London’s travel fare zones (zones 1 to 6).  You can save time by ordering your card before you arrive.

One-day paper travelcards (which cover bus, tube and inner-city rail services) are also available from all London Underground stations and are a good choice for short breaks. To charge or ‘top up’ your Oyster Card (known locally as an oyster), visit travel information centres, newsagents showing the blue Oyster symbol, and all London Underground stations. You can also use the Oyster Card app .

Contactless bank cards, Apple Pay and Android Pay can also be used on London’s transport system – there are daily caps meaning you can take unlimited journeys in a day for a set price, though these caps change depending on which zones you travel through.

The London Underground

The legendary London Underground network, often just called the tube, has more than 270 stations, each marked with the famous London Underground roundel logo.

Tubes run daily, apart from Christmas Day, from around 5:30am until midnight. Some lines run throughout the night at weekends. There are also fewer services on Sundays and public holidays.

Each tube line is represented by a different colour. Colour-coded maps can be found at every tube station and maps of the central section of the network are displayed on each tube carriage.

If you get lost, flag down a TfL staff member for help or simply ask fellow passengers – most Londoners will be happy to help.

Find out more about travel on the London Underground .

The London Overground and suburban rail services

The London Overground and a number of traditional rail services also operate out of London’s major hubs, such as Waterloo, Liverpool Street and Victoria, and travel to more suburban areas of London, particularly parts of south London which aren’t reachable by tube.

Oyster Cards and contactless bank cards can be used on many services up to certain stations (within the London fare zones). To be sure check the stations you use operate within these zones before travelling.

London buses

London buses come in all shapes and sizes – from double-deckers to single-deckers and Routemaster buses (with doors at the front, centre and rear) and operate all over the city. Check out bus routes with TfL’s handy bus map .

London buses don’t take cash - instead you need to touch your Oyster Card or a contactless bank card against the reader when you board the bus, and a set cost will be deducted from the card, regardless of how long the journey takes. Paper travelcards can also be used on buses - just show this to the driver when you board.

London has the most extensive night bus system in the world, with a number of buses running 24- hours-a-day, meaning you can go clubbing into the small hours without worrying about getting home. 

Cycling is an increasingly popular and green ways to get around London and with hundreds of cycle lanes throughout the city, it’s easy.

Santander Cycle can be hired (and dropped off) from docking stations throughout the city. Just turn up, pay and cycle away.

Folding bikes are allowed on all forms of public transport, while non-folded bikes can only be taken on some services at specific times .

The famous London black cabs (officially known as Hackney Carriages) are as much as an institution as big red buses. Black cabs are safe and reliable and drivers have to undergo strict tests to get a licence. All are wheelchair accessible and accept credit and debit card payments, and some are now electric, making travelling around London even greener.

There are fewer black cabs outside central London, but you will find that plenty of mini-cab companies or check out minicab apps such as Uber or Bolt.

While it’s possible to drive around London, it can sometimes end up being the most time-consuming and expensive way to travel. London is congested, and cars are charged for entering certain central areas. This is known as the Congestion Charge , which is charged per day, and payable online. It applies to drivers who use the congestion zone Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm, although black cabs are exempt. Certain vehicles will also have to pay to drive within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) , which is in force 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This zone covers a larger area of London than the Congestion Charge.

Guidance for non-UK registered vehicles

If you intend to bring a vehicle from Europe and it is registered outside of the UK, you will need to register it with Transport for London before driving in the capital. More guidance can be found via the official Transport for London website .

You can also check if your vehicle meets emissions and safety standards. You can check your vehicle here .

London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

The London ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) costs £12.50 per day (from midnight to midnight) for non-compliant vehicles. It was expanded to cover all London Boroughs in August 2023. It operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, except Christmas Day (25 December).

A failure to pay the ULEZ for a non-compliant vehicle could result in a penalty charge notice of £180. This can be reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days but can also be increased should you fail to pay or successfully challenge it. Both UK and non-UK registered vehicles can be given penalty charge notices.

Find out more about the London ULEZ .

The Congestion Charge

The Congestion Charge covers central London and is a daily £15 charge. All vehicles driving in the zone are required to pay. It applies from 07:00 – 18:00 Monday to Friday, and 12:00 – 18:00 at weekends and bank holidays. There is no charge from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day bank holiday, inclusive.

A failure to pay the Congestion Charge could result in a penalty charge notice of £180. This can be reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days but can also be increased should you fail to pay or successfully challenge it.

Find out more about the Congestion Charge .

London low emission zone (LEZ)

The low emission zone (LEZ) covers most of Greater London and operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The LEZ is not the same as the Congestion Charge zone in Central London and the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ).

If your vehicle is registered outside of the UK, you will need to register it with Transport for London to ensure that it meets the LEZ emission standards.

Find out more about the low emission zone .

Do driving charges apply to rental cars?

The Congestion Charge in London applies to all drivers. The requirement to pay the ULEZ fee will be dependent on whether your rental car meets emission standards. As most hire fleets are relatively new, the majority of vehicles will be exempt. Check with your car rental company when booking or picking up your vehicle to ensure it is compliant.

Travelling around other British towns and cities

Using public transport is an easy, economical way to travel around Britain’s cities and towns, and is a great way to experience local life.

Local buses

In most UK cities, you can buy bus tickets directly from the driver when you board a bus. Large areas like the West Midlands and Greater Manchester also have their own regional travel cards which are valid on all public transport within their area.

Check local tourist websites for timetables and more information. Regional bus operators may also have their own apps, which can be downloaded via the main app stores.

City tram networks

Edinburgh, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham operate tram services – you can purchase tickets for the tram either from an on-board conductor or from ticket machines at tram stops. Get more information from local tourist offices and local tourist board’s websites.

Taxis and minicabs are available in cities and towns across Britain. Taxi ranks can be found just outside most busy train stations or you can phone for one in advance. Minicab apps, such as Uber or Bolt, also provide services in many of the major towns and cities.

Many city roads have cycle lanes and even dedicated traffic lights. Most destinations have somewhere you can hire bikes, and increasingly scooters.

The National Cycle Network , managed by Sustrans, also covers many different parts of Britain, providing signed routes and paths.

Travelling around Britain by train

Travelling by train is a green, scenic and relaxing way to discover Britain. The rail network here covers whole swathes of Britain, with more than 2,000 stations serving England, Scotland and Wales. It’s an easy and efficient was to travel, with different train companies serving different parts. You can plan your journey using the National Rail Journey Planner  and before you know it you could be in Brighton or Scotland or almost anywhere else. Journey lengths aren’t too onerous either - hop on a train in London you can be in Scotland within four hours.

It’s easy to travel within regions and towns too. Plan your journey and buy tickets from large travel agents,  online ticket providers, and at all railway stations.

Buying your ticket further in advance can save you money  and sometimes it’s even cheaper to buy two separate singles than one return, so it pays to check this before booking.  If you opt for a BritRail pass – exclusively for tourists – it offers unlimited journeys and various discounts, giving you the freedom to travel around at your own pace.

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Travelling around Britain by car

What do you need to drive in britain.

You’ll need a current valid driving licence, and if required, an international driving permit.

You must keep proof of ownership or a rental agreement in your vehicle, plus any insurance documents.

Find out more information on what you’ll need to drive in Britain .

How to hire a car in Britain

With lots of hire car comparison sites, make sure to do your research in advance to find the best price.

You’ll find major car rental company desks at airports and coastal ports as well as others conveniently located in city centres and major towns.

All rental companies should include insurance cover and breakdown cover with car rental, so check this when you book.

You’ll also need to have a credit card in the name of the main driver to hire a vehicle.

Electric vehicles are also available to hire at many large rental companies.

Electric vehicles and charging points

Driving electric vehicles makes travelling around Britain more sustainable. Most major car rental companies will hire them. There’s some advantages with parking not afforded to petrol or diesel powered cars too.

Britain has an extensive and growing network of electric vehicle (EV) charging points with more than 20,000 locations in operation and more being added all the time. Some charging points are free to use while others require payment using an app or a credit or debit card.

Use the Zap Map website or app to find your nearest charging points.

Fuelling stations in Britain

Most petrol stations are self-service and instructions at the pump are easy to follow.

You’ll often pay for your fuel at the counter or at the pump itself using a bank card.

Clean air zones and low emission zones

What is a clean air zone (caz) or low emission zone (lez).

In a bid to reduce air pollution, some cities in the UK have clean air zones (CAZ) or low emission zones (LEZ). Vehicles that do not meet emission standards may be charged for entering the zones. The minimum emission standard can be found in your vehicle logbook or checked via your vehicle manufacturer.

England’s clean air zones

Seven cities in England have clean air zones (CAZ) – Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield, and Newcastle/Gateshead. However, charges may only apply to non-compliant cars and motorcycles for the zones in Birmingham and Bristol.

The CAZ minimum standard for cars and vans is Euro 6 (for diesel vehicles) and Euro 4 (for petrol vehicles), motorcycles are Euro 3.

The zones operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year (midnight to midnight).

Find out more about England’s clean air zones .

Scotland’s low emission zones

Unlike England’s clean air zones, non-compliant vehicles cannot enter Scottish low emission zones at any time. There is no daily charge, just a £60 daily penalty.

The Scottish LEZ minimum standard for cars and vans is Euro 6 (for diesel vehicles) and Euro 4 (for petrol vehicles). The LEZ in Glasgow has been enforced from June 2023. Further zones in Dundee, Edinburgh and Aberdeen will be enforced from late May/early June 2024.

Find out more about Scotland’s low emission zones .

Toll roads and tunnels

Some toll roads, bridges and tunnels on the UK road network will require you to pay a charge. What you will need to pay varies by location and is dependent on the vehicle you are driving.

A full list of UK toll roads can be found on the official government website .

Tips for driving in Britain

Cars drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Speed is measured in miles per hour and distances on road signs are displayed in miles.

Most hire cars will include GPS or offer a satellite navigation system as an extra, but it’s also a good idea to keep a map handy.

Take a look at the Highway Code for an up-to-date guide to all the current British driving regulations and traffic signs.

It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.

There are some toll roads, bridges and tunnels within the UK road network. For information on toll road charges see GOV.UK .

Travelling around Britain by coach

If you’re on a budget, travelling by coach is a great alternative to train or car, but journey times can be longer. 

If you know where you want to go, plan ahead and book your coach in advance from major operators like National Express or Megabus . You can also take a coach tour of places of interest - lasting anything from a couple of hours to couple of weeks. Choose from seaside towns to chocolate-box villages, historic sites to buzzing cities. It’s a good idea to book coach excursions or longer coach trips before you arrive here.

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Travelling around Britain by air

If you’re short on time, then major cities and some towns are well connected by airports. This is an expensive option and once you’ve factored in getting to and from the airports, not always the most time efficient.

You can catch domestic flights from major cities like London to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen in around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Travelling around Britain by boat

Britain has thousands of miles of inland waterways and hundreds of islands scattered along its coastline, many of which can be explored by cruising in a canal boat or by hopping on a ferry.

You can hire canal and narrowboats, or take an organised boat tour. For more information of Britain’s canals, rivers and lakes, visit the Canal & River Trust website .

Ferries in Scotland sail to a myriad of destinations including the Isle of Skye, Stornaway and Lochboisdale in the Western Isles. Most of the ferry companies offer a variety of different ticket types including island-hop passes.

River ferries are an interesting alternative to the more usual forms of transport, like the ferry across the Mersey River between Liverpool and Birkenhead and the London river boats that run from Westminster to Greenwich and beyond. You can discover more about ferry routes and timetables by visiting local destination websites.

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

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Travelers’ Frustration Mounts at ‘Confusing’ British Traffic-Light System

The government’s three-tier approach to determining restrictions on transit to and from different countries is drawing ire from Britons and the travel industry alike.

By Ceylan Yeginsu

So-called “ Freedom Day” in Britain, which last Monday marked the government’s lifting of all remaining coronavirus requirements, was a far cry from the blithe liberty that many locked-down British residents had dreamed of for the past year. Nearly 40,000 new coronavirus cases were recorded in the 24 hours before the anticipated day, while hundreds of thousands of people received a notification on a government tracing app, asking them to self-isolate for 10 days because of possible exposure to the virus.

On the same day, vaccinated Britons who had escaped across the English Channel to France, to enjoy new privileges of quarantine-free travel , were abruptly informed that they would have to self-isolate when they returned home, regardless of their vaccination status. It was the second time British authorities had swiftly reversed course: In June, just weeks after letting British travelers freely travel to Portugal without quarantining upon their return, they changed the rules because of concerns about the prevalence of the Delta variant. Thousands of British residents rushed to Portuguese airports trying to get back home before the quarantine rule went back into effect.

Now the chaos of the past week has left many people in Britain feeling anxious, overwhelmed and confused over how to spend the rest of their summer. Travel operators and industry professionals are also exasperated at the constant uncertainty after more than a year of unprecedented job and revenue losses.

“It’s obvious that this government doesn’t want anyone to travel abroad, so they’ve made the system as unpredictable, stressful and confusing as possible so that people are left with no choice but to stay put,” said Penelope Stenham, an interior designer from London who specializes in vacation home design in Spain and Portugal.

The British government instituted its three-tier “traffic light” system for international travel in May as a way to safely unlock cross-border travel. Under the system, British residents traveling to “green list” countries do not need to quarantine upon their return, but are still required to take virus tests. Those residents who go to “amber list” countries are required to self-isolate at home for 10 days unless they have been fully vaccinated by the British National Health Service, in which case “green list” rules apply. If they travel to a “red list” country , they must quarantine for 10 days in a government-approved hotel, which costs about $2,300 per person.

The government usually announces any changes every three weeks, after conducting a review of the system that uses criteria like virus rates, vaccination rollouts and the quality of available genomic sequencing to determine restrictions on different countries.

Members of the travel sector have harshly criticized the approach, saying it lacks transparency and specific parameters for what is required for countries to move up and down the list. These considerations, critics say, would allow consumers to book vacations with more confidence.

“There’s no consistency, there’s too much caution and there’s a desire to cause confusion among consumers,” said Paul Charles, the chief executive officer of The PC Agency, a London-based travel consultancy firm that analyzes data used by the government to categorize countries in its traffic-light system.

Some people believe the government is deliberately sowing confusion in order to dissuade them from nonessential travel. British officials reject such claims, saying that their recent decision to allow fully vaccinated Britons to visit “amber” countries without requiring them to quarantine upon their return has enabled more travel.

For the government’s last assessment, on July 14, industry experts had expected countries such as Italy, Germany and Canada to be moved to the “green list,” and Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to be upgraded to “amber” from “red,” based on the countries’ case numbers and vaccination rates. But only Bulgaria and Hong Kong were upgraded to green. No country has been moved off the red list since the traffic light system started.

The government has rejected criticism of its cautious approach, saying that it is necessary to protect the country’s successful vaccination program while it grapples with a new surge in Covid cases, which is driven by the highly contagious Delta variant.

“Our international travel policy is guided by one overwhelming priority — public health,” a spokesman for the Department of Transport, speaking anonymously in line with government policy, said in an email. “Traffic light allocations are based on a range of factors including genomic surveillance capability, transmission risk and variants of concern.”

Britain’s travel operators have called for an immediate overhaul of the system, saying that the lack of transparency and sudden changes have wreaked havoc among consumers and businesses and could put hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk.

More than 300,000 jobs were lost in the British travel sector last year, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council, and a further 218,000 jobs are at serious risk if international travel remains restricted, it said.

“While the domestic holiday market is reaping the benefits of ‘Freedom Day,’ with staycations booming, we are not out of the woods yet,” said Virginia Messina, a senior vice president of the W.T.T.C.

“International travel remains either off limits or frustratingly difficult for many,” she added. “This means the door to significant overseas travel still remains effectively closed.”

A group of British airports and airlines sued the government earlier this month, accusing them of ruining their business because of a lack of clarity and what they said seemed like arbitrary decisions on the categories in which countries were placed.

London’s High Court accepted part of the argument against the government, but on July 20 ruled that Britain has acted lawfully in creating the system.

“It seems to us that the government is not being upfront and providing enough evidence about the data involved in making these decisions,” said Tim Alderslade, the chief executive of Airlines UK, the trade body for airlines registered in Britain.

“We’re not given the data and I think that is the real frustration for the sector, because we are trying to plan and schedule operations, and work out what countries are going to where, but it is very difficult when we do not have the full picture,” he said.

Members of the British public are equally irritated by the lack of clarity in the system. After the sudden changes to the rules on France last week, many have canceled trips for August out of fear that the government will change the rules in the next review.

In May, when the government eased restrictions on overseas travel , Alyssa Campbell, a 44-year-old events manager, dipped into her savings account and booked a villa in Spain for a two-week summer getaway with her husband.

“I wanted to get ahead of the crowds and book something really special for our anniversary in August before prices went up,” she recalled in a telephone interview. “We got our jabs, and I was confident that the worst of the pandemic would be over by August.”

But when the government made the snap decision to restrict travel from France last week, rumors started to swirl that Spain would be next, prompting Ms. Campbell to cancel her trip.

“There’s no way to know what will happen, but cases in Spain are really high at the moment and if we wait for the next review, I’m going to lose my deposit,” she said, letting out a frustrated sigh. “It’s a huge gamble that we can’t afford.”

People who are required to travel for business are also struggling, as work meetings and events are usually scheduled months in advance. Rachel Poulton, 51, a teacher who recently relocated from the U.A.E. to Britain for work, had to spend 10 days in a government-approved quarantine hotel this month before she could go home to Doncaster in northern England.

“My irritation is that I’ve been working overseas, and the traffic system seems to just be based around leisure holidays with no understanding that a large number of expats need to go abroad for work and get back home for family,” Ms. Poulton said.

While her quarantine experience at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Birmingham was not as bad as she expected, Ms. Poulton said she felt much safer in the U.A.E., where virus case numbers were significantly lower than in Britain.

“It was surreal to be treated as this big threat from abroad and have food delivered on the floor outside our rooms as if we were dogs, and then to turn on the TV to see thousands of fans packed into Wembley Stadium for the football, while the Delta variant is raging,” she said.

With demand for domestic travel soaring, planning local vacations has also become an ordeal, with most popular destinations either fully booked or costing much more than in years past.

“For the price of a room at a gorgeous four-star resort on the Portuguese coast, you’re going to get a tent or a caravan in England and will probably have to share a toilet,” said Simon McGregor, 34, a London-based art technician. “With everything else booked up, that’s it. That’s the great British stay-at-home summer that’s on offer — a tremendous amount of Covid and no guarantee of sunshine.”

52 Places to Love in 2021

We asked readers to tell us about the spots that have delighted, inspired and comforted them in a dark year. Here, 52 of the more than 2,000 suggestions we received, to remind us that the world still awaits.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places list for 2021 .

Ceylan Yeginsu is a London-based reporter. She joined The Times in 2013, and was previously a correspondent in Turkey covering politics, the migrant crisis, the Kurdish conflict, and the rise of Islamic State extremism in Syria and the region. More about Ceylan Yeginsu

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Vast majority of UK travellers find it ‘difficult’ to understand international Covid rules

Research by the office for national statistics reveals attitudes to covid-19 among british and foreign arrivals, article bookmarked.

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The vast majority of British residents find it difficult to follow overseas Covid rules, according to new research.

Some 47 per cent of respondents said they found it “difficult”, while 33 per cent said it was was “very difficult” to understand international travel rules - 80 per cent in total - according to a survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This is in contrast to overseas respondents, the majority of whom said they understood UK restrictions, with 26 per cent understanding them “quite well”, and 69 per cent understanding them “very well”.

A total of 17,720 passengers were interviewed upon arrival in the UK over the course of monthly surveys between February and June 2021.

The ONS did not give a breakdown of the proportion of UK and overseas residents surveyed.

Though overseas residents found it easy to understand UK Covid restrictions, they were not confident in accessing information about those rules, with 71 per cent saying they were not at all confident, 26 per cent saying they were not very confident, and only 2 per cent feeling somewhat or very confident.

The survey found that most UK (66 per cent) and overseas travellers (69 per cent) were made to feel safer journey during their journey by social distancing .

A majority of both groups also felt safer as a result of the wearing of face coverings , with 75 per cent of overseas residents and 69 per cent of UK residents reporting feeling safer.

Mask wearing was mandatory in indoor public places in England, including on public transport, until last month.

While it’s no longer a legal requirement, government guidance says it “expects and recommends” masks to be worn in crowded environments such as public transport.

Local transport networks including Transport for London and Manchester’s Metrolink still require them, as do airlines including British Airways and easyJet.

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• Driving in Englan...

Driving in England if you're an American - is it that difficult?

For our family, I am finding it much less expensive (even with the extra insurance through Enterprise Car Rental) to rent a car than take the train from Bristol to Watford Junction, then Bath, then Cardiff, then Stonehenge, etc. Plus, the train, especially from Watford Junction to Bath is complicated and time consuming (at least all the train/bus routes I've looked at). So, I'm seriously thinking of renting a car, and my husband is opposed to it because of the difference of the wheel and road side. I've driven all through Europe before, but only in continental Europe, where the steering wheel is on the left and you drive on the right side. Is it difficult to learn the British way? I am a pretty good driver (I navigated the streets of Paris successfully) but again, that was on my side of the road. The car I'm considering is an automatic, so I don't have to contend with driving a manual, but I share some of my husband's concern about the whole wheel and road opposite sides issue. Any advice would be appreciated. I'm also wondering if there are lessons I can take somewhere here in the US before we leave? Thank you ahead of time for any opinions and advice.

I have never heard of lessons to prepare you for driving in the UK but I have done a lot of driving there and, yes, it does take some getting used to. The first time I knew I was going to be driving on the "wrong" side of the road I hired a friendly cabbie for about 45 minutes to just drive me around and explain the rules, both official and unspoken, to me. I asked lots of questions and it was great! I got the feeling for it quickly and it really helped riding around with the sole purpose of learning how it feels, how to navigate things as simple as corners, and getting used to looking right instead of left when preparing to turn. It really isn't hard once you get the feel for it. Once you get the rental car start by driving around in an uncongested or more rural area until you're comfortable. The highways are no different from those here and people don't tend to drive any faster than in the US - being from the LA area it seemed pretty comparable. Since you've driven in Europe before you are far ahead of most! People will often say that parking is difficult in English towns but I really haven't found that to be the case. Most sizable towns have a park and ride on the edge of the city or public lots that are clearly marked and not hard to find. We have come to prefer a car in England so that we can have the flexibility to stop where and when we like and deviate from our planned route if we want. I think you'll be fine!

Some people here say it's not that difficult, and others won't drive there and take the train. So take your pick of answers. You won't really know how it's going to be for you, until after the first 15 minutes of driving there.

If you've driven in Paris and navigated that big roundabout on the Champs d'Elysees, you can drive anywhere. There must have been 50 cars in my rear view mirror making that loop.

If you're a good driver, switching to the "wrong" side of the road is not that big of a deal. The most confusing thing is figuring what exits to get off on when driving controlled access highways.

It's nice to now have Mapquest, Google Maps and GPS's to guide you, however.

I live in Arizona but love driving in the UK because of the good drivers there. If you have driven in Europe then you are farther ahead than the average American. I would think required reading is the "UK Highway Code", which is the driving manual for the UK. If you google it you will find versions for reading online or download as a PDF. Especially read the sections on roundabouts for the rules for which lanes to be in for taking a particular exit for multi-lane roundabouts. Also read the sections on the different types of pedestrian crossings, and the lane markings.

It will not be automatic to drive on the left side. You have accumulated many unconscious habits, such as looking left at an intersection, that you will need to be aware of. You would need to stay focused and avoid distractions, such as other people in the car. I believe that your brain adjusts for having the steering wheel on the left in the US, and mentally centers your vision. I found on my first couple trips to the UK I would be leaning to the left in the seat.

If you do decide to rent a car there are several rest stops on the road to Bristol on the M4. I would recommend stopping often to get a break. I believe the first on just west of Reading. At an intersection, if you can, take a moment to study the other traffic and the lanes to determine where you need to go and what direction to look out for oncoming cars. If appears you may do a lot of driving on the motorways, which is good because they are easier than city driving. Avoid driving in cities as much as you can.

I hope this helps.

I drove in rural Scotland with no problems at all, but your routes would be more trafficky. Still, I would guess that it would not be that bad as long as you stay away from London. One nice thing about the roundabouts is that a spotter can tell you where to exit, and you can go around more than once, so there is no pressure to get the turn right the first time.

Also, you can find plenty of Youtube videos about driving on the left in the UK. I found that they gave me a decent feel for what it is like.

Whenever I read one of these driving questions the first thing that goes through m mind is how good a driver is the person asking the question. If you have driven in Paris, you are not a sissy and you have played in the big leagues so go for it. The automatic is a good idea for two reasons; 1) It lets you pay full attention to the driving process and 2) shifting gears with the left hand can be really awkward for a lot of people. If possible, pick the car upon the fringes of town so you can start the adapting process in relatively open traffic. Based on a personal experience, you need a calm reliable navigator with you who will on occasion have to yell 'bear left' after you make a right hand turn. The first fifteen minutes are the biggest hurdle and it just gets easier from there. Roundabouts are also a bit awkward but if you miss on your first try, you can always take another lap.

Also I am a big believer in taking your own GPS with a European map chip. You want something that you know how to use from the get go rather than sitting in a rental car parking lot trying to figure out how the one that is in the car works. Also with you own unit, you can declare your parking place to be Home, put it in your pocket and know that no matter how many twisty-turny streets you wander down, our good friend Ms. Garmin (or one of her kin) will get you back to your car. Don't forget some good paper maps to supplement the electronics. Have a great trip.

Mari, having just done so last fall I fully understand your concern. Here are some tips I have in no particular order. I prepared by following the The Official Highway Code on facebook. You can find information here http://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/uploads/3/2/9/2/3292309/the-official-highway-code-with-annexes-uk-en-12-04.pdf I found this very useful. You will be required to know the speed limits of the roads that you are on since the U K does not post them as often as we do and they use speed cameras everywhere. I mean everywhere. I did not drive in London. We spent a few nights in London and then picked our car up at Heathrow. Driving on the side streets of little villages can be interesting. "A" roads can vary in width. We spent time in Aberfeldy Scotland. The A827 going east out of Aberfeldy was less nerve wracking than going west out of Aberfeldy. You will encounter rock walls or stone fences literally right up to the edge of the road. A good number of roads in the countryside will not have a shoulder. The edge is the edge. I tended to hug my side of the road and paid for it with a flat tire. Mental tip: city buses/school buses passed each other going in opposite directions so the car you will be driving can do the same. Be very careful when leaving car parks or entering road ways to ensure you are on the side of the road you belong on. In Scotland we saw directional arrows painted on the roads in some areas. Most of the time you will have a vehicle in front of you so it won't be as hard as you think. Take or rent a good GPS. We relied on our phones only to be in some areas of Scotland where mobile reception was non-existant. PM me if i can be of further assistance.

I'd just like to clarify that the train to Harry Potter - surely that's the reason you are going to Watford Junction, not to visit the Costco at Bushey? - to and from the West Country isn't particularly complicated.

If you are driving you want to follow the brown signs (there are none in advance, just one at the actual junction of the M25 and then the last couple of miles on local roads) direct to the studio.

Taking the train couldn't be easier. Board any suitable train in Bristol, at either Bristol Temple Meads station or Bristol Parkway to London Paddington. The train will be supplied by First Great Western, and will go most of the time at 125 mph, much faster than you can drive. At the end of the line in London, go downstairs to the Bakerloo Line tube and get on a frequent tube train northbound to Harrow and Wealdstone. Cross over there to the train to Watford Junction, just a couple of stops on the Southern or London Midland train which comes every few minutes. Walk out the front of Watford Junction station, following the signs, and diagonally (not Diagon Alley) across the forecourt is a very clearly marked bus stop for the special double decker bus to the studio. When the bus arrives you can't miss it. Settle in and your experience begins. In just a few minutes you pop up at the studio and fun fun fun. Reserve ahead because the studio sells out most days.

Going back, it is the same thing in reverse except you take the train from Paddington to Bath.

Driving in and around Watford can be frustrating, traffic on the M25 between Heathrow (where the M4 goes) and the M1 (just beyond the turning for the studios) is infamous, particularly around Maple Cross.

You may want a car around Wiltshire. It may be not a lot of help in Cardiff - but I don't know where the Dr Who Studio tour is.

"Advance" train tickets can be exceedingly cheap, and depending on their ages the child units may be free or half price of that.

You REALLY don't want to try to park a car in Bath. And some of the hills are very steep and roads narrow there. How are you at driving in San Francisco? Now put yourself on the opposite side of the road and very narrow roads with cars parked both sides....

With regards to speed limits, this may help: http://www.bedfordshire.police.uk/advice_centre/casualty_reduction_partnership/speed/know_your_speed_limits.aspx

It is not as difficult as you think it will be. Have the non driver be the navigator and be the 'reminder'. He/she should be aware to remind the driver to keep left, which lane to turn into, and to look for traffic.

Here's an reality to ponder. Here in Los Angeles, where cars rule, there is a large contingency of UK residents. I find it amusing that my UK friends who live or visit here never seem to complain about driving on the opposite side of the road. Even with horrendous complications they face traffic wise they love the ease of getting from one side "of town to the other," because the roads are laid out in an acceptable grid. No roundabouts, teeny country roads, etc. Surely the concept of driving in LA is as daunting as driving in the UK and yet our UK friends just get on with it! The brain can be re taught anything and driving on the other side of the road takes little time to rewire that learned experience. A bit of concentration, a bit of caution and off you go.

I found it to be more stressful in the passenger seat. Drivers new to the driving-on-the-left lifestyle are in some ways new drivers. It doesn't feel normal and we take that for granted. And recently teaching my daughter to drive reinforced that. The result is 'new' driver stay a bit further off the centerline than the more seasoned driver. And the roads in the UK are narrower in general, and the passenger will be ever-fearful of hitting curbs, hedgerows and parked cars. For me, I have to remind myself or my wife to hug the centerline.

There is also the custom of cars parking in half the driving lane on both sides, so the two way street is a bit of dance with you negotiating with oncoming traffic of who goes first.

It's a bit stressful. But checking out rural England is so worth it.

in my opinion the drivers in the UK are much more aware of their surroundings vs. here in the states so it actually helps you if you make a mistake in lanes etc., one challenge for me personally is just being used to checking over your right shoulder to check your blind spot. Good luck you can do it !

One thing that as happened to me a number of times is that I will look at an oncoming car to see where the driver is looking to find no one behind the wheel. After an initial shock, I realize the dirver is in the right seat, not the left ;-)

I'm with those who say that if you have driven in Paris this should not be a problem for you. If you are not a lifelong driver of standard shift cars, then you would be wise to request an automatic. However, do not panic if you get stick. The pedals are the same and the shifting with the left hand is not as difficult as you might think. After my first trip driving in the UK, I came home and when I go into my car for the first time to drive, I slammed my left hand into the door trying to shift! That was after ten days of driving. :)

You've gotten some great advice. I would add that you should plot your trip in advance on a map even though you'll have GPS. The signs in the UK are oriented to the major town as they are in France. So, it's helpful to have that list of towns ready for your navigator as you head out on your journey. (I will always remember driving from Chartres, all the way around the South and East side of Paris to get to Senlis. The TI staff member gave me a list of towns and made me swear to never doubt the list! It worked and I've been a fan of listing out towns ever since.)

I agree that you'll probably hug the left hand curb. That means that your tire will likely bump against and because of the closeness of the hedges and walls it is likely you'll have a slight mishap or two and get a scratch. That's why you buy full insurance, or are willing to pay the deductible. They check the car over very carefully when you turn it in, so check it carefully when you accept it.

I enjoy driving in the UK. But you'll have a great trip whichever way you go.

There are useful videos on Youtube (and some dross) that will help. The first thing is get any passenger involved to remind you to keep left as you go along.

Perhaps a green 'P' plate, something recommended to new drivers in the UK, may help with the jitters as it advises other road users that this is a novice driver. DO NOT get the red 'L' or red 'D' as these have specific legal meanings, the 'D' is the Welsh language equivalent. Try to keep to filling stations that are left in left out.

And laugh. One time in France we went to our hire car, and as driver I got in. Only to find someone had moved the pedals and steering wheel, and remember British roads are Communists. Left, left, left.

Never park on the right side of the road. Even if the only parking space is on that side, go to the end of the road, turn round, come back and park on the left. Otherwise the risk is too great that you will get back into the car, and just drive off on the right.

You will have to get used to the mirrors being in different places, rear view mirror top left, wing mirror bottom right.

And, you will need to suppress the feeling of panic (and desire to swerve) as an oncoming car goes past you on the wrong side.

I certainly think that people can get used to driving on the "wrong" side of the road. I do it every year when I drive to continental Europe, and hundreds of thousands of tourists do it every year.

My point is that the actual trip being planned - Bristol to Watford to Bath - is so very much easier done by fast train.

And I have since thought that the trip to Watford is likely to be in the morning when it would be competing with rush hour traffic into London, and the trip to Bath is likely in the afternoon when it would be competing with the evening rush hour out of London.

Mari, which airport did you eventually settle on for your flight after Bath?

Two points of advice:

• Involve your passenger as a reminder. Tell him/her to say "left, left, left" all the time
• Remember that the round-abouts go the other way as well. I still remember seeing a wall of cars coming towards me the first time.

Thanks so much for all your replies and responses. We are using the Bristol airport.

Those of you that have mentioned the ease of travel between Bath and Watford Junction on the train, could you please elaborate? The only trains I've found have you going to London, taking a bus/tube to another train, and then doing the reverse on the way back. There's also the issue of cost. I can rent a car for my family for well under 200 pounds for 4 days, but trains from Bath to Cardiff, and Bath to Stonehenge, and Bath to Watford Junction, and then finally to Bristol are a lot more money and the train we'd need to take back from Watford Junction get into London near midnight and has taking an 8 minute walk to the next train, something I'd prefer not to do in an unfamiliar big city. So thank you for letting me know if I've looked at the wrong thing and made this overly complicated.

Mari, a small point. The Harry Potter studio tour is not at Watford Junction. It is at Leavesden studios some miles away. Watford Junction is the nearest convenient railway station.

Well you've made up your mind and I won't try to change it. You must have the unfortunate last slot on the tour which ends at 10pm. If you want to go back to the West Country after a long day by car around midnight (By the way, the street lights have been turned off on the motorways) go for it.

I take it that you know about the discounts available on train fares like half fare for children, Advance cheap cheap tickets, and Groupsave tickets?

I found some helpful websites geared towards passing to UK driving exam.

There were helpful videos with explanations of what to look out for. I am planning to rent a car for a couple of days in Northumberland and thought some preparation ahead of time would be helpful. Don't be deterred. Hopefully, you and your partner are the best judges of your ability.

I think I googled "uk driving tips".

We've lived in England (London) and did try at one time to drive a rental and hated it. You have to maintain constant vigilance since you are sitting on the right side of the car and driving on the "wrong side" of the road. Not very relaxing. We ditched the car and just used public transport (very good) and trains (excellent and relaxing). Your husband is right.

Just because some people find driving worse than the train does not mean everyone does... there are plenty of people who prefer having a car and moving about on their own schedule. Often the stress of having to meet train schedules is a real pain... there are different ways to travel and if one cannot navigate a car, that's fine. But, it does not mean that you can't. Some people won't drive in LA, NYC, or Chicago... doesn't mean you can't. After a little bit, it becomes second nature, especially because you are on the other side of the car. If you can handle Paris, you can do this. If there was only one way to travel we would not need this forum:)

I believe the main concern would be how you and your husband work together under stressful situations. My husband and I would not be able to manage a car as we would end up screaming in frustration at each other! My friend and her husband rented a car in Ireland and she said it was a nightmare due to stress of round a bouts, driving on left, narrow roads, not being able to enjoy the scenery as so focused on road and the tension in the car because of those issues! We are in London now with our daughter and her British husband. We drove about 90 minutes out of city yesterday and back with much of it bumper to bumper and very busy round a bouts. It was exhausting for all of us but especially the driver. I understand the cost savings versus trains, but do consider your mental health and ability to enjoy the view!

I didn't find it too big of an adjustment, and was getting fairly comfortable with it after a week. It helps to focus on the middle of the road and not the side, i.e. look where you want to be, not where you don't. A little route planning helps too, with a little effort and a willingness to make some deviations, you can avoid some of the narrower roads (I recommend doing so in and out of Bath). If you do a lot of the driving on motorways and "dual carriageways" (roads beginning with M or A) it will be easier, on a multi-lane, road it's pretty easy to stick to your lane, just be careful getting on and off. I found Google street view very useful for that. Good call on getting an automatic, you don't want to add shifting with the left hand to the challenge.

We are a retired couple who drive in UK once a year. We never get an automatic. What we do is get the smallest car that is comfortable for us and our luggage. We avoid picking up our rental in high population areas and ask the agency to pick us up at our lodging. We have never had trouble with this. We also have one dedicated driver and one dedicated navigator who has a good map and is responsible for "looking left". We have had no difficulties that would not occur driving in a strange city in the US. You will do fine.

I'm having this same dilemma myself. I'll be spending about 3 weeks in the UK in October, and for a few days at the end of that trip I plan to go to Wales to see the village where my grandparents came from. It is out in the country outside of Cardiff, and the only reasonable way to get there and poke around seems to be by car. I've never driven "British" before, but I've lived in major US cities (NYC, DC and Seattle) and am used to "daredevil" driving so to speak. I'm hopeful after spending 2 1/2 weeks driving around as a passenger in cabs and tour buses, I will feel somewhat accustomed to the "wrong side" scenario and be able work up the courage to rent a car in Wales and attempt to drive out to the countryside.

It all depends on how confident a driver you are. My wife hates driving in Europe but I find I get used to everything being on the wrong side quite quickly.

It is usually easiest if you pick up the car somewhere close to a motorway. That way, you spend the first couple of hours getting used to the car being on the left, looking behind and to your right when you overtake and so on, without having to worry about where to go at junctions. By the time you do get to a crossroads, you'll already feel more comfortable than if you reached one in the first few minutes.

I've never found the driving at all difficult. Keep your wits about you, especially on the first day, Be deliberate with traffic circles. If you can't drive a stick shift, specify an automatic transmission (and verify it). Rentals will almost always have standard transmissions unless you ask for an automatic,

I think American visitors should focus more on navigation and correctly interpreting the signs, which are both done differently than in the U.S.

Avoid attempting to drive in major metros. It's just not worth it.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

Update April 12, 2024

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United Kingdom

Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

United kingdom - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.

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• The legal drinking age in the United Kingdom is 18. Parents and organizers of school trips should read our  Students Abroad website  to help plan a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Scotland’s “drink drive limit” law was amended to a lower level (roughly .05 BAC) and is stricter than the rest of the United Kingdom (roughly .08 BAC). This means that  driving after even one drink  can result in a charge of driving under the influence.
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Faith-Based Travelers:  See our following webpages for details:

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• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in the United Kingdom.

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:

• UK law requires that all public service providers (except in the transportation sector) make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure their services are available to persons with disabilities.  Nevertheless, code exemptions permit many older buildings to have steps up from the street.
• Getting around in cities may be difficult at times because sidewalks can be narrow and uneven.
• Most London Underground and UK National Rail System stations are not readily accessible for people with disabilities.  Many stations do not have elevators, and have stairways and long corridors for changing trains or exiting to the street. Many UK buses are equipped with lowering platforms for limited-mobility or sight- or hearing-disabled travelers.
• Many taxis have swivel-entry seats or retractable ramps to ease entry.
• Disabled parking permits (known as “blue badges”) are issued by local government councils throughout the country. Visit the  UK government website  for contact information. Some councils may not offer permits to temporary visitors.

The  Transport for London  and  National Rail  websites provide information for passengers with disabilities.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  women travelers .

While medical services are widely available,  free medical care  under the National Health System (NHS) is allowed only for UK residents, certain EU nationals, and some visa holders.

An NHS surcharge is assessed on certain visa applicants at the time of application.  Tourists and short-term visitors will not be assessed the surcharge, but will be charged 150 percent of the cost of any medical treatment they receive from the NHS. Unpaid balances of £1,000 or more can result in being barred from return to the United Kingdom.

• The U.S. government does not pay medical bills, and U.S. Medicare is not valid overseas.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides  coverage overseas . Most care providers overseas only accept  cash payments . See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage overseas.

• We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

Carry  prescription medication  in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Traveling with sufficient supplies to last the duration of your trip is recommended. Mailing prescriptions is prohibitive and may be delayed or rejected by British customs.

Certain prescriptions available in the United States are classified as a "controlled drug"  in the United Kingdom and cannot be brought into the country without applying for and obtaining a prior license. This includes prescriptions for medical marijuana or products containing CBD and THC.  Please visit the https://www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs for additional information. 

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended for international travel by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Road conditions in the United Kingdom can differ significantly from those in the United States.

• In contrast to the United States, UK traffic drives on the left.  Read the  Highway Code  before driving.
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Away With Maja

15 harsh truths about living in england.

On October 12 th , 2016, I got onto a plane in Minneapolis and moved to England. It was the culmination of a dream I’ve had for what seems like forever, and it was the chance to finally get to live legally in the same country as the person I love.

EDIT: This is now one of my most popular posts of all time. It was written in October 2017 – to catch up on my more current thoughts, keep reading until the edit at the end of the post.

What a wild ride it has been since then.

Living abroad in and of itself is a huge step, and does not come without significant struggles. In the last several months, I have struggled so much living in Britain. Since I’ve moved, I have questioned (very, very seriously) as to whether or not this was the right choice, and whether I want to stay and “stick it out.” (“It” being living permanently in England.)

Before I moved last October, I’d already lived in England before—I studied abroad for my junior year of college in Nottingham , during the 2013-2014 academic year. But studying abroad and living abroad are so completely different (not least because Nottingham and York are very different cities !), and living abroad comes with a whole lot of systems and complexities that are frustrating at best.

So often, people tell me that I’m “living the dream” and that my life is “perfect.” “England is so amazing,” they tell me. “I’d give anything to be able to live in England like you,” they say.

Living in England really sucks sometimes. So much more than any of those people realize.

As a travel blogger, it’s all too easy to paint every experience abroad as wonderful and amazing and inspirational. But I want to be honest—brutally so—because just like traveling, life abroad is never as perfect as it looks online.

Here are 15 harsh truths I’ve discovered about living in England.

1) Council tax.

One of my biggest frustrations about the systems in place in England is council tax. Council tax is a local tax, usually done by the city or county you live in. The Council is responsible for all of the local things—streetlights, garbage collection, libraries, police and emergency services, etc. The reason I hate council tax is because it’s not a normal tax—you have to pay it separately, it’s not automatically deducted from a paycheck. This is because it is not technically income-based—how much council tax you pay depends on where you live and the size of your residence. So even if you aren’t employed and aren’t receiving paychecks, you still have to pay council tax. (Students are exempt from paying council tax, and in theory if you are on welfare/benefits you won’t have to pay either. But as I have no access to public funds through my visa, even when I didn’t have a job I was still paying council tax.)

I fundamentally disagree with tax that is not income-based. I think how much tax you pay should always depend on how much money you’re making—otherwise it’s not fair. It is also so hard not to be extremely frustrated when the everyday, tangible things your council tax pays for don’t go right—like when it took the Council 6 days after collection day to pick up the trash on our street (after several phone calls and being unable to open the windows due to the smell and flies/mice on the street). Council tax is such a massive frustration and one that I was not expecting at all when I moved.

2) There is literally trash everywhere

Britain has to be one of the dirtiest countries I’ve ever been to. I know not every place can be as clean as Minsk or Moscow , but in general, England is full of trash. It is everywhere. There are also very very few garbage cans anywhere. This is due in part to the IRA bombings in the 1970s and 1980s that targeted trashcans. But my one of my first impressions of England was running around Liverpool Lime Street train station trying to desperately find a trashcan. There wasn’t a single one. And with no trashcans, there is just garbage and shit everywhere. Litter and cigarette butts and trash is everywhere, in the streets, on the highways, on the sidewalks, on the road, etc. It is absolutely disgusting. The exception to this is national parks/protected nature areas, like the Peak District and the Lake District—those mercifully don’t have trash everywhere (yet?!). But pretty much everywhere else does. It can come as a bit of a shock, considering that Britain is meant to be a world leader but can’t (literally!) clean up after itself.

Also, York doesn’t have dumpsters, so the above photos are what the city streets look like in the morning on collection day: literally full of garbage and recycling in the streets.

EDIT: Also, the city of York does not recycle plastic. The only plastic that can be recycled from the curb is plastic drinks bottles. It is 2019 and a city this large STILL does not recycle plastic. Embarrassing.

The racism is by far the thing I was least prepared for moving to England. I just wasn’t expecting racism of this level in this country. This post isn’t the place to talk about Brexit, which broke my fucking heart (that’s a post for a whole other time). But racists have been emboldened since Brexit, and the attitude to foreigners is appalling. And for me, this comes from a place of privilege as a white American. I have never been scared for my physical safety here, and for that I am extremely grateful. But the racism in this country is overwhelming.

Perhaps as a student I didn’t realize this that much, or maybe England just wasn’t this way before the Brexit vote. York is also a very “white” city to live in, and there isn’t very much diversity here, which might skew my perspective a bit. But British people can be obscenely, horribly, awfully racist. I say this as an American, and as someone who lived most of their life in the US—which is extremely racist and notorious worldwide for its discriminatory approach to foreigners and racial/ethnic minorities.

The racism and micro-agressions are hard to deal with. It’s so hard to deal with. A woman once went off on me at work for making her tea “wrong,” because “you’re in England, and we make tea this way.” Sometimes it’s just customers at work asking me far-too-personal questions. Sometimes it’s customers at work shouting country names at me (“CANADA?”) and thinking that’s appropriate—whereas if I wasn’t white and American, it would be obviously racist to do that (you wouldn’t just shout “POLAND? PAKISTAN?” at someone!!!). The micro-aggressions are small, but each one builds up to create an atmosphere of racism that is fundamentally exhausting. I had no idea there was so much racism here. And not only is it difficult to put up with, it is also extremely disappointing.

EDIT: The major racist incidents I’ve experienced since writing this have unfortunately been much worse than the ones I listed here. 

4) Immigrants have it tough

Besides the racism, life can also be a real struggle as an immigrant. I pay (federal) tax but get next to nothing for it—members of government that I can’t vote for, a benefits/welfare system I’m barred from accessing (even though I’m paying into it), “free” healthcare that I paid £600 for as part of my visa. Not being able to vote was extremely hard in the election in June—and what was worst, British people talking to me about how they weren’t going to vote, when I would have given anything to vote! On top of this, there’s visas and the expenses associated with them. The fees for a visa are embarrassingly higher than how much it costs to process. 70 million bank accounts will now be checked after January 2018 in an effort to catch out illegal immigrants—and will undoubtedly affect legal migrants (LIKE ME!) as well.

It can be so exhausting, especially when I paid so much money to be here. I am so grateful that I have made several friends at work who are foreigners as well (one from Latvia and one from Thailand), who understand my frustrations. Because it is so hard to be a foreigner in England when you feel like the entire system is rigged against you. And people just don’t understand until it’s directly effecting them.

5) The economy is sliding downhill

The British economy is not doing well these days. The pound dropped to its lowest rates in the history of the currency following the Brexit vote. While that was nice for me when all my money was in dollars and I was converting into pounds, it’s pretty painful now that all my money is in pounds and I still have to convert it to dollars to pay my credit card and student loans every month. When I lived in Nottingham, the exchange rate was roughly £1=$1.65 or £1=$1.68. Now it’s about £1=$1.30. That’s a huge drop. It’s shocking. Butter has jumped from £1 to £1.37 at my grocery store in the year since I’ve lived in York. Other things have gotten more expensive, and it will only get worse after Brexit. The worst part, is that too many British people don’t realize how their economy is tanking, and will refuse to acknowledge it and never talk about it. Which is frustrating in and of itself.

EDIT: The economy has gotten even worse since writing this. Yay.

6) Finding a job can be really hard

I say this as I’ve been seriously job hunting for 8 weeks. This is probably true for foreigners in most countries, but it is still tough in England. Although it’s illegal for most employers to discriminate based on nationality, I do feel like I’ve lost out on many opportunities (and at least the chance for an interview) because people look at my application, see that most of my work experience is in the US (and I used to put one of my references from the US), and just throw it out. Without connections and a good network, it can be really difficult to find a job. This has been a major struggle for me. Also, most jobs pay monthly, so you just get one lump sum and need to budget it out throughout the month. This is opposed to in the US, where paychecks are generally bi-weekly. Oh, and if you work two jobs, your second job can be taxed nearly 50%. Good luck trying to pay rent with a tax return in April.

7) The weather can be seriously depressing

England is known for its rain. It always rains. And if it’s not raining, it’s going to rain soon. This is a great joke until you’re actually living there, and it’s raining constantly, every single day. This can also lead to major mold problems (I’m not looking to fighting the Mold Wars 2.0 with my house this winter…). I get seasonal effective disorder pretty bad in winters in Minnesota, with the soul-numbing cold. But I also got it quite a bit this spring and summer, when I’d be stuck inside at work on a nice sunny day (and the worst part is when customers come up and say, “Oh it’s such a nice, sunny day today!” I wouldn’t know, I’ve been stuck in here for 8 hours serving people like you coffee). The weather can be consistently grey and mentally draining and depressing in Britain.

8) Trying to drive on the wrong side of the road is the worst thing ever

I’m working now on trying to learn how to drive on the wrong (left) side of the road. It is one of the hardest experiences I’ve ever had. Despite driving for nearly 10 years, and learning to drive on a manual, learning how to drive on the wrong side of the road is frustrating, infuriating, and downright painful. Everything is opposite, you constantly get scared of cars coming towards you, and you drive far too close to the left (because there’s a whole goddamn car on that side!!). It is so much harder than I thought it would be. And don’t even get me started on roundabouts.

9) Transportation is ridiculously expensive

One of my favorite things about the UK has always been its public transportation system—you can get all over the country without needing a car. But the flip side of this is that all transportation is insanely, painfully expensive in this country. Prices for train tickets have been constantly rising for years, even though the level of service and punctuality/reliability of trains has decreased (I’ve noticed this particularly from 2013-2014 in Notts and now). It is generally cheaper to fly from the north (Edinburgh/Glasgow or Newcastle) to London, than it is to take a train. Public city buses in smaller towns can be ludicrously expensive (£4 to go 15 minutes down the road). And gas (or petrol, as the Brits say) is so expensive it hurts—despite our small, relatively fuel-efficient car, it costs at least £50 (roughly $68) to fill our car up. I know that not every country in the world can have gas as cheap as America. But when public transportation is expensive as well, it just seems like there’s no way to win.

10) Brits can seem very fake—and they’re the Americans of Europe

I am blessed and incredibly fortunate to know many wonderful British people here, including a very cute husband. But Brits are notoriously passive aggressive and avoid conflict, and this can sometimes come off as very fake and superficial. It can also be very counterproductive and time consuming to jump around a subject instead of being direct with it. It’s hard to tell when Brits are genuinely interested/happy/upset/any emotion ever, instead of just being polite. And I cannot stand fake people.

Some British people also think they’re at the center of the world in Britain, and they’re not. This is something I have a lot of experience with—there are so many Americans who believe that the world revolves around the US of A (news flash: it doesn’t). It has also taken me about a year, but I’ve also realized that stereotypical Brits are the Americans of Europe. They’re the tourists that refuse to learn/speak any local language and believe everyone should speak English, they stick to holidays in Spain and never go outside their comfort zone, they’re the big partiers who cause massive problems when drunk on stag dos (bachelor parties) in European hotspots or at airports.

This is by no means to say every British person travels this way!! I have many British friends and have met countless Brits abroad who challenge this stereotype in every single way. But just like the stereotype of American tourists is the socks-and-sandals and fannypacks, there is a stereotype of British tourists abroad as well. And I often get the impression that other Europeans feel about British tourists the way most of the world feels about American tourists—a bit exasperated with them. As a traveler, I’m an unofficial ambassador and represent my country abroad—and as an American, I love breaking down peoples’ stereotypes and expectations. Many Brits do this as well, which is wonderful.

11) The country is very London-centric

London sometimes seems to be the center of the universe when you live in the UK. And if you don’t live in London, it sucks. Everything happens in London, everyone wants to go to London, everything about London is expensive, all transport is centered on London, and most people struggle to grasp the idea that not everyone lives/wants to live in London. This is true for both British people and foreigners—I still get comments about “living in London,” when I have never lived in London… ever… The country has so much else going for it besides the capital, but it can still be frustrating if you don’t live in London. So news flash: I love London but I DO NOT live there!

12) The healthcare is “free” but not necessarily great

The NHS (National Health Service) is technically free, but as an immigrant I paid an “immigration health surcharge” as part of my visa to get onto it—so it’s not free for me. While in general, I think the NHS is great and walking out of a doctor’s office without paying a co-pay was a wonderful feeling, there are problems. It’s not easy to get appointments—in most places, you’ll need to wait about 3 weeks before you can get an appointment. This is extremely difficult for me, as I don’t know my work schedule more than a few days in advance. I haven’t used the dental services yet, but right now I’m not impressed: the first appointment I could get was for 7 weeks away. The only appointment in the late afternoon Adam could get was THREE MONTHS away. That’s three (3!!!) months of waiting. While I definitely prefer this system, as it means people aren’t going bankrupt from hospital bills like they do in the US, it isn’t without its drawbacks—no system is ever perfect.

EDIT: Just to clear up some confusion, I am happy to pay for healthcare. I am happy to pay so that no one is dying or going bankrupt due to medical conditions/accidents/life happening. I do think it is unfair that I have pay for it twice over (when some people pay nothing at all for it), but I don’t have a problem with paying for healthcare. However, the NHS is very slow unless your life is in danger. Getting appointments can be very, very difficult. This can be very frustrating.

13) The language barrier is real

So many people (myself included) think that since English is the official language in England, there is no language barrier. This is an absolute fucking lie. There is such a huge language barrier, but since it’s “technically” the same language, people don’t see it as an actual barrier. Trousers are pants and pants are underwear, lifts are elevators and lorries are trucks, chips are fries and crisps are chips, rubbers are erasers (NOT CONDOMS!), “murdering an Indian” is not a racist act of violence but voraciously eating a curry, and cheers is a catch-all phrase that can mean thank you or fuck off depending on the tone of voice. Pronunciation is different, accents vary (see below…), and I have frequently had no idea what people are talking about. The language barrier is real and present and it is not as easy as English-speaking foreigners think it is.

14) There is no one “British accent”

One of the biggest shocks of living in England is realizing that there is no one single “British accent” that much of the rest of the world thinks exists. While yes, you can easily tell that Scottish accents aren’t the same as English accents, it’s worth knowing that there are literally thousands of “British” accents in England. Adam and I met once met a guy in Montenegro and within about 10 seconds of this guy opening his mouth, Adam leans over to me and says, “he’s from about 20 minutes of where I’m from.” How did he know that?!? Because English accents are incredibly localized, and the accent will change possibly every mile depending on where you are. People from Liverpool sound nothing like people in Cornwall, people from Derbyshire will sound completely different to people from Yorkshire, and people from Newcastle sound like they’re speaking a different language altogether (sorry Geordies). I struggled for weeks understanding one of my managers’ accents (and sometimes I still have to ask two or three times what she said). The accents are incredibly diverse for a country as geographically small as Britain.

During my year in Nottingham, I was able to identify Northern and Southern accents. That was about it. Now, I can sometimes tell a Scouse (Liverpool) or Brummie (Birmingham) accent. I know a Geordie (Newcastle) accent only because I honestly can’t understand a single word that’s being said. That’s about as far as I’ve gotten. So if you think you “know” a British accent, you’re wrong—there’s too many of them to ever try to know.

15) Nothing is open late, and major stores that sell everything don’t really exist

This is pretty common to most places in Europe, but as it’s a major frustration for me sometimes, I wanted to include it on this list anyway (my blog, I can do what I want). Even in a large town like York, it’s hard to get things done or go shopping in the evenings. Most businesses in town close around 5:00pm, with a handful of stores staying open to 7:00pm or so. I’m used to being able to go to Target until 10:00pm and buy literally everything I need there. Luckily, most supermarkets are open in the evening (until 10:00pm or so), and corner shops or small locations of big-name chains (like Tesco and Sainsburys) will be open late as well. But everything closes early on Sundays—so good luck buying groceries at a supermarket after 4:00pm.

Also, there are no giant superstores that sell everything you need. There is no Target equivalent. In order to do all your shopping, you’d need to go to Primark (for clothes), Boots (for toiletries/pharmacy things/makeup), and your local Tesco/Sainsburys/Morrisons (for food). So often I have to ask the question of “where can I buy this one specific thing?” Because there is no Target where you can buy everything all in one. Again, this is common across Europe (you’ll need to go to a butcher, a bakery, and a veg market to buy all your food), but it can still be really frustrating. I miss Target everyday.

So there you have it. 15 harsh truths about living in England. One final thing? Regardless of whether you’re in England or anywhere else around the world, living abroad is lonely. It can be so incredibly lonely when you’re in a foreign country, in a culture that isn’t your own, especially if you don’t speak the local language and only know other foreigners (as opposed to knowing locals).

Living abroad is hard. It is not the “perfect” life people might assume it is from social media or Hollywood movies. It’s really, really hard. I am in a constant state of missing people and things. I miss my family and my friends, I miss Taco Bell and Target, I miss driving the streets of my neighborhood in my beautiful, beloved Minneapolis.

Whether you’re in England or somewhere else around the world, taking the step to live abroad will definitely bring challenges. These are 15 things that I wish I had known or understood before I moved abroad—and I hope it offers a different perspective, for both Americans, Brits, and people around the world.

EDIT: This is now one of my most popular blog posts of all time. I wrote it at a time in my life when I was struggling daily with pretty much all of the factors discussed in this post. I was also insanely homesick during the months writing this and immediately after it was published. Over the past ~two years since this was published, I have adjusted in a lot of ways, and things have (generally) just gotten better. A huge part of this is having a full-time job with a stable income. I worry less about council tax now that I have the money to pay it each month. I don’t need to stress about finding a job as a foreigner, because I have a good full-time job.

I still struggle, particularly with visa processes, as the Windrush scandal has caused any faith I had in the UK government and the Home Office to evaporate. The UK even issused a forcible deporation order to a woman in a coma . The very real anxiety about visas and my right to be here (and my ability to live with my husband) is something I don’t ever feel will go away. It weighs down on me every single day.

That being said, I do intend to stay here. After the intial shocks and struggles, I do find life much more comfortable than I did when I wrote this post. My visa extension was recently accepted, and I plan on being here long-term. Although, I do still need to get my UK driving license!!

You might also like my posts:

3 Years Of Living In England: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

What I’ve Learned About British Culture After 2 Years Living In England

What I Wish I Knew Before I Moved Abroad

5 Years Since Nottingham: Reflections On My Study Abroad

Have you ever lived in a foreign country before? What was your experience like? What things did you find most difficult? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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119 thoughts on “ 15 harsh truths about living in england ”.

Enlightening! I had a great experience in the Luther Nottingham Program and I’ve been guilty of romanticizing the ex-pat experience since I returned to the US. Thanks for the reminder that life is challenging no matter where you find yourself.

Thanks so much for reading, Madi! I also had a great experience with the Nottingham Program, and maybe that’s what’s made a lot of these things feel so unexpected–especially since studying abroad and living abroad are so completely different. I’m definitely glad I didn’t have to pay council tax for the Notts flat!!

This article really resonated with me. I came to the UK 16 years ago and I still haven’t managed to be happy here. I am an EU national and so is my partner. Since the 2016 referendum, the mood and attitudes really changed. It used to be a fairly open country with opportunities and that was the main reason for coming here. The xenophobia / racism issue has become a real thing. The economy took a turn for the worse and I’m frankly struggling to find a reason to stay here. The point about the weather is an important one as it does drain you, but also the fact that if you are not into pubs and drinking, life can be very boring here. Like you I love a good hike and being in nature but where we are down south, you have to travel quite a bit to find a good-ish place. Sadly, the only happy memories I have of the last 16 years all happened outside of the UK whilst on holiday abroad.

Hi Pauline, thanks so much for reading and for your comment. I’m sorry to hear you’ve struggled here as well but I hope you feel a bit better knowing you’re certainly not the only one who feels this way. Best wishes to you! 🙂

I enjoyed the post, though I have never considered that life in the UK is challenging. My tips: You should never buy a car from a person who lives in Milton Keynes due to the amount of roundabouts. Hemel has a magic roundabout you can go around clockwise or anti clockwise- you choose!

The NHS is amazing once you are ‘in the system’. Book your next appointment every time you use the dentist.

Only the city centres have big litter problems, market towns and villages are generaĺy spotless apart from the ever present MacDonalds bahs tossed from cars.

The apple generaĺy doesn’t drop far from the tree and British people don’t move far from home. The North / South divide is a real thing… Watford gap is seen as an unofficial barrier.

When the sun shines avoid the coast as it is rammed! Don’t travel on or near Bank Holidays. Avoid going on holiday during the school holidays.

There is no such thing as bad weather….just take the right kit /coat / fuĺl waterproofs / shorts / jumper and a hat! Everything is better when the sun shines.

The next generation is more tollerant and less racist than the last.

Shop smaĺl and local. Find the best butcher / baker / coffeshop/ tearoom /pub / curry house / restaurant you can. Avoid the multinationals and chains. Re visit the ones you like. If you didn’t like it find a better place. Personal reccomendations are the best way to expand your favourites.

Find a beer you like. Enjoy trying to find it. Some are awfull. Some are ok. Write down the ones you like and seek them out. The same goes for people and places.

Enjoy the best bits.

I hope the positives soon outweigh the downsides

Robert, thank you so much not just for reading, but for such a wonderful and thoughtful comment. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. Some of your tips I sort of know, and others I will be sure to keep in mind! Especially about avoiding the seaside, I went to Scarborough on a warm, sunny, Sunday in April–it was absolutely packed and a bit awful. Thank you for this comment 🙂

Britain is a a “shitshow”. It is devided and conquered by the narccistic class system, which very much has not gone away! The British are indifferent and selfish. The only thing that has changed is that it just gets worse ! I really wish there where some good things to say about it but there simply is not . There are far better more civilised countrys in Europe than this dirty little – daily mail reading – pig of – a – nation ! Truly deplorable HATEFUL COUNTRY.

Hi Gary, I do agree with you that the class system in Britain is insanely frustrating – especially since people here “refuse to talk about money” yet judge everyone else on how much money you have/earn!! There are some good things though, even if it’s hard to remember them – I wrote a more recent post sharing both good and bad here: https://www.awaywithmaja.com/3-years-living-in-england-good-bad-ugly/

After reading your very interesting and enlightening article I cant help thinking you are possibly living in the wrong country, there is always the option of living somewhere where yourself feels a little more comfortable.

Thanks for reading! I have loved England for what seems like forever, and since I moved to study abroad I have always felt like England is where I’m meant to be. Especially as I feel like I don’t entirely fit in in my home country (the US) anymore–and moving abroad just because you want to (as opposed for work or family) is nearly impossible! Sometimes the frustrations of living abroad can just be overwhelming. I am glad you found a different perspective from this post! 🙂

Dear Maja, I read every word and love “going on” adventures with you! My prayer for you is that you find contentment wherever you are, that you see each day as a gift, and sleep each night with knowing you just spent one of your days as one worth worth living for. Kelsie calls me the happiest person she knows, which is sweet. Some of that is that I do just have a natural happy outlook and the other part is that I CHOOSE to be happy. You are such a wonderful, talented young woman and you have so much to give others. I pray that in these simple acts of service, that you will find deep joy. Love you, sweet Maja, can’t wait to see you and Adam at Christmas!! Kathleen

Thank you so much Aunt Kathleen! It can be so hard sometimes to keep a positive attitude. I can’t wait to see you and everyone else at Christmas!! 🙂

Thank you so much for posting this! This is so well said and something I didn’t think about at all. Especially the language barrier. And the trash! what an eye opener. It’s so important to share how we really feel.

I agree, sharing both the good and the bad (whether it’s living abroad or anything else in life) is so important! Thanks so much for reading! 🙂

[…] wrote an honest and very difficult post about most of the downs. You can go ahead and read about my 15 Harsh Truths About Living In England. But this year, I wanted to share something a bit different on this big […]

Really interesting observations. There are lots of things here that I recognise in various ways (including the complexity of driving on the wrong side of the road – but for me that is the US and Europe!). Reading your comments about racism and language/accents, and the desire to travel to England, made me think about my first visit to the UK.

This was my first foreign travel (if I leave out Australia – which like many New Zealanders I think of as more like an extension of home than a foreign country). However, I did not think of myself as a foreigner. Both sides of my family are made up of English, Scottish or Irish going back many generations. The last 4 or 5 generations were in New Zealand, a former colony and a current member of the Commonwealth. But that shouldn’t matter should it? It turns out that it really does though!

When I arrived at Heathrow I looked around to find the appropriate queue for immigration. It took a while for it to sink in that my queue was labelled “aliens”. Far from being a long lost son returning to the Motherland I quickly discovered that I was a true foreigner, with a funny accent and who had to be questioned vigorously to make sure I was going to leave again quickly! I should stress that I am very happy to be a New Zealander but I clearly remember how surprised I was to be confronted with the “alien” label 🙂 And then there was the abject rudeness of the immigration staff – another shock for the long distant colonial!

Love your blog! It is excellent. Look forward to reading more.

Thanks so much John! I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. I often feel unwelcome by border staff coming through airports, despite the fact that I’ve paid a lot of money in order to live here! It makes a huge difference in a first impression. And I’m glad I’m not the only person who has struggled trying to drive on a different side of the road! Thanks for sharing your thoughts – a really interesting perspective! 🙂

[…] 2-years-living-in-England-a-versary. Last year was pretty hard for me. And when I had my first anniversary of moving to the UK, things were pretty dark. And my blog post reflected that. This time this October, it was much […]

[…] in England for over two years now. Time has flown by! It certainly hasn’t been easy—it’s been way harder than I ever thought it would be. There’s a lot of things about my life that have changed. Some for the better, some for the […]

[…] dream.” I’ve been honest about that—it’s not always amazing. There are a lot of things that suck about living in England. There are a lot of things that are hard about living abroad. I don’t mean to write this post now […]

[…] already talked about how hard it can be living in England. And experiencing this kind of racism and this hateful discrimination makes it even harder. I’m […]

You are so right.

Brits are INCREDIBLY racist. Being polite is just this veneer for passive-aggression where you have about 5 minute window before they start being covertly hostile.

Micro-aggression. “Where are you from?”, “When are you going back?” As a high-context culture, they don’t even recognize their own passive-aggression. They have no idea what micro-aggression is because they live in this culture that THRIVES on people rejecting each other and being lonely and desperately wanting to make friends but setting so many conditions on what the person should be like, what their job should be, what is their background, so for and so on.

And I swear, there is this such an ugly part of England where people constantly reject each other, it’s like they get their kicks by doing so.

It’s also a society that is VERY status and money conscious (only one never talks about money because that is vulgar), it seems that Brits all care about looks, money, status, what part of the city you live in, as if that’s your true value of being a person.

Also English men are assholes.

Nevermind the fact that suicide rate in England is number one killer for men, but they would rather “put you in your place” than try and be in a relationship with you on an equal footing.

I found that British men are so keen to get to have sex with you (they will never say it) and they keep badgering you about it and putting pressure on you, but if you do, they will be assholes about it, gossiping, spreading rumors afterwards, destroying your reputation. Fine, but why do you pressure women so much to be with you if you won’t at least try to do the right thing and you’re keen to betray her from the get-go.

I also found that British peer-pressure is incredibly powerful. After living here for a while, I found myself saying stuff (subconsciously) to sound more English, becoming more uptight, using British English and even valuing all the external things and being very materialistic. And for the record, I knew who I was and what I valued, but somehow you become like them even without being consciously aware of it.

Oh and the thing about immigrants, when Brits live in Spain, they call themselves EXPATS just so they could have that status they crave very much, even though they “moan” and complain and spread their negativity and create British cultures overseas. And let’s not forget the culture of BACKSTABBING and treachery. From macro-scale like English history and royalty to Brexit to just day-to-day life where it’s perfectly normal to have FRIENEMES and people who put you down only to say “oh sorry love, didn’t mean it like that, you misunderstood”.

It’s also a culture of pseudo-intellectuals, and how everyone talks about being polite, but is hateful behind closed doors and blames their problems on literally EVERY EUROPEAN COUNTRY, while it’s okay for Tories to go on Instagram and show off their Mercedes and their house in Marbella (of course, those are not the people to blame for British economy, but immigrants! From everywhere!).

Brits hate EVERYONE. I can’t tell you how many times someone shut me out of a conversation as soon as my background wasn’t right or something about me wasn’t EXACTLY WHAT THEY EXPECTED IN A FRIEND OF AS HIGH NETWORTH, they’d give me the silent treatment.

And it just doesn’t make any sense, wanting to be this Empire and yet discriminating against EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

One of the worst times of my life was dating British men. That was the time I felt energy sapping out of me and vitality being drained because there was this sadistic part of the English where they get a kick out of rejecting you and shutting you down. Don’t ever make the same mistake I did and let them convince you are are less than because you are different.

I also want to say that not all Brits are like that, but I perhaps met 3 decent Brits in my entire life and the rest were assholes.

Great that London is a cultural mecca and that there are plenty of things to see, but it’s not like it’s accessible to an average person with 1,700 pounds per month living there.

And lastly, I don’t know what Brits would do with social media, omg how they love their TWITTER (to moan and spread negativity), Instagram (to compare and feel bad about each other), I think that people buy into this myth of a cultured country. Politeness followed by micro-aggression and fake friends?

Who needs that? It’s so much wasted time and energy trying to be friends with Brits. Hateful racists. Who needs fake friends? They talk a lot about culture but know little about being a human being.

Hi Cory, thank you so much for your comment. So many things you mentioned, all I can say is YES! The microaggressions (“how long are you here for?”), the obsession with money and status (but of course never talking about money), the passive-aggressiveness and sheer volume of fake social interactions (and frenemies everywhere), the poor political decisions that result in serious consequences which immigrants blamed for, the insane cost of living (especially in London), and the constant double standards…. It isn’t easy, that’s for sure.

I’m also so sorry to hear about your encounters with British men. My husband is English and he’s the greatest guy I know. But in a very short period of being single living in England, dating was difficult and it really sucks that you had some bad experiences! I found that so many guys couldn’t be honest (whether they did like you or they didn’t), and it felt more like playing a game of who-can-care-least (which I definitely know in the US but not to the same level here) which I don’t think is fun or productive. I’m lucky to know many amazing British people, but have also unfortunately encountered some who are not.

I’m heading over to your blog to give it a read now! I hope you’re doing well. If you ever happen to be passing through York, let me know – I’d love to meet for a coffee! 🙂

I can relate to this post somewhat. I am from New Hampshire and I moved to the UK to join my husband in April 2019. But, this is not my first go around. I lived here with him from 2002-2005. And we’ve been going back and forth for almost 25 years. I must be quite a bit older than you. (I’m 42 now) So, I had a pretty good idea of what I was getting myself into with this latest move. However, what is different about this move is now I have my 6 year old daughter with me and we have to make the best life for her that we can. I am noticing that the wait lists for activities for her are ridiculously long. In the USA we had her in Girl Scouts. Here in the UK it is Girl Guides, but I could not get her in a troop. I was told by the leaders that the troops have 2 year long wait lists. Last September I was able to sign her up for a gymnastics class one day in advance. Here, gymnastics is just like girl guides, the wait list is 2 years long. Our nearest ice skating rink is 50 miles away. And 50 miles in the UK is different from 50 miles in the USA. That would take a very long time – so no more skating lessons 😦 The classroom sizes at her school are much larger than in New Hampshire. In the USA it was 18-19 kids per class. Here it is 26-30 kids! After some extensive searching online, I can see that summer camps do exist in the UK. But they are few and far between. Most look like they are in leisure centers. (not actually outdoorsy camps like we have in USA) And none are close enough to us to be a viable option. Day camps and overnight camps in the USA are awesome! We had numerous amazing camps to choose from near where we lived in New Hampshire. : YMCA camps, girl scout camps with the typical camp experiences with swimming and boating on a lake, tents, archery, crafts, etc. etc. It’s good for a child’s soul. The UK needs more camps! I am seriously concerned about what we are going to do for my daughter during the summer when I find a full time job. We live in Dorset in an area with a combined population of nearly 400,000 people in 3 adjoining towns. Despite the large population that you would hope would generate programs…all the activities that I would wish for are non-existent or inaccessible.

In terms of some of the other things on your list: Council Tax is like property tax. I think all states in the USA have property tax. If you were always a renter, you might not have realized you were paying property tax, because the landlord was paying it for you — but you were really paying it to the landlord as part of your rent. I have paid property tax in a few states, and I find that the property taxes in the USA and Council tax rates are nearly equivalent. But I’ve lived in expensive New England states, and of course it’s not the same everywhere. Now… if the rent you are paying here in the UK is much higher than what you were paying in the USA and on top of that you are also paying Council Tax it may seem like a huge burden to you. If that’s the case then the issue is really just that the Cost of Living in the UK is higher. In general I agree that income taxes are more fair than property taxes, and that applies to both the USA and UK. It is not fair for a little old lady with very little income to pay increasingly large property tax when the market value of her home continues to increase through no fault of her own.

Paying 600 pounds as part of your visa is very very cheap for health care. Your visa I assume was for a period of at least 2 years. Was it 2.5 years? That means you were paying less than 300 pounds a year for healthcare. Most Americans pay that for a premium for one month. Even my Obamacare premium was more than that for just one month. And the monthly premium is just the start of it – it doesn’t include all of the bills you receive after your doctor visit for the amount that the insurance won’t cover. And prescription drugs which could be as much as $1000 a month if not a generic. I have had to wait a month or more for routine physical appointments here in the USA. In both the UK and USA they schedule routine non-urgent appointments further out to make sure there is always room in the schedule for same day appointments for urgent visits.

The Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s in our town has pretty much everything under one roof. Clothes, toiletries, electronics,food, etc. Our Tesco is open 24 hours.

I agree – public transportation is just too expensive in the UK. I also find people in the UK in general to be more judgmental and status oriented. I know there were a lot of racial slurs being shouted out at football matches last time I went. I think the football club has a zero tolerance policy for racism, but if no staff member/safety officer catches it,people get away with it. I find myself yearning for my multicultural home town. I wish there were more varying skin tones in my daughter’s class room at school. I miss the people from the Dominican Republic, Brasil, Cambodia, etc. etc.

I have met with some anti-American sentiment as well. I just ignore it.

We only just moved back 2 months ago and I have some major regrets. But, then again. We have amazing friends here. the country side is so beautiful We can walk to the beach from our house. We can take a ferry to france. All of Europe is so accessible. Very cheap flights. The history and traditions in the UK are just great. We are going to stick with it. We will continue to seek opportunities for my daughter. Are you sticking it out? I realize this post was 2 years ago.

Hi Amanda, thanks very much for your insightful comment! I don’t have kids (and don’t plan on it in future) so your experience with camps/activities is really interesting. I didn’t know there weren’t very many “summer camps” as we would be used to it in the UK! Or how long the waiting lists for activities are!! That seems just crazy to me.

I originally paid £600 for the NHS for 2.5 years of my visa, and as they have now doubled the cost I recently paid £1000 for the NHS in my most recent visa application. This is extremely affordable compared the the US, I know! But my major qualm is that I pay for that through the taxes I pay from my earnings, and it feels unfair to have to pay for it twice over – and when there are many people in the UK who don’t pay anything towards the NHS at all (ie. people who don’t earn an income in the UK). I am more than happy to pay for healthcare so that everyone who needs it has access to it! But to me, it is just one more system that makes life more difficult here for foreigners.

I also grew up in a very diverse city and went to diverse schools growing up. Living in York, where the main demographic is predominantly (white) British, I especially miss the multiculturalism I grew up with and experienced when I studied abroad in Nottingham for a year.

There are so many positives to life in the UK like you say – traveling is my greatest passion (hence the travel blog!) and the opportunities (and affordability) of traveling to different places in Europe is amazing. I wrote this post nearly 2 years ago at what was one of the worst times of my life (in case you couldn’t tell…!). As I’ve applied and paid to renew my visa for another 2.5 years, we want to stick it out so that I can get Indefinite Leave to Remain. I’ve put so much money towards permanent residency already, I feel like I’d be quitting and losing out on the money spent on my first visa application if we moved away (if that makes sense). My husband and I also have full-time jobs (I’m about one year into a new career) and so staying in the UK is much easier for the time being.

Again, thanks so much for your very honest comment. I really appreciate it! I wish you the best of luck as you transition back to life in the UK again! 🙂

[…] no small feat—there are times when literally everything will be hard. I have struggled a lot, and I haven’t kept that a secret. In order to survive living abroad, where every day can be a flurry of activity and cultural […]

Hi maja I do feel bad for you and for me I grew up just outside of London honestly this country is a joke and not a funny one. Our whole ideology the way think is wrong. The way we go out about our business is wrong. There is no patroism any more we don’t come together for anything which is why all our sports teams fail like football rugby. The way we socialize is wrong it’s like we are talking to each other waiting for someone to say something that is out of place without really listening is exhausting🤭 england is not the place to be it’s a dream an illusion!! Ex military soldiers homeless because thet have been failed.Fake homelessness is in record number poncing money off hard working people. Which gives real homeless people not a chance. Most woman you talk to on a night out clubbing or at a pub have grams of coke up there nose. And seems like the only way to get to know them is if your drug addict or dealer. Men on a night hoping for a fight as they can handle their drink or don’t know their limits. NHS is a sham I don’t want to get started on that. 0 hour contracts 😡 which is why work in family business. Even I have lots of work tickets and qualifications. The working class hate the middle class even though most middle class hates upper class. People leave stupid reviews on Great restaurants for bad customer service when read the review it’s totally ridiculous. So people are going to shit restaurants that overpriced. MONEY talks! Another an illusion is that people who talk about money have money in the bank well they fucking don’t just more bullshit. So you get shit Advise from old fuckers at pub who dont work and have never really worked that they are successful🤭 sorry for babling Maja lol honestly just another shite experience at the GP Honeslty if you want to know what’s really going on this country. Talk to me 👍

Hi Jack, thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear about your struggles, and I hope things improve for you!

I’m British and have lived in England my whole life. I am quite well travelled though, so understand what other countries are like. Every place has its good and bad points, although some of the things you say are absolutely true ! What I can honestly say is that most British people like Americans and are very interested to meet them.

Hi Peter, thanks for your comment! I agree with what you said, I’ve had positive experiences with the majority of British people I’ve met – unfortunately it’s the actions of some awful people that are more memorable than the positives. Which was definitely the case for me when I wrote this post! Thanks for reading! 🙂

[…] I published a huge blog post about the reality of life in England. You can read it here: 15 Harsh Truths About Living In England. For whatever reason, it is now my most popular blog post and gets thousands of views every month. […]

Im moving to the UK soon and after reading this post, Im feeling incredibly stressed and overwhelmed. Currently, Im a student. How is the education there?

Hi Luca, it can be tough living in the UK as a foreigner (hence the post), but moving to another country can also be a very transformative and educational experience in and of itself 🙂 The education is good (in my opinion), although professors at universities don’t tend to notice or care about individual students. (This was a huge difference to my college in the US where all my professors at least knew my name!) Most British students are focused on partying as much as possible, something to be aware of if you don’t want to drink/party all the time. Good luck! 🙂

Thank you so much for this post. Especially 7 and 10. I’m British, never ever felt like I belonged (due to family of origin) largely due to 7 and 10 and was absolutely overjoyed when an opportunity came up to live overseas. Unfortunately I’m now back in the UK, still can’t stand the place (although of course it does have its positives) and I have family responsibilities that make me feel like I’m stuck here. I don’t know how to get out. British friends don’t seem to understand what my problem is, but then I don’t think they’ve ever really lived anywhere else they’d rather be.

Hi Carol, thanks so much for reading and for your comment. It can definitely be hard to explain your perspective to others who have never lived anywhere else! I hope you can find and appreciate some positives during a time that I’m sure is tough for you. Best wishes to you! 🙂

Hi Maja. I enjoyed reading your comments about accents. I live not far from you in Durham. The comments reminded me of a family get together we had a few years back. Myself, my sister and my mother were there and we are all from Durham. My uncle who is from here but moved to Hull where he went to uni and met my Scouse auntie were also there. My cousins who have Mancunian accents were there. Then my second cousins who are all from central London came to the party a little bit late! And then my uncle’s friends came up from Somerset! When everyone was talking at the same time once the night went on, the only way I can describe it was noise! I estimate maybe 10 different accents that night! And on top of all that, each county can have different accents. My mam and her partner were raised about 2 mile away from each other and have totally different accents! And also Durham is like a soft Geordie accent, not quite as harsh, but to anyone down south we’re all Geordies. Yes it’s a very diverse country when it comes to accents, I wouldn’t even like to guess how many different accents there are! A LOT!

Oh and one final thing, if you’re struggling to understand Geordies, you can buy a book from Amazon called ‘Larn Yesel’ Geordie’. Priced at £3.50.

Kind regards 😊

Thanks so much for reading, Neil! The variety of the accents are still boggling to me – unfortunately I still haven’t masterd much Geordie yet so I might need to check out that book 😉

I couldn’t agree more on what you have written. I am doing my master for just a year in the UK, Liverpool to be precise. I moved here not long ago, September 2019. This is not the first time for me being away from home but it feels so different. I just couldn’t feel emotionally connected with England. Not at all. It has been 4 months and I am still struggling adapting my life to the university system (so stressful), the weather, the people, the loneliness. I get so depressed when everyday from 6-9pm.

I left home since I was 17 to Malaysia to do my degree then landed a job and worked there for 4 years. It was totally fine. I dont remember feeling depressed or struggled adjusting my life there. But in Liverpool? I just can’t. Sometime I burst into tears. I can’t wait to end my master in this September. Seriously I had never thought it would turn out this way. I had always have a dream to pursue my higher education here but everything turned out the opposite way.

I am glad I am not the only one who feels this way. I hope you are doing fine :). Thanks for the great article.

Hi Lily, thanks so much for reading. I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling – it’s definitely not easy and I can understand exactly just how difficult it is. While I’m sure it won’t help short-term, it must be nice knowing that when you finish the Masters there will be a change on the horizon! Things are much better for me now that I have a stable full-time job 🙂 best wishes to you and good luck!!

I’m a Brit. Living in the USA. All your complaints apply to many states. In particular, California. I can’t vote. California is more disgusting than the U.K. for trash. Americans are obnoxious and self centered pretty much every where I go. I’ve been here 14 years. I don’t think much of what you have said applies solely to the U.K. the United States is the same. I make friends with other Europeans because they are actually “real”. Californians are fake. Oregonians are self righteous. Texans loud and rude. So many states and so many different accents and cultures – not all good. Healthcare – expensive and really not that great depending on the plan you are on. Where I am now in Oregon, it’s taken me 2.5 months to get into the local doctor. So I have to utilize urgent care.

I don’t think the problem is the U.K. or the USA. It’s you and I. You might just be resistant to change. Resistant to different. It’s hard being the “different” one.

When you walk in with rose tinted glasses you are destined for disappointment.

Hi Jane, thanks for reading and your comment. I’m sorry to hear your struggles living in the US, but it’s an interesting perspective. You are spot on that walking in with rose tinted glasses will lead to disappointment – I was very naive about a lot of issues when I moved to the UK. Hence the blog post. This was written several years ago and a lot has changed in my life and my perspectives of life in the UK since this post was originally published.

honey, just so u know, America is a country made up of immigrants and it’s proud of it- of course it has its past but every year this country lets in over a million people- thank you for the post it was valuable information but just keep that it mind- also remember that American can’t let it the whole world or else lawlessness would ensue- borders are part of what define a country- from a black person with african ancestry

Thanks for reading but I’m a bit confused about your comment – this entire post is living about England and my experiences of life in the UK, not focused on American at all.

I lived in England for a bit when I was a kid (Windsor) and I just missed Chick-Fil-A and being able to understand what people said. I can agree with you on having to buy everything in separate places though – the only difference is that I really enjoyed it. Because my dad would take our only car, my Mum, me, and my brothers would all go to the Main Street (it sound like something out of an Enid Blyton novel but I swear we had a Main Street) and spend the afternoon at The grocery stores and clothing stores and our favourite – TK Max! I always viewed it as a fun outing although it makes sense how it would be frustrating. Also, the viewpoint of England as as child must be very different as an adult.

Thanks for reading Jo, that’s interesting to hear what living in England was like as a kid!

Maja I have been living in London for the last 7 years and it’s gone from bad to completely shambolic. I relate with this post. Everything. I am originally from Sydney, Australia and can’t believe how racist people are here and it really gets to me. I thought Australians in some rural and remote regions were worse but it makes me love and respect my country even more. We won’t be staying here permanently and will be going back to Australia. Thank you for sharing. Your honesty and openness is refreshing.

Hi Anita, thanks for your comment. I wrote this post several years ago but unfortunately I feel the same as you, things have only gotten worse here even since writing this post… and I don’t see them improving during the current pandemic and aftermath of whatever follows. Thank you for reading and best wishes to you in the future, wherever life may bring you 🙂

Great ) a good read thank you

Thanks for reading 🙂

[…] in the park, and if you live abroad you will undoubtedly struggle at some point in time. I have definitely struggled. For me, one of my biggest challenges since I moved to the UK in October 2016 has been […]

This is exactly how immigrants feel when they come to the states, me being one of them … but I wouldn’t have it any other way I love America

Hi Josh, thanks for your comment. Living in another country I’m sure has similarities wherever you are in the world! Best wishes to you 🙂

Hi, I have to say I agree with your post, especially the parts about racism/ xenophobia. It’s become tribal in this country and many are so dumbed down and have no interest in reading about what is going on in the government and the way their opinions have been manipulated. My sadness about how society “is” and the futility of trying to make positive change is only lessened by being around those with similar insights and empathetic and informed attitude. I simply avoid the racist and xenophobic people but when encountering them, instead of being polite and walking away, I literally blank them or make a point to show I’m not one to be hoodwinked (nowadays). It is essential to surround oneself with sane and decent people – the media has to be sifted, adverts are aimed at the general thick population so are generally awful to watch, we are overcrowded and taught to accept a very poor quality of life, and at the same time are taught to be generally condescending to anyone who doesn’t follow a very simplistic and minion like mindset. Classic “divide and conquer”. Quirkiness, free spirited thoughts are judged as fake, but passive aggressiveness is deemed absolutely normal and what’s worse, is encouraged everywhere! You can be a millionaire here but never get away from this toxic atmosphere. And I’m white British, “middle class”, always have been. Wish I wasn’t!

Hi, thanks for reading and for your comment. Unfortunately I understand exactly what you mean – I’ve particularly felt like the racism and xenophobia in the UK has become even more widespread in the last few years. I’m unsure of what the future brings but I can hope that things will (someday) get better. Best wishes to you!

Been here for 18 months and we are seeing the opposite of what most immigrants do: instead of things getting better around this mark, it seems that things are getting worse. I question daily if we should wait it out (and pay the insane ILR and citizenship fees) and then decide to move again, or if we should get out now. Job titles seem so intimidating and work culture has been toxic so far, pay is not good, not at all. I am shocked that the UK has such low salaries compared to the rest of the world, especially when houses are so expensive. I am really torn.

Hi JJ, thanks for reading. I understand completely how tough things can be – but I can’t imagine if the pandemic had happened so soon after I moved! It is hard when the visa costs/fees to live here are so expensive (and average wages are low). I hope you can find peace in whatever you decide to do 🙂

Hi Maja, so funny enough I am also from Minneapolis area (White Bear to be technical) and my long term boyfriend is from the UK. Long story short, him and I struggle a lot on deciding which country we will live in long term. Currently he is living in America and in a year or so he will have American citizenship. I really struggled with liking the UK…. when I went for a 3 month visit when he was in college there were many things I didn’t like. A lot of the things you listed I have issues with and its hard for me to really want to settle down in the UK. So I was googling about moving to the UK and found your blog!! I am sooo sad I didn’t find this years ago!! Anyways, I would much rather stay in Minnesota. With the recent racial issues and the economy in the tank due to Covid and George Floyd my boyfriend really thinks that the UK would be the best to raise a family and settle down. While (I am black female), I get his point but it seems impossible to move there. I would love to get your up to date thoughts and opinions on your time in the UK.

Hi Jasmine, thanks so much for your comment and for reading the post! This post was written in 2017 during probably the worst time in my entire life. I have a bit more nuanced post that I wrote last year that you might find useful/interesting/amusing! It’s here: https://www.awaywithmaja.com/3-years-living-in-england-good-bad-ugly/

Ultimately, I can’t really say what’s best for you – only you guys can know that and decide. But I got your message on Facebook so will message you back on there 🙂

I’m quite irritated with what you have written Jane… Just because what Maja describes is what you experience In the US….. Does not mean it does not hold true for the United Kingdom…. I reckon in my personal experiences all of the country’s in the Anglo sphere are fake…. brits are antagonistic unlike the yanks and just as fake as they are….. We are classist…. I used to live in the Us as a teen I had horrible experiences living there with a thick lower class London accent .. The women there adored it yeah…. But besides that it was quite shit…..i hated Americans but when I think of it they are better then the brits….

Hi Avinoam, thanks for reading and for your comment. There are certainly difficulties living in both the UK and the US. This post was written several years ago and a lot has changed both in my life in the UK and my perspective on living here since then!

Me and my family (husband and daughter) are fighting over my current company to provide me a visa sponsorship to have our UK dream become a reality. I’ve been watching Pros and Cons of living in the UK and by far this is the most brutally honest blog I’ve read. But I think as an Expat living in another country would somehow have racism, cultural differences, language barrier and all other disadvantages you could think of. All must just need to be prepared and be extra patient with the new place you’ll be living in. Always check the positive vibes in the area, do what you need to do, make friends and enjoy the new life you have.

Hi Grace, thanks for reading and for your comment. This post is nearly 3 years old and lots has changed since then! I think there are always challenges or unexpected cultural differences when you move somewhere new. Good luck to you!

A great buy sadly unsurprising post. I’m not sure how I landed on this but it could have been one of my many, habitual, daily, fatalistic google searches including ‘extremely bad life but no help england’. I’m sorry to hear your negative experience of England but it doesn’t shock me at all. I’m a British born but full ethnic minority female, 25, still in this shithole city on lancashire and when I say I’m suffering and getting no help I mean it. I know it sounds dramatic but I’m having such a bad time in every aspect and the very paid professionals in authority who are supposed to help, do not actually do their job including the police, the nhs, the mental health services, the other so called helplines and more. As with every other day of my life, I’m sat up here, deeply distressed, not coping, suffering badly but having not been helped on numerous times of seeking support, I no longer ask for help. I just continue my hours of daily Internet browsing, seeking answers, trying to improve myself. I’ve never travelled so I can’t speak for other countries big I’m guessing I would have a much better quality of life so where far away, somewhere clean, somewhere better,somewhere with people who respect each other, somewhere I belong. Does such a pace exist? Anyway I’m going to blog about my tragedy of a life including what it’s really like to be a hidden, marginalised, unemployed, neglected ‘British’ (but not seen as such) woman especially in a time like this. Thanks Ish

Hi, thanks for your comment. I am so sorry to hear about your situation – I don’t really know what else ot say besides that you’re not alone, no matter how alone you might feel. Hang in there. I’m sure you’ve been on these sites before, but here are a few links: https://www.samaritans.org/ https://www.mind.org.uk/ https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

Thanks for your very intriguing post maja.

I can totally relate to the feeling you described in your post.

This is from someone immigrating from south africa to New Zealand. Although I am a permanent resident here which removes the visa anxiety i once had, I do tend to even after 5 years of living here still live with the loneliness and longing feeling.

I find that some people get over it a lot easier than others but in saying that have a friend that also migrated from sa and that has been in the country for more than 15 years which tells me he still experiences those feelings.

It’s a sense off loss and constant mourning almost. No one ever said immigrating is easy and whether you ever get to a place where you can happily say I’m content I often wonder.

The fact that you never really feel a part of anything is what I struggle with but in saying that the uk has a fascinating history which draws in a lot of different cultures and architecture that you can really fall into if your one history.

What you described in missing your home town and even shops etc is exactly the way I can describe my feelings and would suggest that it becomes more and more distant as time passes and you create new memories.

I’m not sure of you have children yet but I find it becomes even harder due to a person wanting to share your childhood to a certain extend with your children and also family, yet some feel different.

All I can say is and what I constantly remind myself is that it was a decision I made for a purpose and i wasnt forced into it. The world in the end remains your oyster for exploring and who knows there might be somewhere else that feels closer like home.

In the meantime I am still on the search for my place of content.where I can settle my roots and call home without considering other alternatives.

All the best with your journey and thanks again for your post it certainly brought back some memories of my time spend in the uk some 20 years back.

Thank you so much for reading, and for your comment and sharing your perspective. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who feels this way, and like you said it was a decision I purposefully made and the world is a huge, beautiful place. Thanks again 🙂

I’m sorry you’ve had so many negative experiences. I’m British but I totally agree with everything you said. British people really do think too highly of our/their country, like it’s the centre stage. And I absolutely deteste the NHS, it’s the worst free health system in Europe, and one of the things I’m happy to have left behind – I live abroad. There is alot of trash, racism, the weather’s rainy, the economy really is tanking etc haha. Living abroad for a husband really sucks sometimes, and it can amplify even the most minor of grievances. Keep on moaning and we’ll keep on listening. Hugs. xxx PS at least you can by jelly doughnuts – here in Japan, know what they put in doughnuts? Beans. Yup. Beans. That was a suprise…

Thank you for reading and for your comment. I wrote this post several years ago and while I’ve adjusted and do feel better about many things, a lot of aspects of life in the UK are still a struggle. Best wishes to you 🙂

I moved back to Uk, 2 months a ago, sold my home in California, car, gave most of my belongings away, mmy dog went to live with a good friend, who he knew, so is happy, as I got fear from Forest fires, state of America, well think I overreacted, big time. The last few months I see, I can’t do life here,driving looks too scary, weather, missing my friends. It’s hard during COVID, have exhausted staying with family, as I am so depressed, not sleeping, got meds but really wishes I had read this blog before, as I had rose tinted glasses, starting again at 60, but want to go back to California, it might have problems, guns, race riots, but it’s the life I know, can deal with,

Thank you for reading, I’m sorry to hear you have struggled here too. I can attest to how difficult driving here can be, but I managed to get my license and finally feel confident driving on the other side of the road! Hang in there and I wish you the best in the future 🙂

It’s funny how Dominic Cummings got 45 K pay rise, and how UNICEF feeds children of one of the richest countries in the world, but we are brainwashed into believing that it’s okay to be spiteful and hateful to people who look and act different. I am so ashamed that this is now our reputation.

Being English and lived most of my life in Australia, I applaud you for bringing this up. I’m ashamed that we are like this. I’m ashamed we are now known for being racist.

We don’t see ourselves as racist because in our (their) minds, racism is making overtly racist statements, it’s Ku Klax Klan and Alabama or calling Pakistani people “Paki” right to their face.

Racism here is withdrawing your support to people you profile based on their race, ethnicity, nationality, and even class – something that doesn’t sit well with me. It’s these constant jabs and covert hostility “Oh, funny, what are *you* doing here?” or “Where are *you* from?” things mean girls say to you in high school.

Or just the attitude, people rolling their eyes when you speak, treating you differently because you are different, or just shutting you out of work function without any reason given whatsoever so you can’t defend yourself.

Just because we don’t say it outright or just because we see seemingly inclusive programming on BBC, it doesn’t mean there’s no passive-aggressive behavior simply because you are different.

I am aware some people might comment how Australia is racist but it’s nowhere close to what I’ve seen my friends and my girlfriend experience in England. Racism is alive and well in England and anyone who’s lived here long enough can attest to nasty comments and covert hostility.

I’m ashamed that we are like this. I’m ashamed we are known for being racist.

Thank you so much for reading and your comment. I think it’s important to discuss and even though I’m very privileged, I’ve had the “what are *you* doing here?” comments on a weekly basis at some of my old jobs. It’s so difficult but I have to stay hopeful that the future will be better in time!

Hi Maja, thanks for this extremely insightful post. It’s amazing how active it is and the discussions are so current. I’ll start following your blog! I’ve been thinking of moving to UK from Asia but I’ve only started with some real research today. And I chanced upon your blog. Together with some other materials and website I’ve read, the cost and racism is daunting. Maybe I should stay where I am and visit UK as a tourist whenever possible.

Thank you for reading and I hope you found a different perspective from reading the post. Best wishes to do, whatever you decide to do!

What are you doing in the UK ? HAHAHHA WHAT A JOKE… Poland looks more modern than the UK. What a hole.. I wouldn’t live there for free.

I was born here but moved away aged 22. I spent 25 years in Italy and moved back here 8 years ago. I’m desperately unhappy and can find almost no reason to stay. As soon as I can afford to I’ll be leaving. Brexit has broken my heart and my spirit. The weather is so depressing I can’t begin to describe how it makes me feel. I cannot cope with the people, the culture (or lack thereof), the hubris and utterly inappropriate sense of superiority, the appalling health service (believe me, the Italian health service puts us to shame), the food which is the worst I’ve ever tasted, the education system which churns out illiterate, innumerate people for the most part (most people who have English as a second language express themselves better), my list goes on… I’m desperately homesick for Italy, with all its faults. If I stay here it’ll kill me… That’s not hyperbole, it’s the simple truth. I feel no desire to keep going while living here.

Hi Phil, thanks for your comment. I am so sorry to hear you are struggling, although it seems entirely understandable after such a lengthy period away. I’m wishing you nothing but the best, if you are having a tough time with mental health please don’t go through it alone, here are a few links that might help if you need it: https://www.samaritans.org/ https://www.mind.org.uk/ https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

on of the best blogs i have ever read it felt like i was in England you know . i have always wanted to live there but now that i have read your post i feel like i have to research more about it. Congrats wonderful essay

Hi, thanks for reading and for your comment – it was written several years ago but I hope it shares a different perspective!

So much of what you’re saying I already know as I’ve been married to a Brit for 17+ years. With that said, we’ve never actually lived in England before and are planning on moving there for good next year. I’m kinda terrified for many of the reasons you list (racism, weather, driving). I’ve already started mourning the loss of Target (while this may sound silly trust me, once you’ve experienced the joys of Target you’d understand). Although married to a Brit and have friends and family from all over the world, I’ve never made friends with British women and I’m worried I never will. Also not looking forward to fielding constant questions about the donald trump presidency and our own problems with racism. With that said, I’m thrilled to be moving closer to mainland Europe and all the travel possibilities (traveling is neither easy nor cheap in the States). Thanks for writing this article, I feel so incredibly seen.

Hi Amy, thanks for your comment – I completely understand about Target, I miss it so much here! I wrote this post a long time ago but I’m glad you found it useful. Best wishes to you! 🙂

Awesome block Maja, you really hit the nail on the head with everything about England that I don’t like either, its like you read mind and have expressed my thoughts and sentiments very eloquently here! I am an ethnic minority woman who lived in Canada for some years before moving to England. Though its been almost 14 years for me here and I am now a naturalised British citizen, I still feel out of place here, like I don’t really fit in or belong here. And the racism and xenophobia is very real, exactly as you said- some British people can be racist, its not always overt and can be quite subtle, just like you said the micro aggressions. I can’t ignore all the times where I’ve been into shops and supermarkets and noticed myself being treated and spoken to differently compared to white British folks, though I speak English fluently, its like they just don’t like that I sound and look different to them. And it doesn’t end there. The differential treatment spills over into other aspects of life too. If you’ve got kids, you’ll notice it subtly amongst school mums during kids extra curricular activities or even during the school run. I hate making generalizations, but most British women are so shallow, bitchy, arrogant and unwelcoming of those who look and sound different to them. I run into the same crowd of school parents on a daily basis for the last 4 years now during drop offs, and even after 4 years most of them still can’t say hi unless I say hi or smile first. It is obvious they have no interest in me and don’t want to know me, so I gave up. Now I just don’t bother making an effort like I did for the first 2 years, and just keep to myself. Off course there are a few exceptions and I’ve met a few lovely school mums who are white British, but these are few compared to the majority who find even a simple gesture of a hello or a smile to be asking for too much. It seems to be the parents of different ethnic or European backgrounds who i’ve noticed have better manners than most Brits. I had no idea before moving here how hard the British can be to befriend and how standoffish they are, and the whole race and class divisions between people are so pronounced here way more than I remember of in Canada many years ago. Unfortunately my experience of the British has not been positive. They are very close minded, judgemental and arrogant people for the most part who look down on others that are not like them. Thank you for your writing this as it echoes everything that I’ve secretly believed for a long time, but have never been able to express as I’ve hardly made any friends in this predominately white English town where I live.

Hi Sarah, thank you so much for reading and for your comment. I’m so sorry to hear about your experience, as a white American I know I’m one of the most privileged. I can’t imagine what it’s like having kids and being a parent, let alone dealing with what you’ve described! Best wishes to you for the future 🙂

I’m from Hull (near York) and totally agree with your points. It’s definitely hilarious hearing these from an American perspective. (I also lived in the US for a while so know all about the culture shock in another English speaking culture)

Unfortunately these downsides are all true and ever worsening.. I revisited home in 2019 after several years living abroad (I still have no desire to return permanently) and barely recognised it. Especially the unemployment, homelessness and poverty situation which is far worse than before and also the racism and xenophobia since the Brexit vote.

While there are some things I dearly miss from England such as the dry humour, sarcasm, bangers and mash, yorkshire puddings, a decent curry, salt and vinegar crisps, summer BBQs and the brilliant city of York (I wonder if the big ball guy is still a street performer there), I simply cannot see myself ever moving back.

A really good read for a Yorkshire native and hope it get’s better there!

Hi Jay, thanks so much for reading and for your comment. I wrote this post years ago and while things haven’t been great since the pandemic hit, I do feel like it’s gotten better for me 🙂 I live in York and while I know I’m biased, I truly think it’s the best city in the world – and yes, Man With Big Balls is definitely still doing street performances here! 😉

frankly, you must be mad. i’d give one of my limbs to live in america, or pretty much anywhere else. why would anyone choose to stay in (or even enter) the uk? the people are the worst. the money (all in a handful of people’s hands) rules everything. britain is the worst country on earth, by far.

I am British and have lived here all my life. Some of your points are very true (especially the one about the weather). I don’t think the comment about it being a dirty place with rubbish (garbage) on the streets is true however ! Depends where you live maybe- but I haven’t experienced too much of that in my area of the UK. London is not representative of the wider country- it feels like an entirely different place. When I visit there, i also feel like a foreigner !

Hi Colin, thanks for your comment! I’m sure it is dependent on where you live, but I find that a lot of cities here seem to just have lots of trash while smaller towns and villages don’t tend to have the same issue. Thanks for reading!

I think it’s sad how divisive so many of these comments are. Brits are racist, brits are passive aggressive, it’s a dirty country, there is rubbish everywhere… I think it’s wrong of people to put a whole nation under one umbrella. Are all Americans loud and obnoxious? No. As in all countries there are wonderful individuals and not so nice individuals and all the variations in between. I was born in England and have lived here most of my life. I lived in Australia for a year and was shocked by the racism there and how their indigenous people are treated. Am I therefore okay to say “Australians are racist” absolutely not. I met wonderful warm hearted people too and am proud to call them my friends. Please remember that Brexit was a shock for all the remainers and it has been unsettling since. We’re dealing with horrific politicians and a media empire to match winding people up every chance they get. However, there are beautiful places in England and wonderful people. Is there Racism, too much. Are all brits racist? Absolutely not. I would love to live some where hot but the British summers can be beautiful too. I don’t usually reply to blogs but there is a lot of hate going on here. I don’t read the Daily Mail, I’m not fake and neither are any of my friends and family. We’re trying to navigate (in our best way we can) a weird and unsettling time in British history. Don’t give hate a chance.

Thanks for reading and for your comment. I completely agree, and perhaps I need to add a distinction in that section of this post – no, not all Brits are racist, I am blessed to know so many kind and wonderful people here and it’s not fair to stereotype/judge a vast majority based on the actions of some. This post was written nearly 4 years ago during a very difficult period of my life, and some of my opinions and perspectives have definitely changed over the years 🙂

Here is what I noticed after 6 years of living in the UK. I will only cite the negatives but it is without doubt a great country with numerous positive aspects, apart from the specific following points (in my opinion): – weather: constant melancholic greyness that will affect your mental well-being sooner or later. Damp and cold climate leads to mould growth and respiratory diseases. Lots of people suffer from recurring pneumonia and chest infections. Depression is also a real problem. – Lots of services are a total rip-off and waaaaaay overpriced, including holidays in the UK and access to private healthcare, unless you have a health cover through work that also includes pre-existing conditions. – NHS: Fantastic if you are dying or suspected to have something sinister, otherwise your pain threshold will be put to the test. There is a severe reluctance to prescribe antibiotics, even when truly needed which can lead to sepsis and life-threatening complications. GP services are unsatisfactory compared to other developed countries. You will be told off for going to A&E unless you have a major fracture/ stroke/ heart attack although UTIs are taken seriously. – People: although they are mostly polite, have a sense of fairness and WILL help you if you ask, they are often excessively formal which comes across as awkward and robotic in some situations. They despise display of affection as if it was something to be ashamed of and can be hard, unaffectionate with some parents being borderline criminally negligent towards their children (not sure whether intentionally or by ignorance). Also, you will be tolerated but always looked at and treated with suspicion. Making real friends as opposed to acquaintances is almost impossible. – relationships: someone can seemingly make friends with you one day then bump into you on the street the next morning and not even look at you or bother to say hello. Very strange, confusing and WRONG! – work: pay is crap compared to rest of Europe unless you secure a high-powered job in London. – Racism: you are highly likely to experience at the very least subtle displays of it. – drinking: you better love drinking otherwise you’ll quickly be labelled as boring, stuck-up and not worth socialising with.

Despite all the above, I love the UK. PS: I came here to be with my English partner whom I love more than anything and NOT to make money. I pay for my NHS care as part of my ‘no-recourse-to-public-funds/work permitted’ visa fees and I have no intention to ever apply for benefits. If things get really bad financially, I’d rather return to my country of birth. As the French say, ‘misery is less painful in the sun’.

Hi Marine, thank you so much for reading and for your thoughtful comment! I agree with pretty much everything you say, particularly about the NHS. When my ex nearly died in a car crash, they were absolutely fantastic with his care. For me to get antibiotics for an infection through my GP, took me about 2 years and several appointments. The weather can also be very depressing, and you really hit the nail on the head about drinking. Drinking culture is massive here and sometimes people just don’t seem to understand (or accept) why a person wouldn’t want to drink! This post is nearly 4 years old and many of my opinions and perspectives on living here have changed over the years. I really appreciate your comment and wish you the best 🙂

What a read!

Even with the lows seem better than where I am and somewhere I’d fit since I’m bitter AF haha.

I’m not willing to give up my remote job though so I don’t think I’m moving there.

Reading your blog now. Cheers!

Hi Freddy, thank you for reading and your comment! This post is many years old (I wrote it over 4 years ago!) and so much of my life has improved since it was published. It does get better and easier over time as you adjust and learn more. Best wishes!

You seem like a pretty negative person.

This post is over 4 years old – I certainly was in a very negative place when it was written! As I put in the update in the end, this was written during a very difficult period of my life, but as time has gone on, things have gotten much better for me and I have adjusted much more to the differences here 🙂 thanks for reading.

Ditto – plus the elephant in the room, classism. Anyone in this situation try out Scotland or Wales? If so, what’s that like in comparison?

So very true, classism is everywhere. This post was written a long time ago and my perspective has definitely changed since then, but I would also be super curious to know if these things are similar in Scotland and Wales!

I’m a Brit and was reading this nodding along… until it came to the weather complaint lol. I seriously will never understand how anyone can see rain as depressing! It’s so beautiful and cosy when it rains, and the plants get a drink. 🙂 As someone who absolutely adores rain and storms the most of all weather types, I can’t disagree more that it’s depressing, and I’ve suffered with depression for the past 20 years. The rain cheers me up, calms me down, and makes me feel very comforted. And it’s fun when it’s really heavy rain! One of my fave things is to walk in the rain too because it’s that nice. I like being warm on a sunny day, of course, but I do not enjoy being out in the sun for too long. That’s what’s depressing for me as it gives me a headache and makes me feel ill. A clear blue sky with the sun beating down is incredibly boring too. Nothing happens! Big storm clouds with rain hammering down = fantastic! And it doesn’t rain that much really, I don’t think. If it does… that’s not England’s fault for being in the position it is on the planet. Many other beloved places on the planet get more rain than we do. Everything else, you’re spot on. Sadly, in most cases. I’ve had people over the years (online) tell me how “lucky” I am to live in England, that they’d “love” to live here or just visit. I think “why?!” lol, it’s a dump. Still, it’s my home so I guess I’m obliged to like it. Well, tolerate it. (Oh, and we actually drive on the correct side of the road… according to something I read a while ago.) If I wasn’t afraid of travelling, especially nowadays, I’d love to go to Canada… and never return lol. But I’m sure Canada has its own problems that I’d struggle with. And I do love living in the UK but if it was simple to leave, I would. I understand this was your view at the time, but I still enjoyed reading this through. 🙂 (And was that Whitby Abbey? I went there as a child on a school trip to Scarborough. It was so bloody windy! That’s the worst weather actually, not rain lol.)

Thanks so much for reading, I think we will have to agree to disagree about the weather haha! I’ve adjusted to the rain over the years (and definitely appreciate the sun when it does shine), but I would still prefer it a bit warmer, with more sunshine, and less rain! But it all swings in roundabouts, I much prefer UK weather to -40˚C windchill and snowstorms that’s life in MN where I’m from 🙂

I’m sure you’re aware but everyone does chip in for the NHS via their taxes. It’s free at point of use but not free. Dental and optical aren’t free either. Some people of certain incomes can get those last two and their prescriptions for free however 🙂

Hi, thanks for reading and yes I am aware of this. It’s been difficult as an immigrant who works/pays tax as along with that, I paid several thousand pounds through the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) as part of my visa applications. I understand why they have this in place, it just seems very unfair to make people pay twice over for it in my opinion. The NHS is wonderful and I think nationalized healthcare should be accessible for all people!

Thank you for posting this. I honestly thought that I was the only person seeing these problems. And it takes guts to speak your opinion even when people have something to say about it. Even some comments I read on this article say that you are a negative person or you shouldn’t be in this country if you don’t like it….. blah blah blah I’ve heard it all too. And to be honest someone who comments that in my opinion is really the negative person. All you are doing is stating your opinions which you have facts to back up too. So people just be mad and like you said probably racist. I am currently living in England from the US and I am white and I have had a very good life. I find it hard to say at all that I have been discriminated against. But once you stated in your article you felt the same, I felt at ease because I thought only I was experiencing this in England as an American. I have also tried documenting my experience with being abroad on social media and I lost hope because people are so negative and refuse to see another perspective. I posted on social media about how I was surprised that milk was sold in liters because in the US they are sold by gallon and it’s not something I thought about until I moved to England. Keep in mind my husband and I both workout and lift weights so we drink a lot of milk. I posted that I got four 2 liters of milk and people were posting “fat American bastard.” It’s really not hard to be respectful and nice to people and try to understand another perspective, but I find that people in this country refuse to do that. I have heard so much from the locals that I work with and online about how America is so backwards and we have a ton of school shooting and people are constantly dying to using electrical plugs in their bathrooms. All I hear is this horrific picture of what they think America is when in fact it’s really not like that (and most who make this comment haven’t even been for themselves) and it’s stressful and exhausting having to live through this day in and day out as an American that seems to be hated. While I think England is an amazing and beautiful country to travel, it is a horrible place to live as someone from a different country. Also the people who make comments and say “well just leave,” not everyone is in a position to do just that and it’s a very ignorant comment as it doesn’t solve any problems or have any solution. The racist and negative people in this country are making this experience for me very hard but I am trying as best as possible to see everyone for who they are and not stereotype all Brits as racist and negative.

Hi Rose, thanks so much for reading and I’m sorry to hear you have had a lot of negative experiences here. Especially about denigrating comments, I’m really sad to hear you’ve experienced that. Obviously this post has ruffled a lot of feathers over the years and I’ve had a lot of nasty and abusive comments that I’ve had to just delete. This post was written over 5 years ago when I was really struggling to adjust – while some things have gotten better and don’t frustrate me anymore, there are still things about life here that bother me and probably always will. But the good outweighs the bad 🙂 I know it’s hard, but I hope you can find and appreciate the positives when they come! Best wishes 🙂

Thanks for your post. I lived in the Middle East prior to this and man, has it been a tough transition to England. Several things have shocked me:

1) Rudeness: English people have the stereotype for being polite and passive aggressive. Well, I have found that English people seem to have NO problem being aggressive aggressive! I’m not sure if it’s anti-American bias, xenophobia, or what, but once every two weeks a random Brit seems to go off on me for what seems like a completely inane issue (using the ‘wrong’ trash can, for example, I’ve also gotten making tea the ‘wrong’ way). I’ve lived in several other countries long term, and the Brits are the rudest people I’ve ever encountered.

2) Jobsworths: there seems to be a cultural phenomenon here of folks with (often) menial jobs who relish enforcing the rules to the exclusion of all logic. Bonus points if their target is suffering or distressed. It happens too often to be a few bad apples. For example, when I broke my foot, the pharmacist wouldn’t let me bring a stool to rest on in line for me Rx, because that would be ‘forming an obstruction.’ I asked for a chair instead, no dice. I asked what she expected me to do considering that I couldn’t stand without support. She just shrugged. So I left sobbing, with no prescription.

3) Racism: my non-white expat friends get #1 and #2 but with double the hostility.

4) Colonialism is buried and never talked about: It’s shocking to be here in the UK when in the States, we are going through a reckoning with our racial past. The Brits LOVE mocking American foreign policy and American social issues, with ZERO acknowledgment that they brutally colonized and subjugated a huge chunk of the world, with ramifications that still hold weight today (see Israel/Palestine). I don’t understand how such topics can be buried and ignored.

Hi Rebecca, thank you for your insightful comment. Interesting that you’ve been told off for making tea the “wrong” way, I once had that happen at my first job in the UK where the woman actually told me “you’re in England now.” Talk about hostile!! I wrote this post a long time ago and my perspective has certainly changed, but I think a lot of the underlying issues are still there. Thanks for reading 🙂

This resonated in a lot of ways, but the weird thing is I’m a Brit that moved to the US! Everything except the council tax that is.

Thanks for reading! Now that I’ve been here a while my perspectives have definitely changed, including on council tax haha!

I really enjoyed your post and though I’m British I did recognise a lot of it. Having also lived in foreign countries I also very much understand the need to vent! I do have some points to make though. As someone who has worked with asylum seekers in Britain I do struggle a little bit when I speak to white foreigners or anyone who is here from a rich background who equate their experience with those of “illegal immigrants”. Even if white privilege is momentarily acknowledged. The difference is immense. Even if you don’t know or subscribe to the “no human is illegal” doctrine (quite frankly people should), there is a hell of a lot more complexity to illegal vs legal in this field. Again that is NOT to say don’t complain… If there is one thing about Britain I do love is that grumbling and negativity is a sport! But I didn’t feel from reading your post that you had quite grasped that, eg an American being joked with (I know it’s definitely not always funny) about accents/stereotypes is not racism but xenophobia (I know, not much fun either) and there is a reason why it’s considered ok to say it to an English-speaker and not a Polish person or whatever. I was thoroughly miserable in France for a while because of the xenophobia towards me as a citizen of a country that’s not well thought of (there is no excuse for being unpleasant like that – ever) but I also lived with people living and working there from African countries who had things ten times worse and I would never have even thought about suggesting my problems were racism. Again, that doesn’t make you wrong. Just some thoughts.

Hi KP, thanks for your insightful comment. This post is over 5 years old and my perspectives have definitely changed! I absolutely agree with you, any negative experiences I (as a white, English-speaking American) have encountered here pale in comparison to what others who are less privileged than me will undoubtedly experience. And you bring up an important point regarding the nuances between racism vs xenophobia. The post was really me venting a long time ago, but somehow it still gets a fair number of views! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[…] went home for Christmas in 2017, the first time I’d been home in 14 months since I moved to the UK in October 2016. I was so excited to see everyone and go to all my favorite places. On the flight […]

I just want to thank you for this article. I am American living in the UK, I’ve been here for three years and am still constantly struggling with my happiness living here. Thank you for putting my feelings into words!

and now i wont be moving to england anytime soon

I’ve been living in UK for a number of years now, still not a citizen – actually now torn apart between not being too far away from becoming one so that I can just easily give it up and on the other hand so disappointed and with sick in my gut feeling that if my hands weren’t tied and my financial options better – I’d rather be packing my bags and leaving elsewhere in spite of years and enormous efforts invested here. I’ll explain why in detail, maybe my story can help someone. I wish I found this blog earlier, maybe I would have had a better perspective or not come here at all. I came here with high expectations yet from current perspective completely oblivious of what I am getting myself into. I’ll focus on the most negative aspects for the sole reason that they heavily outweigh the good things in UK. 1.)Brutal aspects of social isolation here. I only have 1 genuine British friend here, have also made a large number of superficial British acquentances who are nice people for a daily few minutes chat but have led absolutely nowhere in terms having a wider social circle of real British friends with a meaningful deeper connection. Finding a British girlfriend here is mission impossible – dating scene is reserved for locals, and dating is not straightforward like in other countries, if you’re not British born, don’t belong to same class, have same circle of school friends or through family or what not – for an outsider it is next to impossible to find a British girlfriend – they are simply not interested and will judge you from point zero regardless of your efforts. And it’s not just me who feels this – even loads of British born people, especially older generation are expessing the very same problem and finding it next to impossible to connect to other people any more, some say this wasn’t the case ‘back in the day’, now it’s only that much more difficult for non-British born people. I’ve read stories online that people in London cannot find a single friend in spite of spending years there ! It’s heartbreaking and extremely depressing and devastating beyond words really. In many ways living in UK feels like being a social outcast, like a prison sentence, you can make an effort as much as you like but 99% of the population will never take you into their circle, playing hard to get attitude rules supreme in UK. 2.)Racism: One of the first passive-agressive questions here is going to be – ‘where are you from’, not from all people but from the vast majority. I’m white & native English speaker btw. Still the racial profiling starts every time – if you get sick and tired to responding to daft question over and over again, they don’t even have the common decency to stop – but the guessing game starts – so far I’ve been mislabeled as Canadian, from Midlands, Dutch, Scandinavian, Latvian… or ‘I can’t pinpoint your accent’ or ‘I don’t want to be cheeky but you don’t sound like from this and that place’…. 3.)Social welfare and housing: Shambles. Good luck getting anywhere with DWP, discrimination through and through, the only thing they need is an excuse to decline you for any support – on the other hand if you’re an illegal immigrant, drug dealer, criminal, smackhead – you get everything on a plate – free accommodation, dole, pips, allowance etc., while hard working British born people and people like myself who have been here 100% legally for years are simply sidelined ! 4.)Healthcare: You’re likely to see a GP quicker in a 3rd world country than in UK. I had an emergency recently and needed a dentist – not wanting to put myself through NHS nightmare waiting lists – I was ready to book an appointment with a private dentist, cash in hand – waiting time, guess – 3 weeks, for an emergency !! I can only imagine how long it would take me to get one with NHS. 5.)Personal safety: I’m a performing musician, locally well known street performer. I’ve been assaulted half a dozen times, been target of organised gang of fake beggars, smackheads and drug dealers who are openly ruling the UK streets here and literally covering every busy corner and pitch in town, if you happen to be there – you’re a sitting duck – fists, rocks, anything goes and I mean anything – I even had to go to the hospital to be checked for fractures and nerve damage. Much worse than that police are so corrupt that reported crimes against me, vast majority of them have ended up closed and classed – ‘just a common assault’, refusing even to investigate further, go through CCTV, video footage on the phone or anything like that. As a result I have in recent days been forced to make one of the most difficult decisions of my life – to choose between my very own life and personal safety and my main source of income here ! I’ve lived around the world, been in many countries, there’s hells and then there’s hells, if you’re not here and haven’t seen it first hand – you may imagine UK to a low crime rate country with safe streets and law and order, reality on the ground is brutal and grim beyond words though, crime rates here and zero response from police can only leave one speechless and gutted ! Busy night in town – you’ll see a dozen drug dealers walking by in balaclavas, smackheads, fake beggars, lunatics on ice and crack, gangs on electric bikes raking havoc around town, you name it I’ve seen it all – you may have seen something like this in films but having daily reality of witnessing all this over and over again and being attacked, threatened and harassed countless times is the final straw for me. Paradox one might say – none of these perperators are actually immigrants which media may want you to think, it’s all white British born criminals – and even though they make less than 1% of population, few dozen of them are enough to turn the streets of any town into hell, that’s what’s happened to me and by what I read this is widespread accross UK with like a plague ! While the government, councils and police are doing one big nothing to tackle one of the most extreme problems of violence, drugs and gangs in this country – one can only come to a painful yet only obvious logical conclusion that the government, police and councils are on the payroll of organised crime in UK hence nothing, absolutely nothing is done to clear up the streets.

[…] written a post every year on this day. My first annual post in 2017 was about 15 Harsh Truths About Living In England (this post is somehow still my most popular post of all time!). Then in 2018, What I’ve […]

Driving on the left side of the road is not nearly as challenging as you think it is. Before you attempt it, ride around in a taxi/Uber and pretend you’re driving from the back seat. Your brain should snap to left-side driving quickly. When turning, just remind yourself “left”. I had zero problems driving in the UK.

Hi, thanks for reading. It was very challenging for me. I struggled for several years with horrible driving anxiety in the UK – it took a long time, but eventually I got over it! 🙂

Great article. I’ve lived here my entire life, a UK citizen and I feel I can relate to a lot of this. I would love to move away! That’s what got me onto this article, I was googling for a way out!

Hi Bella, thanks for reading and for your comment. I hope you can find happiness, even if that isn’t in the UK! All the best 🙂

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Asylum seekers in UK should have right to work after six months, MPs say

Exclusive: Existing policies seem designed to push people into destitution but fail as a deterrent, cross-party report says

Asylum seekers should be given the right to work after six months and granted greater access to public services, MPs have said in a cross-party report on the UK’s immigration system.

The government’s existing policies appear “designed” to push migrants and asylum seekers into destitution while failing to deter them from coming to the UK, it concludes.

The report, to be published on Tuesday, was authored jointly by the all-party parliamentary groups (APPGs) on poverty and migration after an inquiry, which drew on 200 expert submissions. It said taxpayers were bearing the cost of the existing immigration and asylum system.

In their recommendations, MPs and peers call on the government to allow asylum seekers to work six months after arriving in the UK while they await the outcome of their application.

At present, most people awaiting a decision on an asylum claim have no right to work in the UK.

There are limited exceptions after 12 months for those qualified to work in sectors where there are shortages, such as social care.

The report urges ministers to improve migrants’ access to social security and public services to avoid driving them into unsafe and exploitative work.

It calls for immigration and nationality fees to be reduced, especially for young people who are on the path to settlement and British citizenship.

It says that the existing 10-year route for migrants to be granted permanent settlement should be reduced to five years, and that no one on a path to settlement should be subject to “no recourse to public funds” rules for more than five years.

The report warns that by creating lengthy waits for asylum seekers and restricting their access to public services and social security payments, the government’s policies are pushing migrants in the UK into destitution.

“It is hard to avoid the conclusion that policy is sometimes designed to push people into poverty in the hope that it will deter others from moving to the UK, even though there is little evidence that this would indeed be a deterrent,” the report says.

It concludes that existing immigration policies are “inhumane and ineffective”, driving migrants into poverty while burdening local government, public services and taxpayers.

It calls for a comprehensive refugee integration and support strategy and suggests that ministers should look at offering all UK residents free English language lessons, regardless of their immigration status.

Ruth Lister, a Labour peer and co-author of the report, said its findings showed “that all too often government policy is creating hidden poverty and destitution for people in the immigration system”.

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“By creating a hostile environment for many in vulnerable circumstances, it is not only pushing people into extreme poverty and destitution, but is leaving local communities – local government and civil society groups – to pick up the pieces,” she said.

Olivia Blake, a Labour MP and co-chair of the migration APPG, said: “It is widely acknowledged that the UK’s immigration system is broken, but our report shows that it appears to want to break the people within it as well.

“The impact of this is not only felt by the people in the immigration system but the communities they live within and the public services that they use.

“A more effective and less cruel system would serve our country, economy and society far better. This would lessen the cost to us all, realise the full potential of people within the system while also providing dignity and purpose to marginalised and vulnerable people.”

Others involved in producing the report included the former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, the Conservative peer Nosheena Mobarik and the SNP’s David Linden, who chairs the APPG on poverty.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The British people expect us to control our borders. It is unfair for people to come here illegally which is why we have set out to stop the boats and get flights off the ground to Rwanda in 10-12 weeks.

“It is also right that those who use the immigration system contribute towards it, reducing the burden on the taxpayer. Over 150 hotels will be closed by the beginning of May, meaning there are 20,000 fewer asylum seekers in expensive hotels compared with six months ago.”

• Immigration and asylum
• Social exclusion

More on this story

‘Compassion for the most vulnerable’: bishop thanks protesters who blocked asylum coaches

London protesters block transfer of asylum seekers to Bibby Stockholm

Lone children at risk of deportation to Rwanda after being classified as adults, says charity

UK ministers acknowledge detention of asylum seekers to be sent to Rwanda

Man detained by Home Office told he is being sent to Rwanda, says NGO

Rwandan opposition leader voices doubts Kigali will stick to UK asylum deal

Home Office has lost contact with thousands of potential Rwanda deportees, data shows

UK will not accept return of asylum seekers from Ireland, Rishi Sunak says

Lampedusa aid workers condemn UK’s Rwanda plan after Cleverly visit

Home Office to detain asylum seekers across UK in shock Rwanda operation

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Money latest: Billie Eilish fans furious at 'outrageous' ticket prices

Billie Eilish fans are complaining about "outrageous" ticket prices for her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news below, plus leave a comment in the box.

Thursday 2 May 2024 20:01, UK

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• OECD warns UK shouldn't cut interest rates yet
• UK ranks bottom in G7 economic growth forecast
• 'Outrageous': Billie Eilish fans complain about ticket prices
• Aldi's market share falls as people head back to traditional supermarkets (except one)
• New ISA rules were supposed to help savers - right now they've just made everything more complicated

Essential reads

• How to nab yourself a free upgrade on a flight
• You're probably washing and storing your clothes wrong. Here's what you should do instead
• Money Problem : 'Builders won't repair dodgy work - what are my rights?'
• '£2,000 landed in my account' - The people who say they're manifesting riches

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If you earn significantly more or less than your partner, how do you split payments for things like housing, food, household essentials, entertainment and holidays? 

Do you both pay equally, do you split costs according to income, or do you have another method? 

Get in touch with an outline of your situation in the  box above or:

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Pint-sized bottles of wine will be allowed on UK shelves from autumn under new post-Brexit trade rules - although doubts have been raised over their demand.

Seven changes to pre-packaged wine sizes are due to come into force on 19 September.

The move to introduce the 568ml size of wine, to sit alongside 200ml and 500ml measures already available, was announced in December and hailed by ministers as a Brexit "freedom".

Pint bottles of Champagne were sold in the UK before Britain joined the European Common Market and were on shelves until 1973.

Read more here ...

JD Sports has told head office staff they must return to the office at least four days a week .

The new amendment to the hybrid working policy will be effective from 1 July and will impact employees at the retail chain's head office in Bury, Retail Gazette reports.

However, the chain will still allow flexibly depending on individual roles.

Pubs could stay open late during the Euros this summer, according to The Sun .

Home Secretary James Cleverly hinted he was looking into extending pub opening hours for the tournament on The Sun show Never Mind The Ballots.

He said: "I will certainly look into it."

We've been bringing you news of plenty of bank switch deals offering free cash these past few months, but Virgin Money has a different kind of incentive for switchers - a 12% interest rate. 

People who switch to its M Account, M Plus Account or Club M Account will be able to get bonus interest rates of 10% gross/10.47% AER (fixed). 

This is on top of the 2% gross/2.02% AER (variable) interest rate already offered on current account balances up to £1,000 - meaning customers can get an interest rate of 12%. 

No other savings accounts offer interest rates this high, and the bonus applies for a year.

TikTok will restore millions of songs to its app after settling a royalty dispute with Universal Music Group. 

Users had been unable to make videos featuring songs from the likes of Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande due to a row over how much TikTok was paying. 

The fight had led to Universal withdrawing music from some of the world's most famous singers. 

The dispute appears to have been settled as the companies announced "improved remuneration" for artists.

More than 10,500 black cab drivers in London have launched a £250m legal case against Uber. 

They accuse the app of breaking the capital's taxi booking rules and deliberately misleading authorities to secure a licence. 

Transport for London (TfL) rules state drivers cannot take bookings directly from customers and must instead use a centralised system. 

The drivers, who are being advised by law firm Mishcon de Reya, argue they have faced unfair competition from Uber and that it knowingly broke these rules. 

Uber has denied these allegations and said the claims are unfounded.

The company has faced numerous challenges in London, including refusals from TfL to renew its licence which were later successfully appealed. 

Billie Eilish fans are complaining about "outrageous" ticket prices for her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour.

The 22-year-old singer unveiled an 81-date tour programme this week, sending fans rushing to secure tickets.

But some expressed disbelief on social media at the prices.

"I know I moan about this all the time, but look at the price of Billie Eilish tickets," one fan called Marianne wrote on X, sharing a screenshot of seated tickets priced at £398.50. 

"Something seriously needs to be done about ticket prices, it's f*****g outrageous!" 

Another complained they had paid less for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, which was also criticised for high ticket prices.

A fan called Liv tagged Eilish, Live Nation and Ticketmaster, writing: "Are you ok? £145 for standing tickets is atrocious."

Thousands of people who receive government benefits, including Universal Credit, will be paid as early as tomorrow.

This is because there's a bank holiday coming up on 6 May which will affect benefits paid by both the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC (they don't pay benefits on bank holidays).

A statement on the government website reads: "If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you'll usually be paid on the working day before. This may be different for tax credits and child benefit."

Here are the 11 different government benefits that are expected to be paid early:

• Universal credit;
• State Pension;
• Pension Credit;
• Disability Living Allowance;
• Attendance Allowance;
• Carer's Allowance;
• Child Benefit;
• Income Support;
• Jobseekers Allowance;
• Personal Independence Payment;
• Tax credits (such as Working Tax Credit)

Will your benefit payment change?

No, you'll be paid the same amount you usually receive.

Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit account.

Goldman Sachs is removing a cap on bonuses for London-based staff, paving the way for it to resume making multimillion pound payouts to its best-performing traders and dealmakers.

Sky News can exclusively reveal the Wall Street banking giant notified its UK employees today that it had decided to abolish the existing pay ratio imposed under European Union rules and which the government recently decided to scrap.

In a video message to staff, Richard Gnodde, chief executive of Goldman Sachs International, which comprises its operations outside the US, said it had decided to bring its remuneration policy in Britain in line with its operations elsewhere in the world.

"We are a global firm and to the extent possible we adopt a consistent global approach across everything we do," Mr Gnodde said in the message, which has been relayed to Sky News.

"The bonus cap rules were an important factor preventing us from being consistent in the area of compensation."

Aldi's market share has fallen - as people seemingly head back to traditional supermarkets for their shopping.

Aldi's share of the grocery market slipped from 10.8% to 10.4% in the 12 weeks to 20 April.

NIQ data shows sales rose just 1.3% in the period - for Morrisons it was 4.4%, Tesco 5.8% and Sainsbury's 6.6%.

Asda was the laggard with sales falling 0.9%.

Ocado is the fastest growing retailer with sales up 12%.

Aldi's rival discounter, Lidl, saw sales surge 9.5%, bumping its market share up to 8.2%. Media campaigns highlighting new ranges helped, NIQ said.

A Santander online outage is affecting thousands of UK customers.

Over 2,000 reports have been made on Downdetector - indicting the issue is widespread.

Customers have been met with messages like this...

Santander wrote on X: "We are aware some customers are experiencing issues accessing online services, we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.

"We're working hard to resolve this as soon as possible."

Following on from our previous post, and the OECD also says the UK will grow more slowly next year than any other major advanced economy.

It puts this down to stealth taxes and high interest rates squeezing the economy.

The organisation, which is based in Paris, downgraded its forecasts for GDP to 0.4% this year and 1% in 2025.

In February, the UK had been in the middle of the rankings with forecast growth of 0.7% this year and 1.2% next.

The OECD pointed to the fact "tax receipts keep rising towards historic highs" - with National Insurance cuts not offsetting the additional burden Britons are feeling due to tax thresholds not rising along with inflation due to a government freeze.

Some good news is expected for UK workers as the OECD said there will be "stronger" wage growth when inflation is factored in against pay.

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