England Tours & Vacations

The culture of England might appear to be much the same as Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. But ask folk from each of these countries and they’ll tell you a different story. Sure, there are many similarities, but England has a unique culture that differs from its neighbors. 

For a start, English culture is extremely diverse with many sub-cultures, dialects, accents and traditions. In fact, there are some pretty stark differences between the north and the south. Northerners are known for their warmth and friendliness, things generally tend to be more expensive in the south, and gravy (which is welcomed on everything in the north) isn't a massive thing down south. That being said, some common cultural ground people share across England include good manners, small talk about the weather and humor that verges on the sarcastic side.

England (and the UK in general) is very multicultural and you’ll find every cuisine from Indian to Lebanese to American. London in particular is a thriving hotspot for foodies with pop-up food villages, quirky converted eateries and over 60 Michelin-stared restaurants. The term “meat and three veg” was coined in England, and while English cuisine doesn’t have a global reputation like French or Italian, the food is simple, hearty and comforting. If you’re looking to try some classic English food, here are some dishes to try.

Fish and chips

A flaky piece of battered fish served on a mound of salty chips, lashings of vinegar and a side of mushy peas. This is as English as it gets. Up north they smother their chips in thick brown gravy or curry sauce. Other popular condiments include tartare sauce and pickled onions or eggs. You’ll find the best fish and chips by the coast in places like Blackpool, Devon or Cornwall.

Bangers and mash 

A ‘banger’ is a sausage in the UK. Why? Well, after WWI when food was still rationed, sausages were plumped up with so much fat that they exploded when cooked. ‘Mash’ refers to creamy mashed potato traditionally made with butter and milk. Et voila, you have bangers and mash - one of Britain’s most beloved dinners. Served with peas and lashings of onion gravy, it’s a hearty and filling dish that goes down particularly well on a cold winter’s night.

Sunday roast

Ask an English person what they think is the most loved national dish, and they’ll probably say a Sunday roast. This age-old tradition isn’t just a lunch eaten on Sunday afternoons, but an opportunity for the whole family or group of friends to spend quality time and enjoy a nice meal together. It’s essentially a centerpiece of roasted meat (usually chicken, beef, pork or lamb) served with crispy roast potatoes, seasonal roasted vegetables and lashings of gravy. It might also be served with a Yorkshire pudding depending on where you are. It's usually served with mint sauce (for lamb), horseradish sauce (for beef), or bread sauce and redcurrant jelly (for chicken). You can get a roast dinner in most pubs every Sunday.

Full English breakfast 

Also known as a fry up, this hearty breakfast consists of eggs (usually fried but you can also get scrambled or poached), bacon, sausage, baked beans, grilled tomato, mushrooms and hot buttered toast. It’s typically served with a mug of tea or coffee. The carb and fat-rich foods also make it a go-to hangover cure for many Brits, and cafes usually serve it as an all-day dish. You’ll find slightly different versions of a fry up in Cornwall, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. 

Glastonbury Music Festival

Glastonbury is the crown jewel of the British music festival calendar. This five-day festival draws in about 200,000 people and is the size of 500 football pitches. You’ll find everything from world-class music acts, rising stars, comedy, dance, wellness villages, permaculture workshops, cabaret, secret bars, circus and so much more. It’s an eclectic, vibrant, random and truly wonderful festival – even when it’s pouring with rain.

Notting Hill Carnival 

The Notting Hill Carnival is a vibrant Caribbean festival that takes place every August on the streets of Notting Hill in Kensington, London. The streets come alive with sound systems, DJs, live steel bands, costumed dancers, Caribbean flavors and smells, and spirited party goers. Thousands of people join the streets to enjoy the carnival vibes and party late into the night. Stemming from the Trinidad Carnival, Notting Hill Carnival began in 1966 and has remained a key part of London’s festival calendar.

World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) 

WOMAD is a gathering of 40,000 people at a beautiful site in Charlton Park to celebrate music, art, dance and culture from around the world. Spend your days exploring different music stages and grooving in the sunshine (or rain!), take part in one of the 80+ workshops, travel around the globe vicariously through your tastebuds at the food village, or perch yourself on the ground with a cold drink to simply take it all in. 

Diwali in Leicester 

Diwali – the Indian festival of lights that is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains – in Leicester is one of the world’s biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India. People travel from all over the UK and beyond to see the “Golden Mile” – illuminated temples and firework displays that symbolize the triumph of light over darkness, evil over light and knowledge over ignorance. The cultural program in Leicester includes music, dance, fire performers, religious ceremonies, delicious street food and funfair rides.

Chelsea Flower Show

Stop off in London for breathtaking floral displays of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Established in 1912, the Chelsea Flower Show is an exhibition of show gardens and floral displays set within the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The Chelsea Flower Show is held in May and draws garden-lovers from all over the world. 

The UK experiences the best weather from June to August, though there’s never any guarantee that summer is full of sunshine and warmth. The crowds might be bigger, but this is because the country wakes up from a dark winter slumber and celebrates – a lot. Outdoor dining is in full swing, pubs and bars are pumping and festivals flood the events calendar. Spring and autumn can be cool and wet but with some sunny days, and the days are still long enough to enjoy the country’s diverse and picturesque scenery. Winter (December to February) brings short days, grey skies and sometimes snow, though this is more often in England’s northern counties or places are higher elevations. Top advice: always have a rain jacket and a brolly at the bottom of your bag.

Read more about the best time to visit England

Read how to get around England

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