British Culture

Immigrating to the United Kingdom is not an easy procedure. The most important thing to do first is research the immigration process. The progression to becoming a permanent resident of the U.K....

Tower Bridge is an iconic image of London, and one of about 30 bridges that cross the River Thames.

A surprisingly jarring event for a traveler going from Britain to America or vice versa is the first time he sits down in front of a keyboard. The two countries' keyboards are fundamentally the...

While Waterford crystal is highly valued for its craftsmanship and quality, the process of its manufacture begins much the same way as the production process of any other brand of crystal. All...

Applying for United Kingdom citizenship or Indefinite Leave to Remain can be a nerve-wracking experience. One part of the process is the Life in the UK citizenship test. Presented in a...

English humor is moderately complex, and generally different in tone than American humor. To learn the intricacies of British comedy you'll need some time, but it will be time most pleasantly...

If you are interested in applying for permanent residence or British citizenship, you must first pass the "Life in the UK" test. This test is given at various test centers (or centres) throughout...

Patterned silver trays made in England between the 18th through the mid-20th centuries reflect the exceptional quality of silver craftsmanship during the period. Highly skilled silversmiths worked...

If you need to get in touch with a person or business in the UK, you may wish to do so by telephone. Of course, this can prove a little tricky if you don't happen to have their telephone number. ...

U.S. residents traveling or living in England might be surprised at the differences in the way the Brits speak English. Learning some of the most common variations will help you understand your...

The current flag of the United Kingdom is known as the Union Jack. It's really a composite of the three flags of the countries represented in the union: England, Ireland and Scotland.

All requests for birth certificates, whether made in country or from abroad, go to the General Register Office of England and Wales or the local register office of your birthplace. Requests for...

A family's crest, or coat of arms, ties that family directly to its genealogical history. If you know the original spelling of your family's last name and have a few minutes to browse the...

A kilt is a knee-length, pleated garment made of tartan (or plaid, as it's known in the United States) wool. Kilts are traditionally associated with Scotland, although recently they've become...

The Victorian era in England lasted from June of 1837 to January 1901, during the reign of Queen Victoria, and is characterized as the domestic age of the country. The Victorian woman, a mascot of...

The kilt, a garment which is said to have originated in Scotland, Ireland, and even England at various times in history, is a piece of clothing that has gathered legend around it. However, if one...

The story of the home of the world's oldest golf links and Scotland's first university began sometime between 390 A.D. and 400 A.D., when a bishop named Regulus or Rule brought relics of the...

If you want to stop receiving junk mail in the U.K., you must remove yourself from the mailing lists of the companies that send such unrequested mail. There are a couple of different websites that...

The Normans were a rugged, war-making people of the early medieval period. They were established as an autonomous duchy in northern France soon after the turn of the 10th century. Roughly 150...

"Moulding" is a word that can have several different definitions. Generally it's thought of as a kind of structural embellishment or decoration that's seen inside a house, but it can extend to the...

English author Eric Arthur Blair, better known by his pen name George Orwell (1903 to 1950), is famous for his novels "Animal Farm" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four." However, Orwell's body of work...

You may have cousins, aunts, uncles and other relatives living in England. Whether it is to inform them of a family death, to learn more about your own roots--or to get the other side of that...

Considering yourself to be British might mean that you were born or raised in the United Kingdom, or it might just mean that you know a lot about the culture and ideas. There are several ways that...

The Tower of London has a long and troubled history, serving as a royal palace, a prison and a fortress. The tower also served as home to the Royal Mint, Public Records and the Royal Observatory....

Lazy summer afternoons are meant for wandering about a neighborhood park that has been decked out with popcorn carts, rides and other fun fair amusements. Cherry flavored snow cones, cotton candy...

In his book, In a Sunburned Country, author Bill Bryson reflects on the oddities of the British team game, cricket: "It is not true that the English invented cricket as a way of making all other...

Nestled in the heart of Central London is the Hotel Arriva, a fashionable 75 room hotel, which is known as an intimate, urban oasis located just minutes from the glamour and energy of some of the...

Making your own Medieval costumes is a great way to have an individual look at a Halloween party, convention, or Medieval or Renaissance fair. Plus, you'll save a lot of money by making your own...

Xango juice, marketed by its maker under the moniker Xango, is one of several food and skin care products based on the mangosteen fruit. Xango juice is sold directly from the company website and...

The unicycle, a single-wheeled vehicle with origins dating as far back as the late 18th century, is commonly associated with circus acts and side shows. However, this extremely challenging vehicle...

Few time periods are as romanticized in popular culture as the medieval time period. The images of knights and fair ladies dining in magnificent castles are iconic, and most people base their...

To look at Portmeirion's classical town hall, castle and grottos, you'd think this resort town along the Welsh coastline had been around forever. But Portmeirion is of modern creation, established...

The Harris Tweed Act, passed by the British Parliament in 1993, is a final attempt to codify what is considered to be genuine "Harris Tweed" fabric, a mark of excellence for more than a century.

Four types of tea are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant: black, white, oolong and green. The teas originate in China, India, Sri Lanka and Japan, and are the basic ingredients in most types...

The first hurdle to becoming a Member of Parliament (MP) is to pass the minimum legal requirements for the office. Candidates must be 18 or older and a citizen of the U.K., a Commonwealth country...

The Life in the UK test must be taken and successfully passed before applying for United Kingdom citizenship or indefinite leave to remain in the U.K.

Lichfield is a city in Staffordshire, England with a history spanning almost 2,000 years. In the Middle Ages it had thriving wool and leather industries. In the 18th century, Samuel Johnson called...

The land of Shakespeare, Milton, Queen Elizabeth, Keats, croquet, cricket, crumpets and cucumber sandwiches is steeped in rich and varied traditions. Some are familiar---like sipping a spot of tea...

The United Kingdom is famous for many things, including their music festivals. The summer starts the music festival season that runs until the end of November, and Birmingham is no different.

Cambridge began as a small river settlement, but over time grew to be a prosperous city. In 1284 the first college of what would become Cambridge University was founded. Today, Cambridge is...

Stonehenge is located in an English town called Somerset that is about an hour and half from London. Hidden away in the countryside, Stonehenge lies in a field just a few meters from the road....

Camden Town, London today is much different than centuries ago. Today you will find the world famous Camden Market and punk rockers roaming the streets. Many consider Camden Town one of the most...

Happily for the parents, most of the biggest visitor attractions in London are suitable for children. Some even provide purpose-designed activities and facilities for children. Each of the three...

In England you will find the British use a currency system called the Sterling Pound. British currency is incredibly similar to American money, even if it does not convert exactly from dollar to...

The tartan has long been associated with the ruggedness and romance of the Scottish highlands. With its woven, symmetrical patterns of colors, the tartan is one of the most recognizable fabrics in...

Manchester University is one of the most prestigious universities in all of the United Kingdom. With a student body of over 40,000, the university is third in educational standing in the country...

Liverpool, England is home to many great musicians, most famously The Beatles. When you walk around the city you see traces of them everywhere. Liverpool is also one of the biggest cities in the...

Whether railroads spurred the industrial revolution or the industrial revolution spurred the burgeoning railroad system provokes the age-old chicken-and-the-egg discussion. As British farmers...

Perhaps you always have dreamed of putting "Sir" or "Lady" in front of your name. You may have dallied with the thought of accepting a knighthood, but perhaps you wanted a title that came with...

In England, the period between 1837 and 1901 is known as the Victorian era for Queen Victoria (1819 to 1901), who reigned for 64 years. The image of Victorian furniture is of large and ornate...