British Culture

The tinkle of fine china, the russle of Irish linen,the murmur of conversation and the aroma of pastries and aromatic tea! They conjure up a tranquil picture of tea on the lawn. There is nothing...

A Rag and Bone Man is a British occupational term used to describe an individual who collects discarded items (or refuse) for resale. Although the traditional Rag and Bone Man is no longer active...

A family's insignia, known today as a coat of arms, originated in England during the 12th century when knights painted them on their shields to serve as identification during battles. Over time,...

Tweed is a woolen fabric that originated in Scotland and was colloquially known as "the big cloth." The original and most valued tweed is known as Harris Tweed, which is still produced in Scotland.

A traditional kilt is pleated in the back only, from side seam to side seam, and the front is flat with overlapped pieces. Pleats are folded in either of two traditional ways which are dictated by...

A kilt belt is an essential part of the kilt wearer's wardrobe. In years past, a couple inches of tartan showed above the belt because it was excess from the width of the kilt fabric. Today the...

2010 BRITISH COINS forecast From http://www.petitioncrown.com & www.museumcoins.com Based on information from dealers and following market conditions I would forecast that the prices over...

Are you of Scottish ancestry, but have no clue how to celebrate it? There are many opportunities for you to show your Scottish pride all year round. Read on to learn where and how you can yell...

A wonderful rich Scottish soup that is by tradition made for the holiday season. This is the full fat creamy version I use for Christmas and Thanksgiving a true treat for the holidays! A great...

The great age of castle building in England was between 1066 and 1485. These massive and impressive structures were constructed using only rudimentary tools and local materials. The age of...

A TARDIS shed is a shed built to look like a 1950s-era London Police box. It is inspired by the BBC television show "Doctor Who," in which characters traveled through time in a space ship...

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...