a 'guide' to the UK for short term visitors

Right, I've got lots of family arriving for our wedding later in Oct. I've been putting together 'Balmerhon's Guide to Your Visit to the UK' but I need help!!

I'm running out of time with all sorts of stuff going on so thought I'd open it up to you all as well.

Basically, I'm trying to do a somewhat humorous guide addressing things like food, drink, electricity, driving, language, etc, etc.

If you'd like to offer some thoughts, that would be great. I'd be more than happy to post the results later for anyone to use and edit to their own specifications.

I'm talking things like what 'tuna and salad' means here to how to use electrics here to important traffic signage... etc. Even if you think it's small but think an American traveler would enjoy knowing it, please feel free to post it!

But first, I'll tell you a bit about what my family will be doing so you can see what type of info I may need.

They are renting cars from Heathrow and Gatwick.
They need to get to Taunton and then Exmouth.
They are all fairly experienced travelers or armchair travelers.
They are not afraid of food.
They would embrace differences, not be afraid of them.
They will spend one day sightseeing in London.
They like new words, accents, and language in general.
They'll be doing a bit of sightseeing in Devon and maybe Cornwall - plus a tad in my patch of Somerset.

Thank you very much for anything you may think of!

Goodness - there's so much you could write. Let me give you a starter ...

Take the train into London; even if they want to drive *some* of the way, park at somewhere like Basingstoke and get on the rails. Tell them it's pronounced Boring-stoke if they have a wicked sense of humour, and share this joke with them if they don't. They'll get at extra British  experience and they'll be able to travel around by bus and tube without having to worry about the car.

Remind them of the narrow Devon roads/lanes!

Tell them to look right when crossing the street and when driving the car for turns.  It is easy to forget. 

Tell them to go a traditional English pub where they can get "real ale" and tell them not to tip the bar man or bar maid.

bvamin

I'd have loads of suggestions if you/they were coming near the Bath/Bristol area tons to see and do around here, still have yet to see it ALL myself!! hehe!!

x x x - Missy

If they are going to only have the one day in London, I highly recommend the 'hop on, hop off' bus tour things. You can see alot in a day on them, as well as get discount tickets to the Tower of London, and other attractions. Even my cynical hubby enjoyed that.

They may enjoy Dartmoor and the Eden Project as well. 
Stourhead is breathtaking, they would probably love seeing that.


make sure they know Kingsize beds, are really queensize beds,, and superking size beds, are actually king size beds,, lol.

A few things:

Because the electrical supply is different, portable things like hairdryers won't work.

If they want ice in drinks, they need to remember to ask for it.

There is no "left on red" (i.e. no equivalent to the US right on red after a stop). Some traffic lights have filters.

Driving in UK tends to be faster, closer, and more agressive. In my experience.

You can't expect to find ANYWHERE to get breakfast. No I-HOPs !!

You can't expect to find ANYWHERE to get breakfast. No I-HOPs !!

But we do have McDonald's Restaurants - "over 1000 throughout the UK"  - most of which open at 07:30. 

There's a humorous book that was written many years ago called "Brit-Think, Ameri-Think.  A transatlantic Survival Guide."  which covers many topics and issue, from politicals to romance to travel. 

I can't remember the name of the author (Barbara Warmesley?, or something like that.  Does anybody know this book?).  It was written in the late 80's but covers the difference in mind set in a very light-hearted and humorous way.  There are lots of good accompanying cartoons, too.

If you can get a few of these on hand for people to flip through, it might be a good ice breaker.

Congratulations and have a wonderful wedding!

But we do have McDonald's Restaurants - "over 1000 throughout the UK"  - most of which open at 07:30. 

This true.
1000 reastaurants for 60 000 000 people. Plus visitors.
And motorway services are open 24-hours.

My wife is from rural Ga. Within 5 minutes drive there are at least 10 places you could get a sit down breakfast. Nana Banana was memorable.....

There are no equivalents in UK.

Dropping in for breakfast on the way to work or anywhere else is not catered for in UK in the same way it is in the US.

Just my take.

Depends where you are and what kind of breakfast you want. There are lots of greasy cafes here in north London that open early in the morning serving mainly fried breakfasts.  It's Sunday brunch places the UK is lacking. I want my smoked salmon Eggs Benedict!

Dropping in for breakfast on the way to work or anywhere else is not catered for in UK in the same way it is in the US.

I see you've wisely flip-flopped from  "You can't expect to find ANYWHERE to get breakfast" 

And yes, it's different here. I don't think that'll make the front page of The Times. I don't think either country is a breakfast utopia.

There are plenty of places in London to eat or takeaway breakfast, and a huge variety of cultures to sample - Jewish, Chinese, traditional English, American, Italian etc. More diverse than my breakfast experience in the US. (Although I do love Cracker Barrel, and America always, always makes better pancakes.)

There are plenty of places in Londo(Although I do love Cracker Barrel, and America always, always makes better pancakes.)

Yep. In London.

The visitors intend to spend ONE day in London.

Where do you get breakfast elsewhere ?
Please offer them any helpful advice you have..

Good tips Cas ,, also,, make sure they know that alot of pubs stop serving food after 2:00 in the afternoon   

About breakfast,, make sure they know that beans aren't just something to have with barbeque

Gentlemen,  it's now late in the evening so they've probably had breakfast (probably got it at their B&B or hotel after all that   ) Ah, Tebs, you read my very mind while I was typing so shall we move on to the next part of the day for Balmerhon's folks?

If they're doing Devon and Cornwall, would you suggest that they try jellied eels at the seaside, a true cornish pastie, or that they have fish and chips and insist on mushy peas?

Torquay or Bude?

Exeter or Tavistock?

Is it worth driving all the way to Land's end?