British culture, customs and traditions vary from the weird to the wonderful, from the traditional to the popular, and from the simple to the grand.
The formation of the ideas, celebrations and notions that comprise today’s quintessential British lifestyle started centuries ago, giving importance and meaning to the people’s existence. These customs and traditions stood the test of time, albeit not without some changes to accommodate the modernizing world.
1. Cheese Rolling
Cheese rolling is an unusual British tradition that involves a ball of Double Gloucester cheese and a crowd that is willing to chase it for fun.
It takes place on Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire, England (Show on Map), with a slope so steep the participants have no choice but to stumble their way down to the finish line where, hopefully, the cheese awaits.
2. Afternoon Tea
Probably one of the quintessentially British things to partake, afternoon tea has become a socially-acceptable and rather a delightful excuse to meet people for ‘some grub’ from 2 until 4 o’clock in the afternoon.
The birth of the afternoon tea happened in the year 1840 when Anna Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, would request for snacks in between lunch and dinner. It became a repeated occurrence, and she began inviting friends over to relish the treats with her.
Now, afternoon tea is served regularly around the globe, mostly as special offers in fancy hotels and English restaurants.
3. British Transport
Bus. Quick, cheap and iconic – if you are looking to find those three adjectives in one mode of transport, the British double-decker bus is for you. It offers efficient travel, a cheap sightseeing deal and a classic way of doing so.
Cab. They say a trip to the UK isn’t complete without hailing a black cab. It may be significantly more expensive than buses, though.
Train. UK’s railway system is the oldest in the world. Almost every town is connected or accessible by train. Different companies manage the networks. Riding the train is probably the most scenic mode of travel to go.
Tube. The tube, or the London Underground Railway System, connects all the main areas in London. Though it tends to be very crowded during rush hour, it still is the most efficient way of roaming around London.
ENGLAND: ART AND CULTURE 