Classic British Traditions All Expats Should Experience Part 2

Hello and welcome to part 2 of our dive into the best British experiences! Lets kick off with our excuse to stuff your face with hotdogs and mulled wine!

Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes’ Night, which is celebrated on the 5th of November, is a national event with lots of bonfires and fireworks.

Traditionally it is to commemorate a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament by Guy Fawkes. In addition to the fireworks, us brits use it as an excuse to get the barby out, sausages, burgers chicken are all scoffed along with mulled wine, and cider. (a personal favourite of mine)  so expats should accept an invitation or go along to an officially organised event, just bring your big coat.

Tea

A national pastime and for some, pretty much a religion.  That in itself is not an experience. (well it depends how good the brew is) but the activity of ‘Afternoon Tea’ certainly is. Cakes and sandwiches are served alongside the drink itself.

We don't usually go to this level of fancy in our own homes, but for tearooms it is, expats should also prepare themselves for the unusual habit of dunking biscuits in tea. You’ve been warned!

The seaside

Well we are an island after all, the UK has some impressive seaside coastlines and villages which accompany them, norfolk is well known for good fish and chips and of course lovely tearoom which we just talked about.

Or if you're the type of person who walks around topless on sunny days and appears regularly on the jeremy kyle show you can venture to southend or great yarmouth and see how popular amusement arcades are with families.

Pantomimes

A peculiarly British tradition that has been around for as long as it's been funny to laugh at men in dresses playing female characters. Essentially, a pantomime is a festive take on a fairy tale and made into a comedy for all of the family. They are a popular Christmas tradition.

Expats will find major theatres up and down the country will be putting on pantomimes, which will usually have a famous star or two in them, unless it's a local play then it's just the locals doing their best, (in my opinion its much better than the pros since of all the balls ups)

Word of warning, audience participation is very common and expats will soon find out what they are expected to do and say.

Football

Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London If you want to re-live the triumphs and tragedies of English international footy team, you can book a tour to see the England changing room, raise a replica FA Cup, feel the tension in the players’ tunnel and experience the dressing rooms where legends prepare to do battle on football’s most famous field.