It’s hard to truly wrap your mind around the hype or eccentricity of popular British events you see on American tv or Hollywood films until you actually get to be dead smack in the middle of it. And while it might be easier for those living abroad or in the UK to pop over to Great Britain to knock off one or two of these UK events from a bucket list, they are also perfect for those who seek a quintessentially British experience traveling from anywhere.
After a lot of curiosity and blessed to experience many of these events myself, I get it. I not only understand the hype, the pomp and circumstance, and all the pageantry that ignites the British culture, but it’s also what makes me love it so and why I go all in as well.
If you only have a few days to visit England or perhaps living in the UK but haven’t quite gotten around to experience the best of Britain’s DNA, here are a few to start with. The rest as they say in the UK is, well, history.
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Table of Contents
1 – Enjoy afternoon tea
If there’s one stereotype the Brits are best known for, it’s their afternoon tea. Images of fancy dress with tea and biscuits on fine China are in fact what afternoon tea can be all about in the UK. It can also simply be a friend over for tea and a chat in your most comfy workout pants, or what Americans refer to as an afternoon snack, for after-school sports, or even Sunday Funday.
Either way, the best way to really comprehend a truly British afternoon tea experience is to actually have one. Then you’ll know the difference.
Afternoon tea in the UK caters to all ages. In fact, what better way to indoctrinate children to such a civilized concept than for an afternoon tea experience with mom and dad.
A few afternoon tea spots to consider:
Luton Hoo for an over-the-top royal-like afternoon tea experience nestled among a very private and quiet estate. It’s the location of the Queen and Duke’s honeymoon. Luton Hoo offers different experiences (price points) based upon the different tea rooms you book. Whether just for tea and a couple of biscuits in a casual environment or champagne with bottomless 3-tiers in period sofas and armchairs, this is the ultimate British afternoon tea experience. A children’s tea is also available.
St Ermin’s Hotel offers afternoon tea suitable for children. This is one of the most popular tea choices in London with kids and repeatably comes up as the most recommended afternoon tea experience with kids by Americans in expat groups that live in the UK.
For a British afternoon tea experience that is totally different and just simply looks fun, try Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour in London. If you’re pressed for time, a bus tour of London while enjoying afternoon tea on a vintage London 1960 Routemaster bus might be the perfect way to experience multiple British things at once.
For a truly different experience, book tea on this London bus
2 – Attend a football game
Football in the UK is synonymous to the NFL in the USA. I daresay football (soccer) is more followed in the UK by the nation, than Americans and their love of Sunday football in the USA. Perhaps with the exception of Texas because Friday night lights really do rule nearly all ages in the ranch state, but aside from that Brits love football. Not just some British, but all British and all ages, too.
I’m fairly certain British kids are born with footballs the second they enter the world. Their footwork is astonishing to watch and kids are scouted super early on. In fact, football scholarships are given out early to kids for private schools and if they’re that good will travel all over Europe.
With the sport so intense and English team flags decorating every major pub and village in town when a game is on, it’d be a crime to not witness a football game in England itself. With beer and liquor banned from the stadium stands to keep fans under control, attending an England football game is a great British event for the whole family.
If a football game isn’t convenient for your visit to England (wherever in England that may be), try a team stadium visit instead. Most football teams in the UK offer different experience stadium tours. Read 6 Fun Things To Do In London With Tweens for a glimpse of an Arsenal tour.
Attending a football match while living in England is a must
3 – Spend the day at a county fair
County fairs are big in the USA, but British ones are simply different. Growing up in a small town with horses and an annual agricultural fair that to this day is still a family tradition, I didn’t think visiting a county fair in the UK would really be all that interesting or different than the USA.
But here’s how the British one-up the county fairs in the USA:
- British county fairs seem a million times larger.
- Flavored gin and craft beer tents are set up everywhere.
- Horse jumping events include men, women, and kids of all ages and really dressed for the occasion.
- You need to spend an entire day to get through most tents and even then you’ll wish you purchased a 2-day pass.
- County fairs cater to adults just as much if not more than to the kids.
- You’ll see more wildlife events than cows, horses, and typical farm animals.
- Shopping options are endless – from British food to incredibly unique gifts, you can accomplish Christmas shopping in July at an English county fair.
The grandness of a county fair in England alone is astonishing. Though you won’t find harness racing at a county fair in England, you’re sure to find everything else in that one location and then some.
You won’t see the Queen at the county fair, but eccentric Britain you will and that’s why you need to experience this British event at least once.
To find a county fair in England, refer to the ASAO schedule.
Attend a British County Fair
4 – Dress for betting at Royal Ascot
You won’t find horse racing at an England county fair because there are so many other options for this great British pastime. Retailers cater to horse racing events just to ensure the correct outfit is worn, down to the proper hat size so women aren’t turned away. Even men can get this wrong by forgetting to wear the correct sock cut.
If a reason to splurge on a dress excites you or even if it’s not your thing but you really want to see what the gusto is all about, then plan a visit for the Royal Ascot. While some race courses offer far more relaxed rules than others, Royal Ascot is off the cuff.
You might not win your hand at betting because learning the program alone has a certain learning curve, but what you can guarantee is seeing members of the royal family, and likely having the most British experience of your life. If you can imagine attending a royal wedding while at the Kentucky Derby, then that’s Royal Ascot – or so I’ve heard.
If Royal Ascot doesn’t align with your travel schedule to the UK, there are many other racecourses to visit that offer similar British experiences. One of my favorite sites to follow for British horse events is Fairfax and Favor. They are known for their English boots (get my hubs’ look here) and love of horses. Otherwise, follow Ascot for race events throughout the year in England.
The Royal Ascot is a pretty special British event
5 – Picnic along the Thames for the Henley Royal Regatta
Described as the world’s largest rowing event, Henley Royal Regatta is host to 660 crews and 200+ fast-paced races over 5 days in July. What could be a better British day out than a picnic along the river while sipping prosecco or trying Pimm’s on a warm British day? And if it’s sunny, even better!
Whether you’re close enough to be a floating spectator or one that takes up on the river bank lawn, the combination of racing and picnicking is a totally British thing to do. Henley dress attire isn’t as strict as Ascot, but there is a dress code to adhere to for paid enclosures.
I say to dress up no matter what and have fun! After all, it’s the British way and to really feel a part of this great British day out is for the men to throw on their most colorful blazer and the ladies to dress up for it, too. Just be sure to call this British occasion the ‘Henley’ or the ‘Henley Royal Regatta’…anything else might be simply rude.
Since the Brits put picnics with Pimm’s on the map, hit the riverbank early to secure a spot or make a reservation. Fill your picnic basket, like this Henley style hamper fit for 4, and get ready for one of the most British days of your life.
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6 – Attend Trooping the Colour
The Royal Queen Her Majesty’s annual birthday celebration, now The King’s, is held on the second Saturday in June. It’s full of all the pomp and circumstance any spectator can imagine.
I wasn’t sold on attending the first time because I thought the crowds would be too outrageous, but after my first year attending, I made it a point to go back. It’s one of my favorite annual British traditions.
For all the details on what to expect and where to stand to see royal family members during the annual birthday parade, read Trooping the Colour.
7 – Holiday like a Brit UK style
While Americans flock to campgrounds or hotels for a typical vacation, the Brits go caravan style. Not the RV kind, but a posh trailer located in some of the most Instagrammable destinations on the island. Otherwise known as a holiday park.
For a vacation experience British style, every American living in the UK should holiday this at least once!
8 – Wimbledon
Unless you’re lucky enough to be connected to get into this tennis championship sensation, getting into this prestigious event is a bit of a chore. Bookmark the public ballot dates to score tickets to attend (probability is 1 in 10), or stand in the queue super early to put your very best British queuing skills to the test.
I’m not sure which is more British: Wimbledon or queuing! Nevertheless, my American friends who have attended say it’s an experience of a lifetime!
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Final Thoughts On British Events You Really Must Try
With so many British events to consider it can be hard to narrow it down to just a few on your England bucket list (grab my FREE England bucket list).
For British experiences beyond London landmarks that truly showcase England’s DNA, try one of these quintessential British 7: afternoon tea, football game, county fair, Royal Ascot, Henley Royal Regatta, Trooping the Colour, holiday park vacation, and Wimbledon.
Looking for more British ideas? Try these.
- Dress Shopping In The UK: An Expat’s Guide To Where To Buy (Race Day)
- 10 Best Things To Do In England
- And make moving abroad a whole lot easier. A moving guide made for expats, from an expat.