I'm Really Excited

The reason for my excitement is that I am in the beginning stages of planning my trip to London!!! A city I've dreamed of seeing since I was 16. I've been reading articles and taking notes on where to stay, what to do, how to stay safe, how to dress and more. I'm still planning everything out, as I stated above I am in the beginning stages of planning. I recently read an article about restaurants worth trying in and around the various boroughs of London. I'll be honest; some of them sound very good. Like, for example, there was one restaurant mentioned on Travel Lemming, which the link is provided below, called Imad's Syrian Kitchen. I've never had Syrian food before, but the woman who wrote the post raves about it. I might need to try it. She described some of the food there and it sounded very good. There are certainly no restaurants such as that around where I live. It's mostly Chinese, Indian, Mexican and fast food. If I am in London, I think I might try Indian food. I've never had it, never gotten a chance too. I feel like trying Indian food while on vacation (holiday) might heighten my memories and experience. And it's probably good. Again, I've never had a chance to try it

As a complete and random side note, I do have to say that I am happy that a lot of places in London do take cards. I will definitely have to let my bank know way ahead of time that I am going out of the country, when I'm leaving, where I'm going and when I'm returning so they know it's legitimately me and not fraudulent activity. Sorry about that. My mom worked in card fraud for 10 years at a local bank. I have heard the horror stories she experienced at work, of people not alerting their bank ahead of time and then calling in angry because she or someone else blocked their card. I am very cautious like that. If I wasn't, my mom would give me a piece of her mind to feast upon!

I'm happy to read that a lot of places do accept cards, and that the only places that typically take cash only are small businesses and some of the smaller markets. That means I won't have to bring as much cash as I thought. That's certainly comforting to know; I'd rather not run into any trouble carrying too much cash on me

I often use my 15 minute breaks at work to read articles about going to the UK and taking notes. It relaxes me and takes my mind off of work for 15 minutes, reducing my stress. I just started reading an article yesterday about 15 foods in England that simply must be tried. They all sounded good. And it even stated where to find them. I've also been reading articles about things like etiquette on The Tube, buses and taxis, which Jack the Ripper tour to take, walking / bus tours that are worthwhile for any interest and more

I'm really excited that Formula 1 gear is considered acceptable wear there! Yay!! I have two Formula 1 jerseys, one for the Aston Martin Aramco team and another for the Mercedes AMG Petronas team because my favorite driver is Sebastian Vettel, who was on the Aston Martin team and George Russell, who is on the Mercedes team. Also, I read that it's also acceptable to wear music t-shirts. As long as there is no offensive imagery or anything offensive on it, you should be fine. If anything, I'll probably get a lot of looks for my music t-shirts, considering they would be for bands I listen to, such as Iron Maiden (have quite a few of those t-shirts), Judas Priest, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Def Leppard, Deep Purple. The only graphic print t-shirt I would wear (and I know that will mark me out as being from the US) is a black t-shirt that has two crossed Gibson Flying V's and two bony hands doing the Metal Horns gesture while saying "Yes I'm a girl and Yes I speak fluent metal". Ironically, the wording is done in the same type as Iron Maiden's logo.

And soccer (football) shirts are acceptable as long as you don't wear them in a rival team's territory (wearing Manchester United gear in Manchester City territory or the other way around. Or wearing Arsenal in Tottenham territory or the other way around). Some pubs have even posted signs saying "No football colors" because of fights breaking out. I would love to see at least one football game. Just to experience the excitement of game day, see everyone excited about the upcoming game

As for clothing for going out in the evening, I read that jeans are acceptable, along with dressy t-shirts, skirts, leather boots, etc. I have nice skirts (which, thankfully come to the knees or about an inch or two above) and leather boots. If I did go out in the evening, I wouldn't go anywhere super fancy; I'm simply not like that. I'm more of a corner pub to eat and watch whatever sport is on TV type of person. Just sitting amongst the locals and seeing what their lives are like, seeing how they go through day to day. 

Of course, if I go during the summer, I will have to try and cover my tattoos. I have nine of them and am contemplating at least three more. I'll have to cover them up so as to avoid offending anyone. I am unsure how people in England would react to seeing tattoos on a young woman. So I feel it would probably be best for all intents and purposes to try and cover them up as much as possible. Luckily sweaters are acceptable all year round, which is good for me, as I have at least two sweaters, both are able to be put on and removed like jackets. I have to wear a sweater at work when I wear a short sleeved / sleeveless shirt because of the aforementioned tattoos, so I can look professional and decent at work

The bottom two links are sites that I found by complete accident and I've been taking extensive notes on. The people who write the articles on those sites seem to really know a lot about traveling. I feel like I can trust their expertise. The bottom two sites seem to have a lot of really incredible information. I've been taking extensive notes because I know for a fact that, even if I dress like the locals, they will know I am from the US the second I open my mouth. I count my blessings that I am street smart. I NEVER wear headphones when out and about in a foreign city or in a big city in general. I like keeping my wits and senses about me. I'm always vigilant about my surroundings

That Travel

Travel Lemming

13 Tips for a First Time Trip to Japan

Planning a first time trip to Japan? There are some things you need to know before setting off to the land of samurai, geisha and Mount Fuji. According to MSN.com, here are some tips for a first timer going to Japan.

1. Cash will get you far

-Despite many places using electronic payment, payment cards and various other forms of payment, there are still a few places here and there that prefer cash. Make sure you have enough paper money or coins on you just to make sure you can pay. ATMs can be found in convenience stores and the local post offices. Just know that some ATMs will not accept foreign payment cards, so ensure you have plenty of cash on hand prior to coming to Japan. Learn about the exchange rate of yen and always carry more than you need to cover any unexpected hiccups

2. Public transportation

-Public transportation in Japan is top notch. They are always on time. And if they are not, they will issue delay certificates. If extensive travel in Japan is something you're planning on doing, invest in a Japan Rail Pass. This will slash costs for transportation. Trains are always on time and stations will have signs in multiple languages, so there's no fear of getting lost with the foreign signage. Download a transportation app that will help with planning a route to somewhere. Stand on the correct side of the escalators (left in Tokyo, right in Osaka) and allow passengers on the train or subway to exit prior to boarding

3. Etiquette and manners

-Japan is known for its high level of etiquette and manners. Simple things like bowing when you greet someone, saying arigatou gozaimasu (thank you) and sumimasen (excuse me) are always well appreciated. Even if you're not fully fluent in the language, the locals will appreciate the effort you put into using these simple phrases. You must always remove shoes prior to entering homes or certain types of accommodations. It's all in the name of cleanliness. While on public transportation, avoid speaking loudly. It is considered disrespectful and rude to speak loudly. When coughing / sneezing, cover your mouth to avoid spreading germs. Personal space is highly respected, so respect the space of others around you. Learning how the local etiquette works will ensure you show proper respect and will earn you respect from the locals

4. Language barrier

-People have, for the longest time, thought Japanese was the hardest language to learn. No language is difficult to learn; it's just some people pick up languages easier than others. While in Japan, learning a few basic phrases will get you far. Some people in Japan do know basic English while some may not. If you learn some basic Japanese, that will get you pretty far and it will show the locals you put in a conscious effort to learn their language. Translation apps or phrasebooks always come in handy in areas where English is less frequently spoken. Most major cities have signs in multiple languages. Gestures and body language also helps communicate your message. Locals will appreciate the effort

5. Adventures with Food

-Japan is one of those countries whose food is as rich and unique as the culture. Where else would you find food like squid, tuna and other sea food transformed into new foods? There's something for everyone. Many restaurants feature picture menus or plastic food displays to show what is on offer. Street food is a must. There's just something about street food sizzling on an open grill that just adds a little something extra to your trip. Don't worry about stepping outside your comfort zone and try new foods; that's the whole point of going to a foreign country. Trying new foods. Gaining new experiences. Dining in Japan can be as memorable as the sights and sounds you'll see and hear. It provides a great look into one of the more interesting cultures of the world

6. Convenience stores

-Convenience stores in Japan are amazing places. They sell all sorts of items. From bento boxes to beer and more. They also stock items such as personal hygiene items, stationery and even clothing. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Known as konbini in Japanese, these are handy little places to go if you need anything. Just remember to have cash on hand in case they only accept cash

7. Safety

-Japan is one of the safer countries in the world. That's not to say that petty crime doesn't happen from time to time. It's still a good idea to be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye out for anything that seems out of the ordinary. It's not uncommon to see young school kids travelling by themselves on the trains and buses. Emergency services are fast and reliable. Knowing a few phrases in Japanese will also help. Police officers will have call boxes that you can use to request police assistance

8. Wi-Fi and connectivity

-A lot of people often use Wi-Fi to connect to the internet. Sometimes it can get spotty depending on where you are. You can rent a pocket Wi-Fi device or get a SIM card to stay connected. Many of the cafes, convenience stores and hotels have Wi-Fi. But if you have your own Wi-Fi device, you can access maps, translations and other online information at any given time. This will be immensely helpful if you are trying to access information about public transportation and finding sights to see

9. Cultural Sites

-Japan is rich with cultural sites that pose great importance to their heritage and culture. Kyoto is a treasure trove of history and culture, including the Fushimi Inari Shrine, which was in the film Memoirs of a Geisha. Tokyo is an interesting mix of traditional Japan with modern day sights and sounds. Many of these cultural sites have signage in multiple languages. You can even join a guided tour. When you visit these places, it opens your eyes to the wondrous, rich and beautiful culture that makes Japan one of a kind

10. Seasonal attractions

-Almost every season has something to look forward to. Spring is the season of the cherry blossoms blooming. Autumn brings explosions of color from the leaves and trees. Summer is festival season while winter is good for snow-based activities, such as skiing, snowboarding and enjoying hot springs or onsen as they are known. Plan your trip depending on the season to take advantage of what Japan has to offer. There's always something interesting to do in Japan for each of the four seasons

11. Tipping

-Tipping is not done in Japan. To offer a tip is considered rude. Excellent service is a gold standard in Japan. People pride themselves on providing excellent service. By tipping, you are, without necessarily saying it, that the person needs to improve their customer service. It's considered rude and impolite. There are ways of expressing your gratitude without tipping. You can verbally show your appreciation or present a small gift. Understanding this principle of Japanese culture will earn you respect from the locals and avoid strange situations. It will also show that you respect the traditions

12. Onsen etiquette

-Onsen, or "hot springs" are a major part of Japanese culture. As such, there is a certain etiquette that must be adhered to strictly. Prior to entering an onsen, you must clean yourself completely at one of the wash stations. Swimwear is not allowed due to being considered unsanitary. You bathe naked. Tattoos may be banned. Call ahead and find out what the policy is on tattoos. Some in Japan are uncomfortable seeing tattoos because of the strong cultural connection between them and the Japanese Mafia, also known as the Yakuza. These underworld gangsters are known for full body tattoos

13. Respect nature

-Japan is one of the most beautiful places in the world. So many wonders, both natural and man made. The parks, gardens and natural sites reflect a deep sense of awe and wonder, and a deep sense of respect of nature. As a tourist, it would be in your best interest to respect the nature there as well. There are guidelines that must be strictly adhered to. Do not pick flowers. Stay on the marked paths. Carry any trash with you; don't litter. If you show respect, this will earn you respect from the locals and also ensure future generations can visit these beautiful places

Fun Facts About Kentucky

This state is just south of Ohio. In fact, all you have to do is cross the Ohio River and you're in Kentucky. This state is known as the Bluegrass State. It's because of the specific species of grass that grows here that has a bluish-green tinge to it. But there are quirky, interesting and unique facts about this state that even born and raised Kentuckians may not even know

https://www.google.com/search?q=fun+facts+about+kentucky&sca_esv=e3144f6254eef5eb&source=hp&ei=HZe9Z8ajA56XwbkPwO6VqQk&iflsig=ACkRmUkAAAAAZ72lLZL_9B9MzrzdmWUkI8FwKtXBqgwY&oq=fun+facts+about+&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhBmdW4gZmFjdHMgYWJvdXQgKgIIBDIIEAAYgAQYsQMyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgARI9-AGUIO-Bliu0AZwAXgAkAEAmAFooAGBCaoBBDE1LjG4AQPIAQD4AQGYAhGgApAKqAIKwgIKEAAYAxjqAhiPAcICChAuGAMY6gIYjwHCAhEQLhiABBixAxjRAxiDARjHAcICCxAAGIAEGLEDGIMBwgILEC4YgAQY0QMYxwHCAg4QLhiABBixAxjRAxjHAcICERAuGIAEGNQCGMcBGI4FGK8BwgILEAAYgAQYkgMYigXCAggQLhiABBjUAsICCBAuGIAEGLEDwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYigXCAg4QLhiABBjHARiOBRivAcICCBAAGIAEGMkDwgIOEAAYgAQYsQMYgwEYyQPCAggQABiABBiSA8ICDhAAGIAEGLEDGMkDGIoFmAMY8QWkcdWvQFdgvZIHBDE2LjGgB5Rt&sclient=gws-wiz

-The world's largest Toyota plant outside of Japan resides in Georgetown, Kentucky

-Kentucky was the first place that Thomas Alva Edison introduced the lightbulb to

-In Henderson, Kentucky, in 1887, the first Mother's Day was held

-In the Appalachian Region of Kentucky, bluegrass music got its start

-Bardstown, Kentucky is called the Bourbon Capital of the World for the massive number of bourbon distilleries, from Jim Beam in Clermont, Kentucky to Four Roses, Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey and more

-The massively successful Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) got its start in Corbin, Kentucky. It started out being sold out of a gas station, but when Harlan Sanders realized he was selling more chicken than gas, he decided to make a restaurant to sell his chicken. And the rest is history

-Kentucky is known as the "horse capital of the world"

-Cumberland Falls is one of the very few places in the US where you can witness a "moonbow"

https://library.louisville.edu/ekstrom/gov_states/kyfacts

Chewing gum was invented in Louisville, Kentucky in 1873 by a pharmacist named John Colgan

Cave City, Kentucky features a hotel whose rooms are shaped like Native American teepees. This Wigwam Village was built in 1937 by Frank A. Redford

Kentucky is home to more resort and state parks than any other state

https://www.movoto.com/guide/ky/kentucky-facts/

Duncan Hines, the creator of the famous cake mix named after himself, was born and raised in Bowling Green, Kentucky

There is a continuously burning underground coal fire in Breathitt County, Kentucky called the Lost Mountain Coal Mine. It's been abandoned for over 40 years and it's burning for nearly that long, if not longer

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https://www.visitlex.com/guides/post/14-fun-facts-about-central-kentucky/

Quite a few famous names come from Kentucky. Actors George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Josh Hutcherson, actress Jennifer Lawrence, boxer Muhammad Ali, bluegrass musician Ricky Skaggs, country musician Chris Stapleton, Loretta Lynn, Naomi Judd

Multiple big names in bourbon production are located in Kentucky. Woodford Reserve, Jim Beam, Four Roses, Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey. They are part of the iconic "Bourbon Trail"

https://funworldfacts.com/kentucky-america/

Originally, the only inhabitants of Kentucky were the Cherokee, Chickasaw and Shawnee people. Now people in those tribes only make up 0.2% of Kentucky's population

Kentucky is the second largest producer of tobacco after North Carolina

Kentucky also holds the record for highest percentage of cigarette smokers, with 28.8% being men and 27.8% being women

This fact is not fun at all. It's actually scary and sad. It's known to locals as the Beverly Hills Fire. This nightclub, called The Beverly Hills Supper Club, burned to the ground on 5/28/1977, taking 165 lives with it, either directly at the club or as a result of their injuries. This club was located in the Kentucky city of Southgate, overlooking I-471. This fire was said to be one of the region's most devastating fires, thought to have been caused by faulty electrical wiring in a small room called the Zebra Room. Over 2000 people were crammed into the building that night, due to various events, such as musician Tommy Davidson performing in the Cabaret Room, the main large entertainment area. Or a local choral group holding a dinner there in one of the rooms on the second floor, along with several weddings and receptions taking place in the garden rooms outside. The building was well over safe capacity for people. And because of this fire, fire inspectors mandated that signs posting the capacity for rooms be posted in buildings along with updated fire safety

https://thefactfile.org/kentucky-facts/

Harrodsburg was the first permanent settlement in Kentucky. Established in 1774 as Fort Harrod, the settlement was named after the man who was supervising the construction, James Harrod

Kentucky is the second largest provider of hardwood after Florida. The reason being that 48% of Kentucky is covered with forests

Kentucky has a mountain. Called Black Mountain, it rises to a staggering height of 4,145 above sea level. To climb it, you must sign a waiver. It's located near Paducah, at the most southwestern tip of Kentucky

There are more than 11,000 elk roaming in Kentucky. This means Kentucky is home to the largest population of elk on the eastern coast of the United States

The best baseball museum outside of Cooperstown, New York is the Louisville Slugger Museum

Transylvania University in Lexington is extremely selective about the students they choose to admit. Chartered in 1780, it never grew into a massive university. It's considered to be the oldest university west of the Allegheny Mountains

1877 seen the highest railroad bridge over navigable water opening. The Nicholasville High Bridge in Jessamine County is 1,125 long and 275 feet

While Kentucky features many lakes, only three are natural. The rest are man made

Post-It Notes were invented in Kentucky by complete mistake. Spencer Silver, an employee at 3M, was trying to create an adhesive for use in aerospace technology in 1968. While his invention failed, it resulted in a new creation. The new result was that his adhesive didn't leave sticky residue on anything. Post-It Notes originated in Cynthiana, Kentucky

Kentucky bourbon was invented by Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister. He created the drink in 1785

https://lextoday.6amcity.com/city-guide/live/interesting-facts-lexington-kentucky

Clark County, Kentucky, the the neighbor to the east of Lexington, Kentucky, is said to be home of the popular snack Beer Cheese

In Lexington, Belle's Cocktail House is named after local madam Belle Brezing. She ran a high class brothel in the Victorian days, using the Mary Todd Lincoln home as her brothel. It's said she was the inspiration for Gone with the Wind character Belle Watling

Belle Brezing

The first African American congregation in Kentucky was established in 1790. It was the First African Baptist Church. It's also the third largest African American congregation in the US

-Lexington has a yearly tradition of reenacting the Michael Jackson video "Thriller." Around Halloween every year, people gather in the downtown area to recreate the famous dance scenes

https://www.factretriever.com/kentucky-facts

Louisville is home to the Kentucky Derby, one of the largest and most popular horse racing events in America. It's also one of the oldest continuously running events in America

Mammoth Cave is the longest running cave system in the world. It runs for 400 miles underneath Kentucky

The Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial features a sundial that, in shadow, touches the name of each person on the date they died

All Chevrolet Corvettes since 1981 were manufactured in Kentucky

Because of climate change, Kentucky and neighboring states have seen an increase in tornadoes

Even More Fun Facts About England

This country is certainly far older in history than other countries. There are many historic castles here, interesting history, unique landmarks and more. It's quirky to some, unique to some and even fascinating to some, all depending on your view. Here are some quirky, interesting and even fun facts about the land known as "across the pond"

If I ever get the chance to go "across the pond", I'll need to make sure I dress like the locals. Just to show respect. I'll have to do some research about what locals typically wear

Above each section is the link that produced the information under it

https://bigrocktravel.com/five-fun-facts-about-england/

The guards at Buckingham Palace

-These iconic red-coated soldiers are one of the things that make England unique. It's considered a must see for travelers to witness the Changing of the Guard. These guards' shifts can last from 24-48 hours. Their shift also includes 4 hours off but 2 hours sentry duty

Red double-decker buses

-These are the lifeline of travel for most Londoners. More than half of all journeys throughout London are made using one of these iconic double-decker buses. Buses have been part of the London streets since the 1800s. The first bus service was created by a man named George Shillibeer, who started the bus service by using a horse-drawn omnibus. The route ran between Paddington and The City. He thought ahead and his innovative way of thinking caught on fast

English gardens

-When you hear England, you might think of "English gardens", which revolve around beautiful flowers, quaint cottages and overall natural beauty at it's best. It's said that the earliest English garden was created in the 1st century AD. It became a staple of British life in the Middle Ages. When castles went to fortified manor houses instead, the gardens became green spaces surrounded by fences or hedges. Outdoor games such as bowls or tennis took place regularly. Each garden reflects a part of the personality of the person caring for them

British flag

-Also known as the Union Jack, the unique colors and design of the flag represent the flags of England, Scotland and Ireland, with Wales seemingly left out in the cold. It consists of the crosses of each country's patron saint: Cross of St. George for England, the Cross of St. Andrew for Scotland and the Cross of St. Patrick for Ireland

Cream tea

-This might not sound appetizing, but this is part of afternoon tea, which is a large part of British culture. There is a great debate as to whether it's cream first or jam first. Cream tea has been part of UK culture since the 11th century and ever since then, arguments have been up and running about what goes first-cream or jam. Depending on where you're at, the answers are different. Devon residents state it's clotted cream first and then jam while Cornwall residents firmly state it's jam first, then clotted cream

https://www.studyin-uk.com/study-guide/30-facts-about-uk/

-To put a postage stamp with the Queen's head upside down on an envelope is considered an act of treason

-Buckingham Palace has it's own police station

-1860 seen the first fish and chip shop being opened by a Jewish resident

-Edward VIII, who was the King in the UK in 1932, abdicated the throne by marrying an American divorcee named Wallis Simpson. He was a firm Nazi supporter and strongly believed that England being bombed could bring peace and end WWII

-The 2012 Olympic games in London was the first time that every country being represented had at least one female athlete competing

https://leverageedu.com/blog/interesting-facts-about-uk/

-The famous Jack the Ripper terrorized the East End of London in 1888. His stalking ground was the East End neighborhood of Whitechapel. It's said he was never caught and remains one of the best known cold cases to this day. In fact, the spirit of one of his victims, Polly Nichols, is said to haunt the Whitechapel district

-Despite the Great Fire of London destroying much of the city, the number of deaths that resulted from it was only six people

-Advertisements are not broadcast on the BBC due to funding by TV viewers who are required to pay annual TV license fees

-There are more Indian restaurants in London alone than in New Delhi and Mumbai combined

-Despite the law stating those under the age of 18 cannot buy alcohol in the UK, it is, however, legal for those under the age of 18 to drink alcohol in their own home or other private premises

-There are very few trash bins in Victoria Station. This comes as a result of the 1991 bombing at Victoria Station, where a bomb was placed in a trash bin

-The only venomous snake in all of the UK is the adder, also known as the Common European Viper or Common European Adder

-The tallest building in the UK is The Shard, often jokingly called "The Eye of Sauron" by some

-Out of all of the airports in the UK, London Heathrow is the busiest, seeing 48.2 million passengers from January 2013 to August 2013

-You will see the Royal Stamp on some food items because it has been bought by the Royal Family for at least five years

-There are more than 130 universities in the UK. The most prestigious and well known are Cambridge and Oxford

-It takes almost thirty minutes to do a complete circle on the London Eye

-You can receive a personalised greeting card from the Queen if you turn 100 in the UK

-There is a strategically built "fake town" in Gravesend that was built for the sole purpose of training police officers and for police officers to practice ways of combatting dangerous situations

-There is a famous garden called Alnwick Garden in the UK. This garden is also known as the Poison Garden due to it containing over 100 varieties of poisonous or intoxicating plants

-It's considered illegal and thus a banned act to feed pigeons in Trafalgar Square in London

More Fun Facts About England

This country is certainly far older in history than other countries. There are many historic castles here, interesting history, unique landmarks and more. It's quirky to some, unique to some and even fascinating to some, all depending on your view. Here are some quirky, interesting and even fun facts about the land known as "across the pond"

If I ever get the chance to go "across the pond", I'll need to make sure I dress like the locals. Just to show respect. I'll have to do some research about what locals typically wear

Above each section is the link that produced the information under it

https://www.thelandmarkkids.com/blogs/facts/23-fun-facts-about-england?srsltid=AfmBOopslRHVktyerRZkwMlFnysNu_eIx_qN3knZhFuP_H-yMY09xdPC

-A flock of birds landed on the minute hand of Big Ben and took the clock time back by five minutes in 1945

-The River Thames runs right through London and there are over 200 bridges crossing it and 20 tunnels running underneath it

-England is a highly diverse country, with over 300 languages spoken here and dozens of unique ethnicities of people living there

-There are more Indian restaurants in England than New Delhi and Mumbai combined

-The largest library on the planet is the London Library. It contains 170 million books

-The London Underground, also known to locals as The Tube, has 409 escalators

-"Big Ben" is not the name of the iconic clock tower. It's actually the name of the bell in St. Stephen's Tower, renamed in 2012 as Elizabeth Tower in honor of Queen Elizabeth II

-Most of the cities in England have two football teams: one for the Catholics and the other for the Protestants

-When Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, she was the longest reigning monarch in all of British history. She surpassed the reign of Queen Victoria

https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/blog/interesting-facts-about-england/

Winchester was actually the first capital in England, not London

-Located in Hampshire, the city of Winchester was the capital city in England, not London. During the 10th century, King Alfred of Wessex decided to make London the capital due to the opportunities for trade

For over 300 years, French was the official language in England

-It might sound strange, but French was the official language spoken in England. It was mostly spoken by the upper classes while the lower classes spoke English. The reason for the French language is William the Conqueror of France completed the Norman Conquest in 1066. Over the years, French is still spoken in England, with names like Richard, William and Robert being popular names

Several iconic scientists were born in England

-That's right. Several of the leading people in science were born in England. Sir Isaac Newton, who provided the world with the laws of motion and gravity and the theory of color, was born in Lincolnshire in 1643. Stephen Hawking, a world famous physicist who provided the world with theories on exploding black holes and revolutionizing the field of astronomy, was born in 1942 in Cambridgeshire. There's also Alan Turing, a London-born mathematician and computer scientist who invented the Turing Machine and Turing Test to break the Enigma Code, set up by the Nazis. The Enigma Code encrypted all German communications and Turing's machine unencrypted the messages, halting the German war effort

Sir Isaac Newton

Stephen Hawking

Alan Turing

The World Wide Web (WWW) was invented in England

-You read that right. The internet, as we know it, was born "across the pond." It was born in 1989 thanks to Tim Berners-Lee, a scientist. While working at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, he began a project to share information with other people all over the world. It was used privately until 1993, when CERN opened it to the public

Random culture facts about England

It's considered illegal to be intoxicated in English pubs

-This seems like the strangest law in the world, especially in a country known for having around 35,000 pubs. Enacted in 1872, this law was created with safety in mind. The law bans anyone from becoming intoxicated anywhere that is not their own private home. While it does sound strange, it's designed to keep drinking levels down and safety up

Two of the most common names are Oliver and Olivia

-The top baby names of 2020 were Oliver and Olivia according to the National Institute for Statistics. Babies named Oliver were in and around Hertfordshire on the Northeast coast of England while babies named Olivia were in and around the Southern coast of England

English is the most heavily spoken language worldwide

-Statista reports that as of 2022, English is the most heavily spoken language worldwide. There are 1.5 billion speakers of English

The most heavily photographed mountain is Scafell Pike in the UK

-Most people on Instagram like to post pictures of themselves in front of Scafell Pike in the Lake District, raking in a massive 85,100 geotags on Instagram

Food facts in England

Sparkling wine was invented in England

-This might sound strange, as you might think sparkling wine is more of a French discovery. But, strangely, it's all English in origin. It's widely believed that a French monk named Dom Perignon invented sparkling wine in 1697. According to the BBC, an English scientist named Christopher Merrett, hailing from the village of Winchcombe in The Cotswolds, discovered sparkling wine 30 years before the monk did

Liverpool is the tea capital of England

-When you hear Liverpool, I'm sure the first thing that pops up is The Beatles or "The Fab Four" as they are known. Survey site Typhoo found that Liverpool residents consume more cups of tea than anyone else. It's said that they drink up to nine cups a day

Yorkshire is the largest county in England

-It takes up 11% of England's geography. Two UNESCO World Heritage sites are located here: Saltair & Salts Mill and Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Southern England is mostly flat

-Areas like The Cotswolds and the Chiltern Hills in southern England are a lot flatter than the northern regions, like the Lake District. The southern region of England offers breathtaking views of beautiful countryside. You can get a mix of coastal and countryside when visiting South Downs National Park

England is very close to mainland Europe

-Brits can access mainland Europe through the Channel Tunnel, also known as the "Chunnel", a tunnel than runs under the English Channel. Built in 1993, it's considered to be the longest underwater tunnel in the world. Thanks to this handy invention, you can go from London to Paris in only two and a half hours

No matter where you are in England, you'll always be within reasonable distance of the sea

-No matter where you are, the sea will always be 115km of your location. The city that is farthest from the sea is Coton in The Elms in Derbyshire. For those who live in cities, they can breathe easy knowing the nearest beach destination is within a reasonable amount of time from them

https://ohmyfacts.com/world/20-fun-facts-about-england-youll-love/

The Tower of London has served many lives over the years

-This iconic location in England is visited by tons of tourists. It's had many lives over the years, serving as a royal palace, armory, zoo and even a prison

Fish and Chips is one of the more popular dishes

-Invented in the 1860s, the iconic English staple is one of the most popular British comfort foods across England

Afternoon tea was born in the 1840s

-This calm, serene atmosphere is what you'll get with afternoon tea. This occasion was born in the 1840s and involves various teas with various desserts, such as scones, cakes and sandwiches

The Football Association was born in 1863

-Soccer (football) became codified in England with the creation of the Football Association in 1863. This association is where all of the teams in England belong to

"Remember, remember the the Fifth of November"

-This might sound like a nursery rhyme. In a way, it's something iconic and unique to England. It's referencing Guy Fawkes Night. Celebrated on the 5th of November, it celebrates Guy Fawkes stopping the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 with fireworks and bonfires

The Lake District National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site

-This beautiful park features deep valleys, sparkling lakes and beautiful mountains. It's a hiker's dream come true. This location is now designated a UNESCO World Heritage site

The Beatles changed music as we know it

-This quartet from Liverpool made history by changing music as we know it. They, to this day, remain one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history

Oxford University is the oldest university in the English-speaking world

-Established in the 12th century, this highly acclaimed university is still running and accepting students to this day

Cambridge University is known for producing more Nobel Prize winners than any other university

-This university, established in 1209, has churned out many successful people, including dozens of Nobel Prize winners