become a member Cost as low as $4/month and enjoy unlimited reading of the TSLL blog.
Whether or not we set foot on the terra firma of the British Isles, all it takes is patience and preparation skills, whether pre-booked or dreamed up, in advance of an anticipated trip. Yes, I’m enjoying how we’ve curated what we can fix where we live to include what we love about the culture.
Since My last trip in October 2023The moment I got home, I wanted to get back on the plane and go back to Britain. If it wasn’t for my puppy and my budget, I would have ☺️ but this kind of feeling is also a gift. It means we’ve found what speaks to us, what makes us come alive, and that’s something to celebrate.
What we do during our trip will make the next trip an even more precious memory. So by exploring and identifying exactly what we miss, it can better inform us what we want to see, do, and look forward to when we return. So, today, I want to share with you 10 things I miss before the next opportunity comes to upload my ticket to my phone and pack my luggage.
1. Theater
The West End and all the other theater offers around town and across England where many plays start before coming to London is a must every time I visit. I can remember sitting next to a woman during one of the plays I attended, she was from NYC and said she used to cross the pond regularly to see the theater and enjoy the city. Sounds like a great reason to visit more often to me!
2. Getting lost while walking around London, but as long as I can find a tube station, I’ll find my bearings again.
London, as British people already know, has its own maps of roads and paths that have existed for centuries, so urban planning methods for reducing congestion, let alone clarity about how to get somewhere, were not part of the original design of the modern 21st-century city. However, what is easier to navigate is the tube. So, whenever I feel a little uneasy, I look for a tube station and then I can easily get my bearings and do a quick toodle-loo to where I’m trying to get to.
And of course, hearing the phrase “mind the gap” sounds like a lullaby in many ways. With my Oyster card or transit app at the ready, I run and enjoy the ease of how the system works.
3. All of the many parks to visit across the country are open to the public
From within the City of London to everywhere in Britain, gardens are plentiful and of all types and aesthetic styles, inviting us to visit. Since I’ve only just started seeing them in person – Sissinghurst Being my first, every trip I return, I aim to include at least one visit to a new-to-me garden. I discovered many such gardens while visiting Gardeners World.
4. Everywhere seems to be an opportunity for an afternoon tea
What would a trip to Britain be without afternoon tea? Shutter to think 😉🫖
5. Electric tea kettle and tea leaves ready at any accommodation and tea is available wherever you go – train, restaurant, waiting area etc.
Tea service on the train, multiple tea services on long journeys, tea kettles set on the counter in every holiday rental I’ve ever had, even biscuits instantly paired. My stay in Kensington in London Perfect’s flat in 2017 This hospitality is displayed de rigueurAnd immediately felt right at home.
6. Free museums to visit (and even if they start charging, they have countless museums to visit!).
The opportunity to visit any of the major National Museums in London for free is a gift, and I know many TSLL readers and podcast listeners have done so. This availability to the public at first surprised me during my first visit in 2012, and then it informed me of a culture’s priorities. As long as this gift lasts, Britain, you have been most generous. thank you
7. Knowing that rain can fall at any time and for a very long time
Yes, one of the reasons I love getting on a plane and flying to Britain is because I know that at some point, I’m 100% guaranteed it’s going to rain, and I love rain. Especially in the countryside, hearing the sound of rain or gently tapping against the roof or window is something I have always found soothing, again, much like a lullaby to comfort and welcome.
8. Ease of train transportation to get around the country without the need to drive everywhere
Every time I return to the States and get back in my car to go just about anywhere, I long for the ease of commuting in Britain. Now, I know as I write this, the Brits will remind me that it’s not always easy when there are strikes or mechanical problems, so I admit, nothing is perfect; However, just knowing that train transportation is valuable and so widely available is another gift I enjoy using when visiting.
9. Birdsong and all of the countryside
Granted I recall the melodious chorus of early spring mornings in the Kent countryside, but great birdsong while in England is a memory that immediately brings a smile.
10. Antique and charity shops, treasures to be found!
There’s something quite exciting about knowing you never know what you’ll find when you walk into an antique or charity shop. Le Papillon has welcomed a variety of treasures over the years, and indeed, in the photo at the top of this post, the painting is spot on. While I know similar shops can be found in France (which I also love for treasure hunting) as well as in the States, there’s something about the history that makes it all the more special in Britain.
Yes, I am interested in returning to Britain. And when I don’t have a trip planned or on the calendar yet. I know it will be soon, and it will be deeply enjoyed and long prepared for when I do.
Now, I’m curious, what do you miss when you’re not in the UK and don’t have your next trip planned? We all love to hear as I feel it will inspire ideas for others and their travel plans Thank you in advance for sharing with your fellow Anglophile community!
little joy
~The other Bennett sisters, Britbox
Learn more About the series, see the trailer, and the book that inspired the television adaptation.
Similar posts you might enjoy
Explore all posts from this year’s British Week
