With Britain hosting the Summer Olympics in 2012, there will be more visitors than usual. If you’d like to try a few of the most popular things while over there, here are some you may want to consider.
1. Attend a Theater Performance
New York has Broadway and London has the West End. There are numerous types of shows to choose from, including musicals, dramas, and comedies at some of the city’s most famous venues. You can also take in a matinee if you have youngsters with you. Some of the hottest shows this summer areMatilda, Lion King, Jersey Boys, and War Horse.
2. Shop at the Markets
There are many excellent markets and shops to browse through. These include the Northern Quarter shops in Manchester, as well as markets such as Portobello, Spitalfields, and Camden. You don’t have to go to London to find some of the world’s best fashions since the Northern Quarter is considered to be just as trendy. However, if you’re based in London, be sure to check out the local markets.
3. Visit a Local Pub
While there aren’t as many pubs as there used to be, there are still thousands of excellent options to choose from. Every town has several pubs to enjoy and there’s nothing like an English countryside pub. They’re family friendly and usually serve up some fantastic local dishes.
4. Golfing at St. Andrews
Golf is one of several sports that have originated in Britain. Scotland is considered to be the home of golf and you’ll find many excellent courses here north of the English border. If you’d like to play one of the best and challenge yourself, then a visit to the Old Course over at St. Andrews Links is an ideal choice.
5. Relax in One of the Parks
London and the surrounding area is filled with plenty of beautiful green space and parks. Check out one of them if you get a chance, such as Hyde Park, Richmond Park and Regents Park. The parks are fantastic locations for families to enjoy the natural beauty and fresh air. They’re country paradises in the city. Over at Richmond Park there’s a good chance you’ll run into some wild deer. You can also ride a horse here and the views of the city are fabulous.
6. Fine Dining in London
London is now one of the most culturally diverse cities on the planet and you’ll be able to find food from all over the world. While it may have been hard to find good restaurants decades ago, London is now home to some of the top dining establishments on the globe. Some of these include Nobu, Ceconnis, the Ivy, Nopi, and the Bread St Kitchen.
7. Tour a Soccer Stadium
Soccer is number one in Britain and there are several famous stadiums such as Wembley and Stamford Bridge in London, Liverpool’s Anfield, and Old Trafford in Manchester. The atmosphere at games is something special, but if you happen to be there in the offseason you can still get a feel for these venues by taking guided tours.
8. Visit a Theme Park
Britain has several family-oriented theme parks for visitors to enjoy. Some of the most popular ones include Alton Towers and Thorpe Park. There’s also a studio tour of Warner Brothers in London, where you can see where the famous Harry Potter films were shot.
9. Try the Local Fare
Britons also like to eat their local favorites, such as fish and chips, mushy peas, black pudding, pork pies, sausage rolls, and baps etc. It’s never a bad idea to eat like a local for at least one day. You’ll find numerous fish and chip and kebab shops, as well as various types of takeaways and pie and mash shops.
10. Visit Buckingham Palace
With 2012 being the Queen’s Jubilee, it’s a great time to visit the famous Buckingham Palace. It sits in the middle of London and has been the site of many historic moments. The hanging of the guard is quite a popular event and you’ll be able to take a tour of the State Apartments.
