Author Topic: Coming to the UK  (Read 2236 times)

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Offline ToecrusherHammerjaw

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This is for all of you who are in Britain or anywhere else in the United Kingdom:  in about two months, I may be coming to see your wonderful islands (Yay! My first time out of North America!!).  I would like some advice:  is there anything in particular I should see if I go?

 

Offline an0n

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Edinburgh Castle.

Everything else is pretty ****ty.
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Offline Flipside

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Thanks for that wonderfully constructive advice and social commentary :)

Which part of the UK are you coming to?

 

Offline an0n

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The thing with the UK is that most of our impressive **** actually serves a function, so you've got to book tours ahead of time and ****.

Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Alton Towers - you can't just stroll in to these places.

And the 'stroll into' places that don't really have a function are all so old and irreplacable that they don't let you within 500ft of them (Stonehenge for example).

Your best bet is to just shack up in a Bed-N-Breakfast in Dublin with some Irish chick and spend a week ****ing, drinking and generally partying your mother****ing ass off.
"I.....don't.....CARE!!!!!" ---- an0n
"an0n's right. He's crazy, an asshole, not to be trusted, rarely to be taken seriously, and never to be allowed near your mother. But, he's got a knack for being right. In the worst possible way he can find." ---- Yuppygoat
~-=~!@!~=-~ : Nodewar.com

 

Offline vyper

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Everything past Loch Lomond going North is worth seeing. Stunning views, some water sports at the right Loch, and lovely people.

In terms of urban adventure, if you're old enough (or young enough!) come to Glasgow and visit the big clubs like the Garage, Cube, et al. If clubs aren't your thing, try the numerous trendy bars that are everywhere to be found.

Visiting Edinburgh, hell yes. Just avoid the new Parliament building; Even the MSPs do right now.

Going down south, there is a lot of lovely scenery in the English countryside. In terms of urban visits, I'd say London is a must. Southampton if you have any interest in ship building history (I should mention the clydeside in Glasgow too actually).

White Cliffs of Dover. Just remember they are receeding, even if it is exceptionally slowly, so... don't stand too close to the edge.

Edit: Yes, including all the various historic sites around the major population centres that I have mentioned.
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Offline an0n

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Oh and never, EVER get into a fight in a British pub.

You'll probably be fine, but there's a reasonable chance you'll get stabbed and a slight chance you'll end up being wrapped in a carpet and thrown in the sea.

You go in the wrong pub and you're ****ed. Simple as that.
"I.....don't.....CARE!!!!!" ---- an0n
"an0n's right. He's crazy, an asshole, not to be trusted, rarely to be taken seriously, and never to be allowed near your mother. But, he's got a knack for being right. In the worst possible way he can find." ---- Yuppygoat
~-=~!@!~=-~ : Nodewar.com

 

Offline vyper

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Doing your bit for our world reputation there an0n?
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Offline Wild Fragaria

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I think you should definitely visit the castles, something we don't have in the States.  I fell in love with them since I first visited Tower of London 6 years ago.  And, I always make sure I visit a few of them every time I am in the country  ;)

 

Offline an0n

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Doing your bit for our world reputation there an0n?

Just trying to keep the man from getting stabbed.

Starting fights in British pubs is always iffy at best. Most places will throw you out or call the police, but there's just enough local pubs and chore-infested clubs around that foreigners should be specifically warned to watch themselves.

Oh and ****ing student bars. Never go in a student bar. At best you get a room full of drunken dickheads, at worst you get a room full of Psychology/Art/Sociology students.
"I.....don't.....CARE!!!!!" ---- an0n
"an0n's right. He's crazy, an asshole, not to be trusted, rarely to be taken seriously, and never to be allowed near your mother. But, he's got a knack for being right. In the worst possible way he can find." ---- Yuppygoat
~-=~!@!~=-~ : Nodewar.com

 

Offline ToecrusherHammerjaw

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Always thought that was common knowledge about British pubs.  I'll keep that in mind, as I'll probably be celebrating my 21st over there if I go (yes, I know your legal drinking age is lower).  Thanks for the advice, everyone, most of these places I do know a little something about.  Also, one of my best friends here in the U.S. is a blood relation of the Duke of Athel, or so his pictures claim, so he advised me to visit someplace called the Golden Mile.  Anyone ever heard of that?

Once again, thanks an0n, I didn't know you cared  ;).

 
Don't do London without a good map, and mind that the bloody Tube closes at 1830 on Sundays. And don't expect tourist information to be open at the times you need. Most cities are pretty nice, and compared to the rest of Europe, the chances of getting your money (and passport) nicked in broad daylight seem pretty slim. Still, stuff your ID down your underwear in places like Manchester, London, or other big cities. Don't got into London's Victoria Coach station if you like to avoid junkies, hotel tauts, luggage thieves, and pickpockets. Rest of the station seemed pretty ok, just don't go near the coach bit.

White cliffs look nice, especially so from the sea. Not sure if there are tour boats, but the view from a boat heading for Dover is always better then the view from Dover looking at the boats. Though, if you happen to have a really clear night, you can see France quite clearly from Dover's cliffs.

How long are you staying? Are you looking for nature or urban stuff? Historic? Roman? Stoneage? How will you be travelling around? (If you've got the money, take trains. The comfort of a train over a coach is worth it. National Express is quite reasonable, but coaches do tend to get really annoying after an hour or ten.)

Pounds are expensive, so everything is just one and a half times more expensive then in the rest of Europe. Food isn't all that bad, if you stick to pubs, don't eat fast food except for fish and chips or kebabs. Drink is hellishly priced due to taxes. Traffic comes from the other side of the road.
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Offline vyper

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I'd like to point out that unless you go into the East End screaming "**** the pope" or "**** the queen" (depending on which side of the street you're on), you are very unlikely to die in Glasgow. In fact you'll have a great time, and while you won't get away with being a dick, you will not be stabbed for it.

Oh, and try Irn Bru or die. :)
"But you live, you learn.  Unless you die.  Then you're ****ed." - aldo14

 

Offline Petrarch of the VBB

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The only Golden Mile I know of is in Blackpool, and I wouldn't recommend going there. Ever.

 

Offline an0n

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Oh, and try Irn Bru or die. :)
The story behind that is brilliant.

Quote
The drink was first produced in 1901 under the name Iron-Brew. During World War II the British Government reined in production of 'non-essential' products, causing Iron-Brew to vanish from retailers' shelves until 1946. Around this time there was a move to tighten up legislation on product labelling, in order to make it factually descriptive which ended with legislation being passed that required 0.125g of iron per fluid ounce to any drink bearing the name 'iron brew'. In 1946 Barr registered the new name 'Irn-Bru' for their product.

Scottish thinking FTW.

And the slogan: "Made in Scotland from girders."
"I.....don't.....CARE!!!!!" ---- an0n
"an0n's right. He's crazy, an asshole, not to be trusted, rarely to be taken seriously, and never to be allowed near your mother. But, he's got a knack for being right. In the worst possible way he can find." ---- Yuppygoat
~-=~!@!~=-~ : Nodewar.com

 

Offline Flipside

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I used to love the advert where the guy kicked the vending machine and it headbutted him back ;)

Just remember, if you go in a pub in Yorkshire and people start telling you to stay off the moors and 'ware the moon, drive home ;)

 

Offline an0n

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And if anyone says you're in their seat, don't even bother trying to argue. That's the quickest way to get a stool to the face.
"I.....don't.....CARE!!!!!" ---- an0n
"an0n's right. He's crazy, an asshole, not to be trusted, rarely to be taken seriously, and never to be allowed near your mother. But, he's got a knack for being right. In the worst possible way he can find." ---- Yuppygoat
~-=~!@!~=-~ : Nodewar.com

 

Offline ToecrusherHammerjaw

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 :sigh: Oh dear.  I appreciate the advice, but my mother just informed me travel plans have changed.  What she said is that she would make the cheapest and most convenient travel plans to Europe possible, which was originally Britain, but with time schedule changes, it turns out it is now......Italy.  Looks like the UK will have to wait another day (more like only a year, if my extended family's cruise plans can be believed).  Sorry everyone.

EDIT:  It was in fact my original preference to see Rome, but don't get me wrong, I have a great interest in the United Kingdom, especially it's history, and would have jumped at the chance to go there anyway.
« Last Edit: March 19, 2006, 01:33:30 pm by Trayus »

 

Offline an0n

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Well, you're now far less likely to get stabbed and far more likely to get laid.
"I.....don't.....CARE!!!!!" ---- an0n
"an0n's right. He's crazy, an asshole, not to be trusted, rarely to be taken seriously, and never to be allowed near your mother. But, he's got a knack for being right. In the worst possible way he can find." ---- Yuppygoat
~-=~!@!~=-~ : Nodewar.com

 

Offline ToecrusherHammerjaw

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<sounds air horn>   :D :D :D

 :wakka: :wakka: :wakka: :wakka: :wakka:

 

Offline vyper

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 :wtf: Aye... :lol:
"But you live, you learn.  Unless you die.  Then you're ****ed." - aldo14