Victoria C.
If you have been learning English since childhood, you will remember that London is the capital of Great Britain. You've watched many British TV shows, but that doesn't mean you know everything about England. This country still has something to surprise you!
Table of contents
The best facts about England
We've collected 50 interesting facts about England, many of which will be unexpected. It would be fantastic to know them if you live and study in England or have an interest in misty Albion.
1) Until 1832, the only two universities in England were Oxford and Cambridge.
2) England is one of the most student-oriented countries in the world. With 106 universities and five university colleges, England is among the top countries in the world in terms of educational institutions. It is one of the leaders for the number of universities appearing each year in international rankings.
3) About 500 foreigners come to study in England each year. According to this indicator, the country is the second after America.
4) According to statistics, international students often come to England to study business, engineering, computer science, biomedicine and law.
5) Year after year, London is recognized as the best student city in the world according to the authoritative QS Best Student Cities ranking.
6) The school uniform still exists in England. It is believed to discipline the students and maintain a sense of equality in them.
7) The English language we learn in school is nothing but a mixture of German, Dutch, Danish, French, Latin and Celtic. And that pretty much reflects the influence of all these peoples on the history of the British Isles.
8) In total, the people of England speak more than 300 languages.
9) And that's not all! Prepare to encounter a wide variety of English accents in England – Cockney, Liverpool, Scottish, American, Welsh, and even aristocratic English.
10) Wherever you go in England, you will never be more than 115 km from the ocean.
Read also : Top 45 Smileys You Should Know About Their Hidden Meanings
Facts about London
11) Traveling from England to the Continent and vice versa is more accessible. An undersea tunnel connects England and France for cars and trains.
12) London is a very international city. 25% of its residents are expats born outside the UK.
13) The London Underground is known to be the oldest in the world. And yet, it is the most expensive to maintain and, at the same time, one of the least reliable.
14) By the way, the London Underground offers unique venues for musicians.
15) Around 80 umbrellas are lost on the London Underground each year. Considering the changeable weather, it is the most characteristic English accessory!
16) By the way, the raincoat was invented by an Englishman, and it was the British who were the first to use an umbrella to protect themselves from the rain. Before that, it was mainly used to protect against the sun.
17) But heavy rain in London is more of a myth. The weather there is changeable, but, statistically, more precipitation falls, for example, in Rome and Sydney.
18) The City of London is nothing more than a ceremonial county in the center of the British capital. It has its mayor, coat of arms and anthem, as well as its fire and police departments.
19) In England, the monarchy is respected. Even a stamp with a portrait of the queen cannot be stuck upside down, which nobody would think of!
More information about Queen Elizabeth
20) In addition, the Queen of England cannot be prosecuted, and she never had her passport.
21) Queen Elizabeth II personally sends a greeting card to everyone in England who turns 100.
22) All swans living on the Thames belong to Queen Elizabeth. The royal family established ownership of all river swans in the 19th century, when they were served at the royal table. Although swans are not eaten in England today, the law has remained unchanged.
23) In addition, Queen Elizabeth is the owner of whales, dolphins and all sturgeons, located in the territorial waters of the country.
24) Windsor Palace is a special pride of the British crown and nation. It is the oldest and largest castle where people still live.
25) By the way, Queen Elizabeth can rightly be considered the most advanced grandmother in the world. The Queen of England sent her first email in 1976!
Facts you didn't know about England
26) Do you know that English people like to queue everywhere? So there is a profession of “queuing in England”. A person will defend any queue for you. His services cost, on average, £20 an hour.
27) The British place great importance on privacy. It is not customary to come and visit them without an invitation or to ask them too personal questions.
28) A melody from a commercial or a movie that stays in the head for a long time is called an “earworm” in England.
29) The British rank first in the world for the amount of tea they drink. Over 165 million cups of tea are drunk every day in the UK.
30) Great Britain is the only country on the stamps where the name of the State is not indicated. This is because Britain was the first to use postage stamps.
31) In England, they don't believe in omens. More precisely, they believe in it, but vice versa. For example, a black cat running across the road is considered a good omen here.
Facts about animals in England
32) The British love theatre, especially musicals. The Theater Royal in Bristol has been playing Cats since 1766!
33) In England, pets are born in accordance with exceptional services, and homeless animals are a rarity in the country.
34) The world's first zoo was opened in England.
35) The fabulous Winnie the Pooh was named after a real bear at London Zoo.
36) England is a country with a rich sporting history. This is where football, horse riding and rugby originated.
37) The British have a particular idea of hygiene. They can wash all the dirty dishes in one basin (all to save water!), and not take off their dress shoes in the house or put objects on the floor in a public place – in order of things.
Food in England
38) Traditional English cooking is quite rough and straightforward. It has been repeatedly recognized as one of the most tasteless in the world.
39) For breakfast, many English people eat eggs with sausage, beans, mushrooms, bacon, not oatmeal.
40) There are plenty of Indian restaurants and fast food outlets in England, and Brits already call Indian “chicken tikka masala” their national dish.
41) The British claim that they are the only ones who can fully understand English humor. It is so subtle, ironic and specific. Indeed, many foreigners have a problem due to insufficient knowledge of the language.
42) Brits love pubs. Most people in the country go to the pub several times a week, and some - every day after work.
43) A British pub is a place where everyone knows each other. People come here not only to drink, but also to chat and learn the latest news. The owner of the establishment often stands behind the bar himself, and regulars offer him drinks instead of tips at their own expense.
See also: Which countries start with the letter W?
Rules in England
44) But you can't get drunk in English pubs. The laws of the country officially prohibit it. We do not advise you to check whether these laws work in practice!
45) In England, it is customary to be polite. In a conversation with an Englishman, you don't often say “thank you”, “please” and “excuse me”.
46) Be prepared because there are almost no electrical sockets in bathrooms anywhere in England. The reason for this is the security measures taken in the country.
47) Agriculture is developed in England, and there are more chickens in the country than people.
48) There are many fantastic festivals and events in England each year – from the Coopershill Cheese Race and Weird Arts Festival to The Good Life Experience, a return to simple pleasures, and the nostalgic Goodwood Festival for lovers of the 60s.
49) All English TV channels have commercials, except the BBC. This is because viewers pay for the work of this channel themselves. If a family in England decides to get a TV show, they have to pay around £145 a year for a license.
50) William Shakespeare is known not only for his literary works but also for adding over 1 words to his English dictionary. Words that first appear in English in Shakespeare's works include "gossip", "bedroom", "fashionable" and "alligator". And you thought they were still in English?
