"Oh So British" Charity Shops, Afternoon Tea & Eclectic Shopping Markets

Written by admin - 03/04/2018

Apr 3, 2018 3:00:00 PM

Updated 18 July 2024 by Advisor Brittany.

Many wonderful things about quintessential English culture compelled me to study there: The fabulous accent, the double decker buses, the fish and chips but there is so much I happily discovered that I think of as “Oh so British” that made my year positively, well, brilliant (my quintessentially British new favorite word)!

1. Afternoon Tea

The first is afternoon tea and I indulged in it as often as possible. We connect tea and Britain pretty easily from characters on TV and in film with "afternoon tea" being the epitome of culture. Well, I’m happy to say it’s something I would indulge in on a whim and recommend it as often as possible. In Canterbury, where I studied at the University of Kent, my favorite places were Tiny Tim’s Tearoom off the High Street (and not only is the tea delightful and yummy you also get to boast having eaten in the most haunted building in Canterbury), and in the center of the city is the charming Moat Tearooms with scrumptious sweets and the best toast and marmalade I’ve ever had. And be sure to visit their secret garden for an extra special afternoon! In London and pretty much anywhere in the British Isles you can find a tea room to rave about and if you fancy doing a spot of sightseeing while you indulge in tea sandwiches and a decadent scone with clotted cream be sure to book at B-Bakery’s afternoon tea bus tour.

2. Charity Shops

Charity shops have become a bit of a joyous obsession and you’ll find at least one if not, like Canterbury, more than 10 just in the city center alone. The charities they raise money for range from finding cures for cancer to providing housing and food for the homeless and animal protection. And because I didn’t bring very much with me when I left for England, I was able to stock my dorm kitchen and room with essentials, buy rain gear and countless articles of clothing all for affordable prices while giving back to the community in my new home. For the best in Charity shops check out this article.

3. Local Markets

For more fun shopping opportunities as wells as great places to people watch I found myself drawn to local markets that ranged from pop-up weekend events to daily arts and themed markets. In Canterbury there are daily markets along the High Street and in small lots behind or in between cobbled streets offering local produce, clothing, antiques and housewares at affordable prices. In London I can spend all day on the weekends going from market to market in beautiful old buildings or covered, open-air markets selling crafts and food, jewelry, vintage clothing and electronics. My favorites are Covent Garden, The Old Spitalfield and Greenwich Market.

Be sure to also check out Camden Market for some great vintage finds and delicious food choices, as well as Borough Market for some amazing British and modern foods!

Because markets are so ingrained into the British culture, it's also a great way to do some inexpensive grocery shopping (especially if you're located in old market towns like Kingston or Leicester).

These markets provide a great opportunity to explore different neighborhoods enjoying the unique culinary offerings and all the different cultural venues near each one. When getting to know the City, I would customize a day or two by planning to visit a market and then explore the local museums, galleries and walking tours near each and before I knew it I’d gotten to know and love so much beyond the traditional tourist areas. A helpful article for the best of London markets go to. And if you find yourself in Britain around the Christmas holiday season you’ll be treated to even more market offerings some that will mirror German and Eastern European markets and others that will be quintessentially “Oh so British.”

If you would like to find out more about studying in the UK, please contact one of our Advisors.

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Grocery Shopping in the UK

Written by Across the Pond Ambassador - 18/03/2018

Making the move to study in England is a big decision, you’re leaving your friends, family, bed, and the comforts of your own home. As exciting and life-changing this experience is, it can also be a big adjustment, one such adjustment is grocery shopping. Coming from Canada we are used to everything being big, maybe not as big compared to our southern neighbors, but for the most part things are quite over-sized. Everything from our coffees, to our highways, and especially our grocery stores. Not only are our grocery stores huge, each offering every possible thing you could imagine, they are also everywhere, located at every possible interval within a city. In England this is just not the case.

The size of the grocery stores here was the first thing to strike me. You’ll find that the stores in the UK are smaller, maybe 5 or 6 aisles holding the necessities such as bread, milk, some vegetables, and a selection of frozen foods. The bigger, better stocked grocery stores are often not centrally located but are easy enough to get to on public transport.

The main chains are Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s. Morrisons stores tend to be the biggest centrally located and you can find a wide variety of local and international foods. You’ll find an abundance of small Tesco express stores scattered throughout cities, as well as Sainsbury’s local stores where you can pick up the essentials.

A major bonus for a vegetarian like me is the availability of farmers markets and produce stands. These shops offer a range of fresh and local fruits and vegetables at cheaper prices and with less waste than the chain stores. Also, as a bit of a health nut I was pleasantly surprised at the presence of health food stores where you can pick up bulk items such as nuts, seeds, and meat alternatives. International grocery stores can also be found scattered throughout cities, including Asian and African supermarkets. This comes in handy for students who are worried about missing comforts of home!

Despite the ranging options of supermarkets there a few things that are missing from the British food selection. First of all, the selection of breakfast cereals is majorly lacking. Do not expect and entire aisle dedicated to your favorite breakfast staple. Secondly, for peanut butter lovers such as myself, the natural variety does not taste the same as in Canada, however almond butter has since become a staple in my diet.

Although, not everything is the same, it is always an adventure going food shopping and discovering new brands and products you have never heard of before. If you too want to explore a new culinary atmosphere than contact one of the Across the Pond Advisors to find out more about studying in England.

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