Are you visiting the United Kingdom for the very first time? Well, if you’re a student, we hope you’ll be here for around 2-4 years. If you’re going to be in a new country for that long, you should also know some facts about it. In this post, we have discussed some of the most surprising facts about the UK you might not have heard of:
1. Big Ben is Not the Clock Tower’s Real Name
Did you know the iconic Clock Tower, one of London’s most beautiful and iconic remarks, is not named Big Ben anymore? Now, it’s called the Elizabeth Tower. But why did they change its name? Well, the renaming was in honour of Queen Elizabeth.
In 2012, the government decided to rename the Big Ben Clock Tower on the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth’s term as the Queen of the UK.
2. Queen Elizabeth Can Travel Wherever She Wants Without a Passport
The British passport is quite strong. But, it doesn’t mean you can travel anywhere without a visa. However, one person in the UK does not need a passport to travel the world. That person is none other than Queen Elizabeth. She can travel to any country in the world in her private jet, and she does not require a passport or visa. The reason behind this immunity is that all passports are issued under the authority and name of Her Majesty. But, the rest of the royal family should carry their passport for travel.
3. Queen Elizabeth Celebrates Two Birthdays
We all celebrate our birthdays yearly if we exclude pre-birthday or post-birthday celebrations (rich kids can relate). However, one birthday party is not enough for Queen Elizabeth. Therefore, two parties are organised yearly to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s birthday. Biologically, Her Majesty’s date of birth is April 21st, 1926. However, there’s another birth date, which is April 2nd, 1926. So, there’s no clear reason why the Queen celebrates two birthdays. But, it might be because Her Majesty loves to keep herself entertained through such indulgences.
4. You Shouldn’t Visit British People If They Haven’t Invited You
Well, it’s basic ethics. You should never go to anyone’s house uninvited. By doing so, you’re making life difficult for the hosts. They might have planned to go somewhere or do something important. But, now that you have arrived at their house unannounced and uninvited, they have to host you against their will. But, if you visit someone without asking them in the UK, that person can ask you to leave. Uninvited guests are not welcome in Britain as this gesture seems rude and irresponsible to the locals. So, to avoid embarrassment or conflict, please ask people before visiting them
5. The National Dish of the UK is an Indian Food Item
Indian food is loved all around the world. It’s spicy, flavorful, and nutritious. Brits love to eat Indian food. This is why you’ll find dozens of Indian restaurants in every major city in the UK. But, did you know that the National Dish of the UK is also an Indian food item? Many people think Fish and Chips is the National Dish of the UK. But that’s not true.
Surprisingly, an Indian dish, “Chicken Tikka Masala” is Britain’s National Dish. It’s a spicy chicken curry cooked by many British-Asian chefs. It’s also cooked in many households. However, it’s still unclear who brought the dish to the UK.
6. No Member of the Royal Family Can Enter the British Parliament
The Royal Family can go anywhere they want. They have rights and luxuries a normal person can only dream of. But, did you know the British government does not allow any monarch to enter the British Parliament (also known as the House of Commons)? This rule was implemented when an angry King Charles I stormed into the House of Commons and arrested five parliamentarians. But, the monarchs failed to assert their authority over the parliamentary members and were therefore banned from stepping foot into the House of Commons.
7. It’s Illegal to Get Drunk in British Bars, Pubs, and Clubs
Britain has a lot of pubs, and you will often find college students enjoying their free time drinking alcohol and partying there. After all, they have to deal with a tough academic schedule anyways. Visiting a pub is great for socialising with new people, partying, and drinking. But did you know it’s illegal to get drunk in clubs, bars, and pubs in the UK? According to British law, you cannot get drunk in local communities, even if you’re in a bar. Therefore, you can avoid going to pubs and bars in such locations or drink lightly and head out when you’re sober.
8. The Stonehenge is Older than the Pyramids
Stonehenge is one of the most ancient and iconic structures in the world. However, many argue the Pyramids of Giza are the oldest monuments in the world. The truth is the Stonehenge monument was formed many years before the formation of the pyramids in Giza. It’s located in the southwest of England and is one of the most popular tourist attractions. According to historians, Stonehenge was formed around 3000 BC, making it older than the Pyramids in Egypt.
9. Only One Person Can Drink in the Parliament
We know what you might be thinking:
“Why does anyone have to drink in the parliament?”
British laws are quite funny at times. You can’t be drunk in a pub, but you can be under the influence of alcohol in the House of Commons. Well, this liberty is offered to only one person in the parliament on certain occasions. MPs aren’t allowed to be drunk during parliamentary proceedings. However, one person who can be drunk in the parliament is the chancellor. They can only consume alcohol in the parliament if they have to deliver the annual budget.
10. There are More Than 100 Universities in the UK
Are you an international student looking to move abroad for higher studies? Shifting to the UK should be on the top of your list. Britain is home to some of the world’s most ancient and highly ranked universities. Currently, there are almost 150 universities across the UK where local and international students complete their undergraduate and postgraduate education. However, the competition is fierce because there are so many universities in this country. If you want to score high grades in college, you have to perform well in your dissertations.
If you need to score well in your coursework, you need the help of a dissertation writing expert. We provide the best and most economical dissertation writing service online. We can help you become a high achiever in your class.
Author Profile
Dr Bryan Anderson
Dr Bryan works as a business management dissertation help online expert at UK Academic Writers. Apart from producing consistently high-scoring dissertations every month, Bryan is also a fantastic blogger. He writes blogs for our website too. So you can read his words too!
