View Full Version : Going to UK during Winter. Good or bad
bockscar
08-12-2008, 15:41
This one's for the british lads.
I'm from singapore.
And might consider going to UK in december. That would be winter time.
My mom told me that during winter, the nights are long and malls/shops close early.
I'm not there to exactly shop and stuff. But my mother (who's been to UK before) says i should go to places like flee markets and events to experience the british culture.
Perhaps i'll watch a football match yeah.
So what's your take. Winter = experience abit of cold and snow maybe. Singapore is hot as hell every day of the year. But i'm worried that i'll be staying in too much if i visit UK during winter.
I'm sure life goes on for you Brits during winter right? Not everything comes to a standstill and UK shuts down right?
Perhaps a comparison of what i can/cant do during winter against the other 3 seasons would be appropriate.
Thanks for all the input.
Snow? What's that ? :lol:
It's cold and wet and horrible in winter. Much like it is in summer. The nights are long. I don't think shops close early though
Shaunyac
08-12-2008, 15:51
Well around me the shops are the opposite, they stay open later for Christmas shopping. It is cold but a nice cold I find, a refreshing cold :) Also there will be sales on for Christmas too.
bockscar
08-12-2008, 16:02
sale at game shops? just kidding.
would going there during winter be a fruitful trip? or one mixed with staying in most of the time and feeling miserable?
'much like it is in summer'.
i thought summer would be better. music festivals etc.
how does your lifestyle/routines change during winter compared to the other 3 seasons/
OldlandRed
08-12-2008, 16:08
This one's for the british lads.
And might consider going to UK in december. That would be winter time.
Which tends to be wet an mild about that time.
my mom told me that during winter, the nights are long and malls/shops close early.
The night will start around 4pm at that time of year, the shops will probably be open untill at least 8pm
I'm not there to exactly shop and stuff. But my mother (who's been to UK before) says i should go to places like flee markets and events to experience the british culture.
They're a load of rubbish, and are part of Londons culture, everyone else just sees them as something the poor go to.
Perhaps i'll watch a football match yeah.
It's fairly easy to get tickets, if you send me a pm nearer the time about who you want to watch, I shall tell you how to get some
So what's your take. Winter = experience abit of cold and snow maybe. Singapore is hot as hell every day of the year. But i'm worried that i'll be staying in too much if i visit UK during winter.
It wont snow, it wont even be very cold (Well, probably cold by your standards). About 10c. It's a nice time to visit, as everyone is shopping for christmas.
[quote]I'm sure life goes on for you Brits during winter right? Not everything comes to a standstill and UK shuts down right?
The UK is the most hardworking country in Europe, it never shuts down
Perhaps a comparison of what i can/cant do during winter against the other 3 seasons would be appropriate.
Not sure if the others will agree, but I don't think there's much difference in seasonal activities in fairness.
bockscar
08-12-2008, 16:13
wow great replies. thanks. more reason to go.
i initially thought that with dark starting at 4pm, places would close at that time as well.
but i overlooked christmas and the fact that everywhere will have that christmas spirit and shopping. streets lit up etc.
Shaunyac
08-12-2008, 16:14
ahah yeah, as soon as it gets dark here lights come on everywhere, wherever you look it'll be light basically. Especially if your in London.
WuTangBlade
08-12-2008, 16:41
One thing you should take advantage of is early morning walks across fields or similar scenery. Put on some welly boots or old trainers, wrap up nice and warm then head out during the sunrise, misty, damp mornings are the best...
Lovely and fascinating, I prefer winter from summer for reasons like this, take out a nice flask of tea and something to munch on and you'll be experiencing pure bliss. (I go mushroom picking around winter early mornings, lovely time) :)
As for other things, shops close normal times around me, some days open to late night around christmas time, football match would be nice to see, get to experience the english culture.
bockscar
08-12-2008, 17:30
i've received many positive info regarding going to UK in december. (on another forum too)
i shall discuss this with my family
Uhmm our snow is usually like a thimble of snow.. which later turns into sludgy ice because itll start chucking it down right after we see any form of snow. You should go to a fish and chip shop in the winter.. Great time to have chips when its cold. Regarding shops i think they just shut at normal times if not later around christmas to gain more sales.
Snow?
Seriously, you think it snows during the winter months? If so, then I'm afraid you're letting yourself in for a big disappointment. We rarely have snow over here and when we do it quick turns to slush because of all the rain we have. You'll be lucky to see a few flakes fall, to be honest, but anything I could happen. Just don't get your hopes up expecting to be see hundreds of feet of snow like in Americia.
However, you are right about the nights being long. I love it like that, though, and like WungTu has already said you should really try and get out first thing in the morning and go for a really nice long walk in the countryside. There's nothing better than being able to breathe in the morning air and hearing the grass crunch below your feet. I'm beginning to sound like an old man, but I don't care. I love the English countryside and I'm sure you will too. I don't know if shops close any earlier than normal, though, if anything I'd imagine they stay open longer because of people wanting to get their Christmas shopping. And so they can get more money, obviously. It's only after Christmas that the sales come into effect, and you can find some damn good bargains.
I've never been to a flea market myself, but I've heard they're quite good for getting some bargains. Just remember that all the stuff on sale is second-hand, even possibly third-hand, so don't go expecting to pick up a brand new Xbox in excellent condition. Infact, I doubt you'd even find an Xbox at a flea market; people tend to sell little things, like tea cups and trinkets, rather than videogames consoles and stuff of that nature. They leave that sort of stuff for car boot markets, something else which Britain is known to have quite a few of. You'll find most towns have two or three car boot markets a week, but cut down in the winter months to about two a month. They're worth going to, mind, I saw a PSone (with ten games) for £10 - quite a bargain.
As for events and shizz like that, there are plenty of events going on up and down the country around Christmas time. There's always concerts and gigs to go to, and there are a ton of parties/barbeques/celebrations being held as the Christmas lights get turned on. There's something for everyone really, I'm sure you're bound to find something which suits your tastes.
If you're going to watch a football match, pick a good one. You don't want to end up watching Birmingham City v Aston Villa. Try and get tickets for a good game (Arsenal v Liverpool, Everton v Chelsea, etc) and try to get tickets to a place. I recommend Anfield, personally, not because I support Liverpool or anything but, y'know, it's a good place to go. Seriously, though, any football stadium or match will be great to go to. I'm yet to go to a football match myself, but my brother and father have been plenty of times and the pictures/videos they've took really capture the excitement and anticipation of the crowd. If you do decide to go to a football match, though, be prepared to pay a lot for a ticket. I've just done a quick search for Liverpool v Man U at Anfield, and the tickets (x2) came to £624 which is really expensive. I daresay it's worth it, though.
I hope that information helps you decide whether to come over for winter or not, mate, I recommend it though just so you can say you've had the experience. I really love Britain around Christmas time when all the lights and Christmas trees go up - it makes everything look a load better. Even London manages to look less scary than it is when all the lights have been turned on, haha. I forgot to mention that we don't exactly 'shut down' at Christmas. If anything, we go into panic mode and chaos ensues - it's all because of people going late-night shopping for Christmas presents and buying the Christmas day essentials, like turkey and wine. That's one thing to look forward to, the food always tastes so much better on Christmas Day and I really don't know why. Again, I hope the info helps. If you need any more help, feel free to PM me.
OldlandRed
08-13-2008, 09:55
Snow?
If you're going to watch a football match, pick a good one. You don't want to end up watching Birmingham City v Aston Villa.
One of the most tense derby matches in the UK not worth going to? My god are you mad?
StoneyPS3
08-13-2008, 10:43
I actually love the winter and not sure why. Guess it cos it gets cold and dark very early. Then you got xmas where me and my mate just get loads of food and alcohol in and have 2 weeks of bliss with the heating on, good tv and people seem to be much more happier.
Coming from Asia well its going to be pretty cold for you but you cant beat frosty misty mornings ^^ as mentioned above. The rain is the only thing I don't like but it seems to rain more in summer rather than winter now. I think this winter could be a pretty cold one.
Watch football and that derby match mentioned above would be the best one to go too but are in different leagues now so that probably be impossible.
Shops are open later in December as they like to call it late night shopping for people wanting to avoid the hustle and bustle of loads of people. Good food around this time of year with lots of offers etc.
Christmas in England? Has to be done.
Cant wait till winter :-D
If you're there at christmas, you may have to learn the beautiful British art of queuing :)
This one's for the british lads.
I'm from singapore.
And might consider going to UK in december. That would be winter time.
My mom told me that during winter, the nights are long and malls/shops close early.
I'm not there to exactly shop and stuff. But my mother (who's been to UK before) says i should go to places like flee markets and events to experience the british culture.
Perhaps i'll watch a football match yeah.
So what's your take. Winter = experience abit of cold and snow maybe. Singapore is hot as hell every day of the year. But i'm worried that i'll be staying in too much if i visit UK during winter.
I'm sure life goes on for you Brits during winter right? Not everything comes to a standstill and UK shuts down right?
Perhaps a comparison of what i can/cant do during winter against the other 3 seasons would be appropriate.
Thanks for all the input.
If you want to get stabbed then go ahead. And don't let football fans be your idea of english culture. Sure i like football myself, but most people that go to games are idiot chavs who just want to fight cos they're well 'ard.
And, if you're used to a warm climate, you really will need to wrap up warm. Like others have said, summer isn't even usually that good, let alone winter.
Going to a pub is a must. How old are you? If you're 18 or older you can.
Also, where in the UK are you going?
(It's not as small as people seem to think - so UK doesn't really give an idea of where)
OldlandRed
08-13-2008, 14:04
If you want to get stabbed then go ahead. And don't let football fans be your idea of english culture. Sure i like football myself, but most people that go to games are idiot chavs who just want to fight cos they're well 'ard.
Not sure if your trying to be funny or not, but if not what an idiotic and utterly false statement.
It would be like me saying "Don't go to Brighton, everyone is gay".
Not sure if your trying to be funny or not, but if not what an idiotic and utterly false statement.
It would be like me saying "Don't go to Brighton, everyone is gay".
Maybe everyone is *winkwink*
;)
If you want to get stabbed then go ahead. And don't let football fans be your idea of english culture. Sure i like football myself, but most people that go to games are idiot chavs who just want to fight cos they're well 'ard.
And, if you're used to a warm climate, you really will need to wrap up warm. Like others have said, summer isn't even usually that good, let alone winter.
Going to a pub is a must. How old are you? If you're 18 or older you can.
Also, where in the UK are you going?
(It's not as small as people seem to think - so UK doesn't really give an idea of where)
I wouldn't expect such a narrow minded generalisation from you, utter tripe.:suspect:
Make sure you go to some pubs and be sure to have a traditional English breakfast as well.:D
OldlandRed
08-13-2008, 14:20
Yes, have a full English before the health facists ban it and make us all eat veg.
Good shout (Just enjoy the black pudding, and don't ask what it's made from)
WuTangBlade
08-13-2008, 14:21
Someone's been watching too many football hooligan films...
Even though not many English eat this, but you have to eat some Tea & Crumpets for bragging rights.