Is there anything special that I should buy while I am in England?

Question

I am in Oxford for three weeks (originally from VA) and I was wondering if their was something special I should buy while I am here (food or otherwise) everything is so expensive so I am trying to limit my buying.

Answer 1

Mmmm not a really good time to be buying but am sure u could hit the sales and pick up some bargains ,topshop,miss selfridge.Food wise maybe try the markets fresh and cheaper.

Hope u have  alovely time x

Answer 2

I like the suggestions about food.  I would also suggest that you buy one British product that you will love and have forever.  I bought a maroon leather jacket on sale for GBP99 in Cambridge in the winter of 2003, and it has been with me on every winter European trip since.  On my last trip to London (March 2007)  I bought some stiletto boots on sale for the same price.  Love them.

Burberry scarves in different colors are something most people will have for years.  A Mulberry bag, if you can get one on sale, would be  a nice memento.  Penhalligon cologne is something else that I would consider splurging on--lily of the valley or bluebell.  Or a small Smythson leather address book in green, blue, or pink.

Answer 3

While you are in Oxford you absolutely MUST visit the world-famous covered market (http://www.oxford-covered-market.co.uk/) which has been there for over 200 years and is fabulous.  You may already have discovered this.

Obviously the exchange rate doesn't favour you at present, so I can't really suggest anything that would be cheaper here than in the States.  But if you are looking to experience things that are better and / or different in Oxford than in VA, I would suggest the following:

* Cheese.  The covered market is a good source, and you will find hundreds of varieties on sale in any good food shop.  My experience of shopping in the States (with the exception of awesome establishments like Zabar's in New York) has been that there are really only about four types of cheese on sale in most supermarkets - so this simple product is often an eye-opener for first-time visitors from the US.

* Beer.  Try out some locally produced real ales - nothing like anything that you will buy in any mainstream bar or liquor store in the US.  If you are a fan of J R R Tolkien or C S Lewis you would probably want to visit the pub where they and their friends used to meet to discuss their stories.  This is "The Eagle & Child" (known locally as "The Bird & Baby") and can be found on St. Giles.

* Chocolate.  Britain has a style of chocolate quite unlike the dominant US brands like Hershey.  Even though the Swiss would say that theirs is better quality, there's something uniquely satisfying about bog-standard British chocolate.  Check out Cadbury's Dairy Milk (the market leader) and I bet you'll enjoy it.

I'm an Oxfordshire chap myself (albeit an adopted one, having spent my early life in the North) so I hope that you enjoy your visit to 'my' county - and while you're here, make sure you travel a little further afield.  For example, down in the south east of the county, the Henley Royal Regatta is in full swing (http://www.hrr.co.uk/) so if you have nothing better to do this weekend you might fancy a trip to experience a unique part of the British social scene.

Likewise, no visit to Oxfordshire would be complete without a trip to Woodstock to see Blenheim Palace.  The journey is only about 8 miles and can easily be done by public transport - and a visit to the house and gardens will set you back about £15.

Hope that helps - and if I think of anything else, I'll post another reply!

Cheers,

Tim

Answer 4

An umbrella.

Answer 5

yh a umberalla, it rains here alot

Answer 6

I'm from England and the tourist attractions are very popular. So i guess you could just buy some souvenirs or something? People seem most obsessed with the red telephone boxes, random walls (i dont understand why) and the soilders.

London and Bath are the most touristy towns if you have time to visit those, but yes they are very expensive! My money doesn't last long lol.

Answer 7

You can't leave the country until you own a small statue of Big Ben.

Answer 8

It depends if you want to buy tat or something that you will have forever.  Perhaps a visit to the London Eye and purchase your photo on the eye itself then have it framed and engraved when you get home.

Answer 9

Pop up to Camden Market you'll see heaps of stuff you'll like and hand made stuff at reasonable prices.Go to the canal part.It's on the Northern line-it's  a must!! Infact I refuse to let you leave until you've been-enjoy!