Strange Things You’ll Only See In The UK

The United Kingdom is an amazing and diverse place, full of history, culture, and vibrant cities. But did you know that the United Kingdom also has some oddly unique offerings? There’s something strange and wonderful around every corner. 

From unusual festivals and spooky legends to strange tourist attractions and mysterious monuments, these are some of the most bizarre things you can find in the UK that you might otherwise only witness through YouTube videos. Whether you’re a native or a visitor, you’re sure to find something bizarrely fascinating about these oddities of this country!

Where To Find It: Everywhere in the UK
Est. Cost: £10-£50/$12.43-$62.17* (transit to the location from within the UK)

The UK is home to some truly unique and unusual places. And we’re not just talking about the tourist attractions. Some of the villages in the UK have names that are so out there one has to wonder if they’re real or made up by a school-aged child. 

Weird Village Names @Visit Norfolk/Facebook

Upperthong, Stanks, Scratchy Bottom, most of them are hundreds of years old, but that doesn’t make them any less strange. Nor does it make the locals any less proud of where they’re from. Even those from Pity Me in Durham, England.

Where To Find It: Aldi, Woolworths, Starbucks
Est. Cost: £10-£15/$12.43-$18.65*

This may seem like a strange concept, but it is actually quite normal in the United Kingdom. It’s not uncommon to see ladies popping into the supermarket with their curlers in place, not minding what anyone else might think. 

Going Shopping With Rollers In Your Hair @dailymirror / Pinterest

You can find women of all ages sporting their colourful rollers. At the same time, they shop for groceries, wait in queue at Starbucks, or are out for a simple stroll around town. Seeing rollers in hair is not unusual, whether in a small village or a big city, but it’s particularly common in northern cities like Liverpool. Life doesn’t take a break; in the UK, neither does proper hair care.

Where To Find It: Currys, Argos
Est. Cost: £500/$621* 

It may come as a surprise to some, but in the UK, laundry rooms aren’t all that commonplace. Instead, washers and dryers are usually kept in the kitchen. What’s more, you’ll never see them stacked like they are in American homes. Instead, they’re side by side. 

Putting Washing Machines In Kitchens @broderick / Twitter

This can make for a cramped kitchen, but it saves people from having to go outside in the cold or rain to get their laundry done. Washing machines can often be found in bathrooms and garages as well, but for many Brits having their WHP in the kitchen is the only option.

Where To Find It: Cooper’s Hill, Gloucestershire
Est. Cost: £20/$25*

In the small village of Brockworth, Gloucestershire, cheese rolling has been a local tradition for centuries. It is a competitive sport where a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled down a steep hill and competitors race after it. The first person to reach the bottom of the hill and cross the finish line wins the cheese! 

Cheese Rolling ©ComposedPix / shutterstock.com

Spectators are always in high spirits as they watch competitors from all over the world tumble down the hill, trying to catch up with the giant wheel of fromage. In recent years, most winners have come from overseas, with racers coming from as far as Australia, Canada, America, and even Nepal.

Where To Find It: Major cities across the UK
Est. Cost: £15-£20/$18.65-$25 per person per visit*

If you want to immerse yourself in British culture, then spending a few hours in a Wetherspoons pub is a must. This ubiquitous chain of pubs can be found in almost every town and city across the UK. 

Spending Way Too Much Time In Wetherspoons @thetimessunday/Pinterest

Here, you can enjoy traditional English pub grub such as fish and chips, burgers, and steaks – all washed down with a cold pint. Wetherspoons pubs are the perfect place to while away an evening and chat with friends or take the family for Sunday lunch while watching the football without breaking the bank. 

Where To Find It: Swindon, England
Est. Cost: £18/$22.38 per train ticket from London to Swindon*

Located in Wiltshire, this is a must-see spot. While it may seem daunting initially, navigating Swindon’s Magic Roundabout is quite simple once you get the hang of it.

Swindon's Magic Roundabout ©r/Roadcam / Reddit

This unique traffic roundabout comprises five mini-roundabouts arranged in a circle around a sixth hub-like roundabout, making it one of the most confusing and unique junctions in the UK and possibly all of Europe. The rule of thumb when in the chaos is to yield to those already crossing one of the junctions. Amazingly, this mess of an intersection works like clockwork and rarely sees serious accidents. 

Where To Find It: Regency Café, Norman’s Café, Wetherspoons
Est. Cost: £8-£12/$9.95-$14.92*

If you’re looking for a unique British meal, you can’t go wrong with a fry-up. A classic British breakfast, a fry-up typically includes bacon, eggs, sausage, beans, mushrooms, and toast. It’s the perfect way to start your day, and quite frankly, it’s a staple of the UK. 

Fry Ups ©r/food/Reddit

Whether you’re in a pub, cafe, or local eatery, there’s a good chance there will be a greasy spoon breakfast on the menu. Fry-ups are a delicious combination of comfort food made fresh to order. Think of them as the not fast-food version of McDonald’s breakfast.

Where To Find It: Local eateries, especially in London 
Est. Cost: £6-£10/$7.46-$12.43*

This classic combination of eels, mashed potatoes, and pie has been found on UK dinner tables for generations. It’s believed to have originated from the working-class communities in East London and is still enjoyed today.

Jellied Eels, Pie and Mash @theguardian/Pinterest

It sounds awful and looks even worse, but this centuries-old dish is actually quite tasty. Commonly served with parsley liquor and made from the eels’ cooking liquid, someone thought jellied eels would be the perfect addition to pie and mash. As if pie and mash needed anything other than mushy peas and gravy to complete the package.

Where To Find It: Walmart, Harrods
Est. Cost: £12/$15 per pyjama set*

Every parent knows that getting the kids ready for school and out the door in the morning is a gargantuan task, but it doesn’t stop there. Not only do you have to get the sprogs ready, you have to get dressed, too. In the UK, it’s not uncommon for parents to skip that part. 

Wearing Pyjamas On The School Run @dailymirror/Pinterest

Some moms will happily walk their kids to school in their pajamas, instead taking the time to focus on making sure the kids are dressed and seeing to themselves later in the day. This sight becomes more regular depending on which part of the country you go to. 

Where To Find It: Alnwick, Northumberland
Est. Cost: Free

Located in Alnwick, Northumberland, there is a strange and mysterious garden that attracts hoards of visitors…but not for the reasons you may think. The Alnwick Poison Garden is about as strange of a spot as one will come across. Mainly because almost everything in the garden can kill a human. 

Aknwick Poison Garden ©Jiri Vondrous/Shutterstock.com

The garden is home to over 100 species of poisonous and lethal plants. Visitors can learn about the history of the plants and how they were used in medicine and throughout history, including the ‘Devil’s Trumpet’, which is said to be one of the most poisonous plants in the world. 

Where To Find It: Woolworths, Walmart
Est. Cost: £6/$7.50*

For those unfamiliar with it, Marmite is a salty, yeasty spread that only people from the UK enjoy. And not everyone from the UK likes it. With that in mind, Marmite’s creative team whipped together a new and improved Marmite product in 2019 — Marmite peanut butter. 

Marmite Peanut Butter @shopify/Pinterest

This unique combination of two quintessentially spreadable staples is surprisingly tasty. The salty flavour of the Marmite, when combined with the smooth sweetness of the peanut butter, creates an unbeatable taste sensation. Whether it’s spread on toast or licked off the spoon, this odd combination is sure to liven up even the pickiest of palates.

Where To Find It: Stonegate, PunchTaverns, J. D. Wetherspoons
Est. Cost: Free

It might be strange to outsiders, but dogs in pubs are a common sight in the UK. While dogs aren’t typically allowed in restaurants — unless they’re on the patio — it’s not unusual to see furry friends enjoying a pint (of water) with their owners at their local bar. 

Dogs In Bars @ThisMorning / Facebook

Some dog-friendly pubs and bars around the country offer a warm welcome to pooches and their owners, including complimentary doggie treats and a communal water bowl, for the dogs, of course.

Where To Find It: Costa Coffee, Pret a Manger, Starbucks
Est. Cost: £2/$2.50*

If there’s one thing Brits love to do, it’s debate. And if there’s one thing they like to debate more than anything — other than which Harry Potter book was the best — it’s how to make the perfect cup of tea. 

Spending Too Much Time Debating The Perfect Cuppa @theteachestblog/Pinterest

Of course, everyone has their own preferences, from the type of tea used to whether or not to use milk or sugar. Some argue for Costa Coffee, while others favour Starbucks. Does one add the milk before or after the water? Should you stir clockwise or counter-clockwise? The debate continues…

Where To Find It: New Forest National Park, Hampshire, England
Est. Cost: £28/$35 per ticket*

Found in Paultons Park in Hampshire, England is an amusement park that brings the child out of everyone who grew up watching Peppa Pig and friends on the telly. It’s the UK’s only official Peppa Pig World. 

Peppa Pig World ©alice-photo/shutterstock.com

Peppa Pig World is Disney World for all the little kids that haven’t heard of Disney World yet. Fans of the show will be in their element as they meet the characters, enjoy rides, and explore the world inspired by the beloved animated series. There’s plenty to do and see, including a splash park, 4D cinema, and a play area.