Sometimes it can be nice to get a few home comforts while abroad. Fortunately, there are some places around the globe that manage to combine local character, sunshine and a distinctly British atmosphere. In fact, some are almost more British than Britain itself.
Christchurch
Where: South Island, New Zealand.
What to expect: The biggest city on New Zealand’s South Island is surrounded by green rolling hills, and has a large community with British ancestry. But just in case that’s not quite homely enough, there’s also a massive Anglican cathedral that dominates the centre, and hundreds of streets named after quintessentially English towns such as Worcester, Bedford and Gloucester.
Best of British: Head to the Botanical Gardens and you can be taken for a ride down the River Avon by a smartly dressed chap in a punt. Jolly good show.
Gibraltar
Where: A tiny enclave in the south of Spain.
What to expect: The Spanish don’t like it one little bit, but Gibraltar is defiantly British. It has the only Marks and Spencers outside of the UK, as well as many tea-houses and ultra-British pubs amongst the colonial era buildings.
Best of British: Gibraltar was nabbed by Britain because of its strategic importance as a military base, and for a touch of history, turn up in Casemates Square on a Saturday morning. That’s when a re-enactment of the ‘ceremony of the keys’ conducted by the British Guard in 1700s costumes takes place.
Patagonia
Where: Southern Argentina
What to expect: Oddly, the second language in this part of the world is Welsh, and this is due to an influx of Welsh settlers in the 19th century. Some of the towns and villages still have an overwhelmingly Welsh vibe, and Gaiman is probably the most obvious. It’s crammed with Welsh teahouses and even has a Welsh museum.
Best of British: The city of Trelew not only sounds Welsh, but holds a massive Eisteddfod every October.
Anguilla
Where: The Caribbean
What to expect: Better known as an upmarket paradise island, Anguilla is still a British Overseas Territory. What’s more, it fought to return to British control when it was offered independence along with nearby islands St Kitts and Nevis. Not wanting to be controlled by St Kitts, the locals rebelled, seceded, and then became a separate dependency. Needless to say, the feeling there is resolutely pro-British – except when England are playing the West Indies at cricket.
Best of British: At Sandy Ground, Roy’s Bayside Grill is an Anguillan institution. To all intents and purposes it’s a British pub transported hundreds of miles – as a menu of Sunday roasts and fish and chips would indicate.
Lake Havasu
Where: Arizona, USA
What to expect: Part of Lake Havasu City is themed as an ‘English Village’, albeit a rather American interpretation of one. Therefore there are plenty of fake British pubs, quaint gift shops and a frightfully British opportunity to go out boating on the lake.
Best of British: The reason all of this sprung up was the mad purchase by one developer. He bought the old London Bridge (possibly thinking it was Tower Bridge like most Americans seem to do) and transported it brick by brick to the wilds of the American south-west. It’s now completely rebuilt as an absurd tourist attraction.
This article was originally written for AOL UK.
Copyright David Whitley
