Just one more tip for one of the best (authors humble opinion) Pub in the country:

The Royal Standard Of England.

Located outside Beaconsfield on the M40 jct 2 this is a 900 year old establishment (and trust me when you walk in you'll believe that) serving a great Sunday dinner (lunch) in either remarkable surroundings or outside (weather permitting of course). If you have the chance to:

  GO

(Mail me for directions.)

If you want to experience the English at their peak, watch them "blow a few Quid" placing wagers on anything from horses to alien life-forms, at any one of the countless "bookies" to be found everywhere, or better yet: go to a horse or greyhound race. Tracks are located accessibly all around the outskirts. Wembley Stadium for example is a popular venue for not only International Football games but also greyhound races.

Speaking of Football: A thrilling experience (if you can be bothered watching 22 men in shorts running after a piece of man-made leather) is a Premiership Match. Arsenal (north London on the Piccadilly Line) Tottenham (again north London by Train) Chelsea (west London near the District Line) or Wimbledon (Selhurst Park in south London by train) are usually your best bets. If you're looking for a real adventure make your way into the East End to Upton Park where West Ham United play their home matches.

But don't say I didn't warn you !

In general if you do go to any match avoid wearing specific colours and stick around families. Hooliganism as such does not really exist anymore, but don't push your luck.

If and only if you have both a day to waste and are open minded enough go and watch a CRICKET match at either Lords (outside Regents Park north of the West End) or at the Oval (south of the river on the northern line). International Test matches take place here every summer, but as I said stay away unless you have seen and done everything else in your life and you are on the quest for impossible challenges.

While we're at the subject of sports:

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