Discover the majestic British Isles

Traditionally, British and Irish cuisine have Celtic roots, but the region’s dishes have been significantly shaped by the historic influences of invaders from mainland Europe and beyond—such as the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans—as well as more modern waves of immigration. Here are ten classic British and Irish dishes:

1. Scones
   Scones are a quick bread typically made with leavened barley flour or oatmeal. Traditionally rolled into a circular shape, these teatime staples are delicious when served hot with butter or clotted cream and jam.
   
   
2. Eton Mess
   First mentioned in print in 1893, this delectable dessert of berries, meringue and whipped cream is commonly believed to have originated at Eton College, a prestigious English boarding school.
   
   
3. Fish and Chips
   This simple meal, comprised of battered and deep-fried fish—usually cod or haddock—served with french fries (“chips”), is ubiquitous across Britain and Ireland. While the heart of the dish remains the same, regional accompaniments vary, such as the English preference for tartar sauce and the Scottish predilection for “salt and sauce,” or malt vinegar mixed with a sweet, savory brown sauce.
   
   
4. “The Full English”
   This plentiful breakfast platter, often called a "fry-up," typically includes bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, rich black pudding and toast or fried bread.
   
   
5. Barmbrack
   Barmbrack is a sweet yeast bread with sultanas and raisins, often soaked in tea or whiskey. Traditionally associated with Halloween in Northern Ireland, this bread often contains a hidden coin or ring. The person who finds it is said to have good luck.
   
   
6. Tea
   This iconic beverage was first popularized in England during the 1660s by King Charles II, but the concept of “afternoon tea” did not appear until the 19th century, when it was introduced by the seventh Duchess of Bedford, who created the fashion for enjoying a 4 P.M. tray of tea, bread, butter and cake.
   
   
7. Irish Stew
   Simmered slowly to develop rich flavors, Irish stew is a thick, hearty dish made with lamb or beef, potatoes, onions and carrots. 
   
   
8. Irish Seafood Chowder
   Showcasing the bounty of the seas surrounding Ireland, this creamy soup full of tender fish, shellfish, potatoes and vegetables is particularly satisfying during colder months.
   
   
9. Colcannon
   Prized for its comforting flavor, this traditional Irish dish is made from velvety mashed potatoes mixed with cabbage and is often served with a healthy dollop of butter.
   
   
10. Soda Bread
    A staple of Northern Ireland, soda bread uses baking soda as a leavening instead of yeast. It is delicious on its own, served fresh from the oven with butter or as an accompaniment to a classic Irish stew.

The British royal family has cultivated a glamorous image that inspires fantasy, aspiration and a longing for tradition. They hold a significant place in British culture and a great deal of fascination for visitors to England. For those intrigued by the royal way of life, there are many notable sites, several of which are open to visitors:

• Buckingham Palace
  As the London residence of the British sovereign, Buckingham Palace has become one of the most iconic landmarks in England. Built in 1705 for John Sheffield, duke of Buckingham, the palace was purchased by George the III for his wife Queen Charlotte. Today, the Queen’s Gallery contains many prominent works from the royal art collection, including Fabergé eggs and drawings by Leonardo da Vinci.
  
  
• Kensington Palace
  Located in the London borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Kensington Palace serves as a residence for British princes and princesses. Notably, Queen Victoria was born there in 1819, and Diana, princess of Wales, lived there prior to her death in 1997.
  
  
• Tower of London
  Over the centuries, this royal fortress and London landmark has served many functions—as a royal palace, a political prison, a place of execution, a royal mint, an arsenal and military garrison, a menagerie and a public records office. The Crown Jewels have been protected at the Tower of London since the 1660s.
  
  
• Windsor Castle
  Windsor Castle is both the largest and longest-occupied royal castle, having been owned by the monarchy for almost one thousand years. Located in the county of Berkshire, the castle often hosts large royal events. It also serves as a royal mausoleum and contains the bodies of many monarchs, including Henry VIII, Charles I and Edward VII.
  
  
• Balmoral Castle
  Located on the bank of the River Deen in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Balmoral Castle has served as the summer residence of sovereigns since it was purchased by Albert, the prince consort (and husband of Queen Victoria).
  
  
• Sandringham House
  Originally purchased by Edward VII for his wife in 1862, Sandringham House is the private residence where the royal family traditionally celebrates Christmas. The house is open for tours when the family is not present.
  
  
• Highgrove House
  This is the private residence of King Charles III and Camilla, the queen consort. They have invested considerable time and money into transforming the house and its magnificent gardens, which receive more than 30,000 visitors each year.
  
  
• Other Stately British Homes
  Britain is home to many remarkable historic estates that contain fascinating traces of royal history, even if they have not served as royal residences. For example, Highclere Castle was built by Sir Charles Barry, who also built the Houses of Parliament. As the country seat of the distinguished Earls of Carnarvon, this grand Hampshire estate has hosted multiple monarchs. Now a beloved cultural icon—and the filming location of Downton Abbey, its public rooms are open to visitors.

The Vikings first came to England during the late 8th century, but they did not have a large presence in the region for another hundred years. As the 9th century drew to a close, the fjord-lined shores of Norway grew crowded. Suitable land became scarce as the Viking population grew, forcing many to set sail in search of other lands to settle. One Nordic fleet embarked their longships, crossed the North Sea and stepped onto Shetland soil.

By the time they made landfall, the remote Shetland Islands had already been inhabited for about 3,800 years, the inhabitants of which built communities of stone. Upon arrival, the Vikings might have seen the curious structures of the Iron Age Picts that likely littered the coast: thatched roofs of subterranean roundhouses and circular stone brochs, or hollow, double-walled towers. Scholars remain puzzled as to what happened to the Picts, but all agree that the newly arrived Norsemen had only survival on their minds.

Evidence of a Viking settlement on the southern reaches of the Shetland Islands is carefully preserved at Jarlshof, Britain’s most extensive remains of a Viking site. Meticulously maintained remains show that the Vikings literally built upon what their predecessors had created, establishing a colony here that would thrive for close to 500 years. They built longhouses, rectangular, sod-covered structures that stretched up to 66 feet long and 16 feet wide, and lived off the land and the sea, farming, fishing and keeping cattle, pigs and ponies. Among the remains, 150 loom weights were discovered, suggesting sheep were kept for wool.

Vikings did not gain control of London until 1016, when Danish King Knut the Great, after several battles, negotiated a treaty with English King Edmund Ironside. The agreement gave the area north of the Thames to Denmark and lands to the south to England. However, upon the death of Edmund just weeks later, all of England became Danish territory.

Stepson of Knut the Great, Danish Viking Edward the Confessor took the throne in London in 1043. Sympathetic toward the Normans—the Norse Vikings across the English Channel in today’s Normandy—he fashioned his major building project, Westminster Abbey, after the celebrated Benedictine Jumièges Abbey, whose ruins still stand in Normandy today.