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  • The city of Ely offers visitors many tea rooms Feb. 26, 2014, in Ely, England. A favorite location for many locals is Peacock’s Tea Room, and it is located near the Great River Ouse. Enjoying afternoon tea on a hot summer afternoon is a relaxing pastime for many British people. There are many choices from iced coffee, to the finest teas from all over the world, and scones with jam and teacakes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Gina Randall/Released)

    BRITS BITS: Exploring Ely

    The city of Ely lies right on the doorstep of both RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath. Steeped in history, it takes its name from 'Elge' meaning eel-district. When the fens were drained in the 17th century, the land of East Anglia took on a very different look from the lowland marshes that had dominated the landscape. Landowners had wished to make
  • The Guild Hall, now a museum in Lavenham, Suffolk, is a big part of the town's history, which dates back to the times of William the Conqueror and the Norman Conquest in 1066. In 1257, Lavenham received its first Market Charter, and less than a century later, records show the town had already become a cloth-making centre of England. It was during this time the town became involved in the wool trade. Today, Lavenham is famous for its half-timbered, crooked houses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere/Released)

    BRITS BITS: Lavenham - Stepping back in time with crooked houses, cream teas

    Wandering around Lavenham, the first thing you notice are the unusual houses. Not only are they half-timbered, but many are painted rich colours and noticeably crooked, literally.Lavenham, in Suffolk, has a rich history and was once a medieval town, founded on the wool trade. In Saxon times, it was part of the "Babergh Hundred," a district defined
  • Brits Bits graphic art. (U.S. Air Force graphic illustration by Gary Rogers/Released)

    BRITS BITS: Comical communities and humorous hamlets -- 10 peculiar places

    From Stonehenge to Buckingham Palace, the U.K. is well known for its splendid scenery, majestic manors and beautiful boroughs. What are not so well known however, are the creative and even comical names of many of these spectacular sites that exist in the U.K. Places like:1. Booze, North Yorkshire. Most people relate the word booze to the Middle
  • A traditional Scottish bagpiper plays at the British-American Committee Burns Night supper Jan. 18, 2014, in Middleton Hall on RAF Mildenhall, England. Those attending wear traditional Scottish dress to pay homage to Robert Burns. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Preston Webb/Released)

    BRITS BITS: 10 traditions of Burns Night

    Burns Night is one chock full of tradition and festivities. As one of - if not the most - prominent poets in Scottish history, an entire night is dedicated to Robert Burns' poetic prowess. Here are 10 traditions which occur at nearly every Burns Night celebration, in honor of a revered poet.1. Haggis: One of the oldest traditions of any Burns Night
  • The London Eye is a gigantic Ferris wheel located on the south bank of the River Thames in London. Standing at 443 feet tall and with a diameter of 394 feet, it is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe. (Courtesy Photo by Airman 1st Class Kyla Gifford/Released)

    BRITS BITS: London for tourists: 10 must-see attractions

    London is one of the most vibrant cities in the world, but it can be overwhelming to tourists. There are so many beautiful and historical sites to visit; it's hard to choose where to go. After visiting London for the first time, I came up with a list of "must-see" attractions that I highly encourage anyone stationed in the U.K. to see during their

  • BRITS BITS: 10 favorite British foods

    Cooking is a favorite pastime for many people, as they find it relaxing and therapeutic.Love a certain dish or not, everyone needs to eat. Much of the food eaten in the U.K. today is influenced by historical events, such as the English agricultural revolution, where more food was needed to feed the growing population, and food rationing during the
  • U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyrus Hairston, left, 100th Communications Squadron airfield systems technician from Hayward, Calif.; Julian Swann, center, from Bury St. Edmunds; and U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jesse Harnage, 100th CS airfield systems technician from Placerville, Calif., stand guard at the eastern gate of Abbey Gardens Nov. 2, 2013, during a Bonfire Night celebration in Bury St. Edmunds, England. Team Mildenhall members assisted during the celebration by providing security and safety teams. Bonfire Night is an annual tradition marking the night Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot were foiled. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dillon Johnston/Released)

    BRITS BITS: Plot against king, Parliament remembered by local community

    With a match in one hand and a slow-burn fuse in the other, a conspirator knew his plot was on the verge of discovery, but still he endured knowing all he needed was a few more hours before his wary targets were set in a trap they would not be able to escape. Even as King James I's guards rounded up Guy Fawkes from a hovel next to the Houses of

  • BRITS BITS: Fun facts about 'The Chronicles of Narnia'

    "The Chronicles of Narnia" are well-loved books steeped in mystery and are composed of many layers full of distinct British flavor. Each time the series is read something new and interesting can be discovered about the lush universe British author C.S. Lewis created to live parallel to our own.1. "The Chronicles of Narnia" can be read multiple
  • Official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, following the Queen's coronation in June 1953. (Courtesy photo)

    10 little-known facts about Queen Elizabeth II

    The United Kingdom is famous for many things - tea, the Beatles, Big Ben and the accent to name a few. But the country is arguably best known for the British monarchy. For many Americans, the British monarchy, or any monarchy for that matter, brings back European history lessons taught at school and childhood fairytales found in books and portrayed
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