What are the (unintended) advantages to Britain of having a tax year that starts in April?
posted by devnull on Nov 19, 2009 - 7 answers

I was talking with a friend about the "graveyard of empires," b*tching about politics, and we both realized that we knew pretty much nothing about the British experience in Afghanistan in the 19th century. (I have a vague recollection about it being background for some Sherlock Holmes stories. She remembered some Kipling.) What books would you recommend for getting a good understanding of that period of history? Bonus points for an engaging writing style and for not being the length of an encyclopedia. Thanks!
posted by epersonae on Nov 13, 2009 - 16 answers

Looking for podcasts or radio shows with women talking in Mancunian accents or similar Northern English accents. [more inside]
posted by reenum on Sep 5, 2009 - 6 answers

Is she fat? A question about a fictional British girl and whether or not she would actually be considered fat. [more inside]
posted by so much modern time on Sep 5, 2009 - 15 answers

BookFilter: I'm looking for a concise book on the history of Britain (prehistory to modern day), any suggestions?
posted by nam3d on Aug 26, 2009 - 12 answers

I am looking for a book recommendation that depicts life as a factory worker in Industrial Revolution Britain? [more inside]
posted by jacobean on May 22, 2009 - 15 answers

Secluded nature style summer holidays/vacations in the UK? [more inside]
posted by Mwongozi on May 13, 2009 - 10 answers

Help me find an old spy novel (details inside) ... [more inside]
posted by thermonuclear.jive.turkey on May 4, 2009 - 2 answers

Where can I get good tax advice in the UK? [more inside]
posted by tavegyl on Apr 15, 2009 - 5 answers

What are ways to travel in Britain outside of the public transportation system? [more inside]
posted by Taurid on Apr 3, 2009 - 17 answers

Help me identity this 1910s/20s/30s British poet (from precious little information). [more inside]
posted by taramosalata on Feb 14, 2009 - 3 answers

What are the best -- in terms of compelling writing and in terms of comprehensiveness -- books about the "Troubles" between Ireland and the UK over the past 50 or so years? Bonus points if available on Kindle. [more inside]
posted by proj on Dec 14, 2008 - 10 answers

The documents that the UK wants from me for a visit are extensive and horrifying. Will I be able to get into the country? [more inside]
posted by punishinglemur on Dec 11, 2008 - 26 answers

My British employer overpaid me back in June 2008 to the tune of £1k. I pointed this out at the time, but never heard from anyone. Now it's December, and they want the money back. However, I've heard that I can contest this, on the grounds that the employer made a mistake, and that it's illegal to force employees to rectify companies' mistakes. Is this true? And what legalese can I quote? :)
posted by almostwitty on Dec 3, 2008 - 13 answers

Movies about Britain's Lower Class children and the society they live in? [more inside]
posted by watercarrier on Nov 17, 2008 - 21 answers

Registering for British citizenship by descent: do they return the documents? Also: cutting a check in foreign currency? [more inside]
posted by paultopia on Oct 29, 2008 - 7 answers

UK Credit Reports / Histories: I've seen loads of posts referring to the USA system of credit scores, credit histories, etc. but never seen anyone refer to an equivalent UK system. Presumably we have one, but how does it work? [more inside]
posted by metaBugs on Oct 20, 2008 - 7 answers

Help me find some new British plus size clothes. [more inside]
posted by santojulieta on Oct 6, 2008 - 8 answers

Where can I find old recordings of British folk music? [more inside]
posted by interrobang on Sep 20, 2008 - 14 answers

What was the name of this BBC documentary? It was broadcast sometime around 2000. It was about how Britain has changed post-WWII, dwelling on rail closures due to the Beeching Axe, the construction of the motorways, and the subsequent death of the 'traditional' rural Britain. Its tone was pretty melancholic, and it was (to me) quite a moving piece. [more inside]
posted by Kiwi on May 17, 2008 - 1 answer

Which body oversees British Telecom: Ofcom or Otelo? Or is it BOTH? [more inside]
posted by chuckdarwin on May 14, 2008 - 7 answers

Who was the first British Prime Minister to be photographed? [more inside]
posted by boubelium on Feb 27, 2008 - 5 answers

Can my wife claim my tuition as a tax credit in the UK? [more inside]
posted by arcadia on Jan 21, 2008 - 2 answers

Looking for great scenic and historic drives in England, the wind whipping my hair as I wind through cottages and countryside. Thus far, The guidebooks and my google-fu are failing me. [more inside]
posted by MasonDixon on Jul 30, 2007 - 11 answers

So, I've agreed to drive a group of people to Longleat Safari Park this weekend. It's been in the diary for months, but the weather forecast is not good. If you've been to Longleat before - is the bad weather going to spoil the trip? should we reschedule?
posted by ascullion on Jun 28, 2007 - 2 answers

What's it like being Asian in modern Britain? [more inside]
posted by humblepigeon on Jun 6, 2007 - 14 answers

GoogleFuFailureFilter: I am looking for free transcripts of UK (Westminster) Parliamentary debates for around 1969-1980. Specifically, I'm looking for discussions about Northern Ireland. Astonishingly, I can't find them after a full day of looking, not even on the Westminster website, which seems only to go back as far as 1988. How is this possible? Help!
posted by walla on Jun 5, 2007 - 11 answers

So what really DID happen to Hero Joy Nightingale? [more inside]
posted by StrikeTheViol on May 29, 2007 - 9 answers

Why is the United Kingdom still a united kingdom? [more inside]
posted by dcrocha on May 14, 2007 - 25 answers

I'm looking for the earliest appearance of the phrase 'swanning around' - To travel around from place to place aimlessly. [more inside]
posted by tellurian on Apr 25, 2007 - 9 answers

Reading an unwritten constitution? [more inside]
posted by awesomebrad on Mar 29, 2007 - 14 answers

In British slang, does the word "dud" have a meaning other than failure? [more inside]
posted by hooves on Jan 28, 2007 - 23 answers

English slang expression that sounds like "CASE OH"? [more inside]
posted by AmbroseChapel on Oct 28, 2006 - 33 answers

Here in the far-flung reaches of the English-speaking world, we're constantly being told our local language is being taken over by "American Slang". But does it go the other way? Are there any British / Australian / New Zealand or wherever phrases and words that have become commonly used by people in North America recently? Do Brooklynites ever exclaim "Crikey!" or "Bloody Hell!"?
posted by Jimbob on Oct 27, 2006 - 50 answers

Currency Exchange: I have a handful of Japanese Yen and a desire the British pound wasn't so strong. What are my best options for getting my Yen converted into Sterling? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Sep 21, 2006 - 6 answers

What is the best way for an American to get a job and work permit in Britain? [more inside]
posted by scarylarry on May 7, 2006 - 13 answers

Is it realistic for me, as an American, to entertain thoughts (read: dreams) of attending law school at Oxford? [more inside]
posted by PhatLobley on Mar 23, 2006 - 14 answers

Anybody know anything about WWII British tug boats? [more inside]
posted by flabdablet on Feb 19, 2006 - 3 answers

What are the quirkiest hotels/ B&Bs/ inns in the UK? [more inside]
posted by skylar on Oct 14, 2005 - 9 answers

Brits: Do you use sheets and blankets? Or does everyone use a duvet and cover now? Any ballpark guess on percentages of the population using each?
posted by Mayor Curley on Oct 11, 2005 - 52 answers

Can anyone identify this British accent? [more inside]
posted by Liosliath on Oct 8, 2005 - 34 answers

UK residents, is it illegal to hide your face from the ubiquitous security cameras? [more inside]
posted by jsonic on Oct 8, 2005 - 18 answers

What's the best history of the British Empire you've ever read? I'm looking for something reasonably scholarly but still very readable.
posted by transona5 on May 20, 2005 - 14 answers

TravelFilter. Where can I get the best answers, strategies and deals about BritRail? [more inside]
posted by grabbingsand on Mar 29, 2005 - 18 answers

I have a friend who lives in Canada while her boyfriend is just finishing up a psychology degree in England. He wants to move to Canada in the summer but there is the problem of not being able to get a job as a UK citizen. What are the requirements for British citizens to be able to work and live in Canada for an extended period of time (say several years at least)? They are not willing to get married yet. Any advice or previous experiences would be extremely helpful!
posted by degnarra on Mar 11, 2005 - 12 answers

UK Credit Filter - We have bad credit, and now our bank have decided that they want to close my accounts. So in order to be paid, and pay bills...I have to find a new current account. My wife and I know that we can fix our problems with money (and have been doing well for 3 months) - but we cannot seem to find a bank that will open a current account for us.

So for UK askMe people - do you know of a current account that will AT LEAST give us the benefit of the doubt?
posted by anonymous on Nov 20, 2004 - 4 answers

I'm researching architecturally designed garden workspaces which don't usually require planning permission along similar lines to this. I know I've seen some really nicely designed examples on the web in the past but I can't seem track them down. Preferably based in the UK, but international examples would be useful for reference as well. Do you know of any good examples, or had experience of putting one up?
posted by gravelshoes on Nov 4, 2004 - 1 answer

Is the Queen of England genetically related to William the Conqueror?
posted by Pretty_Generic on Oct 12, 2004 - 15 answers

Things to do on the Lizard Peninsula. (More inside) [more inside]
posted by squealy on Jul 29, 2004 - 5 answers

UK tenancy advice. Our landlord lied to us about neighbouring building works. [more inside]
posted by influx on Jul 20, 2004 - 11 answers