A team of Brits recently came to the Big Apple and proved what keeping a stiff upper lip is all about.  The Brits seized the Guinness World Records title for fastest time to travel the entire New York City subway system, clocking in at 22 hours and 26 minutes.  The venture was grueling.  They had to stay awake to qualify.  They fortified themselves with sweets.  And ultimately, they beat the previous record  holders--two New Yorkers who won the title in 2009--by a scant 26 minutes. 

One of the winners, Glen Bryant, is a 26-year-old pharmacist from Emsworth, England, who had, on multiple occasions, attempted to break the record for visiting all of London’s 270 tube stops but fell short by one hour.  Undeterred, Bryant gathered a posse of  five friends last November and crossed the pond to tackle New York City’s subways system, which has 468 stops.  (Yes, they visited stops in all the boroughs.)  Bryant’s fellow teammates, Adham Fisher, Martin Hazel, Andi James, Peter Smyth, and Steve Wilson, performed tasks such as keeping logs, taking photos, and keeping one another awake.  (The teammates weren't "any ol' guys," by the way.  They're pros.  Three of them--Andi James, Steve Wilson, and Martin Hazel--are previous Guinness record holders of "Fastest time to travel to all London Underground stations," the title that eluded Bryant.  And another, Adham Fisher, has ridden the entirety of many subways systems.  Check out his interview in Wanderlust travel magazine about his subway exploits HERE.)

The Brits accomplished their record-breaking venture in New York last November but were just recently informed by Guinness World Records that their entry had been reviewed and they have been declared winners.  It was a long, nail-biting wait for the team.

As Winston Churchill said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going,” and that’s just what these determined Brits did!  Join Anglophiles United in saying, “Three cheers for the new Guinness World Records holders!”

Fellow Anglophiles: You will love this video.  It was made to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the London Underground.  It lists all the London tube stops, including those quirky names like "Cockfosters," which make Americans giggle.  One of the previously mentioned Guinness record holders, Adham Fisher, helped write the video and plays bass guitar and keys in it.  

Go to: BRITISH DRINKS
Go to: BRITISH SPORTS
Go to: VISIT BRITAIN
Go to: HOMEPAGE

Dear Anglophiles: I've long been proud of the state-by-state listing of British venues in the U.S. that I've provided and want to thank those of you who have emailed me suggestions for the list.  I dare say, Anglophiles United has the Internet's largest, most-up-to date, accurate list of British pubs, restaurants, tea rooms, and shops located in the U.S.!  


(Note: If you ever find faulty info on the list, please let me know straightaway!  With your help, we can keep this list topnotch.  Thank you!)

Check out the list on my "Britain in your town" page!

And if you're in New York City, check out my "Britain in NYC" page!

Go to: WHAT IS AN ANGLOPHILE?
Go to: VISIT BRITAIN
Go to: BRITISH TEA CUSTOMS
Go to: HOMEPAGE

 ChipShop is a hoot with its kitschy interior and fun atmosphere.  The restaurant offers great-tasting British food at reasonable prices.  They don't shoo you away when you're done eating either; you can hangout and chat with your friends here.  Their fish & chips are excellent!  (ChipShop has two Brooklyn locations.)

American Anglophiles may not realize that a network of British-style private schools exist in the U.S., with curriculum delivered by British-trained teachers.  These schools, owned by World Class Learning Group (WCLG), headquartered in London, are called “British Schools of America.”  The schools are located in the following citiies:

• New York

• Boston

• Washington, DC

• Charlotte

• Chicago

• Houston 

Some of the schools offer lower and middle school education; others include high school education with prestigious diplomas--including the International Baccalaureate Diploma, recognized by universities worldwide, and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, affiliated with the University of Cambridge.  The schools are pricey but no more so than other topnotch private schools.

More than 3 million students across the globe attend British-style international schools that are ran by educational organizations such as WCLG and similar institutions--and the number of schools is rapidly increasing, expecting to double in the next decade.  Demand for British-style schools is especially great in the Middle and Far East.  WCLG’s chief executive, Hugh MacPherson, explains: “People are effectively buying an educational passport that gives them greater access to the world’s best universities and increases their chances of getting a good job.” 

In the United States, British Schools of America initially sprang up to serve ex-pat communities, but their curriculum and standards have appealed to more than ex-pats—making them competitive with other top private schools.  WCLG recently launched its New York City school, World Class Learning Academy, New York, and had HRH Prince Michael of Kent on hand at the official opening.  As a New Yorker, I would like to say: Welcome, WCLA New York!”

To visit the  World Class Learning Schools / British Schools of America website, click HERE

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Go to: BRITISH BOOKS
Go to: BRITISH NEWSPAPERS
Go to: THE ROYALS
Go to: HOMEPAGE

I was at ChipShop in Park Slope, Brooklyn, yesterday and had their delectable apple and blackberry crumble with custard--and, of course, tea.  If you're an Anglophile in the New York City area, I highly recommend eating at ChipShop.  As you can see, the decor is wonderfully informal, kitschy Brit.  (You'll feel right at home!)  The staff is exceptionally friendly, and the food is fabulous.  Seriously, they have some of the best fish and chips around.  But what I like most about the restaurant is its laid-back atmosphere.  It's a great place to chill with friends.  Completely unpretentious.  (Please note: ChipShop serves teabags, not loose-left teas, so if you're seeking a British tea experience, this isn't the place for that.)

The ChipShop has two locations, though I've been only to the Park Slope location on 5th Ave.  The restaurant also offers a full English breakfast on weekends, which I've not partaken of yet but must!