Last year when we went to Paris I asked this question and got some great ideas.

Now that we can get so much here in the states from other countries, what do you buy in England that you can't get here?

What do you bring back that you know is a better deal there than here or not available here at all!!!

We are only going to England.

Thanks

I cannot think of anything that you can't buy here, cheaper that Britain. I don't travel to shop however, I travel to see things and places different from where I live. Nothing wrong in spending time shopping, just not what I think travel is about.

Here's a recent thread with some ideas: http://tinyurl.com/c9eqje

In terms of clothes, etc., you won't find much that is either wildly different than that in the States or much cheaper. My list usually focuses on Lush products (I don't have one near me, and the things I buy are cheaper in the UK) and snack food. If you're into tea, you can get some great ones.

Where in England are you going? That might get you more suggestions for local things.

I have never tried to buy Rx drugs in the UK but I bet they are cheaper than in the US.

I don't do much shopping on holidays either but always bring back a calendar of that country (so I have an entire year of lovely photos), an authentic regional cookbook and interesting foods/ingredients. In England we bring back interestingly-flavoured crisps that we cannot get in Canada for family, the housesitter, etc.

Cadbury's chocolate in England is the very best. The one we get in the US tastes totally different. You must at least try to taste one and see if you like it. I stock up on those. Many of the other items such as china by Royal Dulton etc. are available at various US stores, and are less expensive here.

Well all the usual locally knitted stuff in out of the way shops. Ditto mugs
The odder foods, marmite and patum pappareum (spelling), if nothing else pop into Waitrose and see what they have
Calander
I like Local publications of international books. For instance I have the US versions of the Dark Materials trilogy though I live in UK

In general, prescription drugs are only cheaper in the UK if you can get them on the NHS. Some drugs which are OTC here, Prilosec for example, still require a prescription in the UK. Not a good plan to count on prescription drugs as something to bring back because they are cheaper or readily available.

Also, for all travelers, chemists (pharmacies) don't do refills of current US prescriptions; you would need to see a doctor first to get a new presctiption written. So, take am ample supply of what you need for the trip and keep a list of the generic names separate from your drugs in case your drugs go missing.

Favorite things I like to bring back are blackcurrent jam and gold label tea, both from Marks and Spencer. They also do chocolate-covered toffee popcorn which is addictive.

Clotted cream fudge. Leads to clotted cream arteries.

Lots of good fudges at the better food halls (M&S, Harrod's, etc). And there's a wide variety of Cadbury sweets that you can get in UK but not US.

Nurofen plus -- it's advil plus codeine. Good stuff. And OTC in the UK.

And whisky -- many a Scotch, usually from independent bottlers, that you cannot find in the US. Go to Royal Mile Whiskies in London.

When I was there, I got some small china decorative pieces, a vase made in Britain. You could go to some specialty shop and get something British made. That would be your best bet or some type food that you can't find in the US.

The English have some lovely soaps and colognes-I love the Bronnley and Penhaligon products.

"You could go to some specialty shop and get something British made"

You might also find those pretty porcelain models of Gloucester Old Spot pigs flying in formation round the shop, whistling the Dam Busters' March.

But if you DO find anything British made, report it to the police immediately. They're lying.

Incidentally, it's just not true that "In terms of clothes...you won't find much that is either wildly different from the US".

Young women's fashion (as sold in British-owned places like New Look and TopShop) is very different from what you'll find in mass market US mall stores, though many old fogies are too fashion-blind to notice. The two major international chains, Zara and H&M, have slightly different clothes in the UK from those they sell in the US - and oddly they're cheaper in Britain (look at the pre-priced labels in the stores).

Primark sells much the same Chinese and Bangladeshi crap as Old Navy - but it's cheaper. And UK clothes prices, in £'s are falling 10% a year, while, in $'s, they're increasing slightly in the US. Factor in the collapse of the pound and real mass-market clothes prices are turning into a steal.

Wow... at 28, I'd never thought of myself as an old fogey.

It is a bit different fashion, but not so different that I'd bring clothes back as a souvenir, which is what I thought the OP was getting at (though there's always the possibility that I'm mistaken). I always go to H&M when I'm there, but just because I don't have one near in the US and I heart H&M in general. My opinion is that if you like clothes shopping enough to spend your travel time doing it, go shopping. There are some good stores we don't have in the US. But if you don't want to shop, don't go out of your way to do it because you think the clothes are that different. Though perhaps flanner disagrees with me.

I like to buy things I can't get here. I'll look at the Lush products and candies. I do like to "pop into the stores" to see what they are showing. I've given up bringing gifts home...too expensive and the extra weight is no fun to haul around. As usual the drugstore will be where I start.

Thanks for your ideas. The days of bringing back wool sweaters are over!!!

we're headed to Bath, the Cotswolds and London if that means anything to anyone for local items.

Thanks again.

If you want to sell your firstborn to finance it, go to Charbonnel et Walker chocolate shop. Talk about addictive!

The little Lilliput Lane buildings are fun to bring back, and I enjoy drinking my morning coffee from a bone china mug I got at the China Reject shop (microwave and dishwasher safe).

I, too, travel to see places and things that are different from my home area. However, I still like to bring something back that reminds me of my trip. It doesn't really bother me that I may be able to get the same thing at home. I like to buy something of a more permanent nature rather than food items or "throw away" type souvenirs. I never even gave a thought to buying medications, but then I am fortunate enough to not have to take any medications on a regular basis.

My sister, daughter, and I just came back from London and we stocked up on scarves for ourselves and for gifts. Yes, you can buy many similar scarves here at home, but they are tons cheaper in London: Plain single-colored scarves are two for 5 pounds (about $3.75 each) and multi-colored ones are two for 10 pounds (about $7.50 each) at street vendors and souvenir shops. Nicer scarves can be found in nicer stores from 10 pounds and up. Here at home, even the cheapest scarves are at least $10 each. I'm still wishing we'd bought more for gifts.

We went to the markets in Camden Town Locks and found some very cute, original clothes for insanely good prices: very cute tops for 10 pounds and up. While there we found a wonderful candle maker who sold the most amazing scented candles for only 8 pounds each. I really wished I'd bought more of those. We also bought some original and very inexpensive T-shirts and toys to bring home to family

On Regent Street and Oxford Street we came across a few reasonably priced clothing stores and got a new coat and other tops.

I also brought back some candy bars that we don't have at home for my other children - my sons loved the Lion bars and the candy bars that are "for boys only."

I do like bringing home some of the typical "souvenir type" souvenirs, and I'm really happy with some of the golf towels, key chains and pens I brought back. These weren't expensive, and they make good gifts. They also make me smile every time I see them now at home.

"...the candy bars that are 'for boys only.'"

Right, Yorkies. The sides have "THEY'RE NOT FOR GIRLS" emblazoned upon them. No idea why a candy bar would be gender specific.

I would buy an Alex Begg cashmere scarf.