Our Favorite Things at Epcot’s United Kingdom Pavilion

On a recent visit to Epcot we spent extra time in some of the World Showcase pavilions that we have a tendency to breeze through. One of those pavilions was the United Kingdom. It's one of our favorite spots in Epcot but for whatever reason we tend to walk through it and not stop for more than a few minutes.

What do you love about the United Kingdom pavilion?

However on this particular trip we were with some family members who had never experienced the deliciousness that is fish and chips from the Yorkshire County Fish Shop, so we stopped and took a break. And we ate some fish. And we drank a few pints. And it was wonderful and it made me realize how much I really enjoy this pavilion.

So today let's reflect on a few of the things that make the United Kingdom pavilion practically perfect in every way.

The Buildings and Gardens: The next time you're in the United Kingdom pavilion take a few moments to look closely at the buildings. They are meant to take guests through different periods of architecture including Elizabethan, Tudor, and Victorian. The gardens also change throughout the pavilion with gardens representing rural England and a park fashioned after Hyde Park. The maze in the pavilion is reminiscent of the Somerleyton Hall Maze from 1864.

Gorgeous buildings are part of the pavilion's charm

High Street in the pavilion starts with a Cotswold cottage featuring a thatched roof. The cottage is reminiscent of the cottage of Anne Hathaway (William Shakespeare's wife) in Stratford-Upon-Avon and inside you'll find the Tea Caddy.

Shops: Shopping in the United Kingdom is always a fun experience. You'll find a great variety of British-themed merchandise including toys, candy, clothing, tea, fine china, and more. On our recent visit there was a great display of merchandise for the popular television series Downton Abbey. It has nothing to do with Disney but everything to do with Great Britain!

Fun details in the United Kingdom's shops

The shops are also home to some fun extras including heraldry from the four major schools in the United Kingdom: Oxford, Cambridge, Eton, and Edinburgh. The Crown & Crest is home to suits of armor, shields, and swords. And The Toy Soldier has some rather whimsical decor near the back of the store near the meet-and-greet area for Winnie the Pooh and Friends.

Food and Drink: We have decided that no visit to World Showcase is complete without a stop for Fish and Chips at the Yorkshire County Fish Shop. In fact, we've recently updated our touring strategy for World Showcase to make sure we're always at the Fish Shop at lunch time. The Fish and Chips are always hot and always delicious, but you should know that seating is scarce.

There are a few tables off to the side of the restaurant and there are a few more tables behind the Rose and Crown Pub that offer great views of World Showcase. Or you can bypass those seats and find a nice, quiet spot in the gardens of the pavilion.

Can't pass up fish and chips in the United Kingdom!

A little more about the Yorkshire County Fish Shop: there's one thing on the menu and that's fish and chips. OK there's also a dessert (skip it) and some beverages. But really it's all about the fish and chips. You can order a beer with your meal or you can send someone else from your party next door to the Rose and Crown Pub to grab a pint.

Speaking of the Rose and Crown, you can choose to hang out in the Pub (it opens around 12 p.m. each day) enjoying a pint and some "pub grub" or you can make a reservation to dine in the dining room. The Rose and Crown also features tables on the patio and they are some of the most sought-after spots at night because they offer great views of IllumiNations.

We love stopping at the Rose and Crown Pub

Characters: The United Kingdom pavilion is a great spot to meet characters. You'll find Winnie the Pooh and friends inside The Toy Solider (which is also where the Kidcot Stop is located). And outside the Tea Caddy you'll find Mary Poppins or Alice in Wonderland. On our recent visit both Mary and Alice were greeting guests within minutes of each other. Be warned: the lines for these two characters can often rival the line for fish and chips so that area of the pavilion can be rather congested.

Meet Alice in the United Kingdom pavilion

Whether you're looking for great shopping, delicious food, or just a place to grab a pint and relax, the United Kingdom pavilion is the place to be. We recommend stopping here early in the day (just after World Showcase opens) as the crowd level will usually be smaller since it seems many people prefer to tour the World Showcase in a clockwise manner, starting in Mexico.

What is your favorite part of the UK pavilion in Epcot? Let us know in the comments.

Many thanks to the Disney Food Blog for use of their photos.