About Us

The House of England cottage is open every Sunday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Please drop in for a spot of tea and a chance to learn a bit about the history and traditions of England.

A Little History:
The House of England was one of the orginal 15 cottages set up by the House of Pacific Relations for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition. The other 14 cottages represented the countries of: Sweden, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Finland, Germany, Israel, China, Russia, Yugoslavia and the United States. Sharing the one remaining cottage on alternating Sundays was: France, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Portugal, Hungary and Mexico. Today, the House of Pacific Relations consists of 32 national groups, many of whom have their own cottages. Those without a cottage share the Hall of Nations building on a rotating basis.

Lawn Program: Members of the House of England organize our annual lawn program on the closest Sunday to April 23, which is St. George's day in England. For 2010, it was on April 25th. For 2011, it will be on April 24th, which coincidenatlly, will be Easter for that year. Entertainment is provided by the Moreton Bay Fig Morris Dancers and the International Dance Association of San Diego County doing traditional English folk dances. Vocalists sing old British favorites and there's always a bit o' British humour. Foods sold at this event are generally bangers, shepherds pie, chicken pies, or meat pasties along with homemade sausage rolls. Scones and a variety of English cakes and cookies are also sold. For drinks, there's lemonade and of course, lots of tea.

Ethnic Food Fair: Held in the Spring each year, generally features the same menu as the lawn program, and is sold in a tent outside the cottage on the common green.

December Nights: Held the first Friday and Saturday nights in December (Dec. 3rd and 4th this year), House of England members will be hosting a tent at the International Spirits Garden, offering English ales and hot spiced Christmas punch (mulled wine). In the cottage itself, hot chocolate, hot apple cider with cinnamon, and of course, English tea will be served in the spirit of the season.

The animated flag of St. George (above) is compliments of Webmaster Toolsite.