About Hyde County, NC

Visit England Without Leaving the United States

Yes, it is true. You can visit England without leaving the United States! Do you know how? Is this an unsolvable riddle?

There are actually three routes to accomplish how to visit England without leaving the United States. Head for the coast of North Carolina. Now you can choose driving most of the way by entering the Outer Banks from the north by Highway 158 at Kitty Hawk, enter from the west by Highway 264 into Nags Head. You can also take a ferry from the mainland from Swan Quarter or Cedar Island.

If you drive to Kitty Hawk or Nags Head you will head south to NC 12 and drive through the Cape Hatteras National Seashore until you reach the end of the road. Take a 20 minute ferry ride to Ocracoke. Drive to almost the end of Ocracoke Island. Hang in there. You are about to visit England without leaving the United States.

If you take the ferry from Swan Quarter or Cedar Island you will enter Ocracoke near our destination. Whether you drive or ferry to the south end of Ocracoke Island. If you've been to the Outer Banks and Ocracoke Island you may have an idea of our destination. Look for British Cemetery Road.

Down this narrow country road you will find on your right the British Cemetery. Here is where you visit England without leaving the United States. Don't expect too much. Just a beautiful piece of history. During World War II with German subs near our coast line, a British ship was hit and sunk. Four British sailors washed ashore and were buried in this spot. Two of the men are unknown. All four died helping up protect their freedom ... and ours.

Spend a moment to thank them on this uniquely British patch of soil here in America. On the day after 9/11 we all know the cost of freedom and need to remember everyone who has lived and died fighting evil any place in the world.

Have Outer Banks questions? Call me at 252-599-2845 or e-mail me.

The Ocracoke light is the second oldest operating lighthouse in the nation. My wife and I visited this lighthouse on a recent visit to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Bridge on Route 12, Ocracoke Island was in the process of being repaired by the NC Dept of Transportation. Not to be deterred I put our jeep in 4 wheel drive low and drove the two mile detour on the beach around the construction to the village of Ocracoke. We spent a lovely day exploring and shooting the village and would recommend it to anyone. Also of interest is the British cemetery where is interred drowned British sailors from WWII.

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