QuiltNan .... I'll tell you something else England doesn't have much of. Screens on windows. I've stayed in 5 homes in 4 counties, and have seen plenty more ... not a one had screens on their windows. AC is a rarity as well, of course it's not as necessary as it is here in Chicago.
When Graham's daughter was here she complained about the insects at home because she worked odd shifts so the lights were often on at night and would attract the bugs. So we bought her a roll of screening and sent her home with instructions to make a screen for her bedroom window. Instead ... she bought a chicken and made a coop for it out of the screen!!