Ive lived in most parts of England
Hitch hiking across this country is possible just bare a few things in mind
1. lorry drivers, or anyone who is driving for work will most probably not pick you, because it will invalidate their insurance. If they crash you could suw them.
2. generally id say, on a good day, about 1 in every 30 cars or so that passes me will pick me up, based on this, you need to find a road with reasonable but not too high, so as no one can stop easily, traffic to up the odds.
3. Dont look scary, you need to look like the sort of person people would want to pick up. So try to look reasonably well kept, and if its dark where a reflective jacket. Also, one bag, people dont want picking you up to be effort.
4. people will go where theyre going, not necessarily where you want to go, so you have to take what you can get.
5. stand on a straight where people can see you, and slow down to pick you up saftley.
6. the old thumbs up usually works for me, but ive been told a sign sometimes helps. take a decent permanent marker with you, and if you can bits of cardboard or wood make signs on the fly. Your sign should be vague, such as a compass direction, or county, or nearest big city, if its too precise people will use it as an excuse not to stop.
7. get used to lots of people looking out their windows at you in utter disgust. Some drivers, in fact many in the UK are Aholes, just ignore them.
8. if your a girl dont do this. Guys should be fine, but girls are always more vulnerable.
9. if you go through Yorkshire and get stuck, get to an internet cafe, PM me, and i might be able to help you.