First thing to know, Britain (or UK) is a conglomeration of 4 smaller nations (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) to be recognised internationally. The only people who with call themselves British are the Politically Correct and and Politicians. So there is really no such thing as a British person and there is certainly no such thing as a British accent.
England has so many different nationalities now that most people do not care about accents. In reality English Universities aren't that big, granted some faculties might be spread around an area, but they certainly do not cover acres and acres of land. I should say though that universities anywhere in the UK, whether it be England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland do not have the same enthusiasm for extra curricular activities like they do in America. The do have them but you won't find anything like, say the BCS championship game.
Our universities, in reality, are soley focused on education, I'm not saying American Universities aren't but if you are looking for high profile sports, fraternity/sorority houses or anything else that is representative of stereotypical American Universities its very likely you won't find them here. I think as long as you come to England with open eyes and the understanding that this is a different culture you should find living and studying in England and highly enjoyable experience. There is some tremendous things to see and enjoy in England and I promise you, you will really enjoy yourself.
Can I suggest/recommend to you that you don't soley look at Universities in or near London. I have nothing against London, but London is something on it's own, it's like a different planet and is not fully representative of what the rest of England or the UK has to offer.
In London most people will not give you a second glance because you are foreign. Even in most universities outside London nearly all courses have some people from outside the UK. As a relatively small country very few people will give you a second glance even if you 'sound' foreign.
I never got lost at university and it depends very much on the university, however, most are clearly signposted. It took me about a week to get used to the buildings I used (and attended three different universities).
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.