Travel guide – united kingdom
united kingdom
Go back to travel guide home
Overview
It may seem hard to believe that this small, cold, wet island once held dominion over three quarters of the globe. The pomp and circumstance of previous centuries may have dwindled and the monarchy takes daily batterings in the local press, yet the UK and its people remain a fiercely proud nation. The past 100 years have seen a vast transformation as the country came to terms with its diminished role on the world stage, from colonial empire to a member of the EU.
The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the geography sweeps from mountainous highlands, to green and pleasant rolling countryside and vibrant cities. The country is jam-packed with two millennia of heritage, making visits of any length of time feel too short.
London is the UK's biggest city, a fantastic and frenetic metropolis teeming with people of all races, creeds and walks of life. Here the old contrasts spectacularly with the new, offering some of the world's most famous sights and an unrivalled nightlife. Travelling through the country will reveal its diversity, from quiet country lanes and inland waterways to majestic stately homes and castles. Thatched cottages in the Cotswolds paint a picture-postcard quaintness, where life appears to revolve around the village pub.
The medieval cathedral cities of York and Durham reveal a rich history of a bygone age, while the industrial cities of Liverpool and Newcastle both harbour an exciting nightlife. The beauty of the Lake District remains almost untouched, and Edinburgh's International Arts Festival draws talent from around the world.
Regions and cities within United Kingdom...
Channel Islands
Jersey
Guernsey
Sark
Alderney
England
London
Oxford
The Cotswolds
East Anglia
Bath
South West
The North
Scotland
Edinburgh
Glasgow
The Highlands
Wales
Key Attractions
Climate
The weather is very changeable and unpredictable. Winters are cold and wet with occasional snow, especially in the high-lying areas. Summers are generally warm with frequent showers.
Health
There are no specific health risks associated with travel to the UK and food and water can be considered safe. The British National Health Service is excellent; emergency treatment is free to visitors, but charges are made for routine medical care. A number of countries have reciprocal health agreements with the UK including Australia, New Zealand and EU countries. Visitors from other countries (including Canada, South Africa and the US) are advised to take out good medical insurance.
The basics
Time
GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are standard.
Language
English is the official language, though visitors will be astonished by the variety of regional accents and may sometimes feel they need an interpreter when speaking to locals.
Tipping
10 to 15% is expected in restaurants and upmarket hotels if a service charge hasn't been included. Hotel service staff receive an optional amount. Taxi drivers are usually given 10 to 15% of the fare. Other services are discretionary.
Safety
It is generally safe to travel throughout the UK, although travellers are advised to take special care of their personal belongings in central London, where pick-pocketing are often reported. There is a risk of international terrorism, as demonstrated by the deadly terrorist bomb attacks in central London on three tubes and a bus on 7 July 2005 that killed over 50 people and injured about 700. On 21 July 2005, four attempted bomb attacks on three underground tube stations and a bus mirrored the attacks of 7 July, but no injuries were reported.
Customs
Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone new. From mid-2007 smoking will be banned in all enclosed public spaces, including pubs and restaurants; currently no smoking is allowed on public transport. There is a strict etiquette on escalators - stand on the right, walk on the left. Visitors will find Londoners more rushed and less friendly than Brits in other parts of the country, particularly on London transport where tourists are generally the only people who talk.
Communications
The international country dialling code for UK is +44. The outgoing code is 00, or 048 for Northern Ireland, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). Mobile phones work throughout the country; the network operators use GSM 1800 networks, which may not be compatible with some dual-band US cell phones. Internet cafes are available in major towns and cities, train stations and airports.
Duty Free
Travellers to the United Kingdom over 16 years with goods purchased in the EU for personal consumption do not have to pay duty on these goods provided they are for personal use or are gifts for family and friends. This does not apply to large quantities of alcohol or tobacco if the amounts exceed the following limits: 3,200 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos (up to 3g each), or 200 cigars, or 3kg pipe or cigarette tobacco; 10 litres spirits with alcohol content higher than 22%, or 20 litres alcohol less than 22% alcohol volume, or 90 litres of wine, or 60 litres sparkling wine, or 110 litres beer. Travellers to the United Kingdom over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos (up to 3g each), or 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco; 1 litre spirits with alcohol content higher than 22%, or 2 litres dessert wine not exceeding 22% alcohol volume and sparkling wine, or 2 litres of table wine; perfume up to 60cc or 250ml eau de toilette; goods to the value of ₤145. Providing goods are bought for personal use, there are no restrictions on carrying tobacco and alcohol between countries of the EU, with the exception of Finland, Denmark and Sweden. The import of firearms must be accompanied by an appropriate license or certificate. Passengers to Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Libya, Myanmar, Rwanda, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Somali and Sudan carrying sporting guns are not allowed to transit through the United Kingdom. All handguns are restricted under UK law and are only allowed on a BA aircraft with prior permission obtained from the Security Duty Manager. Prohibited items include indecent or obscene books, films or videos.
top of page