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United Kingdom Travel Guide

Capital:

London.

Geography:

The British landscape can be divided roughly into two kinds of terrain - highland and lowland. The highland area comprises the mountainous regions of Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and North Wales.

The English Lake District in the northwest contains lakes and fells. The lowland area is broken up by sandstone and limestone hills, long valleys and basins such as the Wash on the east coast. In the southeast, the North and South Downs culminate in the White Cliffs of Dover.

The coastline includes fjord-like inlets in the northwest of Scotland, spectacular cliffs and wild sandy beaches on the east coast and, further south, beaches of rock, shale and sand sometimes backed by dunes, and large areas of fenland in East Anglia.

Note: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Although they form one administrative unit (with regional exceptions), they have had separate cultures, languages and political histories.

The United Kingdom section consists of a general introduction (covering the aspects that the four countries have in common) and sections devoted to the four constituent countries. The Channel Islands (Alderney, Guernsey, Jersey, Sark and Herm) and the Isle of Man are dependencies of the British Crown. These are included here for convenience of reference.

More detailed geographical descriptions of the various countries may be found under the respective travel guides.

Government:

Constitutional monarchy.

Head Of State:

HM King Charles III since 2022.

Head Of Government:

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer since 2024.

Electricity:

230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs with three square pins are standard.

Overview

Capital:

London.

Geography:

The British landscape can be divided roughly into two kinds of terrain - highland and lowland. The highland area comprises the mountainous regions of Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and North Wales.

The English Lake District in the northwest contains lakes and fells. The lowland area is broken up by sandstone and limestone hills, long valleys and basins such as the Wash on the east coast. In the southeast, the North and South Downs culminate in the White Cliffs of Dover.

The coastline includes fjord-like inlets in the northwest of Scotland, spectacular cliffs and wild sandy beaches on the east coast and, further south, beaches of rock, shale and sand sometimes backed by dunes, and large areas of fenland in East Anglia.

Note: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Although they form one administrative unit (with regional exceptions), they have had separate cultures, languages and political histories.

The United Kingdom section consists of a general introduction (covering the aspects that the four countries have in common) and sections devoted to the four constituent countries. The Channel Islands (Alderney, Guernsey, Jersey, Sark and Herm) and the Isle of Man are dependencies of the British Crown. These are included here for convenience of reference.

More detailed geographical descriptions of the various countries may be found under the respective travel guides.

Getting There

Getting There By Air

British Airways (www.ba.com) flies direct to the UK from destinations around the world including New York, Zurich, Johannesburg and Hong Kong. Other airlines flying to the UK include Virgin Atlantic (www.virgin-atlantic.com), whose direct routes include flights from New York and Dubai. Low-cost carriers flying to British airports include easyJet (www.easyjet.com), Flybe (www.flybe.com) and Ryanair (www.ryanair.com).

Major airports are: Jersey Airport, Birmingham Airport, Leeds Bradford International Airport, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, London City Airport, London Heathrow, London Gatwick Airport, London Stansted Airport, London Luton Airport, London Southend Airport, Manchester Airport, Newcastle International Airport, Southampton Airport, Bristol Airport, East Midlands Airport, Norwich International Airport, Isle of Man Airport, Belfast International Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport, Aberdeen International Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport, Inverness Airport and Cardiff Airport.

Departure Tax

None.

Flight Times

To London: from New York - 7 hours; Sydney - 23 hours (including stopover).

Getting There By Water

Main ports: Dover (www.doverport.co.uk), Harwich (www.harwich.co.uk), Holyhead (www.holyheadport.com) and Portsmouth (www.portsmouth-port.co.uk).

Getting Around

Getting Around By Air

British Airways (www.ba.com) operates a shuttle service from London to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle among other cities. Other domestic operators include Flybe (www.flybe.com), easyJet (www.easyjet.com) and Ryanair (www.ryanair.com).

Bike

The UK's quiet back roads make it a great country to explore by bike. The National Cycle Network (www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/national-cycle-network) is a countrywide network of safe, traffic-free paths and quiet, on-road cycling. Bike hire is available across the country, and bikeshare schemes are popping up in an increasing number of cities.

Breakdown Services

The AA (www.theaa.com) and RAC (www.rac.co.uk) are able to provide a full range of services to UK members touring the UK. These organisations can also assist people who are travelling from abroad with maps, tourist information and specially marked routes to major events or places of interest.

Car Hire

Available in towns and cities across the UK from all the major companies.

Coach

National Express (tel: +44 871 781 8181; www.nationalexpress.com) is the UK's main coach operator, with reliable services across the country. Megabus (tel: +44 141 352 4444; www.megabus.com) is a low-cost alternative.

Documentation

National driving licences are valid for one year. Drivers must have third-party insurance and vehicle registration documents.

Getting Around By Rail

The UK is served by an excellent network of railways. Intercity lines provide fast services between London and major cities, and there are services to the southeast and to major cities in the Midlands, the north and south Wales and between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Some rural areas are less well served (eg the north coast of the west country, parts of East Anglia, Northern Ireland, Northumberland and North Yorkshire, parts of inland Wales, and southern and northern Scotland), although local rail services are generally fairly comprehensive.

For information about UK train services and fares, contact National Rail Enquiries (tel: +44 3457 484 950; www.nationalrail.co.uk). It can be much cheaper to purchase rail tickets in advance.

Regulations

Speed limits are 48kph (30mph) in urban areas, 113kph (70mph) on motorways and dual carriageways, and 80kph (50mph) or 97kph (60mph) elsewhere as marked.

Seat belts must be worn by the driver and front seat passenger. Where rear seat belts have been fitted, they must also be worn.

It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Smoking ban is in effect in cars in England, Wales and Scotland, when minors under the age of 18 years are sitting in the car.

The minimum driving age is 17.

Getting Around By Road

Distances are measured in miles. There are trunk roads ('A' roads) linking all major towns and cities in the UK. Roads in rural areas ('B' roads) can be slow and winding, and in upland areas may become impassable in winter. Motorways radiate from London and there's also a good east-west and north-south network in the north and the Midlands.

The M25 motorway circles London and connects at various junctions with the M1, M3, M4, M10, M11 and M40. The only motorway that leaves England is the M4 from London to South Wales.

Access to Scotland is by the A1/A1(M) or the A68 to Edinburgh, or the M6 to Carlisle followed by the A74 to Glasgow. Within Scotland, motorways link Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth. In Northern Ireland, motorways run from Belfast to Dungannon and from Belfast to Antrim.

Side Of Road

l

Taxi

Widely available in towns and cities. You can pick them up at taxi ranks (often outside railway stations and in city centres), hail them in the street, or book them by phone.

Licensed taxi operators are generally metered; small supplements may be charged for weekends, bank holidays, excess baggage and late-night travel. In the larger cities, unlicensed operators offer a cheaper (but less efficient and knowledgeable) unmetered service with fares based loosely on elapsed clock mileage; these taxis are called mini-cabs and can be booked by telephone.

Urban Travel

All cities and towns have bus services of varying efficiency and cost. Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Newcastle have underground railways. The urban areas of Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester are also well served by local railway trains. Manchester and Edinburgh have tram services.

Getting Around By Water

Information on travel to the Channel Islands, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Scottish islands are given in the relevant sections for those countries.

Vaccinations

Title Special Precautions
Yellow Fever No
Typhoid No
Tetanus Yes
Rabies No
Malaria No
Hepatitis A No
Diphtheria Yes

Overview:

If suddenly taken ill or involved in an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available for European travellers - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Travellers from other countries should find out if they are covered by other reciprocal arrangements. Australia, for example, has such an agreement as long as long as citizens carry their Medicare card. Comprehensive insurance is advised for all other nationals.

The National Health Service (NHS) provides free medical treatment (at hospitals and general surgeries) to all who are ordinarily resident in the UK, but requires payment for dental treatment, prescriptions and spectacles. Immediate first aid/emergency treatment is free for all visitors, after which charges are made unless the visitor's country has a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Full details of individual agreements are available from the Department of Health (www.dh.gov.uk).

Food Drink:

Food within the UK is generally safe to eat, with health and safety standards monitored by various government agencies. Tap water is considered safe to drink but bottled water is widely available. If you're camping, always boil, filter or purify water from streams.

Other Risks:

The UK is not a risky destination but travellers should still take appropriate precautions. Summer temperatures in England rarely reach above 30°C (86°F), but on hot days there is still risk of sunstroke and it’s advisable to wear sunscreen, as well as appropriate clothing. The same goes for winters, during which weather can be very changeable. Waterproofs (or at least a strong umbrella) are mandatory at any time of year. Those hiking in the mountains should come prepared, with appropriate gear and maps if needed but the biggest danger comes from those who disregard warning signs or poor weather.

If you’re planning to walk in wooded or heath areas such as in the Scottish Highlands, it’s worth taking precautions against tick bites: ensure you wear long-sleeved tops, tuck your socks into your trousers and wear insect repellent. Ticks are known to spread Lyme disease which, although fairly rare in the UK, can affect your skin, joints, heart and nervous system. Symptoms include: a pink or red circular rash which develops around the bite up to 30 days after a person is bitten; flu-like symptoms; headaches; and muscle or joint pain. If left untreated, symptoms can become more serious.

Midges are a hiker’s and camper’s nemesis, especially in the northwest Highlands during the summer. While they’ll do no worse than cause a multitude of unbearably itchy bites, it’s definitely worth covering up and dousing yourself in insect repellent to ward off these persistent beasties.

The weather in Scotland can change in an instant. If you’re walking, skiing or climbing in the hills, it’s vital to be prepared for all weathers. It’s not at all uncommon to go for a walk on a beautifully sunny day, only to find yourself surrounded by mist and drizzle with little warning. Make sure you’re equipped with a map, compass, extra food, layers and waterproofs, and always tell someone where you’re heading before you set out. Scots and visitors alike also find themselves unexpectedly caught out by the sun – you might not need it often, but pack some sunscreen.

Currency Information:

See the individual Money sections within the Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Northern Ireland sections for information on currency specific to these regions.

Pound (GBP; symbol £) = 100 pence. Notes are in denominations of £50, £20, £10 and £5. Additional bank notes issued by Scottish banks (including £1 notes) are accepted in all parts of the UK, although some smaller shops outside Scotland may prefer English banknotes. Coins are in denominations of £2 and £1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence.

Credit Cards:

American Express, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted. Cash can be obtained from a multitude of ATMs available across the country.

ATMs:

Cash can be obtained from a multitude of ATMs available across the country.

Travellers Cheques:

Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Pounds Sterling.

Banking Hours:

Mon-Fri 0930-1630 (there may be some variations in closing times). Some banks are open Saturday morning; some all day Saturday.

Currency Restrictions:

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if travelling from or to a country outside the European Union.

Currency Exchange:

Money can be exchanged in banks, exchange bureaux, some post offices and many hotels. The exchange bureaux are often open outside banking hours but charge higher commission rates. All major currencies can be exchanged.

Currencies

Code Symbol
GBP £

Exchange Rates

0.58
0.84
1.00
0.81

Language

The main language is English, but Welsh is spoken in parts of Wales, and Gaelic in parts of Scotland. The many ethnic minorities within the UK also speak their own languages (eg Cantonese, Greek, Hindi, Mandarin, Turkish, Urdu, etc).

Overview:

Public holidays are listed here:

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List Of Public Holidays

Title Start Date To Be Confirmed
New Year's Day 2024-01-01 00:00:00 0
Good Friday 2024-03-29 00:00:00 0
Easter Monday (except Scotland) 2024-04-01 00:00:00 0
Early May Bank Holiday 2024-05-06 00:00:00 0
Spring Bank Holiday 2024-05-27 00:00:00 0
Summer Bank Holiday (except Scotland) 2024-08-26 00:00:00 0
Christmas Day 2024-12-25 00:00:00 0
Boxing Day 2024-12-26 00:00:00 0

Note:

Holidays falling on the weekend are observed the following Monday.

Overview:

England, Wales and Scotland duty-free allowance for all travellers outside the UK:

The following items may be imported into England, Wales and Scotland by travellers over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty:
• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco or 200 sticks of tobacco for E-cigarettes. These can be combined provided travellers do not exceed their total tobacco allowance.
• Alcohol: 18L of still wine and 42L of beer, plus either 4L of spirits stronger than 22% or 9L of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs up to 22%. These can be combined provided travellers do not exceed their total alcohol allowance.
• Other goods including souvenirs up to the value of £390 (or £270 if arriving by private plane or boat).

Northern Ireland duty-free allowance for travellers from the EU:

Technically there are no limits to the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring into Northern Ireland, provided that you are over 17 years of age, coming from any of the EU countries, transport the goods yourself, have already paid duty on the goods and will use the goods yourself or give them away as gift. But the recommended guidelines are:
• 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco or 800 sticks of tobacco for E-cigarettes.
• 90L of still wine.
• 110L of beer.
• Either 10L of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22% or 20L of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs up to 22%.

Northern Ireland duty-free allowance for travellers from non-EU countries:

The following items may be imported into Northern Ireland without incurring customs duty by travellers over 17 years of age from non-EU countries:
• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco or 200 sticks of tobacco for E-cigarettes. These can be combined provided travellers do not exceed their total tobacco allowance.
• Alcohol: 4L of still wine and 16L of beer, plus either 1L of spirits stronger than 22% or 2L of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs up to 22%. These can be combined provided travellers do not exceed their total alcohol allowance.
• Other goods including souvenirs up to the value of £390 (or £270 if arriving by private plane or boat).

Please note: A customs declaration can be submitted online a maximum of 5 days before entry.

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Banned Imports:

Prohibited items include controlled drugs, offensive weapons, self-defence sprays, endangered animal and plant species, rough diamonds, indecent and obscene materials, as well as counterfeit and pirated goods that infringe intellectual property rights.

Visitors from non-EU countries should also not bring meat and dairy products, as well as plants.

Firearms, explosives and ammunition are also restricted and need a special license.

Telephone:

The United Kingdom's famous red phone boxes can be found in most towns and cities, as well as other more modern phone booths. Some boxes take coins, others phonecards or credit cards.

Mobile Telephone:

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone operators. Coverage is mostly good, but can be patchy in rural areas. It is possible to buy a pay as you go sim card from any phone shop or booth.

Internet:

Most hotels, restaurants and public buildings offer Wi-Fi, although this may be less likely in more rural areas. The City of London now has free Wi-Fi covering 95% of the Square Mile, whilst London Underground now offers Wi-Fi at stations across the network. There are internet cafés and centres in most urban areas. Some multimedia phone booths, often located at railway stations and airports, offer touchscreen access.

Post

Stamps are available from post offices and many shops and stores. There are stamp machines outside some post offices. Post boxes are red. First-class internal mail normally reaches its destination the day after posting (except in remote areas of Scotland), and most second-class mail the day after that. International postal connections are good.

Post Office Hours:

Mon-Fri 0900-1730 and Sat 0900-1230, although some post offices are open much longer hours.

Media:

The British media are free and able to report on all subjects, although a lack of support by mainstream media for Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party prior to the 2017 elections has cast doubts on the impartiality of the BBC and the agenda of supposed 'left-wing' newspapers like The Guardian. The variety of publications throughout the UK reflects the full spectrum of political opinion. There are a plethora of regional and local papers, some published on a daily basis. With regards to television and radio, the BBC is a taxpayer-funded network, whilst ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 are commercial networks.

Dominated by about 10 major newspapers, UK circulation figures are amongst the highest in the world. Broadsheets are The Daily Telegraph, The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Observer (on Sunday) and The Times. The more popular tabloid newspapers are The Daily Express, The Daily Mail, The Daily Mirror and The Sun. Most papers have an associated Sunday newspaper, though there are some independents. There are also daily regional newspapers. The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) is funded by a licence fee, which all households with a TV set must pay. There is no advertising on the BBC. Commercial TV began in 1955 with the launch of ITV.

Scotland's main national newspapers include The Scotsman, The Herald and the tabloid Daily Record, with regional papers The Press and Journal and The Courier read in the Aberdeen and Dundee areas respectively. All UK networks broadcast in Scotland, with substantial national Scottish input, mainly in the news, sport and current affairs sectors. BBC Alba is a digital channel broadcasting in Gaelic.

The main Northern Irish daily newspapers are the Belfast Telegraph and the Irish News. There are numerous local newspapers produced in larger towns around the province. UK national and Republic of Ireland newspapers are also readily available, some produced in localised editions. All the national UK TV stations are available in Northern Ireland. BBC Northern Ireland is a publicly owned station; UTV is a commercial station.

Gardens of La Seigneurie

The Royal Horticultural Society ranked these gardens as among the finest in the Channel Islands. The gardens are open every day from the beginning of April to the end of October.

Sailing

Yacht and boats lovers are drawn to Sark and Herm Island for the splendid sailing. Moorings are located at Havre Gosselin on the west coast of Sark, and at La Gréve de la Ville bay on the east coast.

Prehistoric Guernsey

Dolmens (Neolithic tombs) are common on the island. Déhus Dolmen in Vale is the best-kept Dolmen in Guernsey with a bearded figure carrying a bow and arrow. Le Trépied, on a mound overlooking Perelle Bay, was reputedly once a witches' meeting place.

Ride the rails

Take a ride in a reclaimed London Underground carriage with the Alderney Railway (www.alderneyrailway.com). It's the only railway on the Channel Islands.

Ride the rails

The Isle of Man is known for its narrow-gauge railways, but even those not sporting an anorak and carrying a notebook will enjoy a scenic ride on the variety of railways that trundle around the island. Snaefell Mountain Railway climbs to the summit of Man's highest peak.

Whale watching

Basking sharks and dolphins love the waters around the Isle of Man and can frequently be seen, often within one kilometre of the coast. The best time to see them is from mid-May to mid-August. Find out how many have been seen at www.manxbaskingsharkwatch.com.

St Anne's Church

St Anne's focal point is the town church, often referred to as the 'Cathedral of the Channel Islands' as it is one of the largest in the Channel Islands. It is also the home of the Alderney Society Museum, which documents the island's history from Neolithic times.

Overview

Shopping in the UK can range from tiny, independent stores in small towns to giant shopping malls on the edges of cities.

London is a shopping Mecca ringed by huge out-of-town centres such as Westfield and Bluewater, which are packed with big name chains. In the city itself, there are neighbourhoods with specialities; for instance head to Notting Hill for chi-chi trinket shops and loads of antiques, or Charing Cross Road and the area around the British Museum for bookshops. Oxford Street is London's most famous shopping street, drawing the crowds with high street fashion leaders such as Topshop and Urban Outfitters.

Leeds is a major shopping centre in the north of England, famous for its smart Harvey Nichols department store, while Manchester revels in cool and trendy clothes and music shops. Edinburgh also has excellent shopping; stroll along gorgeous George Street, with its stunning views of the castle, or head for the quirky Grassmarket for an alternative shopping experience.

Overview

Iconic cakes, splendid sandwiches and heart-warming stews all hail from the United Kingdom. Don't miss tea and cake or, for a fancy occasion, try the full-blown afternoon tea, with three-tiered plates of sandwiches, cakes and scones.

Another fine UK institution is breakfast, and although there are plenty of coffee shops selling US-style muffins and bagels, the full-on British breakfast (eggs, bacon, toast, tomatoes) served with a cuppa can be found in cafés lovingly called “greasy spoons” or in pubs with an early licence.

Chefs from the UK, such as Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver, have found international fame and fortune, while fine and experimental cuisine can be found in most cities – but this usually comes with a high price tag.

Tipping

In hotels, a service charge of 10 to 12% is usual, which may be added to the bill. For restaurants, 10 to 15% is standard; if this has already been added to the bill, a further tip is not required.

Hotels

These range from budget chain hotels to boutique city hotels to luxurious country manors. Hotels tend to be more expensive in large cities, especially London.

Grading: VisitBritain, the AA and RAC (as well as VisitWales and VisitScotland) have now agreed common standards for quality assessment. Hotels and guesthouses are classified by use of a star-rating system.

Camping Caravaning

There are camping and caravan sites throughout the UK, for short and long stays. Some sites hire out tents or caravans to those without their own equipment. Most sites offer basic facilities, while some have playgrounds, clubs, shops, phones and sports areas. The Camping and Caravanning Club (www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk) has a wide selection, although aimed more at caravanners than independent campers.

Other

History

Woven into the fabric of the United Kingdom of Great Britain is a rich history defined by wars, rebellions, royals, social upheaval and the rise and fall of what was once the biggest empire in the world.

The Romans occupied Britain from AD 43 to AD 410 and left behind straight roads, a sewage system and hot baths, amongst other things. After that the Romans, Jutes, Saxons and Angles all established kingdoms south of Hadrian's Wall before the Normans arrived and gave rise to the myth that it was the last time England was invaded. It wasn’t. England was subsequently invaded several times by the French, a few times by the Scots, at various intervals by pretenders to the throne and once by the Dutch. The Spanish and the Germans also had a go but neither actually set foot on dry land.

King Henry VIII is not only famous for having six wives, but also for breaking away from the Church of Rome, setting up the Church of England so he could get divorced. After Henry, battles between monarchs, nations, nobles and sections of the population invariably became tussles about how to run the country, culminating in the English Civil War (1642-1651), which was won by the Parliamentarians.

The constitutional monarchy that exists in the United Kingdom today developed during the 18th and 19th centuries as power came to be increasingly exercised by an elected parliament. In 1801 Great Britain – that’s England, Wales and Scotland – were formally united with Ireland. The subsequent reign of Queen Victoria, whose role was now little more than symbolic, coincided with a period of great economic success and unfettered empire building before events of the 20th century, notably two world wars, resulted in the dismantling of the empire.

In 1920, Ireland gained independence from the United Kingdom, leaving behind Northern Ireland, whose troubled relationship with the UK led to an ethno-nationalist conflict better known as The Troubles (1968-1998). World wars and internal conflicts led to social upheaval, which resulted in universal suffrage, the Welfare State, the repeal of the death penalty and the legalisation of homosexuality.

In 2014 Scotland held a referendum to determine whether it would continue being part of the United Kingdom or not. It voted to stay – just – but calls for independence can still be heard across the land.

Did you know?
• Cricket, football, boxing, rowing, rugby (league and union), tennis and golf were formalised into sports in the UK.
• The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the world’s oldest and largest broadcaster.
• The Orkney Vole has inhabited the islands for 4,600 years and does not occur on mainland Britain.

Religion

Predominantly Christian (Church of England, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist), sizeable Muslim, Sikh, Jewish and Hindu minorities. Around 15% of the population have no religion.

Social Conventions

Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone for the first time. One or two kisses on the cheek is gaining popularity for close friends. Normal social courtesies should be observed when visiting someone's home and a small present such as flowers or chocolates is appreciated. It is polite to wait until everyone has been served before eating.

Some nightclubs and restaurants do not allow jeans and trainers, otherwise casual wear is widely acceptable. For business, a suit and tie should be worn, although in some workplaces an open neck is acceptable.

Topless sunbathing is allowed on certain beaches and tolerated in some parks. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public places, including stations, pubs and restaurants, throughout the UK.

The monarchy, though now only symbolic politically, is a powerful and often subconscious unifying force. Members of the Royal Family are the subject of unceasing fascination, with their every move avidly followed and reported by the popular press, both in the UK and abroad.

Best Time To Visit:

There is never a bad time to visit the United Kingdom, but for the most reliable weather come during the summer months (June-August) when the days are long and warm. Temperatures have been known on occasion to nudge 30°C (86°F), sometimes higher, but the threat of rain is ever present - pack waterproofs as well as the sunscreen. The southeast of England is generally sunnier and warmer than the rest of the United Kingdom, but resorts along the coast get crowded during the summer.

The United Kingdom is arguably at its most beautiful during the autumn months (September-November), when rural landscapes take on brown, red and pink hues as the leaves lose their pigment. Scotland and the north of England bear the brunt of winter (November-March), but snow occasionally blankets much of the United Kingdom bringing with it travel chaos. The mercury has been known to dip to -10°C (14°F), but those kind of temperatures are rare.

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Required Clothing

Waterproofing throughout the year. Warm clothing is advisable at all times, and is essential for any visits to upland areas.

Dialing Code:

+44

Area(sq km):

242514

Population:

67.886.011

Population Density(per sq km):

266

Population Year:

2020

EU Member:

Yes

Main emergency number

112
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