From Wikitravel

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the United Kingdom or the UK) [1] is a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe.

The Union comprises four 'home nations': England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It occupies all of the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern portion of the island of Ireland and most of the remaining British Isles. It counts Ireland, France, Belgium and Holland as its nearest neighbours. The Isle of Man and the various Channel Islands are "crown dependencies", linked to the UK by various ties and mutual obligations but not part of it.

The UK today is a diverse patchwork of native and immigrant cultures, possessing a fascinating history and dynamic modern culture, both of which remain hugely influential in the wider world. Although Britannia no longer rules the waves, the UK is still a popular destination for many travellers. The capital city of the United Kingdom (and the largest city) is London.

Contents 1 Home nations 1.1 Crown Dependencies 2 Cities 3 Other destinations 3.1 Parks and areas of natural beauty 3.2 Landmarks 4 Understand 4.1 Using Maps 4.2 Climate 5 Get in 5.1 Immigration and visa requirements 5.2 By plane 5.3 By train 5.4 By car 5.5 By bus 5.6 By boat 6 Get around 6.1 By plane 6.2 By train 6.3 By car 6.4 By bus and coach 6.5 By taxi 6.6 By boat 7 Talk 8 Buy 8.1 Cost 8.2 Money 8.3 Shopping 9 Eat 9.1 Examples 9.2 Take-aways 9.3 Food in Pubs 9.4 Restaurants 9.5 Balti 9.6 Motorway Service areas 9.7 Vegetarian/Vegan 9.8 Children 9.9 Regional specialities 10 Drink 10.1 Pub 10.2 Wine bars 10.3 Clubbing 11 Sleep 12 Learn 13 Work 14 Stay safe 15 Stay healthy 16 Respect 17 Contact 17.1 Telephone 17.2 Internet 17.3 Post

Home nations

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country made up of several 'home nations' and territories:

• Great Britain:
  • England - by far the largest component, in terms both of size and population.
  • Scotland - situated in the far north of Great Britain.
  • Wales - located within the largely mountainous western portion of Great Britain.
• Northern Ireland - occupies the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland.

Note that 'Great Britain' (or 'GB', or 'Britain') means Scotland, England, and Wales taken together (as a purely geographical term, GB refers just to the biggest island). GB became the UK when the Irish And British parliaments merged in 1804 to form the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland". This was reduced to '... and Northern Ireland' when all but six Irish counties left the Union to form an independent state in the 20th century. However, 'Britain' is often seen as shorthand for the whole of the United Kingdom ("British Government", "British Subject").

Referring to someone's nationality

• English, Welsh, and Scots ('Scotch' for whisky or beef, 'Scots' for a person or a language, and 'Scottish' for everything else) people are all different, but are all British. To refer to a Welsh person or a Scot as 'English' is both inaccurate and impolite; but to say "we thought he was Welsh, but he turned out to be British", or to refer to a person from England as 'Scots' or 'Welsh' will merely make you seem daft.
• Although most people tend to use the more precise term (eg Welsh) for their nationality these days, it is perfectly OK to say "British" if you don't know where someone is from. A keen nationalist may then correct you ("I'm not British, I'm Scots") but is unlikely to take offence if none was intended.
• On the other hand, British is sometimes preferred. There are many people who self-identify (on surveys, etc) as 'Black British' or 'British Asian', apparently feeling that 'English' etc is a description of ethnicity, while 'British' is an ethnically-neutral reference to UK citizenship. There is no objective reason why a person should not self-identify as 'Black English' or 'Welsh Asian', but this is definitely not common.
• Some residents of Northern Ireland may describe themselves as "British" (referring to their UK citizenship); others prefer 'Irish' (referring to their geography and their ethnicity). If you are unsure which is appropriate, then 'Northern Irish' is a fairly safe way to avoid offence, because the person concerned can chose for themselves whether to interpret it as a political or geographical term. Some people feel strongly that Ireland should always be referred to as a single entity will usually avoid reference to 'Northern Ireland', referring instead to 'The Six Counties' or some other phrase which avoids reference to the political border.
• Almost no-one will mention the 'UK' when asked their nationality, perhaps because their is no easy way to add a suffix to 'United Kingdom' to make an adjective ("United Kingdom-ish"?) and because the alternatives ("UK citizen") sound a bit of a mouthful—or simply because most people just don't use the term UK in everyday conversations. However, if someone asks a Brit where they come from they will often say 'I'm from the UK'.
• Outdated terms. Britisher sounds very odd these days. Brit is only used either patronisingly ("You Brits are wonderful"), or rather self-consciously ("We Brits should stick together"), or by newspaper headlines, for brevity ("Brits flee war zone"). Briton is only ever used in newspaper headlines, or by a politician sounding like one : the original Britons, were p-Celtic people who lived in most of the UK before the Anglo Saxons arrived, and who then moved to Wales, Cornwall, or Cumbria.

Crown Dependencies

• The Channel Islands: Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney and Sark.

• The Isle of Man

The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are not strictly part of the UK, but rather are 'Crown Dependencies'. This means that they have their own democratic governments, laws and courts and are not part of the EU; but they are not entirely sovereign either.

See also: Republic of Ireland (not part of the United Kingdom).

Cities

Many cities and towns in the United Kingdom are of interest to travellers outside the capital city of London. Following is an alphabetical selection of nine (four in England, two each for Scotland and Wales and one in Northern Ireland) - others are listed under their specific countries and regions:

• Belfast - capital of Northern Ireland
• Birmingham - central England's main city and England's second city, features great shopping, and is home of the famous Balti
• Bristol - an historical city famed for its Georgian architecture and nautical heritage.
• Cardiff - capital of Wales, castle and varied cultural events
• Edinburgh - capital of Scotland, home to the famous festival and numerous tourist attractions
• Glasgow - Scotland's largest city, new cultural hotspot, former European City of Culture
• Leeds - Great base to explore all of Yorkshire
• Manchester - north-western England's main city, thriving bohemian music scene, gay quarter and dozens of tourist attractions
• Swansea - Wales's second city, spectacular coastal scenery, sandy beaches and diverse cultural events

Other destinations

Parks and areas of natural beauty

The United Kingdom has an array of National Parks and designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty that serve to preserve the country's natural heritage.

Landmarks

• Stonehenge - an ancient stone circle located near the cathedral city of Salisbury in Wiltshire.
• The Georgian architecture and Roman baths in Bath.
• York Minster (Cathedral) in the historic city of York.
• Canterbury Cathedral - the seat of the head of the church of England. Located in the city of Canterbury in Kent
• Stirling Castle in the historic Scottish city of Stirling.

Understand

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy, with a queen (or king) as the head of state, and a prime minister as the democratically elected head of government. The prime minister ("PM") is not elected as an individual, but is the leader of the largest party in Parliament (or a coalition), which is invited to form a government. Members of Parliament ("MPs") are elected by district from throughout the UK, with the Lords of Parliament (the "upper" house of the UK legislature) either inheriting or appointed to these seats. In response to movements in Scotland and Wales for national autonomy/home rule, these have recently formed parliaments with some internal law-making and tax-setting powers, while still sending MPs to the UK parliament in Westminster, London, which remains responsible for all other matters, including international ones. England and Northern Ireland have no national governments of their own, and are directly governed by Westminster (although recent years have seen growing concern in this factor).

Using Maps

Most basic mapping in the United Kingdom is undertaken by the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain (in England, Scotland & Wales) and the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland. The maps found in bookshops may be published directly by those organisations, or by private map publishers drawing on basic Ordnance Survey data.

One consequence of this for the traveller is the widespread use of Ordnance Survey grid references in guide books and other information sources. These are usually presented [xx999999] (eg. [SU921206]) and form a quick way of finding any location on a map.

Alternatively, every postal address has a postcode, either a unique one or one shared with its immediate neighbours. Therefore, a postcode will identify a location to within a few tens of metres; and adding a house number will identify a property uniquely. Most internet mapping services enable locations to be found by postcode.

The Ordnance Survey's 1:50000 or 1:25000 scale maps are astonishingly detailed and show contour lines, public rights of way, and access land. For pursuits such as walking, they are practically indispensable, and in rural areas show individual farm buildings and (on the larger scale) stone walls.

Climate

The UK has a benign humid-temperate climate moderated by the North Atlantic Current and the country's proximity to the sea. Warm, damp summers and mild winters provide temperatures pleasant enough to engage in outdoor activities all year round. Having said that, the weather in the UK can be changeable and quite often conditions are windy and wet. British rain is legendary, but in practice it rarely rains more than two or three hours at a time and sometimes parts of the country stay dry for weeks, especially in the East. More common are overcast or partly cloudy skies. It is usual to be prepared for a change of weather when going out; a jumper and a raincoat usually suffice when it is not winter.

Because the UK stretches nearly a thousand kilometres from end to end, temperatures can vary quite considerably between north and south. Differences in rainfall are also pronounced between the drier east and wetter west. Scotland and north-western England (particularly the Lake District) are often rainy and cold, with heavy snowfall in northern Scotland in winter. The north-east and Midlands are also cool, though with less rainfall. The south-east is generally warm and dry, and the south-west warm and often wet. Wales and Northern Ireland tend to experience mild temperatures and moderate rainfall. Even though the highest land in the UK barely reaches 4000 feet, the effect of height on rainfall and temperature is great.

Get in

Immigration and visa requirements

• Citizens of the European Union do not require a visa, and have permanent residency and working rights in the UK. Citizens of the Republic of Ireland have additional rights allowing them to vote in elections.
• Citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland also have permanent residency rights, but may require a work permit in some circumstances.
• Citizens of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States do not require a visa for visits under 6 months, though require entry clearance for purposes other than visiting as a tourist.
• Most other countries will require a visa, which can be obtained from the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.
• All visitors should expect to be asked by the Immigration Officer upon arrival to demonstrate that they have a) a return ticket to leave the United Kingdom, b) a valid address at which they will be staying in the United Kingdom and c) sufficient funds with which to support themselves during their stay. An inability to demonstrate these three basics may lead to a refusal of leave to enter or a grant of restricted leave.
• The UK also operates a Working Holidaymaker Scheme for citizens of the Commonwealth of Nations, and British dependent territories. This allows residency in the UK for up to 2 years, with limited working rights.

For more information of UK Immigration and visa requirements, see the British Home Office website [2]

By plane

The UK is at the heart of the world's aviation industry, and London Heathrow Airport is the world's largest international airport. Situated 20 miles west of London, Heathrow offers a large choice of international destinations, with direct flights to most countries in the world. British Airways has its hub at Heathrow and offers a wide range of international flights to Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and Australia. There are fewer direct flights to South America, although many South American airlines connect to London via Spain. Other large airlines operating at Heathrow include bmi (formerly British Midland) [3], Virgin Atlantic and the main national airlines of most countries. London Gatwick Airport, 30 miles south of London in Sussex, is the second largest airport, and also offers a wide range of international flights. London Stansted Airport in Essex, and London Luton Airport are hubs for the budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet who offer direct flights to a wide range of European destinations. London City Airport is the most central airport in London, situated 7 miles east of Central London, but mainly serves business passengers to the main financial centres in Europe.

Outside London, many of the regional airports offer a wide range of direct links to European and some long haul destinations. Manchester International Airport in the North of England, is the UK's third largest airport serving many European and long haul destinations. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is the UK's fastest growing airport which is taking on more and more flights - located in North West England. Direct flights from North America are also available into Glasgow International Airport and Edinburgh International Airport in Scotland as well as Birmingham International Airport in central England. Jet2.com is based at Leeds Bradford with many cheap flights to Europe and beyond. Other large airports in the regions, including Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Newcastle and Teesside/Durham Tees Valley. In Northern Ireland, Belfast International Airport is the only airport with international flights, although some transfer flights may take you to Belfast City Airport.

Please note that due to an increase in airport security and aviation security in general, long delays are possible when checking in for a flight. Additionally a passport or valid photo ID ( such as photo drivers license, national ID card etc.) is required for internal flights although no visas or travel permits are required.

The airport tax is applied to both international and internal flights (£20 on international flights, £14 on internal flights) so check if it is included in any quoted air fares.

By train

Eurostar [4] services run between London's Waterloo Station and Ashford in Kent and Paris (Gare du Nord), Lille and Brussels through the Channel Tunnel. Journey times average two hours forty minutes from Paris. A second class return from Paris to London costs between €85 and €230, although it can be cheaper to fly from London to Paris using a low-cost airline (but bear in mind that the journeys to the airports will cost an extra €40-60).

The main benefit of using the Eurostar is that it runs between the central zones of its destination cities, removing the necessity of accessing the relevant airports on the outskirts of cities (potentially very time-consuming!), and of undergoing several uncomfortable modal changes.

By car

The Channel Tunnel has provided a rail/road connection since 1994. Shuttle trains carry cars from Calais, France to Folkestone, the journey taking around 40 minutes. Fares start at £49 one way and can be booked on the Eurotunnel website. On arrival at Folkestone, you can drive on to the M20 motorway which heads towards London. Car ferries also operate to many parts of the UK, see 'by boat' section.

By bus

Coaches are the cheapest and most uncomfortable way to travel to the UK from France and the Benelux. Eurolines offer daily services from Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels to London Victoria coach station, with connections to most parts of the UK via the domestic National Express coach system, for most destinations it is cheaper to purchase this when purchasing your Eurolines tickets as discounts are available. Journeys take about 8-14 hours. Eurolines will also take you to/from other major European cities. Taking a budget flight is normally cheaper though and spares you from a 24h+ bus journey.

By boat

See the city articles for more details on routes, timings and costs.

There are a large number of ferry routes into the UK from continental Europe. Newcastle serves several routes from Scandinavia. Harwich has ferries from Esbjerg in Denmark, Cuxhaven in Germany (put out of operation in November 2005) and Hoek van Holland in the Netherlands. You can also sail from Rotterdam in the Netherlands or Zeebrugge in Belgium to Hull, or from Rotterdam to Rosyth (near Edinburgh).

Dover is one of Britain's most popular passenger ports with sailings from Zeebrugge, Dunkerque and Calais in France. The Dover-Calais route is particularly busy, with three companies competing and up to 50 sailings per day.

On the south coast, Portsmouth serves ferries from Le Havre, Caen, Cherbourg, St. Malo and Bilbao in Spain and there are speedy services between Dieppe and Newhaven. The other route from Spain is Santander to Plymouth, Plymouth also has ferries from Roscoff.

From Ireland, ports of entry include Swansea, Pembroke, Fishguard and Holyhead. There are sailings from Dublin to Holyhead, Mostyn and Liverpool.

From Iceland, the Faroe Isles, Norway and Denmark, a passenger ferry sails into Lerwick.

Get around

By plane

The UK has a wide range of domestic air services linking many major cities, particularly with the main domestic hubs of London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Given the short distances involved, however, it may be more practical and cheaper to use other forms of transport. British Airways [5] operates a wide range of services from its Heathrow and Gatwick hubs throughout the country including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Manchester and Newcastle. Fares start from as low as £60 for an economy seat. bmi [6] also flies from Heathrow to Aberdeen, Belfast, Durham Tees Valley, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Leeds-Bradford and Manchester.

The arrival of budget airlines Ryanair [7] and easyJet [8] at London's Gatwick, Luton and Stansted Airports saw a boom in domestic UK air travel, and have forced the cost down considerably. Other domestic airlines include Flybe [9], operating from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Newquay, Norwich and Southampton Airports; and bmibaby [10] operating from Birmingham, Cardiff, Durham Tees Valley and Nottingham Airports. Jet2.com operates from Leeds and Manchester. In Scotland, Loganair operate a British Airways franchise serving remote destinations in the Scottish Highlands and Islands from Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports (flights are booked through the British Airways website).

To get the best fare, it is advisable to book as far in advance as possible. It is worth noting that most UK regional airports are not connected to the national rail network, with connections to the nearest cities served by expensive buses.

By train

The UK has an extensive privatised train network, covering most of the country, from Penzance in Cornwall to Thurso in the North of Scotland. There is a huge multitude of different train tickets avaliable, which can often make travelling by train in the UK fairly complicated. Generally, if you book 7 to 14 days in advance the journey is often cheaper. Avoid travel during peak times (6-9.30am, 4-7pm Monday to Friday) as trains are often crowded, and in the former tickets prices are extremely high. Train services seldom match their high-speed counterparts in France or Germany (the UK does have high-speed rail links up to 125mph, however these are no match for the TGV in France and the ICE train in Germany), but nonetheless are often faster than driving a car. Train frequencies are generally very good. and punctuality has improved greatly over previous years, with almost 96% of all trains arriving at their destination on time or up to 10 minutes after the scheduled time.

The railways in England, Wales and Scotland were originally built and operated by numerous private companies, mostly in the 19th century. After nearly 150 years of independence (and successive amalgamations which consolidated them into four large companies by 1923) they were nationalised as 'British Rail' in 1947, but they were privatised again in the 1990s. The track has recently reverted to state control as 'Network Rail', but the trains are run by a number of different private operators referred to as the 'Train Operating Companies'. However, tickets can be bought from any station for travel anywhere on the network and all train times and fares can be found on the National Rail web site [11] or by calling 08457 484950 from anywhere in the UK.

Tickets can also be booked online through various private agents such as thetrainline and Qjump. The websites can be slow but they do the job nonetheless. Fares vary widely depending on when you travel and when you book. Often it is quicker and cheaper to purchase by phone. Privatisation has resulted in a huge range of quality and price of rail services. While some connections and companies have poor standards of speed, reliability and cleanliness others offer excellent service and value for money.

A second class return ticket from London to Manchester can cost anything from 20 to 180 pounds, depending on how, when and where the ticket is booked. As a general rule, tickets should be booked as early as possible. Also bear in mind that it is sometimes cheaper to buy a return ticket than a single so check the price of both. If there are 3 or 4 of you, ask if you can get groupsave tickets. Most routes, off peak, allow a group of 3 or 4 to travel for the price of 2.

The main cross country services are:

• the West Coast Main line, operated by Virgin Trains, running north-south between London's Euston Station, and up the west coast of England, with stops at Rugby, Crewe, Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, the Lake District, Carlisle, and on to Scotland, with stops at Motherwell and Glasgow's Central Station.
• the East Coast Main line, operated by GNER, runs between London's King Cross Station and north up the east coast of England with stops at Peterborough, Doncaster, Leeds, York, Durham, Newcastle and onwards to Scotland with stops at Edinburgh and Glasgow. Some services continue further north to Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness.
• the West of England and South Wales main line, operated largely by First Great Western, running west from London's Paddington station to Penzance, near Land's End in Cornwall and Swansea in Wales. The line runs through Slough and Maidenhead to Reading and then divides. One route goes through Swindon, Chippenham and Bath to Bristol (Temple Meads Station) and then on to Taunton, where it rejoins the other route direct from Reading via Newbury and Thatcham and Westbury. From Taunton, the line continues through Exeter to Plymouth and finally to Penzance. The South Wales route diverges from the Bristol line after Swindon, making stops at Bristol Parkway (a station in the north of the city), and then in Wales at Newport, Cardiff, a few minor stops, and finally Swansea. Some trains do go onto Carmarthen and Fishguard, but generally passengers traveling further west need to change in Swansea.
• the Midland Main Line, operated by National Express, running from London St. Pancras to Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield with stops at Luton, Bedford, Wellingborough, Leicester (amongst others) with some services continuing on to Leeds.
• the Cross Country network, operated by Virgin Trains runs a variety of routes across the UK from Aberdeen to Penzance, and North Wales (Holyhead) to Brighton. The main English cities of Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Liverpool are served by these lines.
• the Great Eastern line, operated by National Express, running from London Liverpool Street to Norwich, with main stops at Ipswich, Chemlsford and Colchester. Some trains continue on to Harwich.
• a sleeper service, operated by First Scotrail runs between London and Scotland, with stops at Inverness, Fort William, Glasgow, Edinburgh.

Train services in Northern Ireland are operated by the state owned Translink, who also operate rural and urban buses within Northern Ireland. Train services in Northern Ireland are, however quite limited. The main line travels from Londonderry in the north west, hugging the north coast before it travels cross-country to Belfast. From Belfast, the cross-border Enterprise service operates with stops in Portadown, Drogheda, Dundalk and Dublin. Recent major investment has led to the vast majority of rolling stock in Northern Ireland being replaced. Train services in Northern Ireland are not part of the National Rail network. Train and bus times can be found on Translink's web site, or by calling 028-9066-6630 from anywhere in the UK or +44-28-9066-6630 from outside the UK.

Other domestic rail services which are not part of the National Rail network include the Heathrow Express service between London Heathrow Airport and London Paddington, the London Underground system, and several smaller metro or light rail systems in other cities. For details of these see articles on the city in question.

By car

A car will get you pretty much anywhere in the UK. Parking can be a problem in large cities, and especially in London, can be very expensive. Petrol (gasoline) is heavily taxed and therefore expensive, currently at around £1.00 per litre. There are very few tolls (mainly on some large bridges/tunnels) but a levy (congestion charge) is payable for driving in central London and certain other cities on weekdays. Traffic can be very heavy, especially during 'rush hour', when commuters are on their way to and from work - typically 7-10am and 4-7pm. The M25 London orbital motorway is particularly notorious (known to most Britons as London's car park because all the traffic comes to a standstill) - it is best avoided on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons, and only use it if you need to. School holidays can make a noticeable difference, however, particularly in the morning rush hour.

All of the UK drives on the left - the opposite side from Europe and the USA, but the same as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Africa.

Speed limits for cars are 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways; 60mph on single carriageway roads unless otherwise signposted; and 30mph in built-up unless signs show otherwise. The use of 20mph zones has become increasingly common to improve safety in areas such as those around schools. Enforcement cameras are widespread on all types of road, though more used in some areas than others (North Yorkshire, for example, has a policy of using only mobile speed cameras operated by police). There are some variable speed limits on the M25 to the west of London, and the M42 near Birmingham - these are shown on overhead gantries inside a red circle; other temporary speed limits shown on matrix boards are recommended but not mandatory.

Don't drink and drive in the UK. The maximum limit is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. The police often patrol roads in cities on Friday and Saturday night, on the lookout for drink drivers. Fines are automatic and steep, and imprisonment and a ban from driving or removal of licence can also be expected.

By bus and coach

Local bus services are of variable quality and cost. Getting to outlying rural areas can be especially hard, as there may be only one bus a week. Services run by major coach companies like National Express [12] and the new cut-price Megabus [13] provide an alternative to train travel for longer journeys.

By taxi

There are different types of Taxi in the UK.

In London, strictly regulated "Black Cabs" (not always Black) can be easily recognised by the unique vehicle type. The drivers must pass a strict test on the geography of London, known as "the knowledge". These types of vehicle are often found in other major cities, with similarly strict regulation.

Outside London, normal cars and minibuses can usually be licenced as taxis - it is up to the local council how they are distinguished, but they always carry additional plates, usually at the rear, giving details of their approval by the relevant local authority and number of passengers they can carry. Visual identification is almost always through an illuminated sign on the roof, and often through a distinctive colour paintwork.

Minicabs are normal saloon (sedan) cars or vans/minibuses, and are available nationwide. They are similar to taxis, but must be pre-booked from a minicab office or over the phone. Minicabs may be 'metered' as taxis and charge by mileage/time, or 'off-meter' and charge a set rate for a set route. Properly regulated Minicabs will always have a local authority approval plate as with taxis. (connect2taxi is a national portal for minicab firms, by calling connect2taxi you will be automatically connected to a minicab firm close to you, using location technology call: 0871 750 0303)

Any other car or driver offering to take you anywhere may not be licensed or insured; some large cities have a problem with such drivers touting for business so take care.

By boat

Ferries link the mainland to the many offshore islands including the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Orkneys and Shetland islands. There are also numerous car and passenger ferry routes between England and France and between Ireland and the UK.

Talk

English is spoken in most places, but increasingly not so in major cities like London where there has been a recent influx of immigrants. In some parts of Wales or the Scottish highlands, Welsh or Gaelic may be used, but everyone will speak English to tourists. In the far South West of Cornwall, the ancient Celtic Cornish language is kept alive; but is not spoken widely. Regional accents can be strong and varied throughout the country. Travelers from the USA won't have nearly as much difficulty as they would in a place that speaks a foreign language, but nevertheless will encounter many word changes.

Government bodies whose area of responsibility covers Wales are officially bi-lingual with English and Welsh (for example, see The DVLA site).

In London there are over 250 different languages spoken including English, Spanish, French, Italian, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese and many others.

Some examples of words that the American might not understand are
Wee - smal (Scotland, some elderly english people)
Loch - lake (Scotland)
Aye - yes (some parts of Scotland, Wales & N. Ireland)
Downing Street - used to refer to the Government
Cymru - Wales
Secondary School - Ages 11-16, or 11-18
Infants School - Ages 4/5-7
Juniors School - Ages 7-11
Primary School - Infants & Juniors School.

Buy

Cost

Britain is an expensive country even for Britons (though average salaries are among the highest in Europe, the average purchasing power is among the lowest), and due to the strong pound, even more so for foreigners. The high cost of basics such as transport, accommodation and food means that you'll spend around £50 per day as a budget traveller and more if you want to afford luxuries such as taxis, 3 star hotels, and meals in restaurants.

London and the South East is up to three times as expensive as other parts of the country. Remote areas in the North are more reasonably priced.

Money

The currency throughout the UK is the pound (£) (more properly called the Pound Sterling, but this is not used in everyday speech), divided into 100 pence (p). Coins appear in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 denominations, while notes come in £5, £10, £20 and £50. English notes depict the Queen on one side and famous historical figures on the other. Scottish and Northern Irish banks issue their own notes in the above denominations, with their own designs. £100 notes and some old £1 notes are also in circulation in Scotland. Some vendors are reluctant to accept Scottish and Northern Irish notes outside their respective countries (they are not required to do so as the Scottish and Irish notes are technically not legal tender - but they're still usually accepted).

You may also hear the slang term quid for pounds. It is both singular and plural; "three quid" means "three pounds".

The £50 note is best avoided; very few establishments are happy to take a £50 note for purchases any great deal cheaper than £50, due to their rarity and the risks of forgery for such large notes. Most high street banks will not change notes or coins unless you have an account with them, this is very annoying if you have a legitimate £50 note no shop will accept! However, you can have your money changed without you having to pay commission or own an account at certain post offices.

ATMs are very widely available and usually dispense £10 and £20 notes. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at most banks. Be aware some non-bank ATMs now charge a fee for withdrawing money and your home bank may as well. On average it's about £1.75 per withdrawal so it pays to check before you use the ATM.

Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted by most shops and restaurants, although AmEx is the least popular card of the three. Since February 14, 2006, Chip and PIN has become nearly compulsory, with only some companies still accepting signatures when paying by credit or debit cards. Customers from countries without chips in their credit cards are supposed to be able to sign instead of providing a PIN, however, it is wise to carry enough cash in case the retailer does not comply.

Shopping

Shopping in Britain can be expensive depending on where and what you buy. Fierce competition has brought prices down considerably in the food, clothing and electronic sectors. Prices do vary and it is always worth visiting the various retail stores as bargains can often be found. Avoid buying from the tourist areas and stick to the High Street shops or the many 'out-of-town' retail parks where prices will be considerably cheaper.

VAT (Value Added Tax - a mandatory tax on many goods and services in the UK) is 17.5%. For most High Street shopping, VAT is included in the sale price. However, for certain larger purchases, especially in the area of computers and electronics, stores may show prices without VAT, however these are clearly marked with "exc VAT" next to the figure. In many of the larger towns and cities, many shops have the blue "Tax-Free Shopping" sticker in the window, meaning that when you leave the UK, you can claim back the VAT before you leave the country. However, in order to do this, you must keep any receipts you receive from your purchase.

Electronic items such as computers and digital cameras can be cheaper here than many European countries (especially Scandinavian countries), but do shop around. The internet is always a good way to judge the price of a particular item, also you can use this as a bargaining tool when agreeing on a price with some of the larger electronic retail stores. If visiting from the US, there may be duties and taxes charged that make some of these purchases much less of a bargain so shop wisely.

Eat

The United Kingdom is an expensive place to eat out in Europe compared to the more southern European countries, but relatively cheap in comparison with countries such as Switzerland and Norway.

Certainly only the minority of visitors will come here for the famous food. However, British cuisine has improved greatly in the past few years. The stereotype made by Jacques Chirac, saying that British food is the second worst in the world after Finland is an oversimplification. Compared to southern Europe, the quality of British restaurants is still highly variable, especially outside London. Despite the recent popularity of celebrity chefs and a surge in restaurant culture, many Britons still eat to live rather than live to eat, which is reflected in the outlets catering for them. If you simply pick a place at random, you may be lucky and find it delicious, but you're also running the risk of being served a fat drenched, overpriced microwave ready meal. The mere fact that many pubs advertise "food freshly prepared on premises" as a major selling point suggests that British food still has some way to go. But high quality and even world-class outlets can be found at reasonable prices if you put some effort into researching them.

Many restaurants in city centres tend to be a little more expensive then ones say, in the suburbs, and pubs do tend to be slightly more expensive in the countryside, but generally, a three-course meal without drinks will cost the traveller anywhere between £10 and £15. Chicken tikka masala with rice is sometimes claimed as the UK's official dish, though roast beef is a more traditional national dish.

Many large shops, especially department stores, will have a coffee shop or restaurant.

Examples

Fish and chips - deep-fried, battered fish (usually cod or haddock) with french fried potatoes (usually rather thick "chips" always made from real chunks of potato, not thin tubes of extruded mashed potato). It is often served with "mushy peas", and always dressed with as much salt and malt vinegar as you want to put on. "Proper" fish and chips can only be bought from eiher a backstreet "chippy" or a specialist fish and chip restaurant (the latter are mostly at the seaside, although there is a national chain which is considered to do quite good fish and chips: their original Yorkshire shop was a legend). However, a "proper chippy" (a backstreet "fish and chip shop", or just "chip shop") is the quintessesntial place to buy fish and chips. The best ones are specialists, serving perhaps a few alternatives such as pies or sausages, but not a huge range of other types of food. They are usually located near where people live, though some good ones, especially "sit down" chippies, see below, can be found in town centres. They can be spotted by the illuminated sign which usually has a picture of a fish (often smiling delightedly at what is about to happen to it) and a name: either punning and piscine ("Codroephenia") or proud and proprietorial ("Fred's Chippy"). Chippies sell "take away" fish and chips in a hot, steamy atmosphere, from a hot stainless steel and glass counter, to long lines of people. They serve it wrapped in paper (no longer newspaper, for "health and safety reasons") for transportation home or eating in the street. In rural areas, you may see a sign saying "fish and chip van here on Fridays: 7pm–8pm". This is a mobile chippy that tours the local villages to a weekly timetable. Do not miss your chance! The ultimate find, though, is a "sit down chippy", a chip shop with a separate dining room. If this is the "perfect" sit down chippy (no real one will be exactly like this, though most elements will be present) the room will be brightly lit and decorated in a nautical theme (at least one fishing net and one anchor) with yellow or blue formica-topped tables. A waitress will take your order for a "Cod Meal" (or "Haddock", or "Plaice"), and within five minutes a huge fish-motif plate (probably oval) will arrive, covered by a huge fish, a mountain of chips, and (if you weren't brave enough to refuse, a green mound looking like refried beans and smelling vaguely of peas and mint. Accompanying it will be sachet (or little dish, if a very posh place) of tartare sauce, a slice of lemon (extremely posh!), a big plate of bread-and-butter, and a pot of tea. If this is "Chippy Nirvana", there will be a separate pot of hot water, either to dilute the tea if it is too strong for you taste, or to "top-up" the tea in the pot when you have poured out your first cup. On the table will be a large shaker or salt and a bottle (or plastic squeezy bottle) of brown malt vinegar. There may even be a tomato-shaped plastic container of ketchup (more common in "caffs"). If you find such a place, you will never accept a substitute again. Fish and chips bought from a pub (or hotel, or non-specialist restaurant) will be almost totally unlike the meal bought from a chippy. In particular, if you see a meal labelled "Traditional fish and chips" on a menu labelled "Traditional pub fayre" then neither the pub nor the fish and chips is traditional — go elswhere!

Take-aways

A 'take-away' is either a shop supplying prepared meals for people to eat elsewhere, or the meal itself. A very British take-away is the sandwich shop, a popular choice at lunchtimes; they often sell pies and cakes also. Alternatively, most towns and many main road routes now have a branch of an American fast food chain. Various types of take-aways are present in nearly all towns: ranging from fish and chips (genuine "chippies", specialist fish and chip shops, some of which have a "sit down" section, are still very common, but are no longer ubiquitous); to "Indian" (often Bangladeshi) and Chinese shops. Thai and Indonesian takeaways are becoming quite common, and lots of others in bigger towns,. Generally the standard of take-aways is good, but the best guide is, as always, to observe what the locals are doing. If there are several (sober) people waiting to be served then the food is probably good, although at pub "chucking out" time (11pm, or, these days, often later) popularity may be based more on location and opening hours than quality of cuisine (especially in the case of "burgers, kebabs, and pizzas" sold from neon-lit shops near pubs, or from greasy vans near taxi queues).

Food in Pubs

See below for general points about pubs.

Almost all pubs (see below) serve food, although not all will do so during the whole of their opening hours (typically only 12am-2pm and 7pm to 9pm). Quality and prices of all these types varies enormously, and you should seek local advice if you have particular requirements/standards. Do not sit at a table in a pub expecting a waiter to take your order for food or drinks. Pubs nearly always work on a "queue at the bar for drinks: order at the bar for food" basis. You go to the bar to request and pay for drinks and food. To avoid annoying customers behind them, groups usually order as one, and "settle up" between themselves later (see elsewhere for "buying rounds"). You normally order your "starters" and "mains" together (food-oriented places have numbers screwed to the tables for you to quote). You then wait for your drinks to be poured and carry them to the table. When your meal is ready, it is either brought to you or (less commonly now) "announced" when it is ready for you to collect. The person who tidies away your main course may ask you what dessert you would like, or you may have to order at the bar again.

Restaurants

Larger towns have a range of restaurants to suit most tastes and you will find a very broad range of different cuisines, because Brits are very open-minded and love food from India, China, Thailand, France and Italy. Waiters generally expect a 10-13.5% tip and in most places you get directly charged for the service. The service is average and you should keep your expection in the same level.

Balti

One of the most popular types of restaurant in Britain is the Indian restaurant. Most common in certain areas of large cities and not often found directly in city centres or other tourist traps, Indian restaurants serve cuisine commonly known to their customers by the generic term "curry". Common Indian restaurant dishes include Chicken Tikka Masala, Prawn Biryani and the incredibly spicy Vindaloo (of Portuguese origin). A recently fashionable version of curry is known as "balti", possibly named after the metal bowl the food is cooked (and served) in. Balti cuisine supposedly originated in the UK though it is clearly based on food from the Indian subcontinent. Birmingham in the Midlands is considered the balti capital of the UK as this dish was conceived there.

Motorway Service areas

Motorway Service areas are notoriously expensive places to eat, though they are open 24 hours by law. Most contain well-known American-style fast food outlets, and toilets. Best avoided, and it is often possible to find cheaper and much better places to eat within a mile or two of a motorway junction.

On other major routes, there are often mobile cafes ("burger vans") in lay-bys that will serve a cup of coffee or tea, and a bacon sandwich for around £3. The quality of these can vary, and it is best to stop at one that has a lot of vans or lorries parked nearby. However, there are unlikely to be any other facilities such as toilets or a seating area.

Vegetarian/Vegan

Over the past few years, vegetarianism has become a lot more widespread and accepted in the UK. If you are staying as a guest in a British home it would be considered courteous to inform your host beforehand as to any dietary requirements, but this will not be considered rude or even particularly unusual. However, bear in mind that even if you call yourself 'vegetarian' some people will assume you eat fish, so if you don't, then tell them so. Nowadays, it is rare to find a pub or restaurant with no vegetarian option whatsoever; however, you may not get much choice.

If you are a vegan, be prepared to explain precisely what you do and don't eat on a fairly frequent basis. Outside of specialist eateries, most places probably won't have a vegan-friendly main meal, so be prepared to hunt around, order bits and bobs, or in a pub make do with the ubiquitous bowl of chips and tomato ketchup.

In general, the best places for vegetarian/vegan food are specialist veggie pubs/restaurants, of which most major cities will have at fewest one, and Indian, Chinese and South-East Asian restaurants. These will normally have a range of vegetarian and vegan options. Ironically, one of the few places you may see without any meat-free food at all is an extremely expensive luxury restaurant. If you're fortunate enough to be dining in such a place, it may be worth ringing ahead.

Children

Children are not necessarily allowed in all pubs and restaurants, and high chairs are not always available. Most pubs that serve food will accept children, and it is usually rather easy to distinguish those that do. The general rule is that children cannot sit (or stand about) in the area where drinks are being served; so if the pub has only one small room they are not allowed. Children are permitted in most drinks-only pubs, especially those with gardens, but again they are not supposed to come near the bar.

Regional specialities

It should be pointed out that whilst these are foods famous for being found primarily in Britain, the British diet actually consists largely of imports, and the menu of even the cheapest pub will include international dishes such as pasta, pizza, or Chinese foods.

• Black Pudding - a sausage made of congealed pig's blood and rusks cooked in an intestine. Available in all over the UK but a speciality of the north of England.
• Cornish Pasty - beef and vegetables baked in a folded pastry case. Originally a speciality of Cornwall, but now available throughout the UK.
• Deep Fried Mars Bar - Orignally from Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, but now available in other parts of Scotland.
• Haggis - a mixture of sheep innards and oatmeal boiled in a sheep's stomach. Available widely, but a speciality of Scotland.
• Lancashire Hotpot - a hearty vegetable and meat stew. A speciality of Lancashire, but available throughout the UK.
• Laverbread - a puree made from seaweed, rolled in oatmeal, lightly fried and generally served with bacon rashers, though can be prepared as a vegetarian dish. Available in Swansea and West Wales.
• Oatcakes - this speciality of Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire is a large, floppy, oat-based pancake, eaten hot with a savoury filling. Not to be confused with the Scottish oatcake, a sort of biscuit.
• Potato Bread - a mixture of potatoes, salt, butter and flour. A speciality of Northern Ireland, which when added to a Full English Breakfast (alongside Soda Bread) forms an 'Ulster Fry! This is also known as Potato Cakes in England.
• Yorkshire Pudding - a savoury side dish made from unsweetened batter. Squat and round in shape - often served with a roast dinner (consisting of roast potatoes, roast beef and yorkshire puddings. Originally a speciality of Yorkshire, but a popular side-dish throughout the UK.

Drink

Some think that Britons tend to drink alcohol mainly in the evening, during the day they are sustained by tea and coffee. Bill Bryson was only half-joking when he said "I remain impressed by the ability of Britons of all ages and social backgrounds to get genuinely excited by the prospect of a hot beverage". Getting drunk is acceptable and often it is the objective of a party. This applies to all levels of the British society - it may be worth remembering that the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, had to collect his son Euan from a police station after he had been found drunk celebrating the completion of his GCSE exams (taken at the age of 16). Nevertheless, Britons have a great sense of humour and everything is forgotten after a hangover, at least until the next time.

Pub

The pub (public house) is the most popular place to get a drink in the UK. Even small villages will often have a pub, serving spirits, wines, beers, cider, and alcopops, accompanied by crisps, nuts, and pork scratchings. Many serve snacks or meals. The greates volume of drinks served are various kinds of beer, mainly lagers, bitters, and one particular brand of Stout. People not looking to drink real ale are free to choose a pub just on the basis of location, and character, because most national "smooth" bitters or TV-advertised lagers are available in any non real-ale pub. However, even non-real-ale drinkers often find that they prefer the types of pubs with a range of real ales, because they tend to be more "traditional": with a more individual character and less oriented to juke boxes, games machines, fruit machines, and large crowds.

British real ales, championed by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), are amongst the best in the world - though people used to colder, blander, fizzier beers may find that the taste needs to be acquired. People looking for real ale will need to select the right pubs, because although a wide range of pubs serve one or two real ales (some of these have only a "token" barrel with low turnover and a strange taste: often, unfortunately, people's first and inderstandably only experience with "real ale"), only a "real ale pub" will have a wide selection. The phrase "free house" was usually the main indicator for people loking for a good choice of beer, because this indicated that the pub was not owned by a particular brewery and served whatever beer its landlord though would appeal to their customers. However, this is no longer a significant factor, because most national pub chains are now owned by large conglomerates who deal centrally with brewers and serve the same mass-market brands in all their pubs: these conglomerates (not being breweries) can still call their pubs "free houses".

Pubs with a good choice of real ales will may exhibit almost any pattern of ownership:

• By a real-ale brewery (in which case the pub will serve all of the beers made by them, and perhaps only one "guest beer").

• By a national or local pub chain who believe it is possible to serve a range of real ales at reasonable prices (their chain buying power can force down a brewer's margins) in a pub that non-real-ale-fans (often crowds of youths) will be willing to patronise.

• By an independent landlord committed to real ale (usually the ones with the most idiodyncratic beers, and the hard-core "real ale type" customers).

Many pubs are very old and have traditional names, the "Red Lion" or "King's Arms"; before widespread literacy pubs would be identified by most customers solely by their signs. Recently there has been a trend, strongly resisted in some quarters, towards chain-pubs such as the Hogshead, Slug and Lettuce and those owned by the JD Wetherspoon company. Another recent trend is the gastro-pub, a smartened-up traditional pub with a selection of high-quality food (nearly at restaurant prices).

Beer in pubs is served in pint and half-pint measures, or in bottles. Simply ordering a beer on tap will be interpreted as a request for a pint, eg 'A London Pride, please'. Alternatively 'half a London Pride, please' will get you a half-pint. If you ask for a "half-pint of London Pride" in a noisy pub, you will almost certainly get a pint, because no-one asks for a "half-pint" and the bar person will have thought you said "I'll have a pint of London Pride, please". Prices vary widely based on the city, the pub and the beer, but generally pints will be in the range £2 to £3.

Pubs often serve food during the day. Drinks are ordered and paid for at the bar.

When applying for a licence, pubs can specify any opening times they wish; this can be challenged by neighbours, etc. The commonest closing times at the weekends are 12, 1 or 2. Theoretically, a pub can ask for a 24-hour licence, though few have done so.

Wine bars

In cities there are more modern wine-bars and cafe-bars, though the variable weather means that there is not as much of a 'street scene' as in other European cities.

Clubbing

Clubbing is popular in large towns and cities; Manchester, London and Sheffield have world-renowned venues as well as many alternative joints. Prices in clubs tend to be considerably higher than those charged in pubs, and opening hours may not be the attraction they once were, as pubs can now open late, too.

Sleep

The UK offers a wide variety of hotels rated on a scale of stars, from 5-star luxury (and beyond!) to 1-star basic. There is also a vast number of privately-run bed and breakfast establishments (abbreviated as "B&B"), offering rooms with usually a fried 'full English breakfast'. Alternatively you can rent a private house which is let as a holiday home; many such holiday homes advertise on a wide variety of free websites or adverstise on their own websites. Good deals can usually be found by using a search engine for "self-catering holiday accommodation".

Budget travellers can opt to stay in a youth / backpackers' hostel

• YHA England and Wales [14], tel 0870 770 6113

• Scottish YHA [15], Email - reservations@syha.org.uk, tel 0870 1553255

• HI Northern Ireland [16], tel 028 9032 4733

There are also many campsites, with widely varying levels of facilities.

Many travellers to the United Kingdom decide on a campervan holiday, whereby your accommodation travels with you.... Most parts of the country have a good range of camping and caravan parks available.

As a more quirky option, the Landmark Trust [17] is a charitable organisation that buys up historic buildings, follies and other unusual examples of architecture - especially those in danger of destruction - and renovates them in order to rent them out to holidaymakers. For bookings, tel 01628 825925, mailto:bookings@landmarktrust.org.uk

Learn

The UK has been a centre of learning for the past 1000 years and possesses many ancient and distinguished universities. Many former polytechnics and other colleges have been promoted to university status over the past 25 years , and there are now over 120 degree-awarding institutions in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The two most famous (and oldest) universities are Oxford and Cambridge, but England also has several other world-class institutions, including several in London (notably Imperial College, the London School of Economics, University College London and King's College London, all are part of London University). Outside of London top universities are located in Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Bristol, York, Nottingham, Bath, Loughborough, Newcastle, Warwick and Durham.

Scotland has its own semi-separate educational system, with universities in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh (Edinburgh, Napier, Queen Margaret and Heriot-Watt), Glasgow (Glasgow and Strathclyde), Stirling and St Andrews.

There are only two universities in Northern Ireland: the Queen's University of Belfast, and the University of Ulster (which has campuses in Belfast, Jordanstown, Coleraine and Londonderry). Although Queen's is the older and more famous institution, both are highly respected throughout the UK as centres of excellence.

Traditionally the University of Wales was comprised of four large universities: Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea, but since many polytechnics were upgraded to university status the number of Welsh universities has increased.

Foreign students make up a significant proportion of the student body at UK universities, with over 300,000 foreign students in 2004. All applications go through a central body UCAS, which acts as a clearing house passing applications to the universities for consideration and feeding their decisions back to applicants. Course fees for overseas students vary considerably, costing significantly more for the prestigious institutions.

The UK - and London in particular - remains an exceedingly popular destination for those seeking to learn the English language. A huge variety of organisations and companies exist to cater for this desire, some much more reputable than others:

• the British Council [18] offers courses and advice

Work

Citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have permanent work rights in the UK. Citizens of Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, or Slovenia may need to to register under the Worker Registration Scheme. Generally the citizens of other countries will require a visa to work for more than six months in the UK. However, the UK has low unemployment, making it easier for those with specialist skills to gain working visas. A general shortage of skilled labour in the health sector means the British health service actively recruits abroad, making it easier for those with speacilist health care skills to work in the UK. This however may change due to the large investment the British government has made into getting more nurses and doctors trained from the United Kingdom. There continues to be a severe shortage in dentists.

The UK does operate a working holiday programme, for citizens of Commonwealth countries which allow residency and limited work rights for 2 years.

For more details see the British Home Office's visa and immigration website [19].

Stay safe

In some areas petty crime such as pickpocketing can be a nuisance more than a threat, but such crime is not very common in almost anywhere except city centres, etc. Some general points for the worried:

When out and about:

• Avoid looking like a rich target, don't flash wads of cash or wear massive amounts of jewelry.
• Keep your eyes open, if the area is heavily vandalised and there are groups of young people hanging around, perhaps it's not the best place to stop.
• Try not to get too drunk. If you do then get a taxi home.
• Like many Western countries, in recent years the UK has developed something of a "yob culture": disaffected, and generally younger people adopt anti-social behaviour - usually fuelled by binge drinking - and may intimidate others by shouting obscenities or acting tough. They are best ignored. Their language and behaviour can be threatening, but in crowded areas they are usually not dangerous.

When using a private car it is vitally important to:

• Keep the boot (or trunk) locked - in some areas thieves open the boot and snatch bags at the traffic lights.
• Keep mobile phones and valuables out of sight - this goes double when you park the car.
• Park in well lit places with no cover around the car - if there are bushes, etc. thieves can work on the locks out of sight.
• It's worth extending your insurance to cover all costs of window / windscreen replacement, it's not uncommon for thieves to just smash the glass to get in.

When on public transport:

• Buses and trains: Stay near the driver/conductor when getting on
• Taxis: Use licensed black cabs when hailing from the roadside, or alternatively private taxis (minicabs) can be pre-booked. Do Not Hail a minicab from the street as this is technically illegal under licensing laws, and the driver will charge you as high a price as he sees fit. When using any taxi it's always worth checking for a licence number, this is displayed next to the number plate. It is not uncommon for second hand black cabs to be put back to work without a licence late on Friday or Saturday nights.

When in public:

• In some towns it is an offence to drink alcohol in public although this law is widely flouted.
• Public nudity is very rare and while not strictly a criminal offence, you can be prosecuted if thought to be with the intention of shocking people.
• Sex in public places is illegal, although it's not uncommon in some public parks at night or known "lovers lanes".
• The age of both heterosexual and homosexual consent is 16 (in Northern ireland it is 17). However, the homosexual age of consent is 18 where there is a "relationship of trust".

Violent crime is generally percieved to be on the increase; statistics vary wildly from a drop of 10% in the past year to a rise of similar proportions. The main causes of concern for most travellers will be at night when pubs and clubs close, especially at taxi queues and in areas where football rivalries are present. Some towns, particularly in the North have a reputation for being somewhat 'rough'.

However the UK is no more dangerous on the whole than most other European countries providing sensible precautions are taken.

Stay healthy

The local emergency telephone number is 999, however the EU-wide 112 can also be used. For advice on non-emergency medical problems, you can ring the 24 hour NHS Direct service on 0845 4647.

Emergencies can be dealt with under the NHS (National Health Service) at any hospital with a Casualty or A & E (Accident & Emergency) department. At A&E be prepared to wait for up to 4 hours to be seen to if the medical complaint is not serious.

While all treatment by an NHS hospital or doctor is free to British citizens, people from outside the UK will, in many cases, be required to pay for treatment. However citizens of the EU and a small number of other countries can obtain certain treatment if they hold a European Health Card.

For advice on minor ailments and non-prescription drugs, you can ask a pharmacist (there are many high-street chemists), notable pharmacist chains include Boots and Lloyds and many supermarkets also have pharmacists.

Note that water from train toilets is not safe to drink. Any other unsafe water sources will be clearly marked as such, so you can be sure that any tap is safe unless otherwise stated.

Respect

People in the UK are generally polite, friendly, and understanding towards tourists. Those who do not speak English should be prepared for difficulties as few people are conversant in other languages, even in tourist areas.

Though Britain is said to no longer have a class system, class divisions are still a lot more pronounced than in continental Europe or America. In the south of England, it is usually not common practice to speak to people you don't know other than to ask for help, and asking someone what they're doing generally considered "nosy". However, in the North people are generally much more willing to speak to strangers, and generally perceived by visitors as more friendly and accommodating.

Other than classic British reserve, public behavior doesn't vastly differ from continental Europe. Public displays of affection are unlikely to cause offense unless you get carried away with it. On hot days in the summer it is acceptable for men to walk shirtless outside, especially near the seaside or other tourist areas, but not in places of business. Short trousers are acceptable anywhere in the summer, except for establishments with explicit dress codes. It is uncommon for women to sunbathe topless, but it is common for very young children to be on a beach unclothed. Nudist beaches are common in Britain though most are found in secluded locations away from town and city centres.

It's acceptable to address someone by their first name in most situations, though names are sometimes avoided among strangers to avoid seeming overly familiar. In very formal or business situations first names are not commonly used at least until people are more well acquainted; "Mr X", "Miss Y", or "Mrs Z" is used. Waiters, shop assistants and other people providing a service will often address you as "sir" or "madam", or possibly as "Mr X".

Dining manners tend to be somewhat formal; British people may even eat pizza with a knife and fork. Don't start eating until everyone has been served, and never talk with food in your mouth. The British eat with their fork in their left hand and the tines pointed downward, but unless you've had practise eating this way it might be less awkward to eat right-handed; just try to keep the hand-swapping of the fork to a minimum (hint: cut up several forkfuls of meat at at time), as your companions will find it distracting. When finished eating, return your cutlery to the middle of the plate. Don't be afraid to leave uneaten food; most hosts will not find this offensive. When eating, putting one's hands to your face or placing your elbows on the table while you or others around you are eating, should be avoided. It must be noted also that the British will take offense to belching loudly in public and it is common to excuse one's self when leaving the table to attend the bathroom.

When greeting or meeting someone, handshakes are expected; a moderately firm grip is best. Don't shake with a gloved hand or with the other hand in your pocket. (Although not common, it is deemed acceptable for a woman to shake with a gloved hand, especially if she is shaking hands with a man and/or in formal dress). Stand up when shaking hands; if this isn't practical (such as when seated in a restaurant), leaning forward or half-rising as if you wish to stand up will suffice. It's customary, but by no means necessary, to remove one's hat, gloves, and other accessories before knocking on their door or introducing yourself; the practise of removing one's hat, gloves should also be observed when entering someone's home. Greetings between friends and acquaintances tend to more casual and expressive, possibly including hugs and back-slapping, or (between women) a "continental" kiss on the cheek, albeit with typical British restraint.

As with many European nations, some factions of the UK may harbour anti-American sentiment which has been particularly triggered by the Iraq war, which many of the public oppose (although this is also pegged to the general public's dislike of the current government); US citizens should be wary of making casual remarks about it, but need not be afraid of being American, as the feelings are not personal but political. Americans will find most Britons are pro-American in general, although students and young people tend to favour Americans less. Some Britons are touchy about political matters, but the majority do not mind a discussion of politics. A debate, however, is considered hostile. Also anti-monarchist remarks may be met with resentment and is ill-advised.

Criticism of British institutions, customs or other cultural differences can be met with hostility, particularly when comparing it to your country. This is not to say you are expected to say everything in the UK is better; more that a comment such as 'the TV here isn't as good as it is in my country' will be taken as offensive. However approached correctly, it is possible to have a constructive debate on such matters.

Contact

Telephone

In case of emergency, call 999 or 112 from any phone. Such calls are free and will be answered by an emergency services operator who will ask you for your location, and the service(s) you need (police, fire, ambulance, coastguard or mountain rescue). You can call this number from any mobiles as well, even if you do not have roaming.

The UK's calling code is 44. To phone another country, dial 00 followed by the calling code and subscriber number. If calling the UK from overseas, you'll need to drop any leading "0" on the area code; similarly, if calling in-country, you may need to add a leading "0" if you've dropped the country code.

Payphones are widely available, especially in stations, airports etc. Payphones usually take cash (minimum 30p - BT, although some private payphones may charge more); change is not given, but you can choose to continue your money on to the next call. Some newer payphones accept credit and debit cards and may even allow you to send emails and surf the web. Phonecards have been phased out, though various pre-paid phonecards can be purchased from newsagents for cheap international calls. Some BT payphones now accept Euros. A simpler and often cheaper alternative for international calls is to use a direct-dial service such as BellBazar, pennyphonePocketDialUK, Abroadtel, Cleverates, PhoneBird, My Mondo, ExtraCall, GlobeCaller UK, Just-Dial or Pat's Dial. . These offer vastly reduced call rates over the standard providers and don't require you to purchase a card or sign up for an account. You simply dial an access numbers which are charged at different rates (e.g. 0870 at the non-geographical national rate).

Mobile phones are heavily used. 97% of the UK population have a mobile phone - and that figure is rising. The main networks are T-Mobile, Vodafone, Orange and O2, and are all currently GSM based. GPRS data services are also available, usually priced per MegaByte. Since 2003 new CDMA based 3G networks have begun to be deployed, 3, being the first commercial provider, although their coverage is limited. UK mobile phone tarrifs basically split into two types. (Unlike the way in which cell phone operators assess charges for calls in the USA, in the UK, and throughout Europe, there is no charge for calls that you receive on your handset; charges are only for calls that you initiate.)

• Pay monthly - a fixed monthly fee plus any call charges debited from a bank account or credit card, usually includes some call or text messages for free, contracted for 12 or 18 months (if you are staying for a long time in the UK it is often recommend that you obtain a contract)
• Pay as you go - credit the phone with a top-up card or cash payment via a top-up terminal, no contract and no bills, Some operators also offer some free text messages.

If you have a GSM compatible handset (most dual and tri band phones are GSM compatible) you can purchase a SIM card from several high street electrical or phone outlets or buy online. However be aware prices do vary considerably – from £9.99 (with £10 call credit) from Fresh (available at the Carphone Warehouse) to £30 (with £2.50 credit) from Vodafone (available at all mobile phone shops). The UK has extensive mobile phone coverage - 99% of the UK mainland is covered. Many towns and cities have 3G coverage as well.

Costs for calls can vary significantly depending on when, where from and where to. Calls from hotel rooms can be spectacularly expensive because of the hotel surcharges; check before you use and consider using the lobby payphones instead. Calls from payphones and wired, or landline, phones to mobile phones can be expensive too, if you have the choice call the other party's land line. Beware of premium rate calls, which can be very expensive. Text messaging from mobiles costs around 10 pence per message and picture or MMS messages cost around 45 pence (20 pence on some networks).

Calls between landlines are charged at either local rate or national rate depending on the originating and destination area codes; if both are the same then the area code is optional and the call will be local rate. Note that local calls are not generally free. The following table relates the first few digits dialed to call types, so you can avoid some of the pitfalls above:

Digits dialed	Call Type
00	International call
01	Call to a landline at local or national rate (see above)
02	Call to a landline at local or national rate (see above)
05	Free call
07	Call to a mobile phone or pager
0800	Free call
0844	Variable rate up to about 5p/min
0845	Call at local rate
0870	Call at national rate
0871	Variable rate up to about 10p/min
09	Call at a premium rate

Internet

Internet access is widespread. Internet cafes can be found in cities and large towns, check the city pages for details. Public libraries may also be able to provide access for free, although you can expect a small wait to get a turn, and time is usually limited. Some hotels/hostels also offer internet access either via their cable tv system or WiFi , although the prices are quite steep (www.spectrumineractive.co.uk provide the Scottish YHA with a network of broadband and WiFi capable internet terminals).

A number of ISPs charge nothing for Internet access by telephone modem - they get their payment from the phone company, local call costs are time related. Examples are GoNuts4Free, DialUKT.

There are some WiFi hotspots, although publicly available wireless is not yet widespread outside central London. Consume.net provides a directory free hotspots. TotalHotspots provides a directory of pay-for WiFi access points, many in high-street coffee chains Caffè Nero and Starbucks.

Broadband is now available to 99.7% of British households using ADSL over the phone line or cable modem over the cable TV network where available. Several companies have started to offer one month contracts for ADSL, so if you have an existing BT phone line and are staying for more than 2 months, it is fairly straight forward to setup. This will either need to be already installed or you must be staying for long enough to make it worth your while. A good starting point is The ADSLGuide website, as they list all companies providing ADSL and the packages they offer [20].

It is also possible to access the internet using the GPRS mobile data service , but conection speed is limited to 56kbps ( i.e. a dial up modem) and the tariffs are based on amount of data downloaded. However GPRS is the best solution for mobile computing, unless you can find a WiFi hotspot.

The most you should pay for access across the UK is £1 for half an hour. Many chain cafes will charge more for little to no extra value.

Post

The Royal Mail has a long history. Post boxes are still the traditional red colour, (although there are green and gold Victorian "Penfold" boxes retained in some areas and a historically important blue box in Windsor). Mail can also be posted at post offices. Postage stamps cost 32p/23p (domestic 1st/2nd class), 44p (Europe), 50p (Worldwide). Stamps can be bought at supermarkets, newsagents and tourist shops. If you wish to send something heavy, then you will have to get it weighed at the post office. Postal rates are very reasonable. However, from August 21st, the Royal Mail is introducing a new system where post is priced on size and weight. You can find size charts at all post offices but bear this thought in mind when sending a parcel or a packet.

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