Exploring the Rich Heritage of the United Kingdom
It may seem hard to believe that this cold and wet island once held dominion over three quarters of the globe. While the pomp and circumstance of previous centuries may have dwindled and the monarchy takes an almost daily battering in the local press, the beauty and cultural wealth of the United Kingdom impresses any visitor. But the UK is still a hugely influential world leader and tops many a travel bucket list.
The United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as some smaller islands. The geography sweeps from mountainous highlands and lush rolling countryside to vibrant cities and pebbled beaches. It’s jam-packed with two millennia of heritage, so despite its seemingly small size, holidays in the UK of any length of time feel too short.
London is the UK’s biggest city, a fantastic and frenetic metropolis teeming with people from all walks of life. Here the old contrasts with the new, offering some of the world’s most famous sights and an unrivalled nightlife. Medieval cathedral cities like York and Durham reveal the rich history of a bygone age, while the historically-industrial cities of Liverpool and Newcastle aren’t without their charms and allure. For those with more refined tastes, the Edinburgh International Arts Festival in Scotland draws talent from around the world to its ancient and picturesque streets.
Key Facts
- Language:
- English is the official language, though visitors will be astonished by the variety of regional accents.
- Passport/Visa:
If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, or proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK; nationals of the EU require a passport valid on arrival. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. For visitors who are visa exempt up to a maximum stay of 6 months, the period of stay will be determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival.
- Currency:
The currency is the British pound (GBP), which is divided into 100 pence. ATMs are available in almost all towns and Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels, though better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks.
- Electricity:
- The electrical current in the UK is 240 volts, 50Hz. Flat, three-pin plugs are standard.
Overview
The United Kingdom continues to rank as one of the top tourist destinations in the world, steadily attracting more than 32 million foreign visitors every year. This comparatively small island nation packs a touristic punch completely disproportionate to its size, with its small size and excellent transport networks making it easy to get around for travellers.
For tourists, England remains the most popular country in the UK, and the vast majority of travellers visiting England spend time in London. Many tourist attractions are found in the capital, such as the National Gallery, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, the Tate Modern, the Natural History Museum, Epping Forest, Science Museum and the incomparable British Museum. The only Top 10 UK attraction that isn’t in London is Brighton Pier, the landmark feature of the UK’s most beloved seaside resort. Other much-visited tourist attractions outside of London include Cornwall’s Eden Project, Bath’s Roman Baths, Canterbury Cathedral, Warwick Castle, the Lake District’s Windermere Lake and the iconic Stonehenge.
The UK is blessed with ample natural beauty and is well-suited to walking holidays, with the Lake District, the Scottish Highlands and Wales particularly beguiling to hikers. But when the infamous weather doesn’t oblige, many hours can be spent soaking up the culture in world-famous museums, galleries, shops and theatres. Another big drawcard is the surfeit of grand estates and old castles, conjuring up the worlds of Jane Austen and Shakespeare. For something more Dickensian, the UK is chock full of wonderful old pubs in which to while away the rainy days.
Climate in United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is positioned at the convergence between the moist maritime and dry continental air currents, which results in atmospheric instability and extremely unpredictable weather. Many types of weather can be experienced in one day and travellers should go prepared, particularly as in most regions of the UK rain is possible at any time of year. Winters, between December and February, are cold and wet with occasional snow, especially in the high-lying areas.
Summers, between June and August, are generally warm with frequent showers. Northern Ireland, Wales and the western regions of England and Scotland enjoy the mildest temperatures, but are the wettest and windiest parts of the UK; the eastern regions of England and Scotland are drier and cooler with more extreme temperatures.
Generally speaking, southern regions are more temperate and mild than northern regions. England enjoys the warmest temperatures on average and is generally more sunny and less rainy than the rest of the UK, with Scotland enduring the coldest and wettest weather.
The peak tourist season in the UK is summer, between June and August, but it’s pleasant to visit any time between April and October. The winters are cold and sometimes snowy, but travelling out of season is cheaper and the winter months can be cosy and exciting, particularly over the festive season.
Health Notes when travelling to United Kingdom
There are no specific health risks associated with travel to the UK and food and water can be considered safe. The British National Health Service is excellent, while a number of countries have reciprocal health agreements with the UK including Australia, New Zealand and EU countries. Visitors from other countries such as Canada, South Africa and the United States are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance.
Safety Notes when travelling to United Kingdom
It is generally safe to travel throughout the UK.
Customs in United Kingdom
Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone new. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces, including pubs, restaurants and public transport. Queue barging is frowned upon and there is strict etiquette on escalators: stand on the right, walk on the left. Visitors may find Londoners more rushed and less friendly than locals in other parts of the country, particularly on London transport, where tourists are often the only people who talk.
Duty Free in United Kingdom
Travellers can bring the following goods into the UK tax or duty free: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, 18 litres of still table wine, 42 litres of beer, 4 litres of spirits or strong liqueurs or 9 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other alcoholic beverages of less than 22 per cent volume. The EU Pet Travel Regulation (Regulation (EU) 576/2013) continues to apply to travel between Northern Ireland, EU Member States and third countries.
Doing Business in United Kingdom
The four countries of the United Kingdom, although culturally and historically different, generally keep to the same business practices. Politeness and punctuality are key to good business relations and initial meetings are often conducted formally and impersonally, becoming more open and social as things progress. Business cards are exchanged at introductions, and dress is formal with dark suits preferred. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch.
The communication style can be difficult to adjust to: the British people respect politeness to a point that often obscures their ability to say exactly what they mean. As a result, travelling business people may need to learn to ‘read between the lines’ and to take cues from tone of voice and facial expression. Humour is also an integral part of the British system of communication, and is used to diffuse a tense situation and to cultivate relationships. Foreigners should never assume that an attempt at humour undermines a person’s ability to do their job, or discredits the importance they attach to a deal or negotiation. Furthermore, they shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that the British propensity for irony and sarcasm equates with an informal work environment.
Foreigners should be tactful during meetings, avoid becoming emotional and illustrate their experience with the subject at hand. Performance and initiative are looked upon favourably, whereas academic pretension is given far less credence. Meetings are often used as platforms for debate, rather than moments of confirmation, so there should be no surprise if not much progress is made. Foreigners should be sure to respect and appeal to all parties involved, as the British have recently begun to take a far flatter approach to management and the responsibility of decision-making. And if things go well, it’s worth purchasing a pint or two for clients or colleagues; though gifts are borderline inappropriate, a round of drinks will rarely be refused.
Communication in United Kingdom
The international country dialling code for the UK is +44. Mobile phone coverage is extensive and free WiFi is widely available in pubs and coffee shops.
Tipping in United Kingdom
Tips of 10 to 15 percent are expected in restaurants and upmarket hotels in the UK if a service charge hasn’t been included. Hotel service staff receive an optional amount, while taxi drivers are usually given 10 to 15 percent of the fare. Tipping bartenders isn’t expected, and tipping for other services is discretionary.
Passport/Visa Note
If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, or proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK; nationals of the EU require a passport valid on arrival. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. For visitors who are visa exempt up to a maximum stay of 6 months, the period of stay will be determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival.
Entry Requirements
- Entry requirements for Americans:
US travellers must hold a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay; a visa is not required for stays of up to six months.
- Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadian passports must be valid for at least the expected duration of the stay. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.
- Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian passports must be valid for at least six months after the departure date. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.
- Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Under the Common Travel Area agreement, citizens from the UK and Ireland are not required to pass through passport control. They can travel between both countries without a valid passport if they can prove they are a valid UK or Irish national.
- Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealand nationals must hold a valid passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to 6 months.
- Entry requirements for South Africans:
South Africans require a valid passport and a visa for entry or transit through the UK. South African temporary passports are not recognised.
Tourist Offices
United Kingdom Tourism Website: http://www.visitbritain.com
United Kingdom Embassies
- In the United States:
British Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 588 6500.
- In Canada:
British High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 237 1530.
- In Australia:
British High Commission, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 6270 6666.
- In Ireland:
British Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 205 3700.
- In New Zealand:
British High Commission, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 4 924 2888.
- In South Africa:
British High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 421 7500.
Foreign Embassies in United Kingdom
- American Embassy
United States Embassy, London: +44 20 7499 9000.
- Canadian Embassy
Canadian High Commission, London: +44 20 7004 6000.
- Australian Embassy
Australian High Commission, London: +44 20 7379 4334.
- Irish Embassy
Irish Embassy, London: +44 20 7235 2171.
- New Zealand Embassy
New Zealand High Commission, London: +44 20 7930 8422.
- South African Embassy
South African High Commission, London: +44 20 7451 7299.
Public Holidays Around the World
Planning your year? Knowing public holidays in different countries can help you plan trips, schedule events, or understand global schedules. Below, find a comprehensive list of public holidays sorted by country.
