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United Kingdom
England 
About England
Getting around
Currency
Tipping
Weather
Time Zone
Language
Telephones
Shopping
Concept
Voyages' Recommendation
Out of town Shopping
VAT Refunds
Do’s & Don’ts
About
England:
Visit England and discover a country of great contrast and diversity both
in the places you go to and in the people you meet. All the regions of
England are within easy reach of the exciting capital city, London, famed
for first class culture, fascinating history and pageantry, its
world-class restaurants and theatre.
Regions:
» East Midlands: Venture across the dramatic landscape of the Peak
District National park or the rolling Lincolnshire Worlds.
» East of England: The East of England region is based around the ancient
kingdom of East Anglia and is within easy reach from London, with two
major airports (London Luton and London Stansted) and the port of Harwich.
» England's North Country: In England’s North Country you’ll find the
scenic splendour of lakes and mountains, castles, dramatic coastlines and
glorious National Parks, combined with the medieval cities of York and
Durham, lively Blackpool and Manchester, world renowned for its football.
» Heart of England: There is England and there is the Heart of England.
This is the very heart of Britain, capturing the very essence of
Englishness. It is majestic yet unassuming, its countryside and traditions
are old, even quirky, yet its cities are progressive and cosmopolitan.
» London: London is a vibrant, bustling, multi-cultural city. It is also a
city full of history, heritage and culture. Visit some 300 museums and art
galleries or enjoy London's 6,000 restaurants.
» South East: Accommodation, attractions and events in Berkshire,
Buckinghamshire, Dorset, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent,
Oxford, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire for short breaks and stays in
South East England.
» South West: The South West of England region - from the Isles of Scilly,
to the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire.
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Getting around:
London Transport's special ticket offers virtually unlimited travel on the
Underground, bus networks Tramlink, DLR and National Rail trains in the
London area. The Visitor Travelcard also entitles the user to 1/3 off the
cost of travel on scheduled Riverboat services and comes with a free
leaflet containing 20% discount to many of London's top attractions and
restaurants.
By Tube: London Underground (or the Tube) runs for up to 20 hours a day
(times vary according to location), every day and serves all parts of
central London; it is one of the easiest ways to travel. Tickets can be
purchased from ticket machines and ticket offices at all stations.
Entering and leaving the Underground is made simple by the ticket-operated
gates. At the end of your journey, if the value on your ticket is used up,
the gate will open but your ticket will be retained. The Underground is
divided into six fare zones, with Zone 1 covering central London.
Britrail: Britain's rail network connects over 2,000 stations with over
18,000 departures everyday. Therefore, there is likely to be a train going
your way! The network is modern and efficient and has state of the art
trains including the tilting Pendolino train which connects London with
cities including Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
By Coach: Most scheduled coach services are run by National Express and
Scottish Citylink, allowing you to tour at your own pace on coaches which
run to every major town and city in Britain. They are inevitably a little
slower than trains but they are an economical alternative. Most coaches
are very comfortable and many include refreshments on board. Details about
local town and city buses (and post buses which travel around rural areas)
can be obtained from local tourist information centres.
By Bus: Buses are a great way to travel around the city, ideal for
informal sightseeing as well as getting around. There are over 17,000 bus
stops all across London so you are never far from a bus route.
Taxis: The famous London 'black taxi' still exists but they now come in a
variety of colours. London Taxis can be hired by hailing them in the
street when the yellow 'For Hire' sign is illuminated. They can also be
booked in advance by phone on +44 (0)20 7272 0272. The minimum flag down
fare is GBP 2 thereon for every 300 metres it is 20 pence. The fares may
vary with taxi operator. These fares are indicative.
Currency:
British money is based on the decimal system; there are one hundred pence
to each pound sterling (£). Notes are issued to the value of £50, £20, £10
and £5. Scottish £1 notes are still in circulation in Scotland. The
Channel Islands and the Isle of Man have some different coins and notes
from the mainland but the monetary system is the same. Coins are issued to
the value of £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p. The allowance for
people traveling on a tourist visa is USD 10,000 and for those on a
business visa is USD 25,000.
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Tipping:
Tipping in the UK is not always appropriate. If you feel the service was
good and you want to show your appreciation, here is a guide to customary
practice:
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Hotels: Most hotel bills include a service charge, usually 10-12%. Where a
service charge is not included in a hotel restaurant, it is customary to
give 10-15% of the restaurant bill and for rooms an optional amount to
room staff.
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Restaurants: Some restaurant bills include a service charge; where a
service charge is not included it is customary to leave a tip of 10-15% of
the bill. Some restaurants now include a suggested tip in the bill total.
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Taxis: 10-15% of the fare.
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Porterage: discretionary.
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Hairdressers: discretionary.
Weather:
Whatever the season, the British weather is liable to change from day to
day, so if you're wondering what to pack, a good idea is to bring layers,
a waterproof coat or jacket and an umbrella.
Autumn (September - November): In Autumn there can be very warm days, but
equally there can be very cold ones too! Temperatures fluctuate around the
7 to 14 degrees Centigrade mark but are likely to be much warmer in
September than November.
Winter (December - early March): Winter sees Britain's shortest and
coldest days (about 7-8 hours of daylight) but these can be crisp and
bright. Temperatures fluctuate from around 1 to 5 degrees Centigrade.
Spring (March - May): In Spring, you might enjoy wonderful sunny weather
but then, it might equally be cold and wet. Temperatures fluctuate from
around 6 to 11 degrees Centigrade. May can have very warm days - up to
about 18 degrees Centigrade.
Summer (June - August): Most days in summer are warm, but evenings can be
cool. Temperatures average around 14 - 20 degrees Centigrade, although it
can be up to around 28 degrees Centigrade on some days.
Time Zone:
British Summer Time 2006-Clocks go
forward 1 hour at 0100hrs on 26
March and go back 1 hour at
0100hrs on 29 October. The time
for the rest of the year is
Greenwich Mean Time.
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Telephones:
Using cash, the minimum fee for making a domestic call is 30p (includes
10p connection charge). Local and national calls are charged at 30p for
the first 15 minutes, then 10p for each 7 minutes & 30 seconds thereafter.
Using Credit or Debit Cards the minimum fee for local and national calls
is 95p (includes 75p connection charge). The minimum fee for international
calls, calls to premium rate numbers, calls to mobile phones or calls made
via the Operator is £1.20p (includes a £1 connection charge). Most
payphones accept 10p, 20p, 50p & £1 coins. Some payphones accept £2 coins.
Calls are charged to the nearest 10p. Only unused coins are returned so it
is advisable to avoid using 50p, £1 or £2 coins for short calls. Some
payphones accept 50c, 1 Euro and 2 Euro coins. Euro coins can only be used
for directly dialled calls. The exchange rate is 1 Euro = 60p. Payphones
operate and display in £ Sterling.
One of Britain's largest retailers of mobile phones, the Carphone
Warehouse, has teamed up with Adam Phones to offer a nationwide hire
service. They offer online 'Express Quotations' which allow you to book
your phone in advance of your arrival. When visiting Britain, hiring a SIM
card could save you money and enables you to use your own handset, its
compatible with GSM 900MHz networks. You will pay UK rates and not be
charged for incoming calls. Call Adam Phones on Freephone 0800 123 000 on
arriving in Britain to arrange delivery of a phone to any UK address.
Important telephone numbers:
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100 Operator
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155
International Operator
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118 500
Directory Enquiries
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118 505
International Directory Enquiries
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999 Emergency
Services
Some special phone codes worth knowing include:
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Shopping:
Shops in Britain are generally open Monday to Saturday, 0900-1730. Many
department stores are open until 1800 or 1900 and have a “late night” on
Wednesday or Thursday until 1900 or 2000. Larger shops in major towns and
cities also open for six hours on Sunday between 1000 and 1800, although
opening hours vary. In small towns and villages, shops often close for one
afternoon a week (commonly Wednesday) and some shut for an hour at
lunchtime. In many cities and towns, selected large supermarkets (such as
Tesco and Sainsburys) are open 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday.
Special Sales: All the major department stores and high street shops have
their sales in the days following Christmas and through January. One of
the most prestigious sales is at Harrods in early January, where queues
usually form days before the sale begins. Summer sales are normally held
in July, but the dates vary depending on the shop. Many stores carry sale
racks all year.
Factory and Discount Designer Outlets: Known as shopping villages, outlet
villages, outlet stores, factory outlets or designer outlets, this style
of shopping is very popular in Britain. Shopping villages group dozens of
famous names in one purpose-built village. You’ll find china, crystal,
high street fashions, designer clothes, household goods, shoes and more.
The stock tends to be end of season or surplus stock; you can save 25% to
50% or more. McArthurGlen Cheshire Oaks is one of Europe’s largest retail
outlet centres, with over 140 famous names to choose from, including Nike.
It is located a few miles north of Chester. McArthur Glen Swindon is
Europe’s largest covered designer outlet. It is 25 miles from the
prehistoric site of Stonehenge and incorporates a Railway Heritage Centre
and food court. Famous names on offer include Gap, Aquascutum and Jaeger
for fashion and Dartington Crystal, Onieda and The Design House for
household goods. Other McArthurGlen outlets are located in Livingston
(Scotland), York, Mansfield (Derbyshire), Bridgend (South Wales) and
Ashford (Kent). Thirty miles from Bath, Clarks Village includes a vast
range of Clarks footwear and offers savings of up to 50%.
VAT
Refunds:
All visitors residing outside of the European Union are entitled to claim
back the Value Added Tax (VAT) on any purchases made. VAT within the UK is
charged at 17.5%. VAT is charged on most goods bought in shops so
obtaining relief from VAT can make quite a saving. VAT on services (e.g.
in hotels, restaurants or car hire) cannot be reclaimed, although business
travellers may be able to claim back certain elements of VAT, such as
accommodation costs.
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Please note that not all shops operate the Retail Export Scheme (look for
the Tax Free Shopping sign displayed in shop windows) and those that do
often set a minimum purchase level. It is also likely that you will be
charged an administration fee by the retailer or refund company for making
a refund of VAT. This will be deducted from your refund and will be either
a percentage of the purchase price or a flat rate amount.
How to claim back VAT?
• Shop where
you see the TAX FREE SHOPPING sign and ask for a tax refund form.
• When leaving a country or the European Union, simply show your
purchases, receipts and passport to Customs officials and have the form
stamped (it is advisable to contact the airline/shipping company in
advance in the case of purchases that cannot be taken as hand baggage).
• There are several options for collecting the refund: immediate cash at a
cash refund office (including airports and the Britain and London Visitor
Centre, 1 Regent Street, London), the direct crediting of a chosen credit
card of a UK bank account, a bank cheque sent to a chosen address or, for
certain countries, a cash refund when you return home.
Note:
Visitors leaving Britain for a final destination within the EU are not
eligible to receive VAT refunds under the scheme. Eligible travellers
buying goods under this scheme must be leaving the EU with the goods
before the end of the third month following that in which the goods were
purchased. For example, goods purchased on 31 March would have to be
exported by 30 June. There are now several companies operating VAT refund
schemes for non-EU visitors.
Concept Voyages'
Recommendation: At Bicester Village you’ll find 60 shops offering
previous seasons and end-of-line merchandise reduced by up to 60%. Located
in the heart of Oxfordshire, only 60 minutes from central London.
Out of town Shopping:
'Out of Town' shopping centres offer high quality shops all in one place,
and often include restaurants, cinemas and sports facilities.
• The Metro
Centre in north east England houses over 360 shops, more than 50
restaurants, bars and cafes, an eleven-screen cinema, a creche and
Megabowl Entertainment Centre.
• Brent Cross in north west London is home to over 100 of the UK’s top
retail names including Nike and Planet.
• Bluewater is located east of London, near Dartford in Kent, Bluewater
has over 320 different shops and a range of leisure activities, including
a 36 foot climbing wall and boat hire.
• Lakeside also east of London, Lakeside shopping centre boasts over 320
shops, 4 major department stores, 30 cafes and restaurants, a seven-screen
cinema, a chapel and a 26 acre lake complete with PADI certified diving
school complex.
• Merry Hill Shopping Centre, located west of Birmingham, has over 200
stores, cinemas, waterside restaurants, bars and its own four-star hotel.
• Meadowhall located in the north of England, near the Peak District
National Park, Meadowhall Shopping Centre has over 270 shops and
restaurants, including Laura Ashley, La Senza and Eisenegger.
• On a much smaller scale, most major cities have retail parks where you
can find superstores such as Habitat, TK Maxx and Toys ‘R’ Us.
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Do’s & Don’ts:
London is one of the most interesting and exciting capital cities in the
world attracting millions of visitors each year. It's also one of the
safest. As in any large, busy city, however, crime can sometimes be a
problem so you do need to take care about personal safety and looking
after your belongings. These pages give advice on what you can do to make
your visit to London safer and more enjoyable.
• In your hotel: Avoid leaving valuables in your room - keep them in the
hotel safety box or safe. Keep a record of your personal belongings such
as cameras, credit cards, passports and travellers cheques. Note down the
numbers - it may help police to identify them if they do get lost or
stolen. When you leave the hotel, make sure the door of your room is firmly
closed. Always hand your key in to the reception staff or use the key box
- don't leave it on the reception desk. Remember that hotel lobbies and
reception areas are open to the public so don't leave your bags or any
valuables lying on the floor unattended at any time.
• Out and about: Keep your bag or camera where you can see them by wearing
them in front of you, not over your shoulder. This is especially important
if you are in a crowded area such as on a bus or an underground train.
When in restaurants, bars, theatres or cinemas never leave your bag on the
floor or over the back of your chair. Keep it where you can see it.
• Only buy theatre or concert tickets from reliable sources and not from
'touts' in the street.
• If you're out and about at night on foot try to keep to busy, well-lit
areas.
• When travelling by bus or train try to avoid using stations in isolated
places. When possible sit near the driver on buses, and on trains try to
make sure you sit in a compartment where there are other people.
• Only use taxis that have been licensed by the police. These are easily
recognised by a licence on display and the driver wearing a badge.
• Take extra care when crossing the road. Always remember to look both
ways as traffic may be coming from a different direction than you are
expecting.
• Weapons and drugs: Be aware that it is a criminal offence to carry
weapons such as knives and guns in the UK. Unlike some other European
countries it is also illegal to carry CS spray. Remember that it is
against the law to be in possession of 'classified' drugs this includes
cannabis, marijuana and hashish.
Soho: Although few in number there are some types of bars in the Soho
area of the West End that you may wish to avoid. These bars sometimes
advertise sex shows and may charge very high prices for non-alcoholic
drinks, often served by hostesses. In addition to the cost of your drinks
you may also be charged for the company of the hostesses and the drinks
consumed by them. So be aware of what sort of premises you are entering
and if in doubt don't go in.
• You may be approached by persons offering sexual services for money.
They will ask for money first and then make an excuse to leave telling you
to meet them shortly at a nearby address. You should have nothing to do
with them. You will most likely never see them or your money again. If you
do get caught, report it at once to the local police who will deal with
the matter sympathetically.
• Finally remember the police are there to help you. If anything does go
wrong and your possessions are lost or stolen then contact the police at
the earliest opportunity. IN AN EMERGENCY REQUIRING POLICE, FIRE OR
AMBULANCE SERVICE DIAL 999.
• Smoking is not permitted on the London Underground system or on buses,
but is allowed in selected carriages on the National Rail network
• Keep personal belonging with you at all times to avoid delays caused by
security alerts (abandoned luggage may be destroyed)
• Be aware that pickpockets and ticket touts operate in busy areas
• Traveling outside the 'rush hour' 0800-0930 and 1700-1800 Monday-Friday
is easier and more comfortable.
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