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General Information For Your Trip To Great Britain |
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Click on BTA for information on where to find British Tourism Authority offices around the world. Check the index below and click on the information you seek. If you do not find the answer to your question, just e-mail me and I will try to get back with you. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
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Just What Is Great
Britain?
When talking of Great Britain we are normally speaking of England,
Scotland, and Wales.
For most people, the first stop in Great Britain is London which to me is one of the best cities in
the world! However, there is a lot more to Great Britain than London. In order to get a "feel" for
the country you have to first know what's where and what is in each area of Great Britain. This section
is set up to help you get acquainted with Great Britain by describing, in brief, the various areas of
Great Britain.
You may also want to check the pages for The
Republic of Ireland and Northern
Ireland.
Scroll down to find the areas in which you are most interested.
London
The Thames Valley
The Southeast
The South
The West
The "Heart of England"
Shakespeare's Country
East Anglia
Lancashire Area and The Peaks
The Lake District
Yorkshire
The Northeast
The Channel Islands
The Welsh Border Area
Wales
Scotland
Hopefully what is above has given you a nice overview of Great Britain. Now, be sure to check the information
below, especially if this is your first trip to Great Britain. Also, check the rest of the links,
Getting There, England, Scotland, and Wales along with the link for
hotels for additional information and links. In the mean time, feel free to contact me if you have specific
questions about Great Britain.
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General Information To Help You
Plan Your Trip To Great Britain
This area contains a lot of good information to help you plan your visit to Great Britain. Just check the
index below and click on the information you seek. If you do not find the answer to your question,
just e-mail me and I will try to get back with you.
Getting Around Within Great Britain
What are the normal business hours in Great Britain?
Customs and Duties
Dining in Great Britain
Driving Through Great Britain
Accommodations in Great Britain
What about the electricity?
Money Matters
Telephones
Weather
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
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Getting
Around Within Great Britain
Once you arrive in Great Britain you have a variety of ways to get around to visit all of the areas
of this wonderful region. You can take guided tours, plan your own tours using a combination of
air, rail, bus, and rental car, or even see the country from the deck or a barge or from the seat of
a bicycle. In addition, there are thousands of miles of footpaths that will allow you to actually walk
just about everywhere in these beautiful islands.
Just click on the mode of transportation in which you are interested in knowing more about and
begin planning how you will get around Great Britain.
Air Travel Within Great Britain
Train Travel Within Great Britain
Car Rental In Great Britain
Bus Travel Within Great Britain
Barge Travel and Barge Vacations In Great Britain
Ferry Service In and Around Great Britain
Britain On A Bike!
Walking Through Britain
Air Travel Within
Great Britain
Unlike the United States internal air travel seems to not be very important in Great Britain. This is due
partly to the size of the area, it being much smaller than the United States, and the excellent network
of train system and bus lines. In fact, if you will be traveling less than 200 miles, take the train. It is much
quicker. Especially when you figure in the drive time from the airports to the city centers as compared
to most train stations which will drop you right in the heart of everything. However, if you are planning
to travel between the major cities such as London, Edinburgh, or Glasgow; or if you will be going
somewhere where a sea crossing is involved such as to Dublin, Belfast, the Scottish islands, the
Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man; you might prefer to fly as it would be a considerable time
advantage for you.
Here is some information for you if you do plan to fly in Great Britain. British Airways
(British Airways) operates
shuttle services between London' Heathrow Airport and Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and
Manchester. Normally passengers do not need a reservation and you can get a flight
(sometimes hourly) without booking. There are also shuttle services from Gatwick. British Midland
(British Midland - 0208/745-7321) operates out
of Heathrow to Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, Leeds, and Teesside.
If you are headed for the Isle of Man you can fly Manx Airlines
(Manx Airlines - 0345/256256) from Heathrow and
London Luton. And, if it is the Channel Islands you are bound for, Jersey is served by British Airways
(from Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, and Plymouth), British Midlands
(from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford) Jersey European Jersey European
(from Birmingham, Exeter,
Gatwick), and Air UK Air UK (Southampton and
Stansted).
Return to Getting Around Index
Train Travel
Within Great Britain
Traveling by train is far and away the most popular way to get around in Great Britain. You can get just
about anywhere by train. And, if you can't get there by train, it is a good bet you can catch a bus at the
station that will get you where you want to go!
Although you can just walk up to any ticket window and buy a ticket to just about anywhere you like
while you are in Great Britain, many people opt to purchase a BritRail Pass (Brit Rail Pass Information) which will give you unlimited
travel over the entire British Rail Network and will save you money. However, you must purchase
the BritRail Pass before leaving the United States. And, if you do not plan to use it a lot, it is still less
expensive just to purchase point-to-point tickets at a station after you arrive in Great Britain. BritRail
Passes are available from most travel agents and from BritRail Travel International. However, before
you purchase a pass, and there are several different passes to choose from with many different pricing
structures, look over their literature very carefully or discuss it with your travel agent before you maker
your purchase. Figure out where and how often you plan on using the train, and then compare the
price of the pass you will need with the cost of point-to-point tickets.
If you want the flexibility of a car along with the speed of the train, you might want to consider
purchasing a BritRail/Drive Pass. (Brit Rail/Drive Pass Information) Again, there are several different combinations you may purchase
so, do your homework before you purchase.
You can also purchase a BritRail + Eurostar FlexiPass that includes a round-trip through the
Channel Tunnel to Paris. Other than flying, the "Chunnel" is the quickest and easiest way to get
across the English Channel. (I still prefer the ferry as I enjoy the relaxing ride with a good book
sitting beside the rail and watching the waves go by. However, it certainly is not fast!) The rail ride
under the English Channel takes about 35 minutes from Folkestone to Calais, or about an hour from
motorway in England to motorway in France. From London's Waterloo Station to Paris's Gare du Nord
the time is about three hours. For passenger service you can contact Eurostar Information (Waterloo International,
0345/881881) or InterCity Europe (Victoria Station, 0207/834-2345). In the United States contact
BritRail Travel (1-800-677-8585) or Rail Europe Information (1-800-942-4866). If you need to transport your car
through the Chunnel, contact Le Shuttle Eurotunnel Official Web Site (1-800-388-3876 in the U.S. or 0990/353535 in the U.K.
And remember, just because you have a rail pass does not necessarily guarantee you a seat on the
train. You may still have to book your seats in advance. Seat reservations are required on some
European trains, particularly the high-speed trains, and it is always a good idea to always call ahead
and make a reservation. Especially on very busy trains such as during the summer or to popular
tourist destinations. And, you always have to book ahead if you want sleeping accommodations.
Return to Getting Around Index
Car Rental in
Great Britain
I enjoy driving in Great Britain and do not seem to have much of a problem driving on the "wrong
side of the road." The only real problem I seem to have is shifting with my left hand! If you are going
to rent a car in Great Britain here are a few suggestions. One, make sure you have a good map, map
your route in advance and write it down on in a small notebook with directions on where to turn and
such (keeping in mind that most British road signs will normally point you to a place and, even if you
cannot keep the road straight in your mind, keep the place in your mind and keep following the signs
leading to that "place"), and a navigator who can help you navigate - especially in the
round-abouts!
Second, keep your cool. And lastly, DON'T DRIVE IN LONDON! Just kidding. I drive in London,
I just don't enjoy driving in London!
To get the best deal in a rental car you should use the Internet or go through your travel agent. Or,
both! Here are the major companies operating in Great Britain: Alamo (1-800-879-2847, in the
UK, 0800/2723000), Avis (1-800-331-1212, in the UK, 081/848-8765), Budget (1-800-527-0700, in the UK, 0800/181181), Dollar, which is known as
Euro-Dollar in Britain (1-800-800-4000, in the UK, 0990/65656), Hertz (1-800-654-3001, or in the
UK, 0345/555888), and National Inter-Rent, known as Europcar Inter-Rent in Britain, (1-800-227-3876,
or in the UK, 0345/222525).
You might also want to look into renting from one of the major wholesalers: Auto Europe
(1-800-223-5555), Europe by Car (1-800-223-1516), DER Travel Services (1-800-782-2424), or the
Kemwel Group (1-800-678-1678).
In Great Britain you can drive on your own driver's license. However, an International
Driver's Permit is a good idea. They are available from the American Automobile Association. And, before
you drive anywhere in Great Britain, or in Europe, be sure you are familiar with the series of
international road signs. You can also get a copy of them from the American Automobile Association.
And, as you would be here in the United States, you will be held accountable for any damages, both
to the rental car, other cars, or even people. Check with your insurance agent before you leave the
states and see what your coverage will be if you rent a car overseas. Then, check to make sure
you "fill in the gaps" with any additional coverage you might need while operating the rental car
overseas. Also, beware of surcharges for drop-offs or one-way services. Also, just a word of
warning, I have sometimes found that there is very little gas (oops, petrol) in the tank when you
get your rental car. Be sure to check the tank and ask about refueling procedures before leaving
the office.
Moto
Europa - If you are visiting Belgium, England (Office is in London), France, Germany, the
Netherlands, Italy, Portugal or Spain, why rent a car when you can lease from
Moto
Europa. Getting Away
has teamed with
Ideamerge to provide an online way for you to learn more about, and
perhaps subsequently order, a Renault Eurodrive tax-free, short-term auto
lease. These leases can be great deals for persons traveling 17 days or
more! And, this is the only site on the web where you can learn so
much about them and order securely online. Tax-free, short-term leases
have the touch and feel of a rental but can be much less costly
and, in many respects, much simpler. You book and pay for your lease
before taking delivery, signing a contract which allows Renault to register
and fully insure in your name the exact vehicle of your choice
for the period you requested. You do not, of course, pay the full price of
the vehicle; the one low chargetax-free and including full
comprehensive insurance and breakdown coverage, 24/7 roadside assistance, and
full warrantyis essentially the difference between preset buying and
selling prices. After returning the vehicle, you have no further
obligations whatsoever; Renault sells the vehicle to a rental agency or other
party.
Check
it out today before you rent a car!
Return to Getting Around Index
Bus Travel Within
Great Britain
Britain has a wonderful and comprehensive bus and coach system. Just to set things straight, and
so you will talk like a traveler and not a "tourist," busses are used for short distances and coaches
are used for long distances. The busses and coaches are less expensive than traveling by train.
Normally by at least half. However, it is still slower to travel by bus. But then, it is a great way to
see the country. The "Rapide" coaches do reduce the margin of time quite a bit as they are long-distance
and normally use the motorways quite a bit. The seats on these coaches are quite comfortable
(Not necessarily to be said for the seats on some of the busses.) and all coaches have washroom
facilities on board. They also offer meal and rest stops on longer trips.
National Express, and the Scottish associate, Scottish Citylink, are the two largest British operators.
Victoria Coach Station in London is the hub of National Express (Glasgow for Scottish
Citylink)
which also has offices at both Heathrow and Gatwick. The National Express system has over
1,500 destinations and about 2,500 agents nationwide. National Express also offers a Tourist
Trail Pass (from about £50 to about £180) which will allow you from 3 consecutive days of travel
to 15 out of 30 days of travel. Students and persons under 25 may purchase a Discount Coach
Card (for about £8) that will qualify you to discounts of up to 30%. The Tourist Trail Pass can also
be purchased in the United States from British Travel International (1-800-327-6097).
For additional information contact National Express at Victoria Station, Buckingham Palace Road,
London SW1W 9TP (0990/808080) or Scottish Citylink in Glasgow (0990/505050).
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Barge Travel
and Barge Vacations in Great Britain
There are many people who swear that the best way to see many parts of Great Britain is on one
of the brightly painted, narrow barges that cruise the many canals of the area. If you believe you
would like to sample this type of a vacation you should first request a copy of the booklet Inland
Waterway Holidays from the BTA, the British Tourist Authority.
(1-800-462-2748 or British Tourist Authority) You might
also want to check with one of the following:
Inland Waterways Association (114 Regents Park Road, London NW1 8UQ, 0207/586-2510),
British Waterways (Willow Grange, Church Road, Watford WD1 3QA, 01923/226422), or U.K.
Waterway Holidays (1 Port Hill, Hertford, SG14 1PJ, 10992/550616).
Return to Getting Around Index
Ferry Service
in and around Great Britain
There is also an extensive ferry service in Great Britain.
The Isle of Wight... (0990/827744) operates a car-ferry between the mainland and the Isle
of Wight. Ferry travels between Lymington and Yarmouth and takes about 35 minutes. There is also
a crossing between Portsmouth (Southsea) to Fishbourne that takes about 40 minutes. Red Funnel
Ferries (01703/330333) operates a car-ferry and hydrofoil service between Southampton and
Cowes.
Hovertravel (01983/811000) has a hovercraft shuttle between Byde and Southsea that takes about
10 minutes.
The Channel Islands...If you want to do a little island hopping in the Channel Islands, there is an
extensive ferry system that will allow you to do so. Fast hydrofoils skip around to all of the islands.
Sark can be reached from Guernsey in less than an hour by Sark Shipping (01481/724059) or from
Jersey by Emeraude (01534/66566). Herm is only about 15 minutes from Guernsey by Herm Seaways
(01481/724677), Munson Herm Ferry (01481/722613), or Trident Charter Company (01481/721379).
Ferries also operate daily regular schedules to the continent and to Ireland. Check out the links
below for just about all of the information you will need to get from Great Britain to the European
continent.
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Return to Getting Around Index
Britain on a
Bike!
One of the best ways to explore Britain, if you have the time, is on a bicycle. Although they are
banned from the motorways and most dual carriageways and main trunk roads, all of the side roads
and country lanes are open and welcome bicycles. Many part of Britain also have bicycle routes in
towns and thorough parts of the countryside. Cyclists can also legally use public bridle ways green,
unsurfaced tracks and trails reserved for horses, walkers, and cyclists. If you are really into doing
Britain on a bike, be sure to obtain one of the Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 maps to help you plan
your cycling.
Return to Getting Around Index
Walking Through
Britain
Great Britain is criss-crossed by wonderful footpaths and meandering trails. In fact, over 100,000
miles of footpaths are located throughout England and Wales. They range from short, local paths
to very long treks such as Peddar's Way in East Anglia and the Pennine Way in Yorkshire. I especially
like the Cotswold Way as it is one of the more scenic walks in the world. It stretches between Bath
and Chipping Campden (two of my favorite English cities) for a distance of about 100 miles and
affords incomparable views. Contact me if you would like additional information on walks in Great
Britain.
Return to Getting Around Index
What are the normal
business hours in Great Britain?
Stores and Shops...The normal business hours are Monday Saturday from 9 to 5:30. Hours vary for
Sunday openings with many of the smaller shops staying open most afternoons, and even some of the
larger stores. Many times Sunday openings vary by locality and community. When you get outside of
the main city centers, most shops will close at 1 p.m. one day a week normally Wednesday or Thursday.
In many small villages many will also close for lunch. In the larger cities especially in London you will
find many of the large department stores open as late as 8 p.m. at least one day a week.
Restaurants...Hours for restaurants vary by the needs of the communities they serve and the desires
of the owners. You will find many open seven days a week and find they normally close sometime
between 10:00 and 11:30 p.m.
Pubs...Pubs are generally open Monday through Saturday from 11 to 11 (Early for a nice "pub lunch" and
late for a nightcap.), and on Sunday from about 11 (sometimes noon) to about 10:30.
Museums...Most are open daily with opening times varying, but normally around 9 or 10, and closing
around 5 to 6. Most also are closed one day a week. Often times on a Monday. There are also
normally limited hours on Sunday as most are only open in the afternoon. Check your guidebook for
specific details.
Attractions...As in the United States, most attractions are open daily with limited hours in the winter
and on Sunday. Check your guidebook for specific details.
Banks...Most banks are open weekdays from 9:30 4:30. Some have evening hours on Thursday,
and a few are open on Saturday mornings. Check your guide book for a listing of the "bank holidays" for
the areas in which you are traveling.
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Customs and
Duties
When you are doing your shopping in Great Britain, whether it be for personal items or souvenirs, be
sure to keep your receipts especially for any large purchases. Upon reentering the country you may
be called upon to show customs officials what you've bought and produce your recipes.
Entering Great Britain...There are basically two levels of duty-free allowances for travelers entering
Great Britain one for goods bought outside of the EU and the other for good bought in the EU
(Belgium, Greece, Holland, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, France, the Irish Republic, Spain, Germany,
and Luxembourg). For Americans (outside of the EU) you may bring in 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos
or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; two liters of wine, one liter of alcohol over 22% by volume, two
liters of alcohol under 22% by volume, or two more liters of table wine; 60 milliliters of perfume; and
other goods up to a value of about $250. There is more but, who really cares. Just do not pack
the house when you go and you will be okay!
Entering the United States...Getting back into the states can be another thing. Here you will want
to be careful. You may bring home $400 worth of foreign goods duty-free if you've been out of the
country for at least 48 hours. And, there is a lot more "stuff" to worry about (Or not worry about which
is the way I do it. I seldom purchases anything of real value. And, if I do, I make sure I have all of
my ducks in order, make my claim at customs, and pay my duty.) if you are so inclined. However,
as this is not intended to be a legal description of what you can and can not do in the way of customs
and duty, check out the links below or contact the U.S. Customs Service.
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Dining in Great
Britain
Great Britain is one place you can spend a lot of money on meals and not get a lot for your money.
Restaurants can be very expensive for what they offer. Most restaurants post a menu outside where
you can check the prices and the offerings before you enter. My rule is if there is not a posted menu,
don't go in!
To save money on dining you should frequent the pubs, wine bars, and bistros which all normally
offer reasonably priced meals often in very interesting surroundings. I often enjoy "pub grub" for
lunches. However, most pubs do not offer service and you will have to go up to the bar for your meal
and your drinks. And, a caution about drinks. Be careful and watch the prices for drinks. If you order
water you will probably get a very small bottle for the same price you would purchase a 2-liter bottle in
a grocery or supermarket. I normally carry a bottle or two of drinking water with me in my backpack.
I normally plan on one or two "nice dinners" while I am traveling and carefully select the restaurant for
a combination of good food and an interesting dining experience. Most of my meals are in pubs or "take
away," the British equivalent of carry out. I also take many of my meals in the smaller inns you can find
all over Britain. Many times I will stop in a grocery for meat, cheese, bread, and fruit and just find a small
park in which to dine. One of my favorite meals was alongside the Avon in Stratford with a little meat,
cheese, and fresh bread as I watch the swans swim by.
Mealtimes in Great Britain are a little different that what you might be used to in the states. Breakfast
is normally served between 7:30 and 9:00. A "full English breakfast" is rather large and normally includes
eggs, beans, meat, and tomatoes along with toast and coffee or tea. Lunch is normally anywhere
between noon and 2:00. Tea which is a meal in itself in many locations is normally between
4:00 and 5:30. Dinner, or supper as it is often called in Britain, is usually sometime between
7:30 and 9:30. In some areas, High Tea (at about 6:00) replaces dinner or supper.
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Driving Through
Great Britain
Driving in Great Britain is different. For one reason the roads are very crowded perhaps more
crowded than anywhere else in the world. There are well over 55 million people in an area that is a little
more than half the size of California it has to be crowded! However, when you get out into the countryside
you will find that driving can really be enjoyable and sometime, an adventure for although the roads
do not have as many vehicles on them, they are narrow very narrow.
Types of Roads...When planning a motor trip in Britain you need to understand the markings of the
roads so you will know what you are getting yourself into. There is a very fine network of roads in
Britain and I would rather drive there than in the United States. The largest roads are superhighways
called "motorways" (similar to our expressways) and are designated with the prefix M. They are
normally shown in blue on most maps and road signs and are mainly two or three lanes in each direction,
and right turns are not permitted. You will not find any signals on the motorways. However, unlike in
the states, they normally do not go thorough the major cities as our do. They will oftentimes just
sort of "dump" you right into the heart of the city! Service stations and plazas are located on all of the
motorways and are normally open 24 hours. Many of these have restaurants and shops and even
hotels or motels.
You will also find many divided highways (called dual carriageways) in Britain. These are normally
shown on most maps and on signs in red or green. They will carry the prefix A and some sections
will have black-edged, thick lines, have traffic lights and circles (round-abouts), and right turns are
sometimes permitted. These roads would be similar to our major U.S. and state highways. You will
also find many roads with the designation of B. These roads would be similar to many of our better
county roads and most are paved. I have found that much of the best scenery will be found along
the "B" roads.
There is also a vast system of lesser roads which are, for the most part, old coach or turnpike roads.
And, many of these roads are still as narrow now as they were then! These minor roads (normally
drawn in yellow or white on the maps) Although traveling on these roads will take you more time you
will enjoy the driving them as you will see a lot more! However, be warned that you may be met by
tractors or other farm vehicles and they seem to enjoy taking the right-of-way. Just mover over and
let them by! Also, many of these roads with be potholed, have switchbacks, and be littered with blind
corners and cowpats. And again, as they are hardly wide enough for one car let alone for two
cars to pass. Just be prepared to reverse into a passing place if you meet an oncoming car or truck.
Rules of the Road...
BE SURE DRIVE ON THE LEFT IN BRITAIN! This seems to be the hardest thing people have to
get used to. For me it was not a problem. However, learning to shift with my left hand was! Driving
on the left does take a bit of getting used to. However, the roads are well marked and signed making
it easier than you might think. The best advice I can give you is to take it slow at first and always make
sure you understand your route. Study your map before leaving the airport (I actually plan my driving
trips before leaving the states. I "map them out" on the map and write all of my turns out on paper.
I normally then type it so I can have a sheet to give my wife for her to read and follow along with the
map as we drive. She then becomes my "navigator." This seems to work very well for us.) And make
sure you are sure of your route. And again, take the first few miles slowly to give yourself time to
adjust to the differences.
The use of seat belts is mandatory in the front seat and in the back seat where they exist.
Speed limits are complicated and the police can be very hard on speeders. The speed limits are shown
on circular red signs. The normal speed limit in urban areas is 30 mph and 40 mph on the major roads.
In rural areas the limit is normally 60 mph on ordinary roads and 70 mph on the motorways. At the
round-abouts (traffic circles) the circulation is clockwise and entering motorists must give way to
cars coming from their right. It will take you a little while to get used to moving through the
round-abouts.
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Accommodations in
Great Britain
Normally when I travel in Britain I look for the small, older hotels that seem to have more character
than the newer, high-rise hotels that are similar to those we see in America. After all, I am in a foreign
country and I want things to be "different." I want to experience new and interesting things even
with my choice of accommodations. I also look for more "alternative types of lodging" such as bed
and breakfast locations or small inns.
Hotels
Bed and Breakfast
Historic Buildings and Castles
Cottages
Home Exchanges
Apartment and House Rentals
Youth Hostels
University Housing
Hotels...Most people who visit Great Britain stay in hotels. You can find additional information on hotels
and other lodging opportunities on the individual country pages on this site. However, just a word t
o the wise, you will find the accommodation here a little less than you might expect in the United
States. Many of the hotels are old and many of the rooms are small. The prices are normally higher
than you might expect in the U.S. and you will seldom get as much for your dollar (oops pound).
Also, many of the older hotels may not have ensuite rooms (rooms with bath), or may only have some
rooms that are ensuite. And, many of the older hotels may not have lifts (elevators). Make sure you
know what you are getting when you book a hotel room in Britain. Check with your travel agent.
Look in the accommodations sections in the guide books. And check out the Internet. And remember,
prices in London are significantly higher than in the countryside and most of the other major towns and
cities of Britain.
For more specific information on accommodations in Britain, including some interesting links, just click
on the type of accommodation in which you are most interested.
Return to Accommodations Index
Bed and Breakfast...Bed and Breakfast seems to be a national tradition in Britain. There seem
to be more here than anywhere else in the world. Although most are in family homes, not all of them
are in houses. Many are just small hotels. Also, few of them (the ones in the homes) have private
bathrooms. Many B&Bs are actually guest houses. They are a little more expensive, but very nice.
One of the best thing about staying in a bed and breakfast is that they normally give you a nice
insight to the way the British live.
Haywards Heath...
New Farm House, Haywards Heath (Gatwick), West Sussex
| Stay in a farm house in the heart of the Sussex! Located close to Gatwick and less than an hour away from London by rail. New Farm House is centrally located making it easy to enjoy the charming Sussex villages and your hosts, Allan and Christine Haddrell will make your visit one you will long remember. |  |
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Historic Buildings and Castles...You can find many historic building and castles in which to stay in Britain. This can be an interesting, and sometimes entertaining way to spend the night. How about spending the night in a gothic banqueting house, a seaside castle, an old lighthouse, or perhaps even in an apartment at Hampton Court Palace? All are possible. For additional information contact the following: The National Trust (Box 536, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 8SX, 01225/705676), Landmark Trust (Shottesbrooke, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 3SW, 01628/825925), Rural Retreats (Retreat House, Station Road, Blockley, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9DZ), or Pormeirion Cottages (Hotel Pormeirion, Gwynedd, Wales LL48 6ET). Many of these historic buildings are self-catering and, for a little while anyway, you can almost believe you are living there!
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Cottages...It can also be fun to spend the night, or several nights, in a little cottage perhaps in the Cotswolds. Cottages, along with furnished apartments, houses, and even trailers are available in all area of the country. They vary from brand-new buildings to quaint, old country cottages and farmhouses. They often offer the best value for you money, but can sometimes be in very out-of-the-way places. You can obtain a listing of Rental properties from the BTA (1-800-462-2748). And, if you travel in the off season (October through March) you can often save about 50%. A good book you might want to get is the Good Holiday Cottage Guide from Swallow Press (1-800-430-8096).
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Home Exchanges...You can also join a home exchange program and exchange your home for someone else's. HomeLink International (1-800-638-3841) can give you all of the details about this interesting program.
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Apartment and House Rentals...For long-term stays you might want to consider renting an apartment or a house. Furnished rentals can save you quite a bit of money and can be excellent if you have a family to consider. Here are some links you can check for additional information:
Villas International
Get Away Homes.com
The London Connection
Interhome Rentals
Home Tours Information
Europa-Let
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Youth Hostels...There must be well over 300 youth hostels throughout Britain. They range from very basic accommodations to almost luxurious. Some even have private rooms for families. And, although they are listed as "youth" hostels, there really is not any age discrimination. Almost anyone of any age is welcome in most. However, be warned that they do cater to the youth crowd and if this would be bothersome to you, stay somewhere else. For information contact one of the following: Hostelling International - American Youth Hostels (733 15th Street, NW, Suite 840, Washington, DC 20005, 202/783-6161), Youth Hostel Association of England and Wales (Trevelyan House, 8 St. Stephen's Hill, Street, Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 2DY, 01727/855215)
| Book Hostels in the United Kingdom Online You can also find a hostel almost anywhere in the world through Experience Paradise, a partner of Getting Away. |
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University Housing...In many of the larger cities, and even the smaller "college towns," you can
sometimes stay in the residence halls of universities and colleges. The facilities are often very compact,
single sleeping units that can be rented for an overnight. However, they normally only have vacancies
when schools are out of term. For information contact the British Universities Accommodation
Consortium (Box 1450, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, 01159/504571)
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What about the
Electricity?
If you plan to use your U.S. purchased electrical appliances, be sure to bring a converter and an
adapter. The electrical current in Great Britain is 240 volts and 50 cycles of alternating current which
will really wreck havoc with most American made products. They also have "funny" wall outlets which
take plugs with two round oversized prongs. If it is only a hair dryer you need, check with your hotel
for many of them have them in the bathroom. And never, never plug your hair dryer into the outlet
that states it is for "shavers only." It is best to purchase a conversion kit and take it with you so you
will have several different adaptors available for your use.
If you do plan to use U.S.-made electric appliances while you are in Great Britain, you will need an adapter plug.
Unlike wall outlets in the United States, which accept plugs with two flat prongs, outlets in Britain take plugs with three
prongs. And adapter will allow you to plug your American cord into a British outlet. And, unless the appliance
is dual-voltage and made for travel, you'll also need a converter to convert the electrical current.
If you will be using a laptop while in Britain you will also have to be careful. New laptop computers are normally
auto-sensing and operate equally well on 110 and 220 volts. Therefore you should only need the appropriate
adapter plug. If you are using an older laptop computer I would suggest you carry a transformer. Be sure to
check your manual for additional information or contact the manufacturer on line or by telephone. You can
also find good information in the free brochure, Foreign Electricity is No Deep Dark Secret.
Just send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Franzus Company, Customer Service, Dept. B50, Murtha
Industrial Park, Box 142, Beacon Falls, CT 06403, tel. 203/723-6664. You can also get some good information
by writing to Voltage Valet Division, Hybrinetics, Inc., 225 Sutton Place, Santa Rosa, California 95407.
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US To Great Britain Adaptor Plug - Adapts two-pronged US and Continental Europe style plugs to old England style outlets.
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US To Great Britain Adaptor Plug (Old Style)
- Adapts two-pronged US and Continental Europe style
plugs to old England style outlets.
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Money Matters
The British Pound...Britain uses the pound sterling as their unit of currency. The pound is divided
into 100 pence (p). The bills are 50, 20, 10, and 5 pounds. Both Scotland and the Channel Islands
have their own £1 bills and it is best to get rid of them while you are there and not take them into
England. Coins are £2, £1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1p. The exchange rate varies so check this site
(Currency Converter) for the current rate. Here is another good
site you should check (Conversion Sheet). It will give
you a conversion sheet you can take with you on your trip.
Currency Exchange...The most favorable place to exchange money is normally at a bank. And,
although ATM transactions may be a little more expensive there, Cirrus and Plus exchange rates
are quite good. Try not to exchange at airports, train stations, hotels, restaurants, or stores. And if
you plan to use the change booths, be sure of your exchange rate and the discount rate and any
additional charges. I never leave the United States without at least a small amount of the local
currency for the country to which I am traveling so I know I will have money as soon as I arrive.
I normally exchange at Thomas Cook (1-800-287-7362) or sometimes at my local bank - if I give
them enough notice.
| Commission free foreign currency delivered to your door. Transfer money to over 150 countries with Direct FX. Simple, secure and cost-effective money transfer service provided to you from Getting Away and Direct FX. Click here to order commission free foreign currency and travelers' checks. |
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Travelers' Checks...I normally take some with me as I enjoy the security. I often never use them,
but am just happy to have them. I get them free from my bank and if I come home with them I just
deposit them back into my savings account at the bank. If you will be using travelers' checks, be
sure you have cash with you when you are in rural areas as they can sometimes be hard to cash.
Be sure you record the numbers of your travelers' checks and make three copies (along with the
information on your credit card, including the 800 number to call if it is lost or stolen) you can keep
in three different locations. I normally leave one copy at home with a responsible person, keep
another in my money belt, and the third in the safe at my hotel. I normally travel with a combination
of some travelers' checks, local currency, American currency, and my credit card.
ATMS...Many people like to use an ATM card. I don't even own one! I refuse to pay for getting to my
own money. If you do use one, make sure that your credit cards have been pre-programmed for
ATM use in Great Britain. Check with the bank cardholder for information on how to accomplish this.
For ATM location you can contact your bank for a listing of Plus locations and call 1-800-424-7787
for Cirrus.
Tipping...Many restaurants and most hotels add a service charge of from 10% to 15% to your bill. If this is not
noted on your bill (I still sometimes ask is service has been included.), you may add the same, if you
believe the service warrants it. Taxi drivers expect about the same.
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Telephones
The country code for the United Kingdom is 44. When dialing a British number from the U.S., drop
the 0 from the local area code. London has two local area codes, 0207 is for the center part of the
city and 0208 is for outer London. To call the operator just dial 100. For information dial 192 and dial
153 for international directory inquiries. For access codes dial: for AT&T USADirect (1-800-874-4000),
MCI Call USA (1-800-444-4444), and Sprint Express (1-800-793-1153)
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Weather
The weather varies more in Great Britain than just about anywhere else I have ever traveled.
I always take clothing I can "layer" when I travel in Britain. To know what the weather is you can
check with the weather channel (Weather Channel - The United Kingdom) for the current weather
and forecasts from 3 to 5 days, or send me a SASE (with two first-class stamps) and I will send you
information on what and how to pack and averages temperatures and rainfall. You can also
call the Weather Channel (1-900-932-8437) from a Touch-Tone telephone for a cost
of 95 cents a minute.
If your travels will take you to other locations in Europe, check this site for the current weather conditions
in almost any major city in Europe. European Weather Forecasts
I would like to especially thank Vic Bosman for helping me with this site. If you have a question on England,
perhaps he can help. Just click here (Questions for Vic) to ask him a question.
And if you do want to ask him a question, please make your question very specific and not something like,
"We are going to London. What should we see and do?"
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Great Britain Links
World66.com is a great resource for information on Britain and the rest of the world. And, in addition to perhaps finding the information you are looking for, you are welcome to share your knowledge. Check out World66 today and, if you do send them some information about Great Britain, be sure to send it to Getting Away also. Jim. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
| Commission free foreign currency delivered to your door. Transfer money to over 150 countries with Direct FX. Simple, secure and cost-effective money transfer service provided to you from Getting Away and Direct FX. Click here to order commission free foreign currency and travelers' checks. |
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Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
| "lastminute.com encourages spontaneous, romantic and sometimes adventurous behaviour by offering people the chance to live their dreams at unbeatable prices!" If this is what you are looking for, you may want to check it out! |
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If you live in the
UK, visit Best Travel Deals |
BritishShopping.com -
The United Kingdoms biggest UK -specific online shopping directory.
London's West End shows are the best in the world!
London's West End offers the best entertainment in the world! Lion King, Mamma Mia, The King and I, Phantom of the Opera, Witches of Eastwick are just a few of the current top selling shows. LatestEvents.com offer the best seats. Now, for the first time, you can book with confidence and jump the queue for tickets. Our theatre ticket packages offer the very best hotel accommodation in some of the finest 4 star hotels in London. Imagine arriving at your hotel, checking-in, walking straight in to the best seats in the house and not having to worry about getting home! Click here for a full list of shows. You may end up treating yourself!
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Click on BTA for information on where to find British Tourism Authority offices around the world.
| Leisure Direction Limited was established in 1987 and has grown into one of Britain's leading specialist tour operators. Our collection of holidays embraces the whole of Europe from the slopes of the Alps to the flamboyant, cosmopolitan cities of Barcelona and Amsterdam. Common to all, however, is our promise of the highest quality at the lowest possible price the hallmark of every Leisure Direction holiday. At Leisure Direction we treat our customers as individuals, not packages. And, because we know that individuals expect different things from their holidays, we aim to give you the greatest choice and flexibility in the places you visit, the hotels you stay in, even the way you get there. We work hard to provide you with a high level of service and pride ourselves for offering the best value-for-money holidays |
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