United Kingdom

Good to know

1. 1The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and each has its own character, and in some cases its own parliament or assembly and its own legal traditions.
2. 2English is spoken everywhere, but you will also hear Welsh on road signs and in daily life in Wales, and Scottish Gaelic and Irish in some parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
3. 3The currency is the pound sterling, and Scotland and Northern Ireland also have their own banknotes, which are valid across the UK even if a shop in England occasionally hesitates to take them.
4. 4Traffic drives on the left, and the plugs have three rectangular pins, so most visitors will need an adapter.
5. 5A traditional Sunday roast, fish and chips, a full cooked breakfast and afternoon tea are all part of everyday British eating, and the pub is where many people meet to eat and talk.
6. 6London alone has world-famous museums such as the British Museum and the Natural History Museum, and many national museums across the UK are free to enter.

Tips for a first visit

• Trains link most big cities, and booking ahead usually gives a better choice of times. Remember that a seat reservation and a ticket are not always the same thing.
• Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, including small shops and on buses in many cities, so you rarely need much cash.
• Queue properly and wait your turn, whether at a bus stop, a bar or a shop counter. Jumping a queue is one of the few things that will really annoy people.
• In a pub you usually order and pay at the bar rather than waiting at your table, and tipping is not expected for drinks there.
• Pack a light waterproof whatever the month, because the weather can change several times in a day.
• When driving, allow extra time on rural roads, which can be narrow, winding and shared with sheep.

When to go

Late spring and summer, from May to September, bring the longest days and the best chance of mild weather, which suits walking and visiting the countryside, though popular places are busiest then. Autumn is quieter, with colourful woodland and cooler air, while winter is dark and damp but good for theatre, museums, cosy pubs and Christmas markets. Rain can fall in any season, especially in the west.

Getting around

Most people travel between UK cities by train, which is fast and frequent on the main routes, for example between London, Manchester, Edinburgh and many others. Long-distance coaches are a slower and often cheaper alternative, and domestic flights exist for longer trips, such as to the Scottish islands or Northern Ireland. A car is useful for the Highlands, Wales and the English countryside, where public transport is thinner.