The Following is covered:
Air Travel:
Car Hire: Coach Travel:
Railways:
Ships and Ferries: Taxis:
Useful Information:
Alcohol: Chemists:
Currency: Hospitals:
Language: Libraries: Postage:
Religion: Shopping:
Toilet Facilities:
Tourist Information Offices: Travel Agents:
Weather:
AIR TRAVEL:
There are several major International airports
in Britain and a host of smaller local ones.
London currently has three airports, Heathrow,
Gatwick and Stanstead. Be aware that these can take anything up
to an hour to travel to Central London from by public transport
such as rail.
Birmingham, Manchester, Luton, Edinburgh, Prestwick
also have major airports.
There are a number of airlines operating in the
country although the national carrier is British Airways.
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CAR HIRE:
A number of car hire firms operate in Britain.
If you are from a large country such as the United States you will
probably find the journeys short on average. Britain has a very
well established network of motorways and major (A) roads but these
are some of the busiest roads in Europe so times can often be slow.
To hire a car in Britain you will need to hold
a clean driving license.
Petrol and diesel prices are not standard in
in Britain and you will need to fill up where you see a competitive
price offered. Avoid motorway service areas which tend to be expensive
because they have a monopoly. Although urban areas are well served
for filling stations other areas are not. You will probably find
that in the National Parks and major open country locations such
as in Scotland and Wales such stations are few and far between.
Avoid city centre driving if at all possible
as they all have very complicated one way systems and very little
or extremely expensive parking. In London it is often quicker to
walk one mile than to drive because of the volume of traffic. London
has an excellent Underground railway system but other cities and
towns rely on local buses and a few light rail or suburban rail
systems. Local police forces are trying to crack down on speeding
and speed cameras which attract fixed penalty fines are being set
up in many areas in towns and countryside alike.
Possible road traffic congestion throughout Great
Britain can be found on the Frixo
site which uses live traffic sensors and is updated every three
minutes.
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COACH TRAVEL:
National Express is the major national carrier
linking large cities and towns throughout the country. Ticket prices
are significantly cheaper than rail but journey times are often
much longer and can be subject to traffic delays on Britain's busy
roads and motorways. Tickets can be booked through Travel Agents.
There are also many other coach firms operating
journeys to specific places and a network of local buses in each
location operated by different companies.
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RAILWAYS:
Although the rail network is owned by one company
different companies actually run the trains on these tracks so it
is vital to purchase the correct ticket for the actual journey you
want to make. Some companies will link the same two cities but one
will provide express services and another stopping trains so be
aware of your exact needs. Prices can vary dramatically.
Times of trains are published at all railway
stations, by phone and on the Internet. (Check online timetable
here).
Phone enquiries can be costly and will very often require you to
wait in a long queuing system.
Some journeys will require a change in trains
at certain stations. Many trains do not run on time and only major
services are held up if a connecting train is late so plan your
journey times accordingly.
There are also many ticket prices for the same
journey with the same company. These will depend on whether you
book in advance, want return tickets within a specified period or
whether you want to travel at peak times of the day or on public
holidays. Always ask for the cheapest way to travel to your destination
stating where and when you want to go and what day and time you
want to come back.
There is also a choice of First Class or Standard
Class tickets.
Only major Inter City trains have refreshments
on board and only large stations have refreshment facilities.
Most trains have toilets on board.
Engineering works are a fact of life in Britain
and are often done at weekends. Always ask if there are any specific
delays or alterations to the printed timetable.
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SHIPS AND FERRIES:
The major ferry ports connecting Britain with
Europe are mainly on the South Coast. These include, Dover, Folkestone
and Newhaven. However there are major ports at Hull and Newcastle
for the north of England.
Ferries to Ireland depart mainly from the Welsh
coast at Holyhead or the Scottish Coast at Stranraer.
Britain is made up of many islands particularly
in Scotland and there is a network of local public ferries. For
instance the Isle of Wight ferries mainly leave from Portsmouth,
the Isle of Mann ferries leave from Liverpool and many of the Scottish
ferries leave from Oban, Mallaig or Aberdeen.
Southampton, despite the advent of air travel,
is still a major international passenger port.
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TAXIS:
Taxis are expensive in Britain but ideal for
short complicated journeys. There are two types of taxis. Those
which pick up at ranks, such as at stations, which are licensed
by the local authority and Private Hire Vehicles. These must be
booked in advance and are not allowed to pick people up off the
street but are often cheaper than the traditional black cabs.
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USEFUL INFORMATION
ABOUT GREAT BRITAIN:
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, to give it its full title, is made up of the once separate
countries of England and Scotland and the Principality of Wales.
Northern Ireland is still governed from London unlike the rest of
Ireland which is now an independent republic with its capital in
Dublin. Added to this there are other areas such as the Isle of
Man, the Channel Isles, etc, and you will find that the country
has a very rich geography indeed.
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Alcohol:
The hours of opening for Public Houses has
been relaxed in recent years but you will still find some which are
closed in the afternoon. All are open at weekends. Many cafe's and
small restaurants are not licensed to sell alcohol and those that
are will only sell it if taken with a meal.
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Chemists:
These are very numerous in large towns but
less so elsewhere. They open on a rota basis on Sundays and holidays.
Ask at a hotel or police station if you have an emergency need for
one.
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Currency:
The currency is Pounds Sterling sometimes
known as Briish Pounds but Euros are accepted in some shops, etc in
major cities. Money can be exchanged at Airports, Bureau de change
and most banks.
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Hospitals:
One of the things which make Britain great
is its free National Health Service. Accident and Emergency Departments
exist in all major towns and cities. Where there is more than one
hospital in an area the A + E facilities are clearly marked on road
signs.
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Language:
English is spoken everywhere although you
will find that the Welsh language and increasingly Scots Gaelic and
the Cornish tongue are attracting much interest. Regional accents
are often very pronounced and local people proud of their regional
roots. These Islands have welcomed immigrants from all parts of the
world since Roman times and you will find groups of people speaking
many of the European languages and also Asian tongues from the Indian
subcontinent to China and Malaysia.
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Libraries:
Another free service in Britain is its public
library service. Here trained staff will be able to help you with
information on a wide variety of topics and provide you with free
access to the Internet. University and specialist libraries are only
open to students or members of that Institution or by special appointment.
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Postage:
There is a first class and second class service
for letters and postcards which cost different prices. First class
are delivered quicker. Parcels are priced by weight and destination.
Main post offices are in all major towns and cities and sub post offices
can be found in smaller areas. These offer a slightly reduced service.
In 2006 a large letter charge wa sintroduced. Envelopes above a certain
size or thickness cost more to post so if in doubt ask at the Post
Office.
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Religion:
The main religion is Church of England or
Church of Scotland which is Protestant Christian although there are
now nearly as many Catholic churches in Britain. The country also
supports and indeed was the founder of many other religious groups
and sects. You will also find a wide range of international religions
practiced such as Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, etc.
Times of local services are published outside churches or in local
newspapers.
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Shopping:
Opening hours of shops is normally from 9
or 9.30 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. although there may be late evening opening
in larger towns on certain days. Sometimes smaller towns have early
closing days or full days when shops are closed. Please enquire locally.
Sunday opening is now becoming common in most areas of the country
except for many parts of Wales and Scotland for religious reasons.
This is often 10.30 a.m. till 4 p.m.
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Toilet Facilities:
Public toilet facilities are provided by
the local council for that area. These are adequate in major towns
and tourist destinations but rare elsewhere. Public Houses (Pubs)
and restaurants will require you to purchase something from them before
you use their facilities.
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Tourist Information
Offices:
The Tourist Information service operates offices
throughout the country organised on a regional basis. Local literature
on travel, things to do and places to stay can be sent to you
free of charge. Please contact the relevant office. The major
regions are:
-
Northern Ireland
-
Wales
-
Scotland
-
The Channel Isles
-
Ireland
-
North West England
-
Cumbria
-
Northumbria
-
London
-
The Heart of England
-
East of England
