England is renowned for its natural and historic heritage, for its museums, stately homes and castles but it's not stuck in the past, there are plenty of modern day attractions, such as Madame Tussauds, Cadbury's World, Alton Towers and the Sea Life Centres to name a few.

Capital City: London

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Brief History

The English established control over Ireland beginning in the 12th century, when English colonists invaded the island. They gradually established English domination over the entire island, but was still a separate country until the Act of Union was passed in 1800. This created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

But long before that, during the 13th century after several centuries of intermittent warfare, England established control over Wales. From thereon, the two nations functioned under a single government; although the official merging happened in 1536.

In 1603 Scotland and England moved toward union after the Scottish monarchs inherited the throne of England. Although a common ruler united these two countries, Scotland and England remained separate nations with separate governments. In 1707 the Scottish and English parliaments passed an Act of Union, which merged the formerly independent nations into the Kingdom of Great Britain.

The Act of Union in 1800 created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The creation of the United Kingdom brought England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales (the four cultural regions of Britain) under the rule of a central government headed by a common monarch and administered by a single parliament.

However, after centuries of upheavals from Ireland's predominantly Roman Catholic population against United Kingdom's Protestant majority, Ireland, excepting 6 of its northern counties, achieved its independence in 1922. On the other hand, the kingdom was renamed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

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Visa and Customs Procedure

US nationals, as well as citizens of most European countries, and visitors from Australia, New Zealand and Japan do not need a visa to enter Britain. In addition, national of European Union countries do not need a visa to work in Britain.

To find out whether you need a visa to enter Britain, contact the British Consulate or British High Commission in your country or visit the British government’s website for visa applications . Visas are not issued in Britain and therefore you should apply at the British Consulate before travelling. Visitors on a travel visa can usually stay up to six months.

Travel Insurance
As with travel throughout most of the world, it is advisable to take out travel insurance before travelling. If you are not a citizen of a European Union country you may not receive free health treatment and therefore you will require insurance which includes this, as well as covering lost property or any eventuality which may cut short your stay.

Can I bring my pet?
Pet dogs or cats are allowed to enter the country without having to spend six months in quarantine —as long as they have implanted microchips to identify them and records of a rabies vaccination. This currently only applies to animals entering from Western Europe and particular island nations. They must also enter the country by specific designated routes.
For more information, contact the PETS helpline on (+44) (0)870 241 1710 or visit http://www.maff.gov.uk/maffhome.htm

Vaccinations
You do not need any special vaccinations to enter Britain.

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Food and Dining

British cooking has a reputation for overcooked vegetables and unhealthy fried foods, but has improved considerably in recent years, when foreign foods, particularly those from southern Europe and Asia, have become popular. Perhaps the most famous British specialties are roast beef with Yorkshire pudding (a type of popover baked in meat drippings); shepherd's pie, made with minced lamb and mashed potatoes; and scones served with thick, clotted cream. Other favorite foods include fish and chips, steak and kidney pie, Cornish pasties, Welsh rarebit, kippers (salted and smoked herring or salmon), and, in Scotland, haggis (stuffed sheep's stomach).

London is a paradise for lovers of good food, and fine wine and ale with over 6,000 restaurants and 5,000 pubs. Try out cuisines from around the world; London has cuisine from over 60 different countries. London pubs are renowned the world over for their great atmosphere and character, not to mention their beers - bitter, lager and stouts.

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London-Great Britain time zone is GMT+0100, currently Observing Daylight Saving Time which began on Sun Mar 25 02:00:00 2001. Daylight Saving Time will end on Sun Oct 28 01:00:00 2001.

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Currency Info and Money Matters

The currency of London, as part of the UK is £ (Pound) Sterling. There are 100 pence (p) to the £. Notes of the denomination of £50 (red), £20 (purple), £10 (brown), £5 (blue) are available and coins are £2, £1, 50 pence, 20 pence, 10 pence, 5 pence, 2 pence and 1 pence. Scottish bank notes are also legal currency throughout the UK. The UK has not, as yet, joined the European currency – the Euro.

Money can be exchanged at banks, bureau de changes and some post offices. In addition, it is often possible, depending on your card, to withdraw money from cash machines (ATMs).

Banks are typically open from 09:30 to 17:00 and some branches are open on Saturday mornings. It is advisable to compare exchange rates and check whether commission is charged before changing your money.

Travellers cheques
These are the safest way of carrying money. American Express offices will exchange Dollar travellers cheques without commission. They have branches in Victoria, Bloomsbury, Mayfair, Knightsbridge, the City, Kingston and Croydon, among others.

International Money Transfers
Western Union, American Express and Thomas can all provide this service.

Bureau de change
Thomas Cook, American Express, Exchange International, International Currency Exchange and TTT Moneycorp all have branches in London.

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Getting to and around England

A comprehensive rail and bus network exists in the United Kingdom, and London’s famous underground and red buses, along with river services and trams make getting around London easy, wherever you are staying.

Getting to and around London is simple. London Heathrow is the world’s busiest international airport, and supported by Gatwick, Stansted and London City airports, provide gateways to London from destinations around the globe.

There are a whole range of good value passes to help you make the most of London’s comprehensive public transport network.

If you are only planning to move around the central Zone 1 of London by tube, it might be a good idea to purchase a Carnet – 10 single tube tickets (11.50) or a book of six bus tickets (£3.90).

The most common travelcard is the one day travel pass or the weekly travel pass.

A one day pass allows you to use buses, tubes and trains in the two most central zones (1-2, cost £4) after 09:30. They are also available for zones 1-4 and 1-6.

A weekly pass is most suitable for those here for a longer time. You will need a passport type photo for the identity card and the ticket can be bought at any underground station. A zones 1-2 pass costs £18.90.

Family passes and weekend passes also exist.

London attractions passes
The London Pass offers unlimited access over one, three or six days for £18, £42 or £74 for adults and children pay £11, £22 or £38 for the same duration. The London Pass contains free entry to more than £200 worth of attractions such as the London Aquarium, Cutty Sark, the HMS Belfast and the Battersea Zoo; visitors can save money after seeing just two attractions. Free travel in London is also included under the pass. Details on 020 7287 6020 or visit their website at www.londonpass.com.

Great British Heritage Pass gives unlimited access to over 600 properties throughout the UK. It can be purchased at a cost of £30 for seven days and is available from British Tourist Authority offices, only to overseas visitors.

The London for Less card offers reductions at over 200 places in Central London, including money off theatre, concerts, opera and ballet tickets. It costs £12.95 and is available from bookshops and the British Travel Centre in Regents Street.

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Helpful Tips and Reminders

England is a very safe place to visit, but as with any city of seven million people, you should take the side of caution. By using common sense, you will avoid anyone spoiling your holiday in London.

Violent crime against visitors is almost unknown. However, pickpockets do target unsuspecting tourists in crowded areas.

A few tips to ensure a happy holiday:

• Always keep an eye on your bags and keep them with you.
• Keep your valuables close to you in crowded areas where pickpockets might function such as the tube or busy shopping street.
• Don’t walk down badly lit streets.
• Be careful that you put your money away carefully after taking it out of a cash point or changing it at bureau de change.
• Don’t forget that traffic travels on the left hand side of the street, so you will need to look right before crossing.
• Do not jump off a double decker bus until it has stopped.
• Do not give money to people in the street as this shows people where you keep your money.
• Do not accept or buy drugs, if offered.
• In the worst case scenario:
  The police, ambulance and fire brigade can be reached by dialling 999 on any public phone.

Women travellers

London is a safe place for women travelling alone. But just to be sure:

• Don’t walk down dimly lit streets or wander the parks or canal towpaths alone after dark.
• Don’t accept the offer of a lift from a minicab in the street. either hail a black cab or ask the hotel/restaurant to book a mini cab for you. If you travel on public transport, make sure you are in a carriage with other people.
• Many London hotels try and give women travellers a room on upper floors by a lift in the most brightly lit areas.
• It is common for women to be out on their own in cafes, bars and restaurants. Sometimes it is less comfortable in a pub, but you will be able to judge quite easily.

Tipping and service charges

Tipping is not common in the U.K. as compared to other countries; for instance, the Unites States. However, there are situations where you should give a tip.

Most restaurants add service charge to your bill. This varies from 10% to 17%, but 12.5% is most common. This is discretionary and you are entitled to have it removed if you did not enjoy the service. However, this would be an unusual occurrence. If service is not added to your bill, you should leave approximately 10%.

IMPORTANT: Always check the "Emergency Numbers" for the area you are in; and add them to your address book. When roaming with a GSM mobile phone in the European Union, use 112 for emergency services.

Travellers cheques / credit cards
US dollar travellers cheques can be conveniently cashed at all provincial banks and authorized money changers. Travellers cheques in other currencies are best changed in Bangkok where better rates prevail.

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Important Numbers

Emergency services - 999, or 112
Operator - 192

London telephone codes are divided into central and outer London.

Central London (0) 207 then a 7 digit number
Outer London (0) 208 then a 7 digit number
The code for UK is +44.

If you are dialling from outside the UK, leave out the 0 in 020.

UK mobiles all begin with 07…

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