In England you must be over 18 to drink or purchase alcohol. By law most Pubs or bars (Public Houses) around the country stop serving alcohol at 11, however there are exceptions. For example, hotels are exempt from this law and some bars manage to get around the law by turning themselves into clubs, which generally are allowed to stay open till 2 a.m.
Restaurants generally stop serving food at about 10 pm. However fast food restaurants stay open a little longer. A typical restaurant meal will cost you about £15 a person with drinks costing extra. Hotel restaurants are usually a little more expensive depending on the hotel. Expect to pay a lot for food in London. McDonald’s, at the time of writing costs less then £3 for a meal almost everywhere, with other fast food restaurants costing more or less the same amount.
We recommend that you pay a visit to one of the many Bella Pasta’s In England. We have found the service to be good and the food great value for money.
A ferry connects Dover, England to the Calais, France. Single tickets cost around £20 during the summer months. Be sure to reserve your ticket at least one day in advance, and if you plan to bring your car you may need to make reservations with your travel agent. Make sure you bring your passport and arranged transportation to your final destination in advance. Ferries are often used to purchase alcohol in France, as it is much cheaper there.
Education in the United Kingdom is of a high standard. In order to get into university you have to first complete at least 13 years of education. There are now standard tests for children at each stage of there school career, but the two most important test results are the G.C.S.E (General Certificate of Secondary Education) which is awarded for each subject using a grading system of A – E. It is given out in the 11th year, a time when children are legally allowed to leave school. The average student takes between 7 and 12 subjects in order to obtain the same amount of G.C.S.E’s. Most students go on to complete A Levels, the second of the two important tests, but the more important of the two. Students typically take either three or four A Levels in the subjects of their choice at the end of their 13th year. The results of your A Levels are a major factor in deciding which university you will be able to go to. Students go to University for 3 to 4 years with full time courses and are often offered the opportunity to enter into an exchange program.
Customs in the United Kingdom is strict in some places and fairly lax in others. If you are getting into the United Kingdom via one of the channel crossing points either by ferry or Euro Star you might not even see a customs officer, however be warned that they have probably seen you. As long as you are not bringing drugs or weapons into the country, Customs should be of very little concern to you. Officers are unlikely to open wrapped gifts, so don’t be nervous. As long as the gifts pass an x-ray inspection you will be fine. Luggage is not normally checked on either side of the Channel Tunnel, however Customs do perform spot checks occasionally and they will check passports on all coaches, so make sure you bring your passport with you.
This can be a very cost effective way to see much of the United-Kingdom, especially if you want to see some of the smaller towns and villages. Cars also give you the freedom to go where you want when you want. There are several car hire companies within the United-Kingdom, whose prices usually start from about £20 a day with discounts being offered for longer periods of hire. If you have never before driven in the United-Kingdom it is wise to become acclimated to the unique style of driving employed by locals before hiring a car.
When driving for the first time in Britain, round abouts (circles) may prove to be problematic for inexperienced drivers, and unfortunately round abouts are generally unavoidable. The basic rules are go clockwise round them and keep to the inside if your exit is not first.
Camping in the United Kingdom can be fun and rewarding. The United Kingdom has numerous camp sites most of which are closed for the winter. Like any country the United Kingdom has it’s good summers and it’s bad summers so even though the first rule of camping is pack light, be sure that you are prepared for any kind of weather conditions. There are places that you can hire camping equipment in the United Kingdom but make sure you book in advance. Camping grounds also usually allow caravans. If you do not have your own, camp grounds will often hire them out, either in the form of semi-permanent mobile homes or as standard caravans. As always, it is advisable to book in advance.
We have seen camping sites with rates as low as £4 for a pitch but these sorts of grounds do not usually include facilities like showers or toilets. Expect to pay around £10 per day if you are just pitching a tent and £70 and up if you are planning to rent a static caravan.
This is a good way to get around the towns and cities, and is normally quite cheap, with frequent services in major cities. Using buses to travel long distances is also a good, inexpensive option. Bus links within the United-Kingdom are generally quite convenient.
The main bus company that serves the United Kingdom is National Express. Their busses are of very high standard and typically run on schedule.
On the down side, as in most major cities around the globe, large bus stations have always been a favourite target for pick pockets and luggage thieves. So when you use a bus station keep an eye on your luggage at all times. Do not be tempted to go into one of the many shops that often surround stops and leave your luggage unattended, if even for a minute.
Busses can also get very crowded on long distance trips. This being said, if your journey is going to be more than an hour it is a good idea to book your ticket in advance if the bus company allows this.
Cycling is a great way to see many of Great Britain’s cities. Many places have special cycling lanes like Oxford. It is one of the best ways to see the English countryside. You can use your bicycle to ride along tow paths (paths that run next to canals that formerly used by horses to pull barges) for some of the best riding. The Tow Paths can be found in varying conditions, however many them are currently being renovated in order to better facilitate bicycle traffic. One Canal that needs special mention is the Kennet and Avon Canal. The Tow path is perfect for cycling; especially in and around the city of Bath
Bicycles can be hired by the day at a fairly reasonable rate of about £10 per day. Maps can also be found at most bookshops rather cheaply as well.
A word of warning when riding along the tow path: Be sure to watch out for “stinging nettles”. These are plants that grow along many canal banks and hurt for hours after contact with your legs. Be sure to know what they look like or where trousers or long socks.
One can find Bed and Breakfasts most anywhere in the United Kingdom. If you like the personal touch of being greeted by the same person every morning then a Bed and Breakfast is for you, as they are mostly family owned and run. A convenient feature of Bed and Breakfasts is one can often get a room in a Bed and Breakfast where hotels may not be available, like in the countryside or in the centre of a major city like Bath, London or Oxford. The tourist board rates Bed and Breakfasts.
They first use between one and five crown symbols (five having the most facilities). An inspector then visits the location and gives it one of the following ratings:
DELUXE (excellent)
HIGHLY COMMENDED (very good)
COMMENDED (good)
APPROVED (acceptable)
The prices for a Bed and Breakfast will vary greatly depending on factors including their location and rating, but prices typically start from about £10 per night.
The two main points of entry into the United Kingdom are Heathrow and Gatwick. There are also many other regional airports like Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Southampton, Glasgow, and Stanstead. All the airports above are owned by BAA. Within them you will find information desks that will be able to help you with any difficulties you might experience. Things you should know about Heathrow: It is the busiest International Airport in the world. An amount of people equal to the population of the United Kingdom fly from it each year. If you are arriving or leaving from Terminal 4 you will need to allow for an extra 10-15 minutes as the terminal is a distance from the other terminals You can get to the Airport from London via Underground for less then £5 or you can take the bus for a little over £5. Things you should know about Gatwick: Gatwick is less busy then Heathrow but slightly further away fron London. You can get a train to London costing less then £10 or a bus for slightly less.
