The land of rain, pipes and fox hunting, Great Britain time and again attracts the world's attention. The Lord of the Dance tour is heating up, Catherine Zeta-Jones will shine in another Hollywood fairy tale. And let it be difficult to get a British visa, as before, and a trip to foggy Albion promises to result in a tidy sum, the flow of tourists to the country is not exhausted - we all want to stand at the threshold of the English monarchy, understand the rules of pub etiquette, pick up a kilt for the cold autumn and recite "tu bi or not tu bi?" directly in Shakespeare's homeland.
Great Britain is the only country in the world that has not yet acquired a written Constitution, however, the rights and freedoms of citizens there are steadfastly respected.
In addition, in the United Kingdom, medieval castles and Gothic cathedrals, the calm beauty and peace of rural landscapes, the desperation and children of evening London, the granite of science in the best language schools, shopping in expensive prestigious boutiques and rummaging in junk at "flea markets" await you in the United Kingdom. In a word, variety.
The capital is London, with its gorgeous views, familiar to every schoolboy. Everything here is a legend: the majestic Big Ben, whose hands do not slow down for a second, and the Tower with a gloomy reputation, and the residence of the most popular detective of all times and nations, not to mention theaters, museums and other attractions. It is better to admire the capital of Foggy Albion from the booth of the London Eye, from the window of a double-decker bus or through the counters of a noisy pub: the picture will be brighter and more whimsical than the British flag reproduced on art objects.
England. The homeland of Europe's oldest monarchy with many "thematic" attractions, the land of hundreds of castles and unbreakable traditions. It is here that the capital of the country is located, as well as hundreds of picturesque cities and natural attractions.
Restless Manchester, "Beatles" Liverpool, fashionable Birmingham, festival Bristol, seaside Brighton, beer Derby, medieval Leicester, Robin Hood Nottingham, picturesque Lincoln, ancient York, healing Bath, university Cambridge and Oxford, mysterious Stonehenge and Shakespeare's Stratford-on- Avonie.
Scotland is high mountains and blue lakes, elusive Nessie and bagpipe sounds, strong whiskey and checkered kilt skirts.
The capital is Edinburgh: a city where the European canonicity of architecture is combined with the attractive desperation of the atmosphere. Port Aberdeen is carved from granite, Glasgow is a recognized center of the arts, Inverness is the birthplace of the Loch Ness Monster, Orkney and Shetland Islands are famous for their beautiful nature and rich history.
Wales is a land of wonderful landscapes and majestic medieval castles. There are more of them here for every km² than anywhere else in the world.
The capital is Cardiff, which traces its history at least from the 5th millennium BC. there are. As befits the Welsh center, it impresses with the luxury of neo-Gothic castles, solemnity of cathedrals and well-kept alleys. And there is also excellent shopping here: shopping in shops of the Victorian era is a special pleasure.
Northern Ireland offers a leisurely, measured vacation surrounded by ancient villages and idyllic landscapes.
Capital Belfast is compact and welcoming, full of bustling pubs and interesting museums, surprising with original sculptures and bold graffiti. And cozy Londonderry with its medieval architecture is lit up annually by the lights of festivals. All details about the cities and resorts of Great Britain - on the page "Subtleties of tourism".
The time difference with Kyiv is 2 hours
The climate in England is moderate, mild and humid. The weather is mainly shaped by the warm ocean current, the Gulf Stream. The coldest month is January (+3 ... + 7 ° C), the warmest is July (+11 ... + 25 ° C). The London area, the South East and Westland are the warmest areas of the country.
In Scotland, the climate is similar, but there is snow on the slopes of the mountains from November to May, and in summer it is unlikely to avoid rain. In Wales, the warmest areas are located away from the coast, which is blown by the Atlantic winds.
The country's monetary unit is the pound sterling (GBP), 1 pound is 100 pence. Lifecycle: 1 GBP = 79.68 RUB (1 USD = 0.81 GBP, 1 EUR = 0.89 GBP).
You can change currency in banks that work from Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 15:30 (large ones - until 17:30), as well as in currency exchange offices, which are often open around the clock. It is worth evaluating the profitability of exchanging money in a bank or point in advance, comparing the exchange rate and the commission fee.
Seasoned tourists are advised to avoid 50 GBP notes: they are reluctantly accepted in shops, and change may simply not be found.
ATMs dispensing £10 and £20 notes are common, but non-bank ATMs often charge a £1.75 fee for foreign card transactions. To save money, it is better to use official bank machines: they are usually built into the walls. Most banks accept traveler's checks for exchange. MasterCard and Visa cards can be used to pay in almost all stores, but American Express - only in large ones.
It is difficult to call Great Britain the safest country in Europe. There are so many pickpockets, for example, that even special signs in crowded places remind careless tourists to be vigilant. You should not carry large sums of money, valuables and documents with you: it is wiser to leave them in the hotel safe. The most dangerous are the quarters inhabited by emigrants from Africa, Pakistan and the Caribbean. Yes, many areas in the eastern part of London resemble a ghetto: it is risky to look there even during the day.
The UK has a high rate of car theft - when parking your car, don't leave your phones and valuables in plain view and always make sure the boot and doors are closed.
British youth, especially drunk ones, are generous with provocations: in crowded places, aggressive brawlers are not so dangerous, but in dark alleys it is better to avoid meeting them. If there are no police officers nearby, you should contact an employee of any nearby establishment: from a salesperson in a store to a bartender in a pub, who will promptly contact the law enforcement officers. By the way, the police here use wide powers, so you have to be more careful when communicating with them: even a simple slander can lead to arrest or a fine of 90 GBP.
Police, fire service, ambulance: 999 (free). Directory for London: 142.
In the United Kingdom, the railway connection is very developed. You can travel by train from almost any part of the country: the choice of routes, carriages and tickets is huge. For example, Intercity-125 connects London, western, central and northeastern parts of England, southern and western Wales and Scotland. And Intercity-225 will deliver passengers from London to Yorkshire or to the east and north-east coast of Scotland in record time.
Eurostar high-speed trains will take a traveler from Brussels or Paris directly to Waterloo station in London in just 3 hours, prices start at 60 GBP. Tickets for most long-distance trains can be ordered in advance. Night trains with sleeping cars give tourists a great opportunity to invent an idle day for rest and excursions. There is a well-thought-out system of discounts for multiple trips in the country. BritRail passes are available for foreigners: Classic Pass for England, Scotland and Wales (valid for several days in a row or on selected dates, cost - from 141 GBP), London Plus Pass for the capital and south-east England (from 131 GBP for 3 days) , England Pass for England (from 177 GBP for 3 days) or Spirit of Scotland Pass for Scotland (from 175 GBP for 4 days).
Great cities of Great Britain are connected not only by trains, but also by domestic airlines. Charter flights are operated by "Astreus", "Atlantic Express", "Eastern Airways", "Easyjet" and other carriers. A flight from London to Glasgow can cost 60 GBP, from Belfast to Bristol - 41 GBP.
Buses are less popular than trains: they run less frequently and are slower. The largest intercity carriers - National Express offers routes throughout the island, CityLink serves Scotland and Megabus pleases with low prices. A trip from London to Liverpool will cost from 20 GBP, to Birmingham - from 3.51 GBP.
Public transport within cities
In large cities, there are all types of public transport: buses, surface and underground metro, trams, suburban trains. Perhaps the most famous bus in the world runs through London - the red double-decker Routemaster, aka the "master of the roads". It served regular city routes until 2005, and today takes tourists on popular routes from the Albert Hall to Trafalgar Square and from there to Tower Bridge. The fare on city buses - 1.50-2,460 GBP, on the capital subway - from 5 GBP when paying in cash and from 2.20 GBP when paying with an Oyster card.
All British cities have bicycle rental offices. The cost of renting two-wheeled transport in London is about 2 GBP per day and from 10 GBP per week.
There are several types of taxis in Britain. Black cabs ply London and other major cities: their drivers are polite, punctual and brilliantly versed in geography. "Pre-order taxis" also operate throughout the country: sedans and minivans that must be called in advance. Unlike classic cabs, they are not always equipped with meters: the fee is set depending on the route or duration of the trip. There are also unlicensed taxis, but it is not recommended to use them. A 5-minute drive around the city costs an average of 10-15 GBP, a transfer from Heathrow to the center of the capital will cost 65-70 GBP. Rates increase on weekends and holidays. It is customary to leave a tip of 10-15% to taxi drivers.
About 99% of the island's territory is covered by the GSM network, so there will be no problems with communication even in the wilderness. The most popular mobile operators in Britain are Vodafone, T-Mobile, O2 and Orange: the quality of their services is quite high, but so are the prices. Talkmobile and Lebara have more democratic tariffs. It is more convenient for tourists to issue contract-free SIM cards starting at 10 GBP. They are sold in corporate offices, electronics stores, and on company websites. The balance is replenished using bank cards through terminals or cash in large stores. Calls within the network cost from 0.05 GBP, conversations with subscribers of other operators - from 0.20 GBP per minute.
Lebara has special international rates: for 10 GBP you can get 100 free minutes of talks with different countries per week.
Red telephone boxes are one of the most recognizable symbols of Great Britain. Most often they accept cash (from 1 GBP per call), less often - credit cards. Prepaid phone cards are gradually becoming a thing of the past, although they are still sold at some newsstands. The cost of international negotiations is from 1.50 GBP per minute.
You can connect to free Wi-Fi anywhere: in the central streets of cities, in shopping malls, airports, restaurants and cafes. At the same time, providers are constantly inventing something new: for example, in the town of Chesham, equipment for wireless access to the network is built right into the pavement tiles. Internet cafe services cost an average of 4.85 GBP per hour.
Hotels in Great Britain range from 1 to 4 * "deluxe". Not all hotels include breakfast in the price of accommodation. In addition, a surcharge of 10-15% is often charged - "for services". In "low-star" English establishments, the rooms are small, and the service is very modest.
You can leave a tip (about 10% of the bill) to waiters and taxi drivers. It is not customary to tip bartenders, maids, or guides.
Rural hotels are increasingly popular in the country: they have a special charm, and they are cheaper than hotels in the city. In addition, the B & B (bed and breakfast) system is very common in Great Britain: these are mainly private residential buildings with rooms intended for rent. Most of them are in tourist areas and on the outskirts of cities. Pensions in terms of size, prices and amenities are something between a hotel and a B & B establishment, breakfasts are usually included in the price of accommodation. A bed in a London hostel will cost from 9 GBP per day, a night in a 2 * hotel - from 20 GBP. You can rent a room in a cozy mini-hotel for 35-45 GBP, in a guest house - for 50-55 GBP per day. Luxury 5 * hotels will open their doors for at least 80-100 GBP per day.
The voltage in the electrical network is 240 V, it is worth taking care of adapters for electrical appliances in advance.
The education of Great Britain is recognized as a benchmark: it is not surprising, because its traditions are about 1000 years old. A diploma from a British university is fashionable, prestigious and promising: a graduate receives visual confirmation of his own talent, useful connections, and chances for an enviable career. Heirs of the richest families and talented young people with remarkable minds and ambitions, regardless of social status, study in the country's universities.
A passion for knowledge is instilled in the British from childhood: at the age of 3, children are sent to a Nursery school (something like a kindergarten with an emphasis on intellectual development), at the age of 5 - to a preparatory school, at the age of 7 - to an elementary school. State and private institutions, boarding houses and specialized schools are open for locals, and international colleges for foreigners. Teenagers from 11 to 16 years of age study in secondary school, two more years are needed to prepare for admission to university.
It remains to successfully pass the A-Level exams - and you can choose your alma mater to your heart's content.
The leaders in the British higher education system are, of course, Oxford and Cambridge. Wilde and Carroll, Locke and Swift studied in the first, Darwin and Newton, Byron and Bacon in the second. Brilliant teaching staff, maximum immersion in scientific disciplines, unique atmosphere and age-old traditions - all this still attracts the best applicants from all over the world. Fortunately, grants and exchange programs allow you to rely only on your own intelligence and perseverance.
Eton, Manchester, Birmingham and London universities are also among the prestigious British universities. Scotland's leading educational institutions are located in Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews. Northern Ireland's bastions of education are Ulster and King's Universities in Belfast. The University of Wales, which united almost all universities in Wales since 1893, is now closed, and Cardiff University has the best reputation in the region.
Shopping in Great Britain is an exciting process, even a gamble. The streets of the cities are full of large shopping centers, boutiques with designer clothes, souvenir shops, antique shops and flea markets - there is a place for a true shopaholic to roam. London is one of the world capitals of fashion: here you can hang out in Burberry and Paul Smith, Monsoon and Dorothy Perkins. In the huge department stores of H & M, Topshop and other giants of the market - an endless variety of outfits, accessories and shoes, and in the boutiques of little-known brands - London-style bold things for those who are not afraid of experiments.
A universal gift for loved ones is an umbrella: jokes about the weather in Foggy Albion have not lost their relevance for centuries. To enhance the effect, you can choose a stylish scarf or gloves. Guitars, African drums, and mandolins are sold in music stores - it is easy to organize an entire orchestra if desired. British porcelain of the "Wedgwood" and "Royal Dalton" brands is popular - the embodiment of aristocracy. From Manchester they bring souvenirs with the symbol of "Manchester United", from Windsor - things with images of the royal family, from Scotland - checkered blankets, kilts and bagpipes. Well, where can we go without the classics: smoking pipes a la Sherlock Holmes, miniature policemen, telephone booths and "double-deckers" that are sold everywhere.
Souvenirs for gourmets - famous English cheeses: Cheshire, Cheddar, Gloucester, Caerphilly, Stilton. It is better to buy traditional tea in branded stores: a gift pack will cost 7-25 GBP, but the quality is not in doubt. As for alcoholic drinks, we recommend Irish ale and Scotch scotch.
The best places for shopping in England - Oxford Street, Piccadilly, Regent Street, Carnaby Street and Covent Garden: it is easy to spend a whole week on a leisurely stroll through the local shops. Flea markets are popular with fashionable young people: for example, the capital's "Camden", "Stables", "Bermondsey" and "Portobello" are bursting with goods. Fans of antiques should visit the Christie's and Sotheby's stores: if not to spend, then at least to admire. From Monday to Saturday, most retail outlets are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., shopping malls are open until 8:00 p.m. On Sundays, opening hours are reduced: from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Many large supermarkets are open 24 hours a day.
It must be said that British cuisine is completely undeservedly subjected to attacks such as the mockingly repeated phrase "Oatmeal, sir!". Local dishes are diverse and delicious, you just need to know where and when to try them. The national cuisine of Great Britain is liked to "walk" in Europe and, especially, in the States (apparently, the repulsed immigrants are still trying to win back the long-term rule of the British Crown). Moreover, two things are most often in the sights of culinary wits: oatmeal and pie with eel. Like, the first one is a mass of uncertain color and taste smeared on the plate, and slimy live rib snakes are almost peeking out of the pie.
Meanwhile, real English-style oatmeal is cooked with yolks, milk, cinnamon, nuts and zest - so its taste, as you can easily guess, is very pronounced. As for the infamous pie, there is even a separate island in the Thames called Eel Pie, where foodies from all over the world flock with enviable regularity to taste it in various versions, served both warm and chilled.
All-British snacks two. The first is fish and chips, a well-fried fillet of inexpensive fish (usually cod or haddock) accompanied by large chips that look more like native fries than transparent, curved circles from a packet. Bean puree is often added to the dish and lightly seasoned with vinegar. The second snack in English is "pasta", a cutlet made of minced pork, onions, potatoes and spices, covered with a thin layer of dough and thoroughly baked.
As for more thorough meals, we recommend trying the following: the famous Yorkshire and no less famous "black" pudding, lancashire hotpot - meat stew with vegetables, stewed in a pot, cornish pasty - beef with vegetables, baked in dough, pie with pork, potato bread, scrambled eggs with bacon and all kinds of sausages. From drinks, it is worth paying attention to ale, pear and apple cider, as well as numerous local gins and whiskeys.
More famous and popular are British pubs: they are literally in every village. Beer, ale, cider, whiskey, all kinds of cocktails and wines are served here for drinks, chips and nuts for snacks, and pork dishes are the gastronomic maximum. Every pub has a decent selection of hops, but "real ale" - the tradition of its production is defended by a whole CAMRA campaign - is not found everywhere: it is better to ask the locals for advice in advance. The cost of a pint of beer is 4-5 GBP.
In British public catering, it is customary to leave a tip of 10% of the amount of the check, sometimes it is automatically included in the bill.
Common roadside eateries: the prices here are quite high, but they usually work around the clock. Dining rooms for vegans and vegetarians are gaining popularity: this is both a tribute to fashion and an opportunity to refresh yourself with tasty and healthy food. European, Chinese and Indian cuisine is most often served here. Indian restaurants are known by the general name "curry": this is an excellent option to kill a worm while waiting for dinner.
In the country of tea connoisseurs, there are many pastry shops offering exquisite desserts and aromatic hot drinks of all varieties. In large cities there are premium-class restaurants: national British, as well as French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese. In an inexpensive establishment with Asian cuisine, you can have lunch for 15-20 GBP, in a good cafe - from 20 GBP, in a fashionable restaurant - from 80 GBP per person.
What Britain has in abundance is ancient monuments, interesting museums, picturesque lakes and ancient villages. The most popular sights: the country's oldest fortress Lincoln, the medieval city of York and the most mysterious building - Stonehenge. Lovers of flora and fauna should visit the county of Lancashire with the largest national park in England and the Lake District with its wonderful lakes.
Entrance to almost all the main museums of the country is absolutely free. Visitors decide for themselves how much they are willing to donate.
The best places to get to know English traditions are Oxford and Cambridge, Shakespeare's birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon and the city of Durham. You can wander through the charming English countryside in the Cotswolds, and at the same time look at a giant limestone rock. History buffs will be enchanted by Northumberland, home to a vast number of castles and battlefields. Lovers of ecotourism will be delighted with the Isles of Scilly, nestled in the arms of the Gulf Stream.
Well, those whose heart trembles at the sounds of bagpipes and the sight of checkered kilts should definitely take a tour of Scottish castles and look into the Vale of Neath area - the land of waterfalls and the birthplace of Nessie.
A sightseeing tour of Ireland is worth going to get to know its capital, Belfast (and see a real jig), and then admire the Giant's Causeway, a rock formation of a thousand basalt columns. For a thrill, head to the Carrick Red Rope Bridge, which connects two cliffs directly above the raging sea abyss. Fans of the fine arts are invited to the Grand Opera House and the Ulster Museum (both in Belfast).
And please don't think that we have forgotten about London with its historical buildings, museums, galleries and much more. Of course, it is worth talking about it separately.
Official non-working days in Great Britain are called bank holidays: everything really closes at this time, even the banks. The Christmas atmosphere fills the cities already with the arrival of winter: elegant bazaars are buzzing everywhere, people have fun at parties and buy gifts for loved ones. On December 25, a baked turkey, Yorkshire pudding and bacon sausages are served at the festive table. December 26 - Boxing Day (in literal translation - Box Day): Britons from small to large joyfully look for pieces of dreams under the Christmas tree. New Year - January 1 - the time of family feasts and making plans for the coming 12 months: for the British, this is a whole ritual. At noon on the first day of the year in London, a parade with dancers, acrobats and musicians starts, marching from Parliament Square to Piccadilly.
January 5 - Twelfth night, when it is customary to take down Christmas decorations. Those who did not make it, leave them until next year, otherwise luck may leave the house.
January 25 - Robert Burns Night: a poetic holiday in content and mood in honor of the Scots' favorite poet. National dishes are displayed on the tables, men in kilts read poems to the sound of bagpipes. On February 14, love and Saint Valentine are celebrated: hearts and candies are a must. On March 1, Saint David's Day - the patron saint of the Welsh - is celebrated in Wales. Locals decorate their clothes with daffodils, and the tables with leeks and the traditional "Kaul" soup made of lamb, bacon and vegetables. Ceremonial parades are held in Cardiff. On March 17, Northern Ireland takes up the baton, but the holiday in honor of its patron saint, St. Patrick, thunders across Britain. Revelers, dressed in green suits with shamrocks, devastate stocks of "Guinness" in pubs.
The last Tuesday before Great Lent is Pancake Day: on this day, people not only eat flour products, but also organize street races with frying pans in their hands.
The fourth Sunday of Lent is Mother's Day. April 1 - April Fool's Day, when the British can with a clear conscience give free rein to their famous humor. On Easter, it is customary to exchange chocolate eggs and buns with a cross-shaped pattern. April 23 in Stratford-upon-Avon congratulates on the birthday of William Shakespeare. May 1 - Beltane: the festival of fire, fertility and the beginning of summer. The British burn straw effigies, dance around the "May" tree and remember other, no less spectacular rituals.
Elizabeth II's birthday is officially celebrated in June: the Queen was born in April, but the summer weather is more conducive to lavish parades and public festivities. The third Sunday of June is Father's Day. August is the time of festivals: art connoisseurs flock to Edinburgh, and everyone who wants to have fun at the Notting Hill Carnival, the largest in Europe, comes to London. On October 31, on Halloween, children and adults dress up in scary costumes and loudly shout at the door: "Sweetness or ugliness!". On November 5, fireworks are set off, on November 11 they pay tribute to those who died in all wars, and on November 30 they honor St. Andrew - the patron saint of Scots.
