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Home > Europe > UK Destination information: Map of Europe Holiday Property The United Kingdom was established in three stages. Acts of parliament in 1536 and 1543 formally united England and Wales, and in 1707 Scotland was formally incorporated into the Union with England and Wales, although the English and Scottish crowns had been merged since 1603. The 1800 Act of Union made Ireland part of the United Kingdom. The Catholic majority in Ireland never wholeheartedly accepted rule from London and in 1921 most of Ireland became an independent republic, although the six northern counties, with their predominantly Protestant population, opted to remain in the United Kingdom. In 1999 new elected national assemblies met for the first time in Scotland and Wales, but ultimate power remained with London and there has been no serious suggestion that the United Kingdom should be dissolved. Constitutional progress in Northern Ireland— where 3,000 people have died in three decades of civil strife—is hampered by continuing disagreement between the Protestant Unionists, who insist that strong links with Britain should be maintained, and the Catholic Republicans, who wish to develop a closer relationship with the Republic of Ireland. With the arrival since 1950 of millions of immigrants from former colonies, many cities—and the national cuisine—have taken on a multi-ethnic character, embracing Caribbean, Asian and African influences. British culture is traditionally strong in the theatre, literature, painting, and sculpture. Britain's innovative contemporary culture, from popular music and fashion to television and film-making, has commanded the world's stage for two generations. Millions of overseas visitors are attracted every year by this heritage, as well as by the nation's long history, traceable in numerous ancient buildings and archaeological sites. Visitors also enjoy the trappings of monarchy, which survives even though the monarch's function as head of state is today largely ceremonial, with real power vested in the democratically elected parliament. Surrounded by water, the United Kingdom has a long seafaring tradition, and sailing is one of the many outdoor sports and pastimes that the British enjoy. The varied landscape, with its hills, coasts, lakes, and rivers, is ideal for walkers.
Entry RequirementsCitizens of European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland can enter the United Kingdom with a valid national identity card. Visitors from Ireland need some form of identification (such as a driving licence). Visas are needed by nationals of Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Turkey and Ukraine. Nationals of other European countries can enter with a passport valid for at least six months after the intended departure date.
Emergency phone numbersAmbulance,
police, and fire brigade: 999
Time zonesGreenwich Mean Time (GMT). Clocks are put forward one hour from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the end of October.
DrivingVehicle documentsAll foreign nationals may drive in the United Kingdom with their national licences for up to one year. Check with your motor vehicle insurance company regarding any documents you will need and whether additional motor insurance is required.
Rules of the roadAlways carry your national driving licence, vehicle registration and insurance documents with you at all times. Front seat-belts are compulsory; rear seat-belts must be worn if the car is fitted with them. Traffic drives on the left in the United Kingdom. The limit of alcohol in the blood while driving is 80 mg per 100 ml (8 g/l).
Roads, tolls and speed limitsMotorways are marked with an "M" and have two or three lanes. Dual-carriageway "A" roads are similar to motorways; single-carriageway "A" roads tend to be busier and traffic moves more slowly. "B" roads are slower, but usually more picturesque. Speed limits are 70 miles (112 kilometres) per hour on dual or triple carriageways, 50 to 60 miles (80 to 96 kilometres) per hour on single carriageways and 30 miles (48 kilometres) per hour in built-up areas.
Driving tipsNote that traffic moves on the left in the United Kingdom—remember to give way to your right on roundabouts. Minor roads winding through the countryside can be surprisingly narrow, so keep your speed down and watch out for cars coming in the opposite direction.
AssistanceCheck with your own motoring organisation regarding reciprocal agreements with the two main motoring organisations in the UK: the Automobile Association (AA), tel: 0800 887 766 and the Royal Automobile Club (RAC), tel: 0800 828 282. On motorways the AA and RAC can be called from emergency telephones.
Electrical devicesThe electrical current used in the United Kingdom is 240 volts AC. Square, three-pin plugs are used. An adapter is necessary for all European appliances.
MoneyNotes and coinsThe pound sterling (£) is the official monetary unit in the United Kingdom. There are 100 pence in a pound. Notes are issued in denominations of £50, £20, £10, and £5. Coins are issued in £2, £1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 pence.
Currency exchangeTravellers
cheques are the safest way to carry money, and you
should buy these in your country of residence before
departure. Travellers cheques are not accepted in
shops or restaurants, but you can change them at bureaux
de change and banks. Note that American Express and
Thomas Cook offices don't charge commission. Visa,
Mastercard, Access, American Express and Diners Club
are the most widely accepted credit cards in the United
Kingdom.
TippingA service charge of 10 to 15 percent is usually included in the bill at restaurants and cafés. If service is not included, it will usually be stated on the menu and you should add about 10 to 15 percent on top of the bill. More expensive restaurants may expect an extra tip on top of the service charge. Taxi drivers expect a tip of about 10 percent.
Public holidays1
January: New Year's Day
Travellers with disabilitiesSome major public buildings, such as museums, theatres, and cinemas, are accessible to wheelchair users. Information on accommodation specifically for travellers with disabilities is available from the Royal Association of Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR), 12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London EC1V 8AF, tel: (0171) 250 3222. RADAR also publish a very useful book Holidays in the British Isles—A Guide for Disabled People, available from the same address. Hand-controlled cars are available from Hertz, but they tend to be expensive. Some Intercity trains can accommodate passengers in wheelchairs. Wheelchair users and blind or partially sighted travellers can receive a 30 to 50 percent discount on train fares; travellers with other disabilities can buy a Disabled Persons Railcard, giving significant reductions on most train tickets.
TransportMetro, buses and tramsDouble-decker
buses can be found in many cities in the United Kingdom.
Bus maps are available at information centres in some
airports and at major urban underground and rapid
transit stations. Buses can be particularly useful
for reaching areas in south and south-east London.
Tickets are purchased from the bus driver or conductor.
Many bus stops are request stops-put your arm out
to make the bus stop for you. Night buses run in many
cities, including London, Glasgow and Edinburgh and
most cities offer discount day tickets. In Glasgow
(with a few exceptions), Cardiff and on Edinburgh's
red buses (the main operator), no change is given
on the buses. In Edinburgh no change is given on red
buses (the main bus company).
FerriesThere are ferry services to the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, the Scilly Isles, Isle of Man, the Hebrides, the Isle of Skye, Skomer, and other offshore islands. Articles
with useful tourist information on UK cities to visit:
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