Queen Elizabeth, William and Kate, football, and bangers and mash are peculiar to the United Kingdom. These may quite possibly be the reason for your visit to this group of countries. (That’s right, the United Kingdom is a group of countries, namely England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.) However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you swap your summer Christmas for a snow-white one in the streets of London. Life in England is as complex as the royal family tree, but with these tips, you should quickly adapt, or rather fit in.
London is the country’s most expensive city – and unfortunately for you, it is also the most expensive city in the world. The average cost of living for one person is £756 per month, rent excluded. The same person would pay only £596 in Manchester, a two-hour train ride away from London. When rent is added, it compares even worse. It’s safe to say London is a must see for tourists, but its daily cost of living is a sure go-by.
Although exorbitant prices drive most people from the city to the suburbs, England’s public transport is among the best in the world. The buses, trains and trams are operated by different businesses. You can get maps and information about routes and times at any tourist information centre.
In cities, buses are usually easily accessible. In the countryside, they mostly operate around the school and business hours. There are two types of taxis – those with meters that calculate your cost according to distance and time, and those that are usually cheaper, but which you can only reach by telephone. And, of course, don’t forget about Uber!
Due to the country’s unpredictable weather patterns, England is often associated with rain. It rains all-year round, not during one season only. You can experience beautiful sunshine, wind and rain showers in one afternoon!
Although the weather is unpredictable, it rarely is extreme. Summer temperatures vary between 9 and 18 degrees Celsius, but during a heatwave, it can reach 30 degrees Celsius. Winter temperatures vary between 2 and 7 degrees Celsius, but it often drops below 0 degrees Celsius. Fortunately, most buildings, trains and buses have good heating systems.
England, and the United Kingdom as a whole, has no shortage of tourist attractions. While it is possible to plan a trip to the United Kingdom without visiting London, it definitely isn’t recommended. The country’s capital boasts many attractions, such as Windsor Castle. The Tower of London is ideal for those interested in learning more about the UK’s rich history. The former palace and prison are located next to the spectacular Tower Bridge on the banks of the River Thames. It houses, among other things, the iconic, 1 000-year-old White Tower, arms exhibitions and the Jewel House with the crown jewels.
Other attractions in the United Kingdom include the beautiful historic buildings in the Scottish capital Edinburgh, Stonehenge near Salisbury, the idyllic Cotswolds, and the university towns of Cambridge and Oxford. Decide in advance what you would like to see and experience – beautiful nature, historic buildings, metropolitan street food and nightlife, or maybe fish and chips in small-town pubs – and plan your trip accordingly. In the UK, you can enjoy all of it.
