Basic Area Facts:
Entry Requirements: All visitors must have a valid passport, good for a minimum of two months past departure date. No visa is required by Canadian or American citizens. Other nationalities should check with their local British Consulate for specific requirements.
Climate and Clothing: The U.K.'s climate is temperate, with rainfall distributed almost evenly across the seasons. Spring (March-May) can be cool and wet with sunny periods. Summer (June-September) gets quite warm and winter is cold and wet most of the time. Medium weight clothes are recommended for all but summer and a raincoat and umbrella would be wise all year round.
Money Matters: Banks are generally open Monday-Friday from 9:30am to at least 3:30pm and many are open until 5:30pm. Some banks and most Building Societies are also open Saturday mornings. Some rural banks in Scotland close for one hour at lunchtime. There are 24-hour banks at London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports as well as International ATMs for currency exchanges.
Shop Hours: Shops are normally open from 9:00am until 5:30pm. Shops in small towns and villages will usually close for one hour at lunchtime. In London, shops in Knightsbridge (home of Harrods) stay open until 7:00pm on Wednesday, and those in the West End (Oxford Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly areas) stay open until 7:00pm on Thursdays.
Some shops are open on Sundays. Most banks and many shops, museums, historic homes and other places of interest are closed at Christmas and on other public holidays. The frequency of public transport services is reduced on public holidays.
Pub Opening Hours:
England and Wales
The Licensing Act 2003 came into effect in November 2005 alllowing premises to have flexible opening hours, with the potential for up to 24 hour opening, seven days a week, subject to consideration of the impact on local residents, businesses and the expert opinion of a range of authorities in relation to the licensing objectives.
Persons must be 18 years or over to buy and consume alcohol in a bar. Children under 14 years of age are allowed into pubs which hold a children’s certificate. They must be accompanied by an adult and are restricted to those areas which have been certified suitable for young children. Pubs holding such a certificate must serve meals and non-alcoholic drinks, normally until 2100.
Scotland
Pubs and clubs are permitted to sell alcohol from 11.00-23.00 Monday to Saturday and between 12.00-14.30 and 18.30-23.00 on Sundays. There can, however, be exceptions where some premises will remain open throughout the afternoon.
'Off-sales' (off-licences) can sell alcohol from 8.00-22.00 on Mondays to Saturdays and 12.30-22.00 on Sundays.
In Scotland, young people of 14 years of age or older can be in a bar during the permitted opening hours provided that they do not drink alcohol. Where the licensed premises hold a children's certificate, then a child under 14 may be allowed in for the purpose of eating a meal. However, children must be accompanied by someone over 18 years old and may only be present between the hours of 11.00 and 20.00.
Northern Ireland
Pubs may now open at whatever time they wish but are only allowed to sell alcohol between 1130-2300 hours during the week (on Sundays from 1230-2200 hours). Larger pubs may apply to the courts for additional permitted hours enabling them to sell alcohol until 0100 hours on weekdays and midnight on Sundays on condition that food or entertainment is provided.
Tipping: Normal tips for Taxis, waiters in restaurants, barbers and beauticians is 15%. Tip porters $1.00 per piece of luggage and chambermaids $1.00 per day (this is normally included in Barclay International Group rentals, but feel free to tip more for extraordinary service). Barclay International Group transfers DO NOT include gratuities--20% is normally expected for good service.
Electrical Current: The standard voltage throughout the country is 220/250v AC, 50Hz. Americans will need a plug adapter, or converter, to use their appliances in Britain. Check with our office as many properties can lend you adapters.
Emergency: If a visitor requires the police, ambulance or fire service, they should go to the nearest telephone and dial 999, indicating which service they require.
Tax-Free Shopping: Value-Added Tax is charged on most goods bought in shops at the standard rate of 17.5%. VAT may be reclaimed on purchases, but not services. Many visitors will find it worthwhile to take advantage of the Retail Export Scheme, whereby they can reclaim the VAT on goods purchased for export. Please note that not all shops operate the Retail Export Scheme, and with those that do often a minimum purchase level is set. There may be an administration fee charged by the retailer or VAT refund operator for processing, in which case the fee might be deducted at source prior to the refund being made. Shops operating the Retail Export Scheme will ask to see your passport before completing the VAT 407 form or properly drawn up invoice. This form/invoice must be presented, with the goods, within three months of purchase. Present the goods purchased, together with sales invoices and VAT forms to the Customs Officers at the point of departure from the EEC (European Community). After Customs Officers have certified the form/invoice, it will be returned to the shopkeeper, who will then send you the VAT refund, from which a small administrative fee may be deducted (either a percentage of the purchase price or a flat fee.) More information on the Retail Export Scheme can be obtained from your local British Tourist Authority.
