Capital: London
Time zone: GMT (+1 during the summer time)
Telephone services: Country Code: 44
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services. Additional local numbers:-999 for Police, Ambulance, Fire
Tourist information: British Tourist Authority and British Tourist Board, Thames Tower, Black’s Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9EL Tel (020) 8846 9000 Fax: (020) 8563 0302
Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of EU countries with a valid ID card for tourist visits not exceeding 3 months. Nationals of Iceland Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland with valid ID cards for tourist/social visits of not less than 6 months and in possession of a British Visitor’s guide available from travel agencies. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant authority before travelling.
Visa information: Visa Not required by EU nationals and citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and Japan.
Health information: There are periodic outbreaks of meningitis.
Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.
Currency: Pound (£) = 100 pence
Exchange: banks, exchange bureaux and many hotels All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques are widely accepted, preferably in Pound sterling
ATM availability: Over 22 000 locations
Cost of living: London and major tourist centres can be especially expensive.
Languages: English. Welsh is spoken in areas of Wales. Gaelic is spoken in parts of Scotland and N. Ireland. French and Norman French are spoken in the Channel Islands. There are a variety of ethnic minorities (Hindi, Urdu, Turkish, Greek, Cantonese and Mandarin).
Weather: The climate is temperate with warm, wet summers and mild, wet winters. It is variable throughout the year and the country as a whole.
Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50 Hz. Square 3 pin plugs are used
Post: Post destined for outside Europe should be sent airmail.
Transport: There is a comprehensive nation-wide rail and bus network
Special information: Although a cease-fire is currently in place in Northern Ireland, sectarian violence still persists. If visiting avoid discussions on religion and politics. Normal social courtesies apply.