England

Until recently England was generally thought of as a gentle, fabled land freeze-framed sometime in the 1930s, home of the post office, country pub and vicarage. It's now better known for vibrant cities with great nightlife and attractions, contrasted with green and pleasant countryside.

Top Accommodation

No Accomodation has been rated yet.

Top Restaurants

No Restaurants have been rated yet.

England's climate is mild and damp, with temperatures moderated by the light winds that blow in off its relatively warm seas. Temperatures inland don't get much below freezing in winter (December to February), or much above 30°C (86°F) in summer (June to August). The north is the coldest area; London, the southeast and the West Country are the warmest. Rainfall is greatest in hilly areas and in the West Country. You can expect cloudy weather and light drizzle in any part of England at any time. Aside from the more obvious tendency of temperatures in the south to be a bit warmer than the north there is also some lateral variation in weather. The west is usually cloudier, wetter, warmer in summer and colder in winter than the east.

Transport

Getting around

Getting around England is pretty easy if occasionally unpredictable in the larger cities under the strain of peak hours. Budget airlines fly domestically, and trains trail some picturesque routes the length of England and can deliver you very efficiently from one major city to another.

Coaches and buses operate throughout the country, coaches being more expensive and a little faster.

In cities, black cabs are a luxurious option - minicabs are cheaper. Drivers of EU-registered vehicles will find bringing a car into England fairly stress-free as long as you have all necessary papers. Think twice before hiring a car to drive in major cities - unless you're happy to drive all day and never park it.

Getting there and away

London's Heathrow and Gatwick are the two main airports for international flights, although some do go direct to Manchester and Birmingham.

You can get a coach and/or ferry from mainland Europe, or a very swift train through the Channel Tunnel.

Health & Legal Requirements

Dangers and annoyances

England is a pretty safe country, considering the wealth disparities you'll see in many areas, but crime is certainly not unknown in London and other cities, so you should take care - especially at night. When travelling by Tube choose a busy carriage and aim to avoid some deserted suburban Tube stations at night; a bus or taxi can be a safer choice.

Pickpockets and bag snatchers operate in crowded public places, so make sure your bag is secure. Keep money and important documents out of sight and out of reach, rather than in a handbag or money belt. In large hotels, don't leave valuables lying around; use the room or hotel safe. Some hostels provide lockers, but you need your own padlock.

If you're on a driving holiday, don't leave luggage in the car when parking overnight. Where possible, look for secure parking areas near TICs.

In large cities, avoid unlicensed minicabs unless you know where you're going as you could be scammed into paying for driving round in circles. Use a metered taxi, or phone a reputable minicab company and get an up-front quote.

Visas overview

Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa do not need a visa for stays in the UK up to 6 months, but they are prohibited from working. Citizens of the European Union (EU) don't need a visa to enter the country and may live and work here freely.