England travel guide

 

England - Stonehendge

 

Meet EnglandEngland weather reportGetting into EnglandFrom the English kitchenFrom the English bar Currency in EnglandMajor airports in EnglandExamples of food and drink spendThings to have at hand in EnglandDid you know?

 

Meet England

 

England is drenched in cultural history, dating back to Roman times (from which several landmarks still remain), when London was established.  It was key in the development of Modernity, has one of the most notorious royal histories in the world, and is responsible for bringing Eastern influence to the West, thanks to colonisation.  A stamp of ‘Britishness’ remains on several of the ex-colonies, ranging as far and wide as Canada, Australia, India and Mauritius.

 

Despite such a strong history, England is quick to embrace other cultures.  London’s cosmopolitan aspects are fast spreading around the country, and it is now common to find people from all parts of the world along with their cuisines and customs, in almost any English city.  This melting pot of identities fits in naturally with a country that is home to world-class art and museums, is a hub for fashion trends and independent film, and produces some of the world’s most influential and successful musicians.

 

England is also a place of natural wonder. Cornwall and Stonehenge draw tourists from all over the world, and the Lake District is promoted as a gorgeous haven from modern life.  Working-class beaches, a mining history, the birth of industry, world finance, and incredible nightlife are just a few more reasons why England draws millions of people every year, to live, work, and play.

 

As with most of Europe, Christmas is an excellent time to visit England, for its open markets, light displays and post-festival shopping sales.  The weather is most pleasant between June and September, though airfares are usually lower outside of this time.

 

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England weather report

 

The weather in England is temperate, yet varies a lot for such a small island.  Winters are often quite cold, with temperatures reaching freezing point, and a lot of rain in the south and snow in the north.  Summers are generally quite mild, but will rarely exceed 30c.

 

Day-to-day, the weather can be unpredictable, so it is worth checking the reports on television or in daily free papers.  As the UK is an island, many travellers find the air to be quite humid.

 

For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool. 

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Getting into England

 

EU nationals do not require a visa to visit or to work in the UK.  Most ex-commonwealth nations, and nationals of big Western countries do not require a visa to enter, but are prohibited from working without one, and will need to complete landing cards.

 

Visitors may be refused entry without proof of a return ticket and place of residence during their stay.  Student visas and working holiday visas are also available, and if in doubt, contact the immigration office in advance.

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From the English kitchen

 

England has adopted and assimilated the cuisine of many cultures, and it is therefore usual to find dishes such as pasta, curry, or steak on a “traditional” English menu.  Several meals (often very heavy and hearty) remain exclusively English/British, however, and these include:

  • Full English Breakfast – sausage, egg, bacon, beans, mushrooms, hash browns and toast.  Vegetarian variations are available in most places

  • Roast Dinner – slices of roast meat (chicken, beef, pork, or lamb are most common) with roast potatoes, boiled vegetables, and gravy

  • Shepherd's pie – sautéed beef in a rich sauce, topped with mashed potatoes

  • Cornish Pasty – beef and vegetables in a folded pastry case

  • Fish & Chips – best eaten on the beach if you have the chance.  Deep-fried fillet of fish (usually cod) served with chunky chips.

  • Apple Crumble – slices of apple topped with a mixture of flour, butter and sugar, and baked in the oven.  Often served with custard.

England caters fairly well to the vegetarian, but a vegan will most likely have to check ingredients.  If in doubt, there are many Turkish, Asian, Oriental, and Middle Eastern eateries, which cater to dairy-free diets.

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From the English bar

 

Britain is known for its drinking culture – both in terms of alcohol and tea.  Most non-residential streets will have a pub on the corner, which, depending on the area, could be a cheap chain pub (Wetherspoons, Youngs, Punch) or a pricier bar-style affair.  Prices can almost double depending on the city and establishment, though menus are clearly displayed for anyone wanting to drink according to their budget.

 

England imports its drinks from all around the world, but most places will have a couple of “real ales” from local breweries on tap.  Cider is also widely served, and “scrumpies” are a trademark of the country.  Typical English spirits include Pimms (made with a variety of alcoholic bases) and Gin (Gordon's is the most common brand).

 

Since the Empire days, tea has been very popular in England.  This is one place where waiting staff will not bat an eyelid at bizarre tea (or coffee) requests – several varieties are usually on offer, and the drink will be served with milk and sugar on the side so they can be added to taste.

 

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Currency in England

 

The currency in England is the British Pound Sterling, usually signified by £, or GPB.  Banknotes include the 5 pound note, the 10 pound note, the 20 pound note and the 50 pound note and coins 1 penny, 2 pence, 5 pence, 10 pence, 20 pence, 50 pence, 1 pound, and 2 pounds. For the latest info on your rates, please use the Pampo exchange rates calculator.

 

Credit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are very common.  Cheques are slowly being phased out.

 

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Major airports in England

  • London Gatwick (LGW)

  • London Heathrow (LHR)

  • London Stanstead (STN)

  • London Luton (LTN)

  • London City (CTY)

  • Southampton (SOU)

  • Bristol (BRS)

  • Newquay (NQY)

  • Plymouth (PLH)

  • Birmingham (BHX)

  • East Midlands (EMA)

  • Manchester International (MAN)

  • Liverpool (LPL)

  • Leeds Bradford (LBA)

There are also several popular international train and ferry routes.

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Examples of food and drink spend

  • Sandwich from a cafe - £3

  • Meal in a pub - £5-9

  • Pint of beer - £1.50-£3.00

  • Can of soft drink - £0.80

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Things to have at hand in England

  • An umbrella

  • Map

  • Camera

  • Travel tickets

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Did you know?

  • Smoking in public places is banned in the UK

  • It is technically illegal to mow the law in England, and be drunk on licensed premises

  • England does not have an official language

  • England is only 35km from France

  • England is 74 times smaller than the USA and 59 times smaller than Australia, but has 2.5 more people than Australia and 1.5 more people than California

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