Food and drink highlights of United Kingdom
- Tipping - Tips are usually included in the bill but not always.
- Eating hours -
- Shopping hours - Most shops are open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm (or 6pm). At the end of the week, there are one day when stores are open longer, even until 8pm.
- Discount shops -
- Cuisine type - British cuisine is very diversed and has been influenced by many other countires around the world (mainly by Romanians and French).
- Savoir Vivre - In Great Britian, there is a certain food etiquette which consits of list of good manners that should be implemented while eating in public. Do not chew chewing gum; avoid making loud noises while eating; do not reach for food from someone else's plate, and napkins are only for mouth cleaning.
- Main ingredients - Typical ingredients for British dishes are pork, beef, lamb, chicken and fish, with potatoes and vegetables. Additionally Brits often use dips and sauces..
- Most popular alcohol - One-third of alcohol consumption falls on beer and wine. On the other hand, what you should drink depends on belonging to a social class.
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Foods to try in United Kingdom
- Fish and ChipsThis dish is a must try whilst you are in the UK, no matter where you are, youโll be able to find a delicious plate of fish and chips.
- Bangers and MashAlso known as sausages and mash, this traditional dish consists of sausages and mashed potato, and is often accompanied with peas and gravy.
- Full English BreakfastThis breakfast usually includes: bacon, sausages, eggs, baked beans, toast, mushrooms, tomatoes, hash browns and black puddings.
- Sunday RoastThe Brits love their Sunday Roast dinners. This dish is made up of: roasted meat (beef, chicken, lamb or pork), roast potato, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, vegetables (usually a selection of: roast parsnips, Brussels sprouts, peas, carrots, beans, broccoli and cauliflower, not necessarily all) and gravy.
- Toad in the HoleThis hearty dish is another easy recipe; it includes sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter and is often served with gravy and vegetables.
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Unusual facts about food in United Kingdom
- Chocolate bars and sandwiches (with two layers of bread) were firstly introduced in Great Britain.
- Great Britaim owns a total amount of more than 200 Michelin stars, which places them in top 10 countries with best food in the world.
- 48% of all food in the United Kingdom is imported.
- 71% of land in the UK is used for farming. 19% of all land is used for crops such as wheat and barley.
- The UK exports over ยฃ20 billion of food and drink per year.
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Place to stay in United Kingdom
- Best booking sites -
- Seasonality - Accommodation is the most expensive from May to October (high season).
- Cost-effective - B&B (beds and breakfasts) or guesthouses are the cheapest types of accommodation in UK.
- Air conditioning -
- Parking - Not every hotel has free parking for guests - check when booking if you are traveling by car.
- Unusual accommodation - The most luxurious hotels allow you to stay in miedeval castles.
- Camp - Camping is very popular in Great Britain and many campsites are located near major cities.
- Important - Not every hotel has its own restaurant.
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Accommodation in United Kingdom
- Generally, accommodation in UK is considered to be very expensive (one of the most expenisve in Europe).
- You can always expect to have a private bathroom in your room, in hotels above two stars.
- Breakfasts are not always included and if they are, the meal is usually not as hearty as typical British breakfast.
- Tent is not always required for camping, as many campsites offer cabins and caravans.
- Book rooms well in advance (sources say 90 days earlier) as the most affordable accommodation gets quickly sold out.
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Getting around United Kingdom
- Most popular - By far the most popular means of transport in London is the underground. However, when traveling around the country, residents more and more often choose low-cost airlines.
- Cost-effective - Long-distance buses are a cheap alternative for using trains, but they are significantly slower.
- Cost-effective - The cheapest alternative to move around the UK are, unfortunately, very often the slowest buses.
- Time-efficient - In the city center, it is Tube, but between the big city, it can be plane or train.
- Traffic safety - The roads are good, but you need to be prepared that many of them are narrow and have tall hedges.
- Important - Cyclists have priority.
- Warning - To enter the city center, you may be required to pay the so-called congestion charge - check before traveling.
Boat
- You can get to Corsica by ferry. The departures take place in Marseille, Nice and Toulon.
Car
- In Great Britain, vehicles drive on the left side of the road.
- You can rent a car near train stations and airports.
- In order to rent a car, you need to be at least 23 years old.
- Using car to drive around the City is very time-consuming and expensive, comparing to the public means of transport.
Plane
- London has several international airports, but the Heathrow is the main hub.
- Be prepared to spend a lot of time in airports because planes are often delayed.
Train
- Tickets can be bought online, on the websites such as NationalRail.co.uk and RailEurope.com, or at train stations.
- Tickets can be bought in advance, up to 12 weeks earlier.
- If something happens which will cause the train to get canceled, you may get your money back.
Bus
- At bus stops, people always wait for the bus in queue, meaning that if the bus is full, you might need to wait for antoher one.
- City buses travel quickly because they have designated bus lanes which allow them to avoid traffic.
- You can rarely pay in cash for the ticket (in major cities you can pay only using contacless paying methods) and drivers usually will not give you change, so prepare the exact amount earlier.
- Travelling by bus during the night is as easy as during the day, because of the extensive route lines.
- You can buy the tickets online, at the official company site you want to travel with.
- Ticket needs to be purchased in advance as the seats are often sold out.
Taxi
- London's black taxi are very safe for passengers and as solid as any means of public transporation.
- From 2016, all licensed taxis should be able to pay with cards.
- Each taxi has a meter according to which the fare is calculated.
Metro
- Many tube lines operate 24h a day but some of them operate up until midnight.
- Tube is getting more expensive during the rush hours.
- A convenient way to use London transport is the pay as you go model, in which we pay for each journey by contactless. You can choose from two options: using an Oyster prepaid card or using a regular payment card or a mobile device (phone, watch).
Hitchhiking
- Hitchhiking is legal, and basically there is no greater risk.
- It all depends on the place, but remember that the British will not stop in a dangerous place, so sometimes it is better to stand in a place with less traffic but safer.
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How to travel in United Kingdom
- The public transportation system is very expensive, comparing to other countries in Europe.
- Public transport is greatly developed in major cities but it may be missing in some smaller towns.
- Rush hours last between 7 am to 9 am and 4pm to 7pm, the public transportation system is overcrowded with people.
- So called 'Oyster Card' is a cheaper tool to travel in London using many different means of transport (except for the trains) with just a one ticket.
- Brits rarely start conversations with each other at public transports.
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Best time to visit United Kingdom
When to go
- The best months to travel in England are May, June, September and October. These months have a pleasant temperature and the least rainfall. July and August are warmer, but wetter.
Temperature
- In winter, temperatures are around 0ยบC, and in summer, around 32ยบC. Overall there is quite humid, and the weather is changeable.
Rainfall
- Rain is fairly well distributed throughout the year, February to March the driest period and October to January the wettest.
- The Lake District is England's wettest region, receiving and average of 330 centimeters of precipitation each year.
Spring
- In spring (March to May) expect sudden rain showers. It is also the time of flowering of plants.
Summer
- Summer (June to August) is the warmest period. You can expect long sunny days, occasional storms and sometimes heat waves.
Fall
- In autumn (from September to November) the leaves fall from the trees and with them the temperature.
Winter
- Winter (December - February) is the coldest period, you can expect freezing temperatures and sometimes snowfall.
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United Kingdom weather Insights
- Great Britian is located in the temperate maritime climatic zone.
- Climate is rather similar, with some small exceptions, throught the whole country (dryer south east region).
- It is colder and it rains a lot more in north of the country.
- Climate is not extreme, meaning that winter are mild and summers are warm but not hot.
- Weather information for mountainous regions can be found at www.mwis.org.uk.
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Savoir-Vivre in United Kingdom
- Greetings - Exchange handshake and say 'hello', whille meeting someone new, instead of giving a kiss in a cheek.
- Punctuality -
- Dress code - In Great Britain you can feel comfortable wearing jeans and a T-shirt. There are also good combinations of a blouse with a sweater or a sweatshirt. However, some conservative Englishmen in large cities may try to dress in accordance with the prevailing trends.
- Home invitation - Always bring a gift (flowers, chocolate, wine) if you plan to visit a local household. Ask before you entry a local house, wheter you need to remove your shoes.
- Etiquette - Use the second names with a verb 'Mrs', 'Ms' or 'Mr', insead of first names as it is rude. Remember to remove your hat while going inside any building.
- Drones - We recommend using this map to easily check the applicable restrictions.
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Things not to do in United Kingdom
- Never ask personal questions, especially those concerning incomes or women's age.
- Do not wear stripped ties in Scotland as in this region such ties are a display of governmental position.
- Never compare Scotisch people to British people as this is highly offensive for Scots.
- Never compare British people to Americans as it is offensive to Brits.
- Do not skip the queues as you may be considered aggressive and disrespectful.
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Interesting facts about United Kingdom
- Calling each others with phrases such as 'dear', 'duck', 'mate', 'love' or 'honey' is perfectly normal.
- It is a dispaly of good manner to hold the door and not only men but also women tend to hold the door for the other person.
- British people like to mention the weather whenever they have a chance to talk.
- The catholic part of British society chooses names for newborn babies after the saints.
- The proper name of the clock tower next to the seat of parliament is the tower of St. Stephen. Big Ben is the name of the 13-tone bell inside.
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Best souvenirs from United Kingdom 💝
Great Britain is an interesting and popular travel destination among tourists! Regardless of whether you are going to bustling London, or maybe you are planning to visit quiet, small towns - you definitely want to keep the magic of this trip for as long as possible. Check out our guide for the best souvenirs!
🍺 Beverages
Elderflower Cordial 💲 💲 💲 💲
Elderflower Cordial is a lilac-flavoured carbonated beverage made on the basis of water and refined sugar. Although today's recipe was developed in England, the first mention of the drink comes from ancient Rome!
🛒 Where to buy: supermarkets
💰 Price range: 3 - 5 GBP
🎁 For whom: friends, spouse, kids
Gin 💲 💲 💲 💲
In the past, London was full of gin distilleries. No wonder, it's one of the Brits' favourite drinks! It is worth to buy alcohol from brands such as Beefeater, Slipsmith or Tanqueray. And if you are looking for a recommendation, try alcohol based on gin, Pimm No.1 with a characteristic orange note.
📌 Region: London
🛒 Where to buy: distilleries, liqueur stores
💰 Price range: 10 - 15 GBP
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse
Harrods Coffee 💲 💲 💲 💲
Created from Arabica beans, the coffee was prepared to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Harrods. Every detail was taken care of - from the taste of the coffee to the decorative tin, which can be purchased in two colors, gold and green.
📌 Region: London
🛒 Where to buy: Harrod's dedicated shop
💰 Price range: 10 - 13 GBP
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse
Tea 💲 💲 💲 💲
You will find the best tea at Fortum & Mason, where you will find a rich selection of not only teas, but also wines, jams and sweets.
📌 Region: London
🛒 Where to buy: Fortum&Mason shop
💰 Price range: 5 - 25 GBP
🎁 For whom: souvenirs.for_whom.granparents, parents, spouse, friends
Whisky 💲 💲 💲 💲
Thanks to its unique taste and color, Scotch whisky has become synonymous with good alcohol. Therefore, if you are planning a trip to the UK, it is worthwhile to add a visit to the distillery and a tasting of different types of whisky. We particularly recommend single malt whisky made entirely from one type of malt.
📌 Region: Scotland
🛒 Where to buy: liquor stores
💰 Price range: 15 - 400 GBP
🎁 For whom: souvenirs.for_whom.granparents, parents, spouse, souvenirs.for_whom.friend
👚 Clothes
Kilt 💲 💲 💲 💲
I think everyone associates traditional Scottish clothing. At first glance it looks like a women's skirt, but according to the tradition kilt is a dress for men. The garment has a characteristic check pattern and as the legends say... It is very comfortable!
📌 Region: Scotland
🛒 Where to buy: clothing stores, gift shops
💰 Price range: 40 - 250 GBP
🎁 For whom: spouse
Tartan scarf 💲 💲 💲 💲
The checked scarf represents colors and patterns similar to those found on Scottish skirts. The scarf, even without the rest of traditional Scottish clothing, will be a stylish addition to your outfit. Depending on your taste, you can choose a scarf made of wool, silk or cashmere.
📌 Region: Scotland
🛒 Where to buy: clothing stores
💰 Price range: 10 - 200 GBP
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse
🛍 Collections
"Made in Belfast" mug 💲 💲 💲 💲
The souvenir cups from Belfast are available with many funny inscriptions.
📌 Region: Northern Ireland
🛒 Where to buy: gift shops
💰 Price range: 6 - 8 GBP
🎁 For whom: parents, friends, spouse
Hip flask 💲 💲 💲 💲
The Brits make excellent quality breast pads, which are made of metal and are often placed in leather garments with decorative embroidery. Some stores allow you to personalize your chestnut by engraving the chosen inscription, so that it can become a unique gift for a loved one.
📌 Region: Scotland
🛒 Where to buy: gift shops
💰 Price range: 10 - 90 GBP
💡 Pro tip: The more expenisve ones are usually because of the brand and not because of the next-level quality.
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse
Sherlock Holmes sign 💲 💲 💲 💲
This is undoubtedly the most characteristic souvenir from London. The illustration, which hung over one of London's famous pubs in the 20th century, shows an image of Sherlock Holmes. You can buy the illustration in a frame or as a poster ready to hang on the wall.
📌 Region: London
🛒 Where to buy: pubs, gift shops
💰 Price range: 10 - 15 GBP
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse
Tower Bridge cufflinks 💲 💲 💲 💲
Elegant cuffs, designed and created by Allison Wiffen, showcase the London Tower Bridge in white and black.
📌 Region: London
🛒 Where to buy: gift shops, museums
💰 Price range: 40 - 50 GBP
🎁 For whom: souvenirs.for_whom.granparents, parents, spouse, friends
Umbrella 💲 💲 💲 💲
Great Britain is known for its rainy climate - this is a perfect excuse to get yourself a new umbrella! You will find some of the best umbrellas in the London store of James Smith & Sons, where you will find umbrellas made according to a special technique. The store is worth a visit not only because of the great quality of its products, but also because of the Victorian design that will make you feel like a time traveller!
📌 Region: London
🛒 Where to buy: James Smith&Sons shop
💰 Price range: 70 - 250 GBP
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, spouse
💄 Cosmetics
Perfumes 💲 💲 💲 💲
Perfume produced by Arran Aromatics is a must if you are looking for a typical Scottish scent. This local leader of the cosmetics industry has in its offer besides perfumes, skin care products such as creams, gels or shampoos.
📌 Region: Scotland
🛒 Where to buy: drugstores, perfumeries
💰 Price range: 5 - 75 GBP
🎁 For whom: spouse
🥗 Food
Colman's mustard 💲 💲 💲 💲
Colman mustard has been manufactured in the UK for over 200 years. The company responsible for its production offers mustard in many flavors. Colman stores are most often located in Norwich, East of England, where the company is based.
📌 Region: Norfolk
🛒 Where to buy: supermarkets, official Colman's shop
💰 Price range: 2 - 5 GBP
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse
Laverbread 💲 💲 💲 💲
The name of this delicacy may be slightly misleading. Laverbread is nothing but edible seaweed, added to many Welsh dishes. This delicacy is easily found all over the Welsh coast.
📌 Region: Wales
🛒 Where to buy: supermarkets, restaurants
💰 Price range: 1 - 7 GBP
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse
Lemon curd 💲 💲 💲 💲
Lemon Cream is a sweet dessert made from eggs, butter and sugar with the addition of lemon juice. It is a perfect addition to cakes and a snack served on a slice of bread.
🛒 Where to buy: supermarkets, markets
💰 Price range: 6 - 15 GBP
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, friends, spouse, kids
🖖 Handmade
Lovespoon 💲 💲 💲 💲
Spoons of love are handmade wooden spoons, which, according to tradition, were given as a gift to loved ones. Currently there are many variants of such spoons. According to local legends, some of them bring happiness and prosperity!
📌 Region: Wales
🛒 Where to buy: gift shops
💰 Price range: 20 - 60 GBP
🎁 For whom: spouse
🏡 Home Decor
Crystal wares 💲 💲 💲 💲
Edinburgh is famous for its crystal production. Crystal vessels can be bought in forms - bowls, glasses, glasses or carafe.
📌 Region: Scotland
🛒 Where to buy: dedicated shops
💰 Price range: 15 - 300 GBP
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, spouse
Quaich 💲 💲 💲 💲
The word "quaich" means a mug in Scottish, although often the same name is called but a glass or a sports trophy. A quaich is made of wood, tin or silver. Especially worth considering buying a metal version, often elegantly decorated.
📌 Region: Scotland
🛒 Where to buy: dediacated shops
💰 Price range: 20 - 100 GBP
🎁 For whom: souvenirs.for_whom.granparents, parents, spouse, friends
Teapots 💲 💲 💲 💲
English cups are unusual because of their unique designs, depicting landscapes and London's most famous monuments.
📌 Region: London
🛒 Where to buy: markets, dedicated shops
💰 Price range: 20 - 30 GBP
🎁 For whom: grandparents, parents, spouse
United Kingdom - Souvenirs
We hope that in this article you have found some suggestions of souvenirs from Great Britain that you liked! Or maybe you have a different idea of what to bring your loved ones from this country? Be sure to write!
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United Kingdom packing list 💡
- Travel Adapter - A completely different standard of electrical sockets applies there. Currently, plugs of this type are mainly used in Asian countries.
- Rainwear and umbrella - The country's maritime climate ensures that winters are not too cold, but the other side is the lack of hot summer, frequent rainfall and a cloudy sky.
- Fishing rod - Scotland and West Country are good places to test our equipment against salmon and trout. After purchasing the appropriate, short-term permit, you can safely cast the bait.
- Printed maps - It's worth packaging them on the road, because there may be a problem with the internet, and if you don't have a network connection, there is no up-to-date information.
- First aid kit - Medicines in Great Britain are quite expensive, so it is worth having the basic range of drugs with you.
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Get a personalized packing list before travel to United Kingdom 🧳
Health information
Health risks and required vaccinations
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Local prices
Average cost of food, tickets and accommodation
Tourist information about United Kingdom
Country | United Kingdom |
Capital | London |
Currency | British pound |
Language | English |
Timezone | GMT |
English speaking | Official language |
LGBT tolerance | Very high |
Gender ratio (overall) | 51% | 49% |
Population | 67.9 mln |
Visitors per year | 39.4 mln |
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Useful information about United Kingdom
Card payments | |
ATM Availability | Widely available |
Suggested ATM takeout | 100 GBP |
Drinking in public | |
Tap water | |
Internet speed (avg.) | 42 Mbps |
Socket type | G |
Best taxi app | |
Public toilets | Popular & Free |
Top mobile providers | EE, O2, Vodafone, Three |
Best internal air carrier | British |
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Cost of living in United Kingdom
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
14.49 EUR
15.3 USD
12 GBP
61.71 PLN
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant |
60.39 EUR
63.75 USD
50 GBP
257.14 PLN
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) |
4.59 EUR
4.84 USD
3.8 GBP
19.54 PLN
|
Gasoline (1 liter) |
1.55 EUR
1.63 USD
1.28 GBP
6.58 PLN
|
One-way ticket (public transport) |
3.02 EUR
3.19 USD
2.5 GBP
12.86 PLN
|
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Quality of life in United Kingdom
Quality of life | High |
Safety Index | Moderate |
Healthcare likability | High |
Climate likability | Very high |
Costs of living | Moderate |
Level of pollution | Moderate |
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Important numbers
General emergency number | 999 |
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