Travelling to the UK: Useful Things to Know…

As many of our tours will take place over several days and in various locations, we thought it would be helpful to provide some tips and tricks to prepare everyone for the Tudor adventure of a lifetime. This is especially true for those coming to the UK for the first time! These are some of the essential things we think you need to bear in mind…

Note: We have included links in the text and at the end to some of our favourite British products. (Please note that where you see an *, this is an affiliate link, which means should you choose to purchase, we will receive a small commission)

Travelling to the UK: The Practical Stuff

  1. From 8 January 2025, US and Australian citizens (amongst many other countries) will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to travel to the UK. From April, visitors from European countries outside the UK will also need an ETA. You can apply for an ETA through the UK ETA app or the UK government website. Most applications are approved on the same day, but it can take up to 72 hours. You’ll need an ETA for the following reasons: tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences, and short-term study for 6 months or less.
  2. The United Kingdom goes against the grain when it comes to our plugs. So, you will need adapters if you travel from outside the UK. Our plug is the three-prong “type G”. Please purchase adapters to fit that style. Here is one on Amazon that is UK-friendly for those visiting from the US; here is one from Europe to the UK and one for travellers from Australasia.
  1. Between late March and late October, the United Kingdom will operate on BST (British Summer Time). This will place us behind Australasia by up to twelve hours and ahead of the West Coast of the USA by nine hours. You are, therefore, advised to notify family and friends of the considerable time difference. You will also want to set up practical things, such as changes to wristwatches and smartphone alarms, should you feel it necessary.
  1. The Weather:

    If you are touring with us in May:
    May is one of the most beautiful times of year to travel to the UK. Everything will be in full bloom. In London, the average temperature for the month is 14°C (57°F), with highs of 17°C (63°F) and lows of 9°C (48°F). It’s also typical to get around 55 mm of rainfall and 15 days of rain in May. As always, the weather in the UK is very changeable. May could be sunny and warm or overcast and prone to showers. Be prepared with light layers and a light showerproof coat or an umbrella.

    If you are touring with us in July:
    July is considered the height of summer here in the UK. What we hope for are warm sunny days with less rain. Daily high temperatures often hover around 23°C, rarely falling below 19°C or rising above 27°C. Daily low temperatures follow a similar pattern and are around 15°C, only falling below 13°C or rising above 18°C one day out of every ten. Occasionally, we get heatwaves where the temperatures can reach above 100 degrees. However, while the UK’s weather can be unpredictable, it’s rarely extreme. During most heatwaves, temperatures reach around 30°C (86°F). Light layers are the staple of your packing.

    If you are touring with us in September:
     
    September in the United Kingdom is typically mild, with the average daytime temperature being 20°C (68F). This will drop a few degrees at night. You are therefore advised to bring relatively lightweight clothing but with a couple of warmer options. We would also suggest getting something showerproof (or rainproof), including waterproof shoes. There’s nothing worse than soggy feet!

    Did you know? One thing that can be guaranteed in the UK is that the weather is unpredictable, and rain is often never too far away. Wikipedia states that Eskimos have 40-50 words for snow. I was amused to hear that English has around 100 words for rain. Take your pick from Squally showers, downpours, drizzle, monsoons, spitting, chucking it down, throwing it down, lashing it down, hammering it down, raining cats and dogs…and the list goes on…
  1. As we will be up and about most of each day, we strongly advise that you wear comfortable shoes (and have something waterproof to wear on your feet). The mantra of “a change is as good as a rest” definitely applies, so we advise bringing something different to wear in the evenings – your feet will thank you for it!
  1. In the United Kingdom, we drive on the left-hand side of the road. Therefore, it is imperative that you always check left before walking out into the street.
  1. London is a big and sprawling city with various ways of getting around. Londoners highly favour walking in central London, but should you not wish to do so, then:
    • The easiest and most cost-effective method is via the London Underground, known to us Brits as “the Tube”. An app can be downloaded from the IOS or Android App Store, showing you exactly how to get from A to B, how long journeys take, etc. What makes the tube the easiest method of transport is that you do not need to go through the hassle of getting a paper ticket. You simply tap your bank card or smartphone on the yellow circular pads at the tube entrance gates. Heathrow Airport has tube entrances at Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5, which all go directly into central London via the Piccadilly Line.
    • You have two main options if you prefer to get around by taxi. London is full of black cabs that you hail down by hand. If the light on top of the taxi is lit, it’s available. What makes black cab drivers so great is that they have to undergo something called ‘The Knowledge’, which means they can’t begin life as a taxi driver until they know London in its entirety, from memory, so there is no need to provide directions or anything! Bank card/smartphone payment is also universal, so there is no need to use cash. The other option is Uber, which is used across the whole of the UK. Taxis to and from Heathrow Airport into central London will cost between £40.00 and £80.00, depending on the time of day and the overall quality of the car you ride in.

What About UK Culture….

  1. Tipping is customary in most British restaurants and is often applied automatically. Still, it is not expected in bars or taxis in the same way that it is in other parts of the world, notably the USA. As such, you do not need to walk around with large amounts of cash.
  1. Much like other major cities such as Paris and New York, London has various areas that range in style, affordability and overall “feel”. Areas such as Belgravia, Chelsea and Belsize Park are very affluent and, as such, are architecturally grand and boast high-end stores and great restaurants. In contrast, the likes of Hoxton, Shoreditch and Peckham have much more of a “hipster” edgy vibe. If you are spending additional time in the capital and wish to check out other notable historical locations, which we do not have time to do on the tour, then we would suggest the following:

 3. London is also home to some of the most amazing restaurants on the planet. As an exceedingly multicultural city, cuisine from all over the world can be found. If you are planning a nice meal out at some point, then the following get our firm approval:

  1. The Hawksmoor is a high-end steak restaurant with five central London locations.
  2. Dean Street Townhouse is a beautiful restaurant in the heart of Soho, owned and run by the Soho House Group. It’s also great for breakfast!
  3. Sticks ‘n’ Sushi – incredible sushi and yakitori dishes with locations in Victoria, Covent Garden, Soho and Shoreditch. Booking is advisable. This also happens to be our resident Londoner, Adam’s very favourite restaurant!
  4. Dishoom is a chain of phenomenal Indian restaurants with several central London locations. Bookings are only possible for groups of six or more, and so they operate on a walk-in basis. Dishoom is very popular, so it can be tricky getting a table, but it is so worth it!
  5. Din Tai Fung -excellent Chinese Dim Sum in Covent Garden.
  6. The Wolseley is an all-day upmarket cafe serving British/European food and beautiful afternoon tea. It has a very grand Art Deco feel. It is one of Sarah’s absolute favourites for a little touch of glamour!
  7. Poppies – classic and unbeatable fish and chips.
  8. The Ritz is THE definitive location for a quintessential English Afternoon Tea. However, please be aware of strict dress codes, which can be found on their website.

Let’s Shop! The ‘Best of British’ Brands 🇬🇧

In case you are interested in some retail therapy with a distinctly British feel; whether you are preparing for your trip or to buy as gifts to enjoy after your return home, here are some of the ‘Best of British’ brands we love…

FOOD & DRINK
Fortnum and Mason: Established in 1707, it is one of Britain’s most iconic London-based purveyor of fine goods. Yummie!
Harrods: Another iconic British brand. They style themselves as ‘the world’s leading luxury department store, and we can’t argue with that! Sarah has been known to pop into the food hall for a glass of Prosecco when visiting London to celebrate a special occasion.
Mr Booja-Booja: Vegan chocolates and vegan ice cream. All are made from the minimum number of natural organic ingredients. All dairy-free, gluten-free, and soya-free. They are one of Sarah’s favourite chocolate brands, and even if you are not vegan, they are luxuriously velvety and melt in your mouth.
Green & Blacks. Although sadly no longer British-owned, G&Bs was founded and is still based in Britain. The company makes high-quality organic chocolate. Yes, you guessed it! It is another one of Sarah’s (our residence chocolate connoisseur) favs…

LUGGAGE AND BAGS
Briggs and Riley: Quality-made bags and suitcases with a lifetime guarantee to repair or mend any of your luggage. Not bad!

CLOTHING
ACAI Ladies Clothing * – Stylish, waterproof outerwear for women. Sarah LOVES this brand, and if the weather is showery during the tour, she will definitely donn her ACAI trousers!
Celtic and Co: Celtic & Co’s mission is to create beautiful, natural, sustainable clothing and footwear that everyone can choose over synthetic fibres that are damaging to our environment. Sarah can never get enough of their jumpers and boots.
The White Company: Dreamy women’s clothing and household accessories.
Karen Millen: Sarah’s fav online retail shop! Karen Millen is known for its elegance and tailoring, and although manufacture happens overseas, Karen Millen is a British-created and owned company.
Fairfax and Favor. Fairfax & Favor has grown into a multi-award-winning brand at the very forefront of Rural Vogue. They design gorgeously stylish clothes of incredible quality with the outdoors in mind.
Barbour: Although it is now a global business with retail stores in over 40 countries worldwide, Barbour remains thoroughly British with its classic wax jackets still manufactured by hand in their UK factory and its proud British heritage heralded on every item.
Walker and Hawkes: (on Amazon) Fancy getting yourself a quintessentially English country look? Walker and Hawkes are an excellent place to start!
Barker’s Shoes: High-quality dapper footwear from one of England’s most famous shoemakers. They specialise in men’s shoes but have a women’s range.

MAKE-UP & FRAGRANCE
Charlotte Tilbury: The best make-up in the world – ever! According to Sarah. Not cheap but worth it!
Jo Malone: Jo Malone London is a British lifestyle brand known for its unique fragrance portfolio and luxury products for the bath, body and home. Its perfumes and candles are simply lovely!

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