United Kingdom

Download a United Kingdom destination travel guide (PDF, 1297K)

A visit to our friends “across the pond” is a delightful study in the roots of American culture. Literary giants like Shakespeare, Dickens and Faulkner come to life on this storied island. Yes, England swings—from the double-decker buses of London to Stonehenge’s mystical circle to York’s medieval grandeur. Scotland’s green grasses give way to pristinely preserved cities and an unmatched commitment to hospitality. The world itself seems just a bit more civilized as you roam the land of tea, biscuits and royalty.

• History
• Fast Facts
• Holidays and Festivals
• Books
• Videos
• British Slang for Travelers
• Weather
• Average Temperatures
• Tips
• Did you know?

History

Not always a world powerhouse, Britain was riddled with invasions during the early stages of its history—from the Roman invasion in 55 B.C. to the pivotal incursions of the Angles, Saxons and Jutes in the fifth and sixth centuries, and on to the Norman conquest in 1066. Norman rule effectively ensured Britain’s safety from further intrusions and ushered in a unique culture, system of government, religion and educational system.

Initiated to support William the Conqueror’s holdings in France, Britain’s policy of active involvement and trade with continental Europe endured for several hundred years. The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 firmly established England as a major sea power. Thereafter, its interests outside Europe grew steadily. In search of an alternate route to the Spice Islands, English explorer John Cabot reached North America in 1498. The first established English settlement didn’t occur until Jamestown in 1607. During the next two centuries, Britain extended its influence abroad, culminating with the long reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. At this point, the mighty United Kingdom encompassed roughly one-fifth to one-quarter of the world’s area and population.

The twentieth century saw a Britain with resources heavily depleted by war and colonies that had developed a stronger sense of nationalism. Between WWI and WWII, Ireland gained independence from the United Kingdom, save six northern, predominantly Protestant counties. In 1926, Australia, New Zealand and Canada were granted autonomy within the empire, becoming members of the Commonwealth. India and Pakistan gained full independence in 1947, followed shortly thereafter by the majority of the United Kingdom’s holdings worldwide. But although the Great Britain of today is only a fraction of its former self, it still maintains a strong, democratic voice in the modern world. As one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and a founding member of NATO, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy and enjoys the respect of nations worldwide.

United Kingdom Fast Facts

Capital: London
Population: 60.5 million
Language: English, Welsh
Currency: British pound (GBP)
Time Zone: EST plus 5 hours
Electricity: 240V, 50Hz

Holidays & Festivals

Books

• The Bride of Lammermoor, by Sir Walter Scott
• Notes from a Small Island, by Bill Bryson
• Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon
• The Road North: 300 Years of Classic Scottish Travel Writing, by June Skinner Sawyers
• Robert Burns: Selected Poems, by Robert Burns, edited by Carol McGuirk
• William Wallace: Guardian of Scotland, by A.F. Murison

Videos

• Brigadoon (1954)
• Braveheart (1995)
• Rob Roy (1995)
• Elizabeth (1998)
• Calendar Girls(2003)

British Slang for Travelers

Weather

Great Britain’s weather is wet year-round, with pleasant summers and cool winters. London fog goes beyond the city limits, as humidity creates many misty mornings across the whole island. The East Coast is the coldest in winter, while the West gets the most rain. Bring lightweight clothes in the summer, and warmer layers in winter, especially in the North.

Average Temperatures

Tips for Tipping

Some restaurants and most hotels add a service charge of 10 to 15 percent of the bill. If this has been done, you’re under no obligation to tip further. If no service charge is indicated, add 10 to 15 percent to your total bill.

Did you know?

• Stonehenge is surely Britain’s greatest historical icon, symbolizing mystery, power and endurance. And although its original purpose is unclear to us, some have speculated that it was a temple made for the worship of ancient deities or used for marking significant events on the prehistoric calendar.
• The Scottish island Ailsa Craig is famous for being the sole source of the stones used in the sport of curling.
• Loch Ness by volume holds more fresh water than all the lakes and reservoirs in England and Wales combined. Perhaps that is why sightings of the loch’s 1,400-year-old legend, Nessie, are so elusive.
• There are about 40 abandoned stations in London’s Underground subway network both below and above ground. Some of these forgotten transportation hubs are intact, grimy time capsules of the era in which they were closed.
• Bagpipes have been banned twice in Scotland’s history, the first after the reformation in 1560 and again in 1746 after the Battle of Culloden. The ban was so strictly enforced that piper James Reid was executed in 1746 as a rebel because bagpipes were deemed an instrument of war.

• Return to top
• More travel information guides