Great Britain Overview

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There once was a country made up of great islands

with peat bogs and moors, great rivers and highlands.

Its people built castles and churches with spires

and started a powerful, global empire.

Meanwhile, the hills, filled with white sheep and crofters,

inspired great artists, bold monarchs, and authors.

Today, on a belly of bangers and mash,

the British continue their long, storied past

with Wimbledon, cricket, golf tourneys, and football,

festivals, dubstep, and cold pints on pub crawls.

It’s time to discover and leave what you know—

boot up in your wellies, grab your pack, and let’s go!

Facts And Figures

Populations: England, 50.7 million; Wales, 3 million; Scotland, 5.1 million; Northern Ireland, 1.7 million.
Patron Saints: George (England), David (Wales), Andrew (Scotland).
Monarchs: Kings: 35. Queens: 7. Longest reign: 64 years (Victoria). Shortest reign: 9 days (Lady Jane Grey).
Most Common Names: Jack (it’s a boy!), Olivia (it’s a girl!), Max (it’s a dog!), The Red Lion (it’s a pub!).
1 Singles By The Beatles: 17.
1 Singles By The Spice Girls: 9.
Annual Tea Consumption Per Person: 860 cups.
Annual Beer Consumption Per Person: 228 pints.
First Sighting Of The Loch Ness Monster: 565AD. Hoaxes since then: over 1000.
Height Of A Queen’S Guard Bearskin Hat: 18 in.

Essentials

Visa: Not required of citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US, and many other Western countries. If you are unsure, call your local embassy or complete an inquiry at www.ukvisas.gov.uk. Students must obtain a visa if staying over 6 months.
Tourism office: www.visitbritain.com
Currency: pound sterling
Sales tax: 17.5%, included in display price.
Emergency numbers: 999 or 112
Drinking age: 18 (14 to enter, 16 for beer and wine with food).
Driving: Left-hand side of the road; age requirement of 21 to rent a car.

Planning Your Trip

Entrance Requirements Passport . Required of all foreign nationals, although they may not be checked for citizens of the EU. Visa . Not required for short-term travel for citizens of Australia ...more

When To Go

Britain’s popularity as a tourist destination makes it wise to plan around high season (June-Aug.). Spring or autumn (Apr.-May and Sept.-Oct.) are appealing alternatives, offering pleasant weather ...more

Basics

Winds from the Atlantic mix with seas surrounding the island country to produce the dense fog and low clouds characteristic of Britain’s land- and cityscapes. Though notorious for a wet and climate ...more

Things To Do

With Manchester’s clubs only an hour from the Lake District peaks and Land’s End only 16hr. from John O’Groats by car, Britain provides countless opportunities within an amazingly ...more