Plan your visit

Plan your visit

Flying to the United Kingdom

Heathrow Airport:

 This airport is Europe’s biggest airport and is located approximately 14 miles west of London. www.nationalexpress.co.uk operates frequent bus services from Heathrow airport to central London’s Victoria station and they also operate frequent bus services from Heathrow airport to various destinations all over the United Kingdom. www.a2btransfers.com offer quick reliable group airport transfers from Heathrow airport into central London and to Canary Wharf, London’s financial district.

Gatwick Airport:

This airport is thirty miles south of London, it handles a host of European and domestic flights .The airport has two terminals both are connected via a monorail. Several Trains depart the airports south terminal and take 30 minutes to reach London’s Victoria station. www.nationalexpress.co.uk operates frequent bus services from Gatwick airport to various destinations all over the United Kingdom. They also operate frequent bus services to central London’s Victoria station.

Stansted Airport:

This airport is approximately thirty five miles north of London and handles a host of European and domestic flights. Trains depart Stansted airport every 15 minutes for Central London’s Liverpool Street station and take 45 minutes. www.nationalexpress.co.uk operate frequent bus services to Central London’s Victoria station departing every 20 minutes and take 1hour and 20 minutes. National express also operates frequent bus services from Stansted airport to a host of destinations all over England.

Luton Airport:

This airport is approximately 30 miles north of London and handles a host of European and domestic flights. National Express www.nationalexpress.co.uk operate regular bus services from this airport into Central London, Luton airport, Stansted Airport, Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Oxford, Cambridge, Nottingham, Leicester, Coventry, Birmingham, Wolverhampton,  Milton Keynes and Northampton. Several train companies operate frequent train service to and from central London to Luton Airport Parkway train station. Visitors can catch the Luton Airport shuttle bus from outside the terminal at Bay 1 this will take you to Luton Airport Parkway train station in around 10 minutes.

City Airport:

This airport handles domestic and European flights and is connected to the Docklands light railway DLR rail which makes transport to and from the airport fast and convenient. The DLR departs City Airport every 8 to 15 minutes, with a journey time of 22 minutes to central London’s Bank tube station.

Manchester International Airport:

This airport is the United Kingdom’s third busiest airport, it handles domestic, European, international and transatlantic flights. www.nationalexpress.co.uk operates a host of buses from the airport to various locations through out the United Kingdom. Manchester is also an ideal point for those who wish to explore Chester, Liverpool, Southport, The Peak District, The Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. 6 trains an hour depart the airport for central Manchester’s Piccadilly station.

Liverpool Airport:

This airport was recently renamed John Lennon airport; it handles domestic and European flights and is located approximately eight miles southeast of Liverpool city centre. The Airport Express, bus number 500 runs directly into Liverpool every 30 minutes. The local bus number 80 A makes the same journey into city centre for a fraction of the cost. Liverpool is an ideal starting point for those who wish to explore Chester, Southport, Blackpool, Manchester, The Peak District, The Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Check out www.nationalexpress.co.uk for transport details.

Birmingham International Airport:

This airport handles domestic, European, international and transatlantic flights and is located in the middle of England, approximately 9 miles east of the Birmingham city centre. National Express www.nationalexpress.co.uk run frequent bus services from Birmingham International Airport to most destinations in the United Kingdom. There are approximately 9 trains per hour during the day between Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street. Birmingham’s New Street Station is the United Kingdom biggest train station and has frequent direct train services to most parts of the midlands and rest of the country.

Glasgow Prestwick International Airport:

This airport handles most of Scotland’s domestic, European, international and transatlantic flights. www.a2btransfers.com offer fast reliable group airport transfers direct into Glasgow’s city centre. www.nationalexpress.co.uk  operates frequent buses into Glasgow city centre and buses to a host of destinations in Scotland and England. The nearest rail station to the airport is Paisley Gilmour Street, which is just one mile from the terminal and easily reached by bus number 66 or bus 300. There are eight trains an hour from Paisley Gilmour Street to Glasgow Central. There are numerous regional flights from Glasgow Prestwick to Inverness, Aberdeen, Wick, the Shetland Islands and Orkney Islands.

Edinburgh Airport:

This airport handles domestic U.K flights and a few European flights. Edinburgh is an ideal point for those who wish to explore Glasgow, Fort William, Inverness, Aberdeen, Loch Lomond and Newcastle. regular flights depart Edinburgh for the Outer Hebrides Island’s, the Orkneys islands and the Shetland Island’s. www.a2btransfers.com offer quick reliable airport transfers direct into Edinburgh city centre.

Aberdeen airport:

This airport handles domestic U.K flights and a few European flights. Aberdeen is an ideal point for those who wish to explore the Scottish Highlands, Fort William, Inverness, Edinburgh, the Outer Hebrides Island’s, The Orkneys Island’s and The Shetland Island’s. regular flights depart Aberdeen for the offshore Islands.

Sumburgh Airport:

This airport is located on the Shetland Islands and has regular flights to Aberdeen, Inverness, Wick and Kirkwall Orkney Islands’ capital. Several airlines offer connections flights into the Sumburgh airports from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and London.

Kirkwall airport

This airport is located on the Orkney Islands and has regular weekly flights to Wick, Inverness, Aberdeen and to Sumburgh airport on the Shetland Islands. Several airlines offer connections flights into Kirkwall airport from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. Kirkwall airport offers good interconnecting flights to the smaller Orkney Islands of Eday, North Ronaldsay, Westray, Papa Westray, Sandy and Stronsay. 

Newcastle Airport:

This airport handles domestic flights and a host of European flights and is linked to Newcastle city centre via the metro. Newcastle is an ideal point for those who wish to explore Edinburgh, Scotland’s world famous medieval capital, historic Durham, medieval York and the historical Hadrian wall. National Express coaches www.nationalexpress.co.uk connect the airport to most of these destinations and a host of other destinations throughout the UK. Hadrian’s Wall can also be reached by car or via the railway link between Newcastle and Carlisle.

Southampton Airport:

This airport handles domestic and European flights and is an ideal point for those who wish to explore London, Bath, prehistoric Stonehenge, Winchester, Bournemouth, the New Forest. the Isle of Wight or Oxford.

East Midlands Airport:

This airport handles domestic and European flights and is an ideal point for those who wish to explore Nottingham, Sherwood Forest, Derby, Lincoln, Manchester, York and the Peak district.

Bristol International Airport:

This airport handles several domestic flights and a host of European flight. Bristol is an ideal starting point for those who wish to explore, the beautiful Cotswolds, Glastonbury, and pre historic Stonehenge, Bath, Oxford, Brecon Beacons National Park, Gower Peninsula, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Exmoor National Park, Cardiff, Swansea and Chepstow castle. National Express coaches www.nationalexpress.co.uk connect the airport to most of these destinations and a host of other destinations throughout the UK.

Cardiff Airport:

This airport handles several domestic flights and a host of European flight. Rail links connect Rhoose Cardiff International Airport Station with Cardiff Central station. Cardiff is also an ideal point for those who wish to explore, Brecon Beacons National Park, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the Cotswolds, Swansea, Chepstow castle, Bristol and Bath. For bus services departing this airport check out www.nationalexpress.co.uk

Public transport in the United Kingdom

 There are approximately 20 different train companies operating train routes throughout the United Kingdom. www.raileurope.co.uk sells some British intercity train tickets and a host of European inter rail tickets.

www.nationalexpress.co.uk is Britain’s biggest coach company and operates frequent, airport, regional and inter city bus services all over the United Kingdom.

www.a2btransfers.com offer quick reliable airport transfers from Heathrow Airport into central London and Canary Wharf, London’s financial district. The company also provides airport transfers for Edinburgh airport and Glasgow airport.

Driving a car in the United Kingdom

England has an excellent network of motorways/freeways. Traffic congestion can be bad in most built up cities especially London, if you can, try and avoid London’s notorious M25 outer motorway.

Scotland has some very good motorways but they tend to be located in the south. The vast majority of northern Scotland’s roads are single lane, highways but you will come across dual carriage ways in all the major urban areas. 

Rules of the Road

• Drive on the left and remember to overtake on the right.
• When entering a roundabout, give way to the right
• Speed limits are 110km/70 miles per on motorways/freeways, 80 km/50 miles per hour on secondary and local roads and 50km/30 miles in built up areas.
• Drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts.
• The legal alcohol limit is roughly 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.

Visas and passport requirements

Visitors must produce a valid passport, to visit the United Kingdom. European Union passport holders don’t require any visas to visit Great Britain and can stay indefinitely with out a visa. Visitors from the U.S.A, Canada, New Zealand and Australia can stay for six months without a visa, though evidence of sufficient funds and a return ticket may be required. Nationals of other countries who wish to visit Great Britain should contact their local British Embassy for further details or visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Sales Tax refund for overseas visitors

Visitors from outside the European Union can claim back British sales tax on large purchases, Most big department stores display tax free shopping stickers. When you purchase goods in any of these stores they will give you a sales invoice, simply present it to customs for stamping upon departure. The stamped invoice will be returned to the shop where you purchased the goods, which in turn will refund your credit or debit card. For further information about sales tax refunds, Check out https:­/­/­customs.­hmrc.­gov.­uk 

Customs

If you are travelling to or from the United Kingdom to another European state, you can’t buy duty free goods. Travellers coming to the United Kingdom from outside the European union are allowed to import 200 duty free cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine, 60 ml of perfume and 250 ml of eau de toilette.

Rules for travelling with animals

Most visitors are allowed to bring their pet dogs and cats with them on holidays to the United Kingdom. Visitors must ensure that their pets are micro chipped and fully vaccinated against rabies. For the most up to date information check out www.defra.gov.uk or contact the Pet Travel Scheme Helpline: +44 (0)870 241 1710

Gay & Lesbian Travellers

Brighton, Manchester and London have flourishing gay and lesbian scenes. Check out the following web sites: www.rainbownetwork.com, www.gingerbeer.co.uk, www.gaytimes.co.uk, www.divamag.co.uk/diva and www.pinkpaper.com these websites contain up to date lists of regional gay festivals and events. Check out the following regular publications: ‘Diva’ lesbian magazine printed monthly and ‘Boys’ printed weekly.

Sailing to England:

Numerous shipping companies operate car ferries between England and ports in Ireland and mainland Europe. Tickets for these crossing can be purchased from www.ferrycheap.com

From Belgium

·        Ostend to Dover

·        Zeebrugge to Hull

From Denmark

·        Esbjerg to Harwich

From France

·        Caen to Portsmouth

·        Calais to Dover

·        Cherbourg to Poole

·        Cherbourg to Portsmouth

·        Dieppe to Newhaven

·        St. Malo via Jersey/Guernsey to Poole (summer only)

·        St. Malo to Portsmouth

·        Le Havre to Portsmouth

·        Roscoff to Plymouth

From Germany

·        Hamburg to Harwich

From the Island of Ireland

·        Larne (Northern Ireland) to Fleetwood

·        Belfast (Northern Ireland) to Heysham

·        Belfast (Northern Ireland) to Liverpool 

·        Dublin(Ireland) to Liverpool

From the Netherlands

·        Amsterdam to Newcastle

·        Hook of Holland to Harwich

From Norway

·        Stavanger/Bergen to Newcastle

·        Kristiansand to Newcastle

From Spain

·        Bilbao to Portsmouth

·        Santander to Plymouth

From Sweden

·        Gothenburg to Newcastle

Dover

There are over 40 trains daily from London Victoria and Charing Cross stations to Dover. Dover is also an ideal point for those who wish to explore the medieval city of Canterbury and Brighton, England’s famous sea side resort.

Portsmouth

Trains depart Portsmouth every 20 minutes for London Victoria and Waterloo stations. Portsmouth is also an ideal point for those who wish to explore the medieval city of Canterbury, the stunning Dartmoor National Park, Exmoor National Park, the Isle of White, the delightful New Forest, the Cotswolds, pre historic Stonehenge, Oxford, the Welsh capital Cardiff and the spectacular coastlines of Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Portsmouth is also only a few miles drive from the sea side city resorts of Bournemouth, Torquay, Brighton and Weymouth.

Poole

Poole is an ideal point for those who wish to explore the stunning Dartmoor National Park, The Cotswolds, Exmoor National Park, the Isle of White, the delightful New Forest and the spectacular coastlines of Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. The sea side city resorts of Bournemouth, Torquay, Brighton and Weymouth are only a few miles drive from Poole. The medieval city of Bath, Canterbury, pre historic Stonehenge, London, Oxford and the Welsh capital Cardiff are all reachable from Poole. 

Plymouth

Plymouth is an ideal point for those who wish to explore the stunning Dartmoor National Park, beautiful Exmoor National Park and the spectacular coastlines of Devon and Cornwall. Britain’s best surfing town Newquay is only a few miles drive from Plymouth as are the equally beautiful traditional sea side resorts of Torquay, Weymouth and Bournemouth. The medieval city of Bath, pre historic Stonehenge and the Welsh capital Cardiff are all reachable from Plymouth. 

Newhaven

Newhaven is only a few miles west of Brighton, England’s most popular sea side resort. It is also an ideal point for those who wish to explore London, Oxford, and the medieval city of Canterbury.

Harwich

Harwich is an ideal point for those who wish to explore medieval Lincoln, world famous Cambridge and it is also an ideal point for those who wish to go boating on the beautiful Norfolk Broads or go swimming at the near by seaside resort of Great Yarmouth. There is a train station beside the port, with regular daily connections to London and several major English cities.

Hull

The Ferry port is about 4 miles from Hull’s city centre. Buses link the port to the city main train station. Hull is an ideal point for those who wish to explore the medieval city of York, the lovely sea town of Scarborough, the vibrant city of Nottingham and Sherwood Forest. The North York Moors National Park, The Peak District National Park, Yorkshire woods and the Lincolnshire Woods are easily reached by car from Hull.

Newcastle – Upon –Tyne

Bus 327 links the ferry port and Hulls Central Station. Newcastle is an ideal point for those who wish to explore Edinburgh, York, Durham, and Hadrian wall, Northumberland National Park, The Lakes District, Yorkshire Dales National Park, The Pennies and The North York Moors National Park. Scotland’s world famous medieval capital Edinburgh can easily be reached by train in less than 1hour 30 minutes and the beautiful medieval city of York can also be reached by train in less than one hour. Durham’s world heritage site is only 20 minutes away by train.

Fleetwood

Fleetwood is an ideal point for those who wish to explore, Yorkshire Dales National Park, The Lakes district, The Peak District, Liverpool, Blackpool, Southport, Manchester, Chester and The Forest of Bowland.

Heysham

Heysham is an ideal point for those who wish to explore, Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Lakes district, the Peak District, Lancaster, Blackpool, Southport, Liverpool, Manchester, Chester, the Forest of Bowland and The Isle of Man.

Liverpool  

Liverpool is an ideal point for those who wish to explore Chester, Southport, Blackpool, Manchester, The Peak District, The Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The Lakes district is about 90 miles/145 km north of Liverpool.

Sailing to Wales

Numerous shipping companies operate car ferries between Wales and ports in Ireland. Tickets for these crossing can be purchased from our partners www.ferrycheap.com

From the Island of Ireland

·        Dublin (Ireland) to Holyhead

·        Dun Laoghaire (Ireland) to Holyhead 

·        Dublin (Ireland) to Mostyn

·        Rosslare (Ireland) to Pembroke

·        Rosslare (Ireland) to Fishguard

·        Cork (Ireland)   to Swansea

Fishguard

Fishguard is an ideal starting point for those who wish to explore Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Llangollen, Llandudno, Snowdonia National Park, Brecon Beacons National Park, Swansea and Cardiff Wales’s capital.

Holyhead

Holyhead is also an ideal starting point for those who wish to explore Snowdonia National Park and its four World Heritage castles Caernarfon, Conwy, Beaumaris and Harlech. Holyhead is also ideal for exploring Chester, Liverpool, Manchester, Llangollen and Llandudno, 

Pembroke

Pembroke is an ideal starting point for those who wish to explore, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Swansea, Brecon Beacons National Park, The Cotswolds, Chepstow Castle, Bristol, Bath, and the Welsh capital Cardiff.

Mostyn

Mostyn is an ideal point for those who wish to explore Snowdonia National Park, The Peak District, The Forest of Bowland, Yorkshire Dales National Park, and the stunning Lakes district. Chester, Southport, Blackpool, Vibrant Liverpool and football crazy Manchester are easily reachable from Mostyn.

Swansea

Swansea is also an ideal point for those who wish to explore Cardiff, Wales’s capital city, Chepstow castle, Brecon Beacons National Park, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Bristol, Bath, Stonehenge, Gloucester, The Forest of Dean, Cheltenham, and the Cotswolds.

Sailing to Scotland

Numerous shipping companies operate car ferries between Scotland and ports in Northern Ireland. Tickets for these crossing can be purchased from our partners www.ferrycheap.com

From the Island of Ireland

·        Larne (Northern Ireland) to Cairnryan

·        Belfast (Northern Ireland)to Stanraer

·        Belfast (Northern Ireland) to Troon

Cairnryan

Cairnryan in Southern Scotland is an ideal point for those who wish to explore the medieval city of Edinburgh, vibrant Glasgow, Loch Lomond, and charming Newcastle. From Cairnryan it’s quite a long drive to Ben Nevis Britain highest mountain, Fort William Britain’s adventure capital and the stunning Scottish highlands but the unforgettable scenery makes the journey worthwhile

Stanraer

Stanraer in Southern Scotland is an ideal point for those who wish to explore the medieval city of Edinburgh, vibrant Glasgow, Loch Lomond and Newcastle. From Stanraer it’s a long drive to Ben Nevis Britain highest mountain, Fort William Britain’s adventure capital and the stunning Scottish highlands but the unforgettable scenery makes the journey worthwhile.

Troon

Troon in Southern Scotland is an ideal point for those who wish to explore the medieval city of Edinburgh, vibrant Glasgow, Loch Lomond and charming Newcastle. From Troon it’s a long drive to Ben Nevis Britain highest mountain, Fort William Britain’s adventure capital and the stunning Scottish highlands but the unforgettable scenery makes the journey worthwhile.

Foreign Embassies in the United Kingdom

American Embassy (England)

24 Grosvenor Square
London,

W1A 2LQ
United Kingdom

Telephone: [44] (0)20 7499-9000

Web site: http://www.usembassy.org.uk

Special Consular Services unit, send an email to SCSLondon@state.gov

Passport and Citizenship unit, send an email to londonpassports@state.gov

American Consulate General (Scotland)

Consulate General
3 Regent Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 5BW

Telephone: [44] (0)131 556-8315

Website: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/scotland/

Email: Edinburgh-Info@state.gov

Austrian Embassy:

18 Belgrave Mews West
London

SW1X 8HU

Telephone: (020) 7235 3731  

Web site: http://www.bmeia.gv.at

Nearest Underground Tube stations: Sloane Square and Hyde Park Corner.

Australian Embassy: 

Australian High Commission
Strand
London

WC2B 4LA

Telephone: 020 7379 4334

Web site: www.uk.embassy.gov.au

Nearest underground station: Temple

Belgium Embassy:

17 Grosvenor Crescent
London

SW1X 7EE

Telephone: (020) 7470 3700   
Website: http://www.diplomatie.be/london             
Email: london@diplobel.fed.be    

Nearest Underground Tube stations: Sloane Square and Victoria

Canadian Embassy:

Macdonald House

1 Grosvenor Square
London,

W1K 4AB
Telephone: 0207 258 6600

Website: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Dutch Embassy

38 Hyde Park Gate
London SW7 5DP
United Kingdom

Telephone: 0044 (0)20 7590 3200

Email: london@netherlands-embassy.org.uk

Website: www.netherlands-embassy.org.uk

Nearest underground Tube Stations: High Street Kensington

Dutch consulate general (Scotland)

7/9 North Saint David Street
Edinburgh

EH2 1AW
Telephone: 0131 - 524 9436
Email: info@netherlands-consulate.co.uk 
Website: www.netherlands-embassy.org.uk

French Embassy:

58 Knightsbridge
London

SW1X 7JT

Telephone: (020) 7073 1000

Web site: http://www.ambafrance-uk.org

Nearest Underground Tube station: Knightsbridge

French Consulate General (Scotland)

11 Randolph Crescent
Edinburgh

EH3 7TT

German Embassy:

23 Belgrave Square
London

SW1X 8PZ

Telephone: (020) 7824 1300     

Web site: http://www.london.diplo.de

Nearest Underground Tube stations: Knightsbridge, Hyde Park Corner and Sloane Square.

German Consulate General (Scotland)

16 Eglinton Crescent
Edinburgh,

EH12 5DG
Telephone: 0131 337 2323,

Website: www.edinburgh.diplo.de

Irish Embassy:

17 Grosvenor Place
London

SW1X 7HR

Telephone: (020) 7235 2171

Web site: http://www.embassyofireland.co.uk

Nearest Underground Tube station: Hyde Park Corner

Italian Consulate (England)

38 Eaton Place
London

SW1X 8AN
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7235 9371

Web Site: www.conslondra.esteri.it

Italian Consulate General (Scotland)

32 Melville Street

Edinburgh

EH3 7HA

Telephone: +44 (0)131 220 3695 / 226 3631

Email: consolato.edimburgo@esteri.it

Website: www.consedimburgo.esteri.it

Japanese Embassy: 

101-104 Piccadilly
London
W1J 7JT
Telephone: 020 7465 6500

E-mail: info@jpembassy.org.uk :

Web site: www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp

Nearest underground tube station s Green Park and Hyde Park

Polish Consulate General

73 New Cavendish Street
London

W1W 6LS

Telephone:  0207 2913 914
Email: consulate@polishconsulate.co.uk

Web site: www.London.polemb.net

Russian Embassy:

Telephone: 0203-051-11-99, 0845-868-11-99 (ext. 930)

E-mail: info@rusemblon.org

Website: www.rusemblon.org

The nearest underground tube stations are Queensway and Notting Hill Gate

Russian Consulate General (Scotland)

58 Melville Street,

Edinburgh

EH3 7HL,

Tel: +44 (0)131-225-7098;
E-mail: visa@edconsul.co.uk

Spanish Consulate General in London

20 Draycott Place.

London

SW3 2RZ

Telephone: 020 7589 8989

Web site: http://www.maec.es

Email: conspalon@mail.maec.es

Nearest Underground Tube station: Sloane Square 

Swiss Embassy England

16-18 Montagu Place
London

W1H 2BQ

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7616 6000 

Email: lon.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web Site: www.eda.admin.ch

Nearest underground stations Baker Street, Edgware Road, Marble Arch

Swiss Consulate General Scotland

255 C Colinton Road
Edinburgh

EH14 1DW
Telephone: +44 131 441 4044

Web Site: www.eda.admin.ch