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Travel and Castle Venues:
Travel to Britain Tips

Traveling to Britain? You will find many quick useful tips here.
The main tourist season is mid-April to mid-October.

Weather

  • It rains around 60 inches a year in Great Britain, so you can expect rain on any given day.
  • Summer temperatures can reach the 90's F, while the winters can be a host of frost and snow.
  • The fog can come in faster than a person can run. If you hike in the moors make sure you have a compass, some extra clothing, and food.

Driving

  • You drive on the left side of the road, in cars that have the steering wheel on the right side. It's easy to get confused. Just remember the center stripe in the road is always on the driver's side.
  • Roundabouts are fun and easy. If you miss your road, just keep going around in a circle until you get to your turn. Observe how the other cars handle it and follow their lead.
  • One lane roads are common. There are pull outs, and the closest person to the pull out should use it to allow the other driver by, even if it means backing up.
  • The British cars have a red fog light in the back. Don't mistake it for a brake light, as it is just as bright.
  • Make sure before you drive you have insurance coverage.

Staying in Britain

  • There are a lot of B&B's, Inns, and Hotels in Britain. Even so, don't wait until you get on British soil to book a room.
  • When you book a room, en-suite means that the bathroom is in the room. The British call it a toilet. It is still common to have shared bathrooms, so you need to request en-suite if you must have a private bathroom.
  • Some B&B's offer evening meals, which are normally outstanding. When you book your room, ensure you ask about evening meals.

Electricity

  • The voltage in the UK is 220/240 AC, 50 HZ.
  • The appliance plugs have three square pins. In order to use foreign appliances, such as a shaver or hair dryer, you need to buy an adaptor.

Measurements

  • Distances, measurements, and weights are different in the UK. Included in this section is a handy conversion chart.
Conversion Chart
1 inch=2.5 centimetres
1 foot=30 centimetres
1 mile=1.6 kilometres
1 ounce=28 grams
1 pint=0.6 litres
1 gallon=4.5 litres
1 millimetre=0.04 inch
1 centimetre=0.4 inch
1 metre=3 feet 3 inches
1 kilometre=0.6 mile
1 gram=0.04 ounce
1 kilogram=2.2 pounds

World Wide Web

  • The UK is online.
  • There are several companies offering a flat rate access to the internet.
  • We currently use BT Internet. It's reliable and costs £14.95 a month.

Medical Care

  • Emergency medical care is available, but non-emergency medical attention is expensive.
  • It is best if you take out travel insurance, or ask your current insurance company about coverage while you are visiting the UK.

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