Get local maps and infoFind a placeGet a Directionhttp://www.visitbritain.com/Updated: 2010.07.05. i * Get local maps * England is a beautiful country * Tourists flocking to UK's industrial cities * Days out in the UK * Britain's top 10 walks * Travel tips * This is London + free days out + Picture Gallery - Dawn to Dusk * Travel Tips & Etiquette * Touring Britain * Cornwall celebrates its Saints * Tourist Information Links * Visa Aplication Centres in China * Yahoo UK Travel Guide & 10 family days out for under £10 * 50 Great Daus Out in the UK * Foreigners Guide to the UK *Travel Money *
'England is a beautiful country' is a comment I have heard in China more times than I can remember. It's true, but we must not forget that the UK is made up of three other countries as well; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, plus many islands They have their own history, culture and traditions. Each has it's own distinctive landscapes of rolling hills, mountains, magnificent coastlines, rivers and lakes. Any visitor to Britain would be missing a wealth of wonderful experiences, if they confined their travel just to London and other cities.
Similar to our features appearing in 'Around China', we will explore some of the hidden corners of the group of islands which make up the British Isles. What Britain lacks in size, is certainly made up for by the variety and diversity of the countryside within its borders.
Tourists flocking to UK's industrial cities
By Paul Johnston
New figures have revealed that the UK's industrial cities have soared in popularity with overseas visitors.
Visit Britain, who released the data, has described the trend as
"an astonishing transformation" of the cities which were once known as
industrial heartlands.
While London and Edinburgh remain the top destinations for overnight stays, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow also feature in the top five cities.
The list of cities for purely holiday trips is also topped by London and Edinburgh, with Inverness, Liverpool and Glasgow making up the top five.
Patricia Yates, who is communications director for Visit Britain
said: "This survey confirms an astonishing transformation of our
industrial heartlands has taken place.
"They have become dynamic, stylish international destinations that are increasingly beloved of foreign visitors.
"Manchester has become the home of Brit Cool, Birmingham wows
people with its world class cultural scene, Liverpool pulsates as the
home of the Beatles and Liverpool FC, and Glasgow with its unique
architecture, countryside and coastal views has become Scotland's style
capital. They have become a joy for tourists to discover."
Days out in the UK
Days out in the UK needn't cost you a fortune. Elsewhere, I have already mentioned traveling by bus on a country route, and exploring a village or local church for things of historical interest.
Tourist websites such as www.enjoyengland.com , www.afreedayout.co.uk and www.freestuff.co.uk offer information on tourist attractions which are free. They include Britain's largest Grade 1 listed building, the Albert Dock in Liverpool, and The National Railway Museum in York. That is probably of interest to railway enthusiasts because many of the early railways in China were built by the British - Beijing to Guangzhou, for example.
According to 'Enjoy England', Blackpool Pleasure Beach is the number 1 attraction, but it can be windy even in the summer, and the sea$is cold. Most of Britain's seaside beaches are free to use, although most charge for facilities such as chairs, wind-breaks and toilets.
Some of the best are to be found on the coast of south and south-west England. Even more spectacular, and often frequently deserted, are the beaches of west Scotland and the islands. If it's tranquility that you are seeking, that's the place to go.
Alan Cooper. May, 2008.
Britain's top ten walks. Nicholas Roe. 2009.07.07.
Discovering the beauty of Britain on foot lifts both body and soul, says Nicholas Roe. Here we pick the ten of the best British walks.
Seeing the light: Kemyel Crease, a shaded wood on the coastal walk between Mousehole and Lamorna Photo: HILARY STOCK
There’s a small muddy path running through the leafy gloom of a forest in East Sussex that heads due south up a wearying hill, then levels out suddenly just before a flint stone wall and a stile. If you climb over this stile and walk a few paces beyond the tree-line, you will be amazed at what you see.
Directly in front of you a green valley falls away toward the English Channel like an immense spillage of grass cuttings sliced by the slow, curving uncertainties of the Cuckmere river. The water down there moves so carefully into the distance it seems almost like an idea of landscape, a brilliant pretence. And here, just now, there is a poised moment, a kind of revelation that’s all the more surprising for the fact that this is, quite literally, an everyday experience in Britain.
In this case, walkers from the nearby honeypot village of Alfriston heading toward the sea’s raggedy edge regularly take this path, savouring this moment every time.
And, like other walkers on other paths all over the country, they confirm in the process the value of walking itself and the extraordinary capacity for surprise and pleasure offered by this terribly ordinary form of transport.
The truth is it’s only by arriving on foot that you get a proper grasp of the landscape’s innate drama. You feel a part of what you see. By walking, you make the link between environment and effort that touches on so many of the nicer parts of living: feeling tired but happy, a sense that that life is pretty good somehow.
Really it’s the pleasure that matters. That’s what keeps us at it. That moment at the stile, the time you turn to your partner and say “will you look at that”; arriving at the pub after 10 hard miles; the halfway pause when you break open the biscuits and hear birdsong. These are the experiences that will keep you reaching for the coat, badgering the children to turn that thing off and find the dog.
When you think about it, Britain has done surprisingly well over the years to hold onto its huge network of footpaths, never mind the overcrowding, the cars, the development, the strange idea that we’re all somehow going to hell in a handcart.
Are we really? When you stand looking down at that river, is that what you think? Maybe not. Britain has at least 175,000 miles of public rights of way, according to the Ramblers Association, which isn’t far short of the 240,000 miles of roads we possess. That’s really not so bad.
2. Prepare your Itinerary or Scgedule. Use the Internet - the World Wide Websites on www.enjoyingenglish.com, libraries, encyclopedias ( www.wikipedia.com ), seek help and advice from people you know who have travelled abroad before.
Examine opportunities / brochures from Travel Agents and CITS for inspiration, whether or not you intend to book a 'package tour' with them.
Think of your preparations as 'time is money'. Good preparation will save a good deal of time when you arrive at your destination if you are travelling independently, mainly because you will have some idea of the 'lay of the land' and where you are going.
3. Make passport arrangements through your local PSB Office (Public Security Bureau). Obtaining the necessary documents may involve arranging for letters to be sent from your home town. Although arranging a passport can be relatively fast, allow 4 - 6 weeks.
4. Apply for a visa through your tour operator or with the British Consulate direct at 11 Guanhua Lu, Jianguomenai, Beijing 100600., or other visa centres.
5. For the independent traveller I recomment Air China or Swiss. Check-in procedures, food and overall customer service are superior to most other airlines although they may be a little more expensive, depending upon the time you want to travel. If possible, arrange your plans away from the main holiday periods, when flights can double in price.
6. Buy films and necessary medicines before you go. Check the 'use by' date on the packaging. Fuji and Kodak 200 films cost 20RMB or less, in China. Their own shops often do 'special prices' for packs of 5 or 10 films without boxes. Equivalent films are at lest 4 times more expensive in the UK.
Packing. Pack carefully and avoid unnecessary items such as washing powder and rice. We wash clothes in the UK and items for daily use are readily available from corner shops and supermarkets. Hotel shops will be more expensive.
Don't pack more than you need. Modern fabrics are very easy to wash even on an overnight stay. Take 2 or 3 plastic carrier bags from a supermarket for soiled or damp clothing.
Make a list of the things you pack, and keep it in your hand luggage.
Hand-luggage. Not exceeding 22 x 25 x 56cm. weight not more ethan 6kg. Buy a bag with a carry strap and several zip-up pockets. It keeps you 'hands free' at check-in desks and customs. Pack passports, tickets, money, itineraries, reading material, a fold-up umbrella and a change of underwear, socks and a shirt/top as an emergency, just incase your main luggage is lost, or you throw half a litre of Coke down yourself at the airport.
General. Don't waste space. Pack shoes with underwear, sock etc., and put them in plastic bags. Wear bulky items such as jackets, coats or a suit, and take it off on the plane. Lock your case.
Don't go overweight or oversize. Airlines are entitled to charge up to 1% of the first class ticket price each way on each 1 kilogram of overweight baggage, although they frequently use their dscression. On a British Airways flight from Beijing to London it can be as high as 150RMB / kg.
The free baggage allowance is usually 1 piece of luggage weighing not more than 20kg and 1 piece of hand luggage as described. Business Class & First Class passengers are entitled to a larger allowance. Weight allowances are printed on the ticket.
Include your name, home address, tour operator details inside your luggage. Don't display your home address or telephone number on the outside of your luggage, as it alerts gangs of profesional thieves that your home is likely to be un-occupied.
Wrapping coloured sticky tape round the handle or body of your luggage is sensible, as it makes it easily recognisable at baggage claim. It would be just bad luck if all 350 passengers on your flight had the same luggage with identical markings. However, last Spring, on my flight from Beijing, there were at least 6 passengers with exactly the same bags as mine, a gift from China Mobile.
In hand luggage, pack passports and tickets in an outside pocket, pack money and your home details, inside. Don't carry knives, scissors or sharp instruments of any size. They will be confiscated on departure.
If you are taking gifts for family or friends, make a list, with a description and value of the gift for customs inspection, if required. There are restrictions of the value of gifts you may take into the country per person, although they are rarely applied unless unreasonably excessive; e.g. 5 Lenovo xxx Laptops @ value 50,000 RMB for my brother, his wife, their son aged 17, daughter aged 7 and their neighbour. Pack gifts in your main luggage and ensure that, if they are breakable, the wrapping is sound - surround them with clothing or 'bubble wrap'.
Note: you are also allowed to take additional items, such an umbrella, a camera, 1 lap-top but since the Summer of 2006, it may need to be packed in hand luggage. Check luggage requirements with your airline.
Getting to the airport is easy, but for peace of mind, allow yourself plenty of time. Shuttle busses run from central locations in Downtown Beijing, including outside the Civil Aviation Offices in Xidan. Departures begin at 05.30 at 15 minute intervals. The fare to departure point is 16RMB / person. It is a trip of 24 km from Xidan in frequently congested traffic, especially in bad weather. The taxi fare is less than 100RMB, although some drivers will try to charge up to 250 RMB. I guess, like athletes, they are in training for the 2008 Olympics.
At the Airport. Arrive early, at least 2 hours before your flight. Some airlines stipulate 3 hours due to tightened security. Either way, it is more comfortable to spend time in the airport than sitting in traffic on the Airport Expressway, anxiously watching the minutes tick by.
Find you bearings and get orientated. Check-in as soon as possible and get rid of your baggage. Go to the Departure Lounge.
Find something to do: grab a seat, have a snooze - make sure your hand luggage is secure. Read, get something to eat, go window shopping. It is easy to kill a couple of hours at an airport, without noticing how fast time can pass. Keep an eye on the departure monitors for your flight call, anything up to a hour before take-off unless there is a delay.
Beijing and Shanghai International Airports have excellent facilities for disabled people, parents with babies or young children, as well as designated areas for people wishing to smoke. All flights are non-smoking.
Don't try and cheat the systems of the carrier or customs regulations, it will cause delays and could be expensive. On Air China flights, boarding stops 10 minutes before take-off; don't be late and run the risk of missing your flight.
Carry Duty-free goods with you. Information on allowances are clearly available. Buy your favourite Chinese branded cigarettes before you go - usually 200 or 400; unless you prefer International brands, as they will be cheaper. Most local made cigarettes are not available in Duty-Free Shops.
Perfumes, cameras etc., are often cheaper in shops in China than at the airport. Tax-free allowances of western spirits (alcohol) are about one-third cheaper than in the shops in the UK, but there are often 'special offers' available in Duty-free shops.
Food and drinks at airports around the world are renowned for being expensive. Outlets at Beijing International Airport were fined a couple of years ago for charging 80 RMB for a single cup of coffee. It still costs 40RMB for a small cup. A can of Coke/500ml is 15 RMB. Take cold snacks, fruit or drinks with you to eat before you leave. You may not take fresh food, fruit, drinks or organic material (plants or flowers) on the plane. It has to be left behind.
Security.
1. Answer questions at customs honestly and clearly. Don't make jokes.
2. Don't accept anything from strangers or fellow passengers, and don't answer seemingly innocent questions such as, 'Haven't I seen you near my brother's home...?'
3. Don't leave baggage unattended anywhere in the airport precincts. It is liable to be removed and destroyed.
On Arrival. Don't rush to be the first off the plane. It takes 20 - 30 minutes to off-load baggage. You won't clear Customs any quicker.
- gather all your belongings, including young children.
- check your hand luggage. You will need your passport and any required papers for immigration. Don't forget your shoes, if you removed them during the flight.
- follow the signs and bustling crowds to Baggage Claim
- look for the flight number and airport of departure on the indicators.
- collect your baggage. Double check that you have yours and not someone elses. Has it got coloured tape round the handle? Check for serious damage. Claims must be made at the security desk on collection and will not be considered afterwards.
- follow the signs to Immigration and Customs. Check you are in the right line. Be prepared to have your luggage checked, especially if you appear to be over-loaded or suspicious, wearing blacked out glasses, a wide brimmed hat pulled down over your eyes, and a turned-up coat collar.
Outside the Arrivals Hall check your bearings. Car parks, taxis, bus and underground trains are clearly marked. Amex and Travelex have change bureaux if you need to change small amounts of money. Although slightly more expensive than banks, they have a 'no-charge buy-back' facility for notes and coins which may be convenient for changing unwanted money on your departure.
There is a Meeting Point outside the Arrivals Point at London Heathrow. It is a large triangular, yellow sign, with the words 'Meeting Point' in large black letters. If you can't locate your host, or are 'lost', go to the Information Desk situated close to the Meeting Point, and ask them to make an announcement. In the unlikely event that you are seriously delayed or diverted, don't worry, arrangements will be made to get you to your destination (Heathrow), and people welcoming you will be aware of the situation.
Comfort Points. Remember that you have to carry your baggage with you, before departure and upon arrival. It can be a long walk to the Underground station if the moving pavements aren't moving. Try to keep your hands free.
If you are travelling with small children, take a comforter, a medium sized cuddly toy and a sealed cup for drinks.
Leave items of sentimemtal value, such as rings or other jewellery, at home.
On the aircraft, wear loose fitting clothes and remove your shoes for comfort. Loosen trouser belts, but wear lap belts.
Departure from the UK. On leaving the UK, you will need local currency for drinks and snacks before you board the flight home. No effort is spared to relieve you of every last penny, with inviting shops, comfortable seating and soft background music. Pick up a free airport guide from information points. Pocket-sized, it is useful for finding your way around.
You will leave the UK early evening, hopefully tired, and with a head full of memories. Arrival in Beijing will be after breakfast the following day. Time for a good sleep, watch a movie before decending over The Great Wall onto the runway, a few minutes away.
Welcome home...and welcome back anytime!
This is London. Buy a map*...One of the greatest Capital Cities in the World
In London, naturally, there are some 'must do's'. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, for example. Times vary from summer to winter and are displayed outside Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall; the road that runs from Trafalgar Square and Admiralty Arch at the end of The Mall, southwards towards The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
The Sights can be seen from a number of sight-seeing tour buses, but the fare for the 90 minute - 3 hour excursion is 150RMB or more per person. In most cases, Central London is best viewed at leisure, on foot.
Sign-posts or route-finders for walkers. This is outside Downing Street.
Central London is based on Trafalgar Square, with China Town situated to the north-west. It is distinct from The City of London to the east, which is the One Square Mile of the old city and is the heart of London's business and financial district.
Since Roman times, 2000 years ago - or perhaps before, it was developed first by William the Conqueror (1066) and is distinct from it's neighbour, The City of Westminster - Westminster Abbey, The Houses of Parliament and the former Palace of Westminster.
Downstream, the old docklands area has been re-developed and transformed into an expensive residential area, home to Bitains financial wizards, actors and the like. Newspapers have moved from their former cramped premises in Fleet Street to Canary Warf by the River Thames (pronounced Tem - s).
To the north and west of Trafalgar Square, lies China Town, as I have said. Restaurants and the main shopping area of bond Street (clothing and jewellery), Regents Street, Oxford Street and Knightsbridge - home of 'Harrods', probably the most famous store in the world.
At the east end of Oxford Street lies Marble Arch, once the site of Tyburn, where criminals were hanged in public. Nearby is Hyde Park with the Serpentine Lake. Incidentally, London has more open green space than any capital city in the world.
North of Trafalgar Square lies London's Theatre Land, Picadilly Circus and Leicester Square. Half-price theatre tickets can be purchased on the day at a kiosk (stand) in the square. There are a number of luxury cinemas, showing the latest and greatest; and a statue of Charlie Chaplin in one corner.
Lets Take a Walk... A relaxing sight-seeing tour on foot begins in Trafalgar Square, in front of the National Gallery. Nelson, an heroic Amiral defeated the French at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, and lost his life, uttering the immortal words 'Kiss me Hardy' on his death bed..
Begin with your back to the National Gallery and turn right under Admiralty Arch to The Mall and on to the Victoria Monument infront of Buckingham Palace. If the Royal Standard (flag) is flying, The Queen is 'at home'. Watch the Changing of the Guard - 10 or 11am (check the time).
Return through St Jame's Park on the north side of the lake. From the bridge, there is a spectacular view of the Palace, year round and whatever the weather. At the end of the park cross the road and pass through the Horse Guards into Whitehall - a photo opportunity here, I think. The Royal Guards must be amongst the most photographed people in the world. It was near here that King Charles 1st was executed for treason by beheading. If the thoroughfare is closed, turn right to Birdcage Walk, then left into Great George Street. Westminster Abbey and The Parliament buildings are visible on your right. Infront is Westminster Bridge. Do not cross the bridge.
Turn left by the statue of Queen Boedicea of the Iceni Tribe, who fought against the Romans. Along the Victoria Embankment are various sights on both sides of the River, Stately Government buildings, statues, monuments, ships and quiet gardens where you may hear musicians play during lunchtime from noon to 2pm.
Alternatively, take a waterbus down river to Tower Pier, visit the Tower, and walk back to Trafalgar Square.
At Blackfriars Bridge - there are actually two bridges; one is a road bridge, the other a rail crossing, turn left into New Bridge Street, then right into Ludgate Hill at it's junction with Fleet Street. You pass The Old Bailey Central Criminal Court on your left, to St Paul's Cathedral ahead.
Behind St Paul's via Cannon Street, turn left by Cannon Street Tube Station, you'll find the Mansion House, official residence of the Mayor of London. The Bank of England in Threadneedle Street, London's Stock Exchange and Royal Exchange - London's most elete and expensive shopping mall, are nearby. An exclusive pub 'The Royal Exchange' boasts the largest range of real ale in the world, some 58 varieties or more. You are now in the Heart of The City of London. There are no roads or avenues - they are all named 'street', many after artisans, craftsmen or trades.
By the river, you'll find the Tower of London, home of the Crown Jewels, still officially a Royal Residence and one of Britains premier tourist attractions. In the past sinister things happened in the Tower. Two Princes were murdered in the 14th century, their bones later discovered hidden beneath a stone staircase. Queens were decapitated and noble men who fell out of favour with the Monarch, lost their heads. Most recently, during World War II, traitors were executed by firing squad in the moat by the Bloody Tower - but we don't talk about that!
Make your way back by tube (Underground) from Tower Hill station to Trafalgar Square. Relax in Covent Garden, formerly London's fruit, vegetable and flower market, but now an area for entertainment by street players, and the home of specialist shops, boutiques and cafes.
This walk is a comfortable, casual stroll of about 3 hours, at a leisurely place, excluding time-out to listen to music, visit places of interest, or just watch the world go by. It is an excellent way to discover some of the delights and mysteries that London has to offer.
Don't forget to wear comfortable clothing, flat shoes and pack your 'brolly', because you might get wet!
* Best value map is available on underground rail stations (The Tube) £4 - pound coins only. Maps are readily available on vending machines.
London Picture Gallery - Dawn to Dusk ~ 15 magnificent images
Cash-trapped families turn to free days out. 2009.02.25.
The Tate Modern, one of Britain's most populr visitor attractions, 2008. Photo: PA
Bucking the general recession trend, Britain's top attractions saw more visitors in 2008 than 2007. Many of the most popular attractions, such as the British Museum (1), Tate Modern (2) and the National Gallery (3) are free, with voluntary donations for entry but no turnstiles or ticket tills.
Robin Broke, director of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), which compiled the figures, said: "If you are a half-switched-on father, you are going to say 'I've got an idea – let's go to the Science Museum. And oh ... it's free!" He also thought the weakness of the pound had combined with the recession to produce a "silver lining" for British tourism – that more people were deciding to holiday at home. He said: "We have definitely had a bit of benefit from the weak pound, that's what we saw at the back end of last year. A foreign holiday looks like opulence now – it's much easier to justify having your holiday at home."
The British Museum topped the list for the second year running, with a 9.5 per cent rise in visitor number to 5.93 million. Other big risers in the top 10 include the Tower of London (+9.6 per cent), which charges for entry; the National Maritime Museum (+21 per cent) and the National Portrait Gallery (+15 per cent).
Liverpool's big museums and galleries have reaped the rewards of the city's year as European Capital of Culture, with both Tate Liverpool and the Merseyside Maritime Museum seeing visitor numbers leap by two-thirds. But he criticised the Government for reducing the budget of Visit Britain, which promotes tourism, by 18 per cent over the next three years. He said: "This is stupid. They get about £35 million to market Britain to the world and they have a return on investment of about 30 to one. They should be investing more in it, not less."
Britain's top 10 most popular visitor attractions 2008
1. British Museum (5.93m, +9.5%)
2. Tate Modern (4.86m, -6.0%,)
3. The National Gallery (4.38m, +6.0%,)
4. Natural History Museum (3.70m, +2.7%)
5. Science Museum (2.71m, +1.0%)
6. Tower of London (2.16m, +9.6%)
7. V&A Museum (2.07m, -15%)
8. National Maritime Museum (2.05m, +21%)
9. National Portrait Gallery (1.84m, +15%)
10. St Paul's Cathedral (1.69m, +4%)
All except the Tower of London and St Paul's are free
Source: ALVA
LONDON ATTRACTIONS: 2 FOR 1 OFFERS WHEN YOU GO BY TRAIN.
In hotels, travel agents, tourist centres and train stations you will find a booklet called 'LONDON ATTRACTIONS: 2 FOR 1 OFFERS WHEN YOU GO BY TRAIN. ' It is divided into sections by interest, e.g. Must See, On The Thames, Museums etc. It is a very good way to save money on your sightseeing.
Theatre Tickets - Half price on the day from the ticket booth in Leicester Square
TOURIST TIPS AND ETIQUETTE.
'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.', as the saying goes. All this means is that your experiences will be more comfortable and rewarding if you don't stand out in the crowd. Forget skin colour and language - they won't be a factor as you will be aware immediately you step off the plane at London's Heathrow Airport. Britain, perhaps more than any country in the world, is a multi-racial, multi-cultural country.
British people tend to be reserved and polite. If your pants fell down in the street, people would probably act as though they hadn't noticed. However, it is not 'the done thing' to walk around your hotel in night wear and slippers. Those are very broad generalisations; like anywhere else, we have our fair share of people who are rude, loud, or, as we say 'riff-raff', - badly behaved people. Generally, genuinely friendly, 'Brits' do not tend to show the enthusiasm or curiosity that foreigners generate in China.
British people tend to dress more casually than their counter-parts in China, but not as much as Americans. This is particularly so, when they are not working, and is partly due to the climate. For much of the year, over most of the country, it is neither very hot, nor cold. We have a temperate climate, which is generally determined by the islands proximity to the sea. Moist air, cloud, rain and drizzle (persistent light rain), come from the west, across the North Atlantic Ocean. Even in summer, rainfall is fairly regular, you will need a light jacket, sweater and umbrella ('brolly' - for short).
Only when other climatic conditions come into play, does the UK experience extremes of temperature, bringing hot weather from the south during summer and icy cold winds from the Arctic in the north, or snow from the Russia and The Baltic from the east during winter months. White Christmas' are rare, but 'keep dreamin..'
Here is a list of things to be mindful of... OK! I'll be blunt. They are 'Don't do's'
1. Coughing loudly, clearing your throat and spitting, are not acceptable.
2. Don't drop litter - use waste/litter bins (trash cans). On-the-spot fines can be imposed.
3. Don't smoke at the dinner table, in public buildings, shops, chruches or places where smoking is not permitted. Don't smoke in bed. Our 'Nanny State Government' is extending that to most public places early in 2007. If you want to smoke visit, Germany or France instead.
4. Don't put chewed food on the table, or eat with your mouth open, or speak with your mouth full, or drain soup from the dish.
5. Don't eat food from the knife - always use a fork or spoon to put food into your mouth.
6. Don't slurp food or drinks - it is considered impolite.
7. Don't be rude to waiters / waitresses and don't forget to leave a 'tip' - usually 10% of the bill.
8. Don't act loudly in public places or on the phone. Switch your phone off in restaurants, cinemas, theatres and churches.
9. Don't jump the queue (line) in banks, post offices, check-outs in supermarkets, check-ins at airports, ticket offices. Wait your turn.
10. Don't take items from your hotel room; towels, hair-dryers, condoms, pictures, light-fittings or tv sets - as in China, you will be charged for damage and missing items.
11. Don't take a long time placing an order in McDonald's, KFC, or Burger King - 'fast food' is fast food afterall, and it's even faster in the United States. Don't leave the toilets dirty, they are always clean. A survey (2004) showed that 1 in 3 people who visited 'KFC' did so to use the toilet!
12. Do have a wonderful stay!
TOURING BRITAIN
For visitors to Britain with limited time, the quickest, easiest and safest option is to take a Package Tour through an approved Travel Agent or Tour Operator such as ITCS. They will advise, help and arrange technicalities such as visas, insurance and money exchange. Your Itinerary or schedule will be pre-determined including: accommodation, travel arrangements, entrance fees to places of interest and so on. Prices start at around 20,000RMB perperson for 14 days.
Visitors able to stay with family or friends can make their own arrangements, consequently reducing the overall costs by as much as 50%. Be warned that travel and accommodation in the UK are expensive, although a huge range of special offers and concessionary tickets are available.
Travelling in particular, can be bewildering, as public transport on bus and train services are, for the most part, privatised rather than under control of Central or Local Government. Use the information on World Wide Web pages to help plan your trip.
Visa and other requirements change from time to time. It is wise to check with the British Embassy or Consulate in Beijing, or one of their offices nationwide, several weeks before your intended departure date, and certainly before you book flights. (see WWW and Visa Information).
When travelling, keep a separate not of important information such as passport No., bank/credit card numbers, help-line telephone numbers of your Embassy, and details of any medical condition and medication you may need. Obtain a note from your doctor and take a translation.
If you are an expectant mother, more than 28 weeks into pregnancy, check your medical insurance to make certain that you are covered in emergencies. Emergency treatment, especially if it requires you to be flown home early under supervision, is very costly.
If you lose your passport, contact the country of issue immediately, and inform the Police. Ask for help at hotel reception, and ask them to make the telephone call on your behalf if you think you may have difficulty with the language on the phone.
When you arrive in London, obtaining information is easy. Book shops, news stands and stationers all sell tourist guides and maps. Airports, mainline railway and bus stations, and hotels have information desks with free information leaflets. One of the best tourist maps of London can be found in tube stations (the Underground), in dispensing machines. They accept 2 x 1 pound coins.
Tourist Information Centres, recognisable by a sign i , throughout England, Wales and Scotland, have masses of information which is either free or can be purchased. Similarly in places of interest, The National Trust and English Hetitage properties. Many can arrange accomodation for the night or onward travel. There is usually no charge for their services.
Information Centres are located everywhere, particularly in city centres, libraries, town halls and motorway seervice stations. Opening times vary, usually during business hours 9 or 10am - 5.30pm, but many in England are closed on Sundays - crazy!... as it is the day that many people travel for pleasure. British people are generally helpful, will welcome visitors and be pleased to help with your enquiries.
Planning your Itinerary. The two critical questions are:
- How much time have you got? ... and...
- How much can you afford to spend?
Currency & Exchanging Money. The unit of currency throughout the UK is GBP or pounds Sterling - they are the same. Scotland issues it's own notes but they can be used throughout the country.
When you order currency from The Bank of China ask for cash in GBP in 20, 10 or 5 pound notes. Do not accept 50 pound notes as shops will be reluctant to change them, although they may be exchanged for smaller denomination notes in hotels and at banks.
Take other money you need in the form of travellers cheques (checks) in US$. Exchange them at banks rather than Exchange or Bureau de Change outlets as the charges will be lower. However, some such as Amex and Travelex situated, amongst other places, at airports on your arrival offer a 'no-charge buy back' facility. This is useful for immediate cash, but particularly on your departure as you will need change at the airport on your return journey for snacks and last minute items.
Also take a small amount of RMB for your immediate use when you arrive home (Beijing), for busses or taxis. Major Chinese Banks are situated in the Arrivals lounge at Beijing International Airport.
Note: Bureau de Change and some banks will change RMB but the exchange rate can poor.
Master and Visa Credit Cards are widely accepted at shopping outlets and larger tourist 'hot-spots'. There is usually a 1% or 1.5% service charge. At banks, for over-the-counter cash advances you are likely to be hit three times by charges: the exchange rate on the day: comission, usually 1% and: a service charge. RMB cannot be exchanged in Banks.
Packing. Having sorted your money out, pack suitable, sensible clothing and a small amount of medical requirements such as, band aids, travel sickness and headache medicines for emergencies. Flight attendants and hotels will have them anyway if you forget.
Pack sensibly; stuff shoes etc with socks and underwear to save space. Roll skirts, and sweaters to stop them from creasing - see under TRAVEL for more details.
Set about focusing on what you want to see. Information on WWW will help you.
An excellent map of the United Kingom is published in China by the China Cartographic Publishing House, and is available or can be ordered, from bookstores in China. Priced @ 6RMB, it has place names marked in English and Chinese. There are excellent street maps on the reverse of London, Oxford, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Sadly not Bristol, a beautiful city in the West Country or Cardiff which has a magnificent shopping centre and is particularly 'festive' during the run up to Christmas. Book No is: ISBN 7 - 5031 - 2195 - 5/K.819.
Viewing the countryside from a train, or better still a bus, is a unique experience and one not to be missed, even on dreary wet days. Although the land area of the UK is small, about 55 times smaller than China, the scenery varies greatly from North to South, and East to West due to the geological structure of the country.
The north and west, roughly from a line between the Tees River in the north east to the mouth of the River Exe at Exeter in the south west, is composed of ancient igneous, volcanic and metamorphic rocks. The land is higher and more ruggedly spectacular than that of the south, with it's rolling chalk downs, sand and limestone hills.
Best routes for people on the move are the M4 corridor (motorway) from London, westwards into Wales. The M5 / M6 from Exeter to Glasgow pases through spectacular scenery from the red devonian sandstone of the south, through downlands and limestone country to the Midlands, The Lake District, onwards to the Southern Uplands of Scotland. Breaking your journey in Derbyshire, The Peak District is recommended. An alternative route northwards, begins in London and passes up the A1 along the line of an old Roman Road, through Northumberland to Edinburgh. If you take this route, it's worth stopping off to experience the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales and wilds of the Yorkshire Moors.
If you decide to head north, consider going up one way and returning the other. Full details of websites are available on WWW.
It's very difficult to make recommendations, due to the country's enormous diversity. I am lucky to have travelled all over my contry, including many remote parts and the Islands. Believe me when I say that the scenery changes not only hour by hour, but in some cases, within a few minutes.
"To see...or not to see? That is the question" For the most part it depends on your particular interests. Museums, Art Galleries, tourist hot-spots, Castles, Gardens, Stately Homes et al are everywhere. Entrance fees to many can be expensive.
A wide range of concessionary tickets and travel cards are available from train services and National Express, the National bus/coach network, for students, families, senior citizens and groups. National Express do an 'Xplorer' card for visitors from abroad. Ticket prices vary depending upon when you travel and how far in advanced they are booked. Return tickets and Rover / Travel cards are generally cheaper than those for single journeys.
Many cities have historical Heritage Trails, usually marked by bronze discs mounted in the pavements (sidewalks) or sign-posted. Visit the local Information Centre for a Guide, make a packed lunch of filled bread rolls or stop off at a pub, and 'leg it' with your family or like-minded friends. Take your time. It is not an endurance test. Keep your eyes open and your camera ready. Look from ground level to the horizon or tops of buildings and see what you can discover.
If you are based in a city, and are at a loss for something 'different' to do, take a 1 day Rover ticket and go out to explore the countryside. Visit a small town or stop off in a village. Don't forget to check the time of the busses back - ask the driver or a local, or you may find yourself with an unscheduled overnight stay.
Begin at the Church - even small villages have a long history and three things in common: a Church, and a pub surrounded by farms. The countryside in Britain has a network of public footpaths and bridleways which will take you on fascinating walks through beautiful scenery. Information and trail guides to local walks can often be found in the local shop or Post Office. Ask the locals, you will find them warm and friendly, eager to help a stranger, even though you may have difficulty deciphering their accents. But that's part of the fun of the travel experience.
Churches and churchyards contain a wealth of local information. Memorials to the long departed, landowners, aristocracy and long forgotten heroes. They will also have booklets or information boards explaining local history and architecture.
Wherever you are, and whatever you do, plan what you think you would like to do carefully, beforehand. You will save yourself a lot of time, frustration and money.
Cornwall celebrates its saints by Ian Vince
St Michael's Mount. Photo: GETTY
"There are more saints in Cornwall than all of heaven" runs the local proverb, but it omits to tell you that Cornwall needs all of them to supply its extravagant hunger for divine guidance. The county draws three patron saints from this holy army – Petrock, Piran and Michael – and while a few revere St Petrock, most agree on St Piran, or Perran, who is also the patron of tin miners and lends his flag to the Cornish nation. Perran's feast day will be preceded by Perrantide – when Cornish towns up and down the county, and yet more in the far-flung Cornish diaspora, will be alive with the sound of silver bands and the hearty aroma of pasties for a week of Cornish celebration. Such is the devotion to the saint that a number of councils – Penzance, Bodmin and Truro among them – are even treating March 5 as a Cornish bank holiday.
For others, particularly those who aren't comfortable with Perran's devolutionary overtones, St Michael is Cornwall's saint. He appeared in a vision above St Michael's Mount, a few miles west of Penzance, to a group of fishermen in the 5th century. A monastery sprang up and thousands of pilgrims followed shortly after.
You might catch your first sight of it, as I did, from the train as it slows for its final approach to Penzance station. It is a steep, rugged island, barely 400 m off the West Cornwall coast and only 80 hectares or so in size, rising from the cerulean sea to more than 70m. Connected to the mainland by a rough cobbled causeway at low tide, St Michael's Mount is both picturesque and austere, gritty and pretty – a gargantuan slab of granite and slate that looks good on postcards but oozes with gravitas and authority.
After a corkscrew climb up the Mount's cobbled path – the route describes a helix on what is, topographically speaking, a gigantic walnut whip – I arrive at the castle door. After a cursory anticlockwise tour of the castle, I reach its crowning glory, the 12th-century chapel at the peak of the island.
There is a lot of new age speculation about St Michael's Mount, specifically about how it marks the first point on a straight line running across southern Britain through a score of ancient sacred sites, many of which are themselves in lofty positions and are dedicated to St Michael. Not surprisingly, it is known as the Michael Line.
The chapel is a cool and pleasant environment from a climatic point of view but its no-nonsense, heavy-set architecture challenges any sense of tranquillity. Alone and free to wander, my eye is drawn to a small bronze sculpture of St Michael slaying a dragon but as I go to take a closer look, I notice the rustle of a cagoule as someone enters the chapel behind me. I turn and smile at the man and attempt to make eye contact with him, but he is deep in concentration, fixated on the two wire rods he is carrying in front of him. As he steps down the aisle, the rods cross, he relaxes and meets my gaze squarely.
"Ah, dowsing," I say, betraying my gift for mental incontinence. Without even exchanging names, we chat for a while about the Mount, the chapel and the Michael bronze, then about stone circles, ley lines and things my father, who had a deep interest in such matters, used to affectionately call the "loony sciences".
Cornwall & The West Country - Dorset, Devon and Somerset contains some of the most beautiful coastline in Britain. Picturesque in the summer, but with an awesome beauty during the winter, when raging storms may batter it's cliffs. Best of the weather is from April - June, and late August to October. AC
Tourist Information
www.yell.com - an excellent website from Yellow Pages but as it services advertisers and areas which you may not be familiar, you really need to know your way around the UK.
The following websites, are more specifically suitable for tourists and are mostly operated and organised by the English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland Tourist Boards.
www.iknow-wales.co.uk
is an accommodation directory listing holiday accommodation in Wales.
It also promotes restaurants and things to do in Wales, as well as
providing tourist information. It contains links to information for
tourist areas in England and Scotland.
Continental Europe is very accessible from the UK by car, train, sea and plane- check visa requirements for non-EU citizens. Two of my favourite cities are Paris and Prague. see...
Updated: 2010.07.05.. Students wishing to visit the uk should visit: www.ukvac.cn for further information in visa requirements.
2006.09.09. The British Government has opened 11 Visa Application Centres in China to provide professional services to Chinese applicants. The centres offer visa information and counceling services. The visa application process for a UK visa is now simpler, more convenient and more efficient.
The centres are in the following cities: Beijing, Shenyan, Jinan, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Guanzhou, Shenzhen, Fuzhou, Chingqing, & Chengdu.
Note: From 2006.06.26. the Wuhan office is closed until further notice. Applicants from Hunan Province should contact Beijing or Guanzhou.
Applicants from Hubei Province should contact Beijing or Jinan.
We know that taking your family on holiday can be expensive, but giving your family a great day out in Britain doesn't need to cost you a lot. So give your wallet a break and treat the whole family to a fabulous day out in Britain for under £10.
1. Dinosaur Farm Museum, Isle of Wight Visit the Dinosaur Farm Museum on the Isle of Wight, the best place in Europe for discovering fossils. The museum runs guided fossil hunts on a local beach throughout the year, and you'll be able to spot real dinosaur footprints and discover your very own dinosaur fossils. Price: Family ticket £8.00 Web: Dinosaur Farm Museum
2. Tall Ship, Glasgow Harbour Bring your family to Glasgow and climb aboard the Glenlee, which was used to transport cargo from 1896 to 1969, and circumnavigated the globe 4 times. With your family ticket, explore the quarters of this spectacular ship, then take your place at the table for 'Grub and Grog Galore!' where you'll eat alongside Captain Scallywag and swig Glenlee Grog. Price: Family ticket £9.95 Web: The Tall Ship
3. Wilderness Wood, East Sussex Wilderness Wood is a brilliant natural playground for the whole family. This unique, award-winning woodland contains walking and cycling trails, adventure play areas and picnic and BBQ spots all set in 61 acres of beautiful woodland. Wilderness Wood also holds seasonal events such as Fairy Gardens, Moths by Moonlight and Chestnut Celebration. Price: Family ticket £9.25 Web: Wilderness Wood
4. Museum of Witchcraft, Boscastle Visit the costal village of Boscastle in Cornwall, and be spooked by the Museum of Witchcraft. The museum is home to the world's largest collection of witchcraft related artefacts, and is one of Cornwall's most popular museums. Here you'll see dolls with real human hair, cauldrons, pitchforks and other fascinating items. Price: Adults £2.50, Children £1.50 Web: Museum of Witchcraft
5. London Fields Lido If you and your family want to cool down after a hot day in the city, head to London Fields Lido in Hackney, London's only Olympic-sized heated outdoor swimming pool. It recently won the Golden Goggles award for best place to swim outdoors in London, and it's not hard to see why as the 66ft pool's 350,000 gallons of water make the perfect spot for a great family swim. Price: Adults £3.75, Children £2.70 Web: London Fields Lido
6. Killhope - The North of England Lead Mining Museum, Durham Killhope is home to one of many mines in the North Pennines, and it's here that you can discover the lives of lead mining families and even experience going down into the mines for yourself. A fun and educational day out that all the family will love, Killhope's favourite attractions with kids are the mine trips and washer floor. Price: Family ticket (2 adults +1 child) £10 Web: Killhope
7. Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend, Tyne & Wear Discover life on Hadrian's Wall 1,800 years ago at Segedunum Roman Fort. Segedunum was home to over 600 Roman soldiers, and protected an important part of Hadrian's Wall for nearly 300 years. Discover the life of Romans at Segedunum in the interactive theatre, excavated ruins and 35-metre high viewing tower. Price: Adults £3.95, Under 16's free Web: Segedunum Roman Fort
8. Keynes Country Park, Gloucestershire Whether you want fun and adventure or peace and relaxation from your family day out, Keynes Country Park has everything you need. There's a fantastic family beach, 2 children's playgrounds, boat and cycle hire, barbecue spots, an aerial adventure ground, watersports, nature reserves and much more. Price: Adults £1 - £4 (depending on season), Children 50p - £1 (depending on season) Web: Keynes Country Park
9. Spitalfields City Farm, London Spitalfields City Farm is a great destination for a family day out. A registered charity, the farm provides something for all the family. In the farmyard, you can meet a whole range of animals, children can learn where eggs and milk come from, and you can participate in workshops on dairying, healthy eating and sustainability. Price: Free admission Web: Spitalfields City Farm
Fifty great days out in the UK
Spending the summer in Britain and short of ideas? Sophie Butler offers a guide to the country’s top attractions. 07.07.2010.
Editors note: This is excellent
guide to some of Britain's best days out, listed by region, useful for planning outings
related to visitor's interests and expenditure (some have free entry).
Also included are website addresses for more comprehensive
information. Visitors to attractions, motorway services, or Tourist
Information Centres will be able to find more information on places of
interest relevant to the local area.
Warwick Castle is one of the most recognisable attractions suggested by Sophie Butler for the MidlandsPhoto: REUTERS
Top
rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach include the Avalanche, Big Dipper,
Grand National and The Big One (Europe's tallest roller coaster)Photo: GETTY IMAGES
1 Alton Towers, Staffordshire (08705 204060; www.altontowers.com) Among
the stomach-churning highlights are Nemesis, Air and Oblivion (a
vertical drop of over 180 feet). This year the theme park provides more
for younger children with the recent unveiling of Sharkbait Reef and
Wobble World, alongside existing favourites, Adventure Land and
Storybook Land. £36/£27/£100 (theme park only).
2 Chatsworth House, Derbyshire (01246 565300; www.chatsworth.org) Privately
owned stately home with superb grounds containing maze, sculptures,
ancient woodland, water garden and 1,000-acre park. Also working
farmyard, adventure playground and art collection housed in sumptuous
rooms. Murals in the Sabine room – usually private – are on view until
October. £11.50, adults/£6.25, children /£30, family of four.
3 Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire (01926 852078; www.english-heritage.org.uk) Newly
opened recreation of the castle’s 16th-century garden built for
Elizabeth I by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester; its design is based on
a contemporary letter written by Robert Langham in 1575. Castle audio
tours are specially geared to children. £7/£3.50/£17.50
4 Black Country Living Museum, West Midlands (0121 520 8054; www.bclm.co.uk) A
26-acre, open-air site onto which more than 40 buildings have been
moved from various parts of the area. Exhibits include a pub and
chapel, as well as a Twenties cinema and Thirties fish and chip shop.
Trolley buses and trams link the site, and you can take a 35-minute
tour into a drift mine to experience the life of an 1850s miner.
£12.95/£6.95/£34.95
5 Warwick Castle, Warwickshire (0870 442 2000; www.warwick-castle.co.uk) Battlements
overlook the River Avon, water mill and scenic Capability Brown
landscaping. Demonstrations in the grounds include the reconstructed
action of vast siege engines and, new for 2009, a catapult-style
ballista. Daily birds-of-prey shows and lifelike waxworks create
tableaux in castle rooms. £16.95/£10/£45.
6 Ironbridge, Shropshire (01952 884391; www.ironbridge.org.uk) The
birthplace of the Industrial Revolution celebrates its 300th
anniversary with the Coalbrookedale Festival on July 25 and 26. Best
attraction for children is Blists Hill, a lively reconstructed
Victorian town with old-style shops and fairground.
19.95/£12.95/£54.95.
7 Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire (0844 472 1950; www.draytonmanor.co.uk) Top
white-knuckle rides are Apocalypse, G-Force and Maelstrom. For fans of
Thomas the Tank Engine, Thomas Land has a dozen themed rides plus, this
year, the original set of the television show. Also new for 2009 is a
Step Aboard in 4D film in a specially constructed, 152-seat theatre.
£25/£21/£80.
8 Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire (08700 602080; www.blenheimpalace.com ) The
1760s landscaped parkland contains formal and pleasure gardens which
are beautiful to wander through, plus miniature train, maze, butterfly
house and a playground. An exhibition, Churchill’s Destiny, is
displayed in the room where he was born. Summer events include a
jousting tournament (August 7-9). £17.50/£10/£46.
9 Bekonskot Model Village, Buckinghamshire (01494 672919; www.bekonscot.com ) Celebrating
its 80th birthday on August 5, this Thirties creation started as a
hobby and developed into more than an acre of meticulously made houses,
farms, fields and lakes, connected by a model railway. Profits go to
charity. £8/£4.50/£23.
NORTHERN ENGLAND
10 Jorvik Viking Centre, North Yorkshire (01904 615505; www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk ) A
ride back in time to AD975, with reconstructed streets showing what
life was like in Viking York, including noises, smells and
Anglo-Scandinavian language. Special events planned to celebrate its
25th anniversary this summer include teatime tours and real-life
archaeological discovery visits. £8.50/£6/£26.
11 Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire (0870 444 5566; www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com) Top
rides include the Avalanche, Big Dipper, Grand National and The Big One
(Europe’s tallest roller coaster at 235ft). The “Flying Machines” were
built in 1904 but still pull in crowds. Beaver Creek is best for
younger children and there’s the new “dancing water show”. Day’s
unlimited ride wristband £30/£24, or £5 per person (grounds only).
12 Eden Camp, North Yorkshire (01653 697777; www.edencamp.com Originally a Forties prisoner-of-war camp, the huts (more
than 30 of them) house wartime reconstructions, including the Blitz,
officers’ mess rooms, prisoners’ canteen, U-boats and torpedoes. Around
the camp, there’s a collection of tanks, weapons and planes, plus two
assault courses for children. £5/£4
13 Beamish Museum, County Durham (0191 370 4000; www.beamish.org.uk) A
300-acre area containing reconstructed houses, shops and heritage
buildings contrasting life in north-east England in 1825 with the
post-industrial period nearly a century later. One highlight is the
colliery village with pit cottages. A hop-on, hop-off tram dating from
1913 takes visitors around and demonstrators also bring their skills
and crafts alive. £16/ £10/£46
14 National Railway Museum, North Yorkshire (08448 153139; www.nrm.org.uk) One
of the best free museums in the country, where highlights include a
Japanese bullet train, vast Chinese locomotive, Queen Victoria’s
railway carriage and Mallard, once the fastest steam train in the
world. Also has a model railway, outdoor play area and train-ride
simulator. Fairground rides (carousel, helter-skelter) cost £1.50 a go.
Free entry.
15 Alnwick Castle, Northumberland (01665 510777; www.alnwickcastle.com) A
14th-century crenellated castle, best known as a location for the Harry
Potter films. Over-11s can take part in archery lessons, Martin the
Magician performs tricks in the grounds and birds of prey displays are
organised regularly. From July 31 to August 2, Wellington’s Redcoats
will re-enact scenes from the Napoleonic wars. £11.95 adult/£4.95
children/£29.95 family (not including the garden).
16 Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland (www.hadrians-wall.org) The
best Roman forts and museums along the 150-mile wall are between
Brampton and Hexham. Highlights include finds at Vindolanda (shoes,
party invitations and jewellery), Housesteads Roman Fort (granary,
barracks, multi-seat latrine) and the Roman Army Museum.
£5.20/£4.20/£14.50 (Vindolanda); £4.50/£2.30 (Housesteads);
£4.20/£2.50/£11.50 (Roman Army Museum)
17 Chester Zoo, Cheshire (01244 380 280; www.chesterzoo.org) More
than 7,000 animals housed in 110 acres of gardens. New for 2009 is
Butterfly Journey, a tropical house with more than 30 species,
including glasswings and swallowtails. Recent arrivals include Iznee, a
Bornean orang-utan, and an Eastern Black rhino calf, which was born in
mid-May. £14.95/£11.30/£50.
EASTERN ENGLAND
18 Pleasure Beach, Norfolk (01493 844585; www.pleasure-beach.co.uk) Traditional
seaside fun next to the resort’s sandy beach, where highlights include
a Twenties wooden roller coaster and fairground horse carousel dating
from 1901. Also dodgems, swinging pirate ship, and 70ft sky-drop. Pay
per ride with £1 tokens, or buy a day’s wristband at £18 (over four
years), £65 (family)
19 Woburn Safari Park, Bedfordshire (01525 290407; www.woburn.co.uk/safari) White
rhinos, lions, tigers, buffaloes and giraffes; also bears and wolves on
the Navajo Trail. Daily programme of feeding times includes bears,
river hogs, sea lions and lemurs. New for 2009 is a high-wire forest
adventure. Adjacent is Woburn Abbey, with deer park and gardens.
£18.50/£13.50 (safari park only).
20 Dinosaur Adventure Park, Norfolk (01603 876310; www.dinosauradventure.co.uk) Follow
a wooded trail to find life-size dinosaurs, with Tyrannosaurus rex and
vast Brontosaurus, and audio equipment used to create prehistoric
grunts and roars. Also adventure play areas and farmyard. £9.95 per
person.
21 Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire (01582 872171; www.zsl.org) One
of Europe’s largest wildlife parks, with more than 2,500 animals.
Newest additions include Cheetah Rock and Rhinos of Nepal. Also lions,
lemurs and an indoor gym (chimpnasium) for acrobatic chimpanzees. The
annual Zoo Night barbecue will take place on July 3. £16.30/£12.80
/£52.50
22 Southwold Pier, Suffolk (01502 722105, www.southwoldpier.co.uk) Offbeat
fun at the Under the Pier Show includes zany amusements such as “walk
the dog” and “autofrisk”. Also a traditional arcade with 2p pushers and
air-hockey games. Fish and chips, ice creams and upmarket shops. Free
entry
23 Imperial War Museum Duxford, Cambridgeshire (01223 835000; duxford.iwm.org.uk) Five
hangars show historic aircraft, including a Battle of Britain
exhibition and a Land Warfare Hall with giant tanks and military trucks
The Flying Legends air show, featuring Hurricanes and Spitfires, takes
place on July 11 and 12. £16 with free entry for children.
24 Snettisham Park, Norfolk (01485 542425; www.snettishampark.co.uk) Friendly
320-acre farm-turned-family-attraction where children can feed orphan
lambs and collect eggs. A large adventure playground, deer safari,
walks (a farming trail is a new attraction for 2009) and ride-on
tractors provide all-day fun. £8.95/ £6.95/£30.
SOUTHERN ENGLAND
25 Brighton Palace Pier, East Sussex (01273 609361; www.brightonpier.co.uk) This
elegant, 19th-century pier offers adrenalin-fuelled rides such as Wild
River Flume, The Crazy Mouse and Super Booster (where four passengers
at a time are dropped 125 feet in three seconds, over the sea). There
are also, children’s rides, side stalls and a Palace of Fun arcade.
Free entry, pay with tokens for individual rides.
26 Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire (01985 844400; www.longleat.co.uk) Tour
the game reserves featured in the BBC’s Animal Park series to see
giraffes, zebras, rhinoceros, camels, lions, tigers and wolves. The
passport ticket also covers the 16th-century house, miniature railway
and Adventure Castle playground for younger children. £23/£15.
27 Legoland, Berkshire (0871 222 2001; www.legoland.co.uk) Thousands
of small plastic bricks used to create “Miniland”, with London
landmarks such as the Millennium Bridge, Canary Wharf and Tower Bridge.
Also Lego-themed rides and adventure films within the 150-acre park.
New for this year is the Kingdom of the Pharaohs and Laser Riders, a
ride through an ancient tomb. £36/£27.
28 Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Hampshire (023 9283 9766; www.historicdockyard.co.uk) Ships
include HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and the Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s
warship. Admission includes the Royal Naval Museum and harbour tours.
Single-attraction tickets are available, but best value is the annual
admission, which covers all of the exhibits. £18/£13.50/£50.50.
29 Battle Abbey, East Sussex (01424 775705; www.english-heritage.org.uk) Audio
guides bring the blood and gore of this battleground alive and you can
see the very spot where King Harold died. Also on offer is a Battle for
England film and exhibition on monastic life in the gatehouse.
£6.70/£3.40/£16.80
30 Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, West Sussex (01243 811363; www.wealddown.co.uk) About
50 historic buildings, including barns, a Victorian school,
timber-framed farmhouse, market hall and water mill, all rescued from
demolition and reconstructed on a grassy site. Authentically dressed
staff add further atmosphere by demonstrating traditional crafts in
situ. £8.95/£4.70/£24.25
31 Beaulieu Motor Museum, Hampshire (01590 612345; www.beaulieu.co.uk) Children
can get behind the wheel of motorised mini-cars on Dipstick’s Driving
Circuit, try a monorail, take a 1912-style open-top bus, and new for
this summer, visit the Top Gear Enormodome (opening June 21).
The latest exhibition is the Jaguar Jamboree celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Mk2. £15.75/ £8.50/£43.
SOUTH WEST
32 Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire (01453 891900; www.wwt.org.uk) Children
can get soaking wet in Welly Boot Land, where they’re encouraged to
build dams, jump in puddles and mess around with water. Also 4?x4
safaris, toad demonstrations and canoe safaris at this bird
conservation trust founded by Sir Peter Scott in 1946.
£75/£4.80/£24.40.
33 The Flambards Experience, Cornwall (01326 573404; www.flambards.co.uk) Glorified
funfair with themed family rides plus more challenging Hornet
roller-coaster and Extreme Force. Mark’s Ark allows you to get close to
pythons and lizards, plus hands-on science and shows.
£16.50/£11.50/£49.40.
34 Eden Project, Cornwall (01726 811911; www.edenproject.com) Vast
walk-through “biomes”, one with a rainforest ecosystem, the other with
Mediterranean trees and plants. Plus the Core, an education centre and
gardens. Summer events include the Big Lunch on July 19. £16/£5/£38.
35 Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall (01726 845100; www.heligan.com) Restored
after years of neglect, this 100-acre area contains glasshouses, walled
gardens, pleasure grounds, a “jungle” of ferns with boardwalks, and
peaceful woodland. There’s also a full programme of theatre this
summer. £8.50/£5/£23.50.
36 Castle Drogo, Devon (01647 433306; www.nationaltrust.org.uk) Built
by Sir Edwin Lutyens last century, this fortress-style home overlooks
Dartmoor and the Teign Gorge, with Gertrude Jekyll gardens and
children’s play area. Family trails and special events are organised in
school holidays. £8.20/ £4.10/£20.50.
37 Paignton Zoo, Devon (01803 697500; www.paigntonzoo.org.uk) Opened
in the Twenties by an eccentric millionaire, the zoo covers an 80-acre
area containing a crocodile swamp and six habitats, including savannah,
forest and wetland, plus botanic gardens. Latest additions are four
rare Sumatran tiger cubs, born at the zoo, and now on show to visitors.
£12.50/ £8.80/£39.30.
38 National Marine Aquarium, Devon (01752 600301; www.national-aquarium.co.uk) A
journey through displays exploring life in estuaries, shallow seas and
a deep reef, including sharks, sea horses, turtles and colourful exotic
fish. The Atlantic Reef is the centrepiece of the aquarium where you
can see bass, whiting and pollack through vast picture windows. The
daily programme of events include shark discussions, a rockpool ramble
and various dive shows. £11/ £6.50/£30
39 Wookey Hole Caves, Somerset (01749 672243; www.wookey.co.uk) Designed
for families with younger children to explore themed areas such as
Dinosaur Valley, Monster Mill and Fairy Garden. You can also join a
35-minute tour of the prehistoric caves. New for this year is a Pirate
Island Adventure golf course. £15/£10/£45 (golf costs extra).
SCOTLAND
40 Discovery Point, Fife (01382 309060; www.rrsdiscovery.com) Follow
the story of the Dundee-built RRS Discovery and Scott’s voyage to
Antarctica in 1901 on a tour of the ship with the help of audio-visual
shows, interactive exhibitions and original artefacts. Starting with
the main deck of this three-masted sailing ship, you can get a taste of
the adventurous voyages undertaken by her crew and the tough conditions
in which they had to live and to work. £7.50/£7/ £32.
41 Crathes Castle and Gardens, Aberdeenshire (01330 844525; www.nts.org.uk).
Atmospheric 16th-century castle in superb gardens with fountain and
rose gardens, yew hedges and colourful borders. Adventure playground,
family trails, children’s quizzes, picnic areas. £10.50/ £7.50/£26.
42 Culloden Battlefield Highlands (0844 493 2159; www.nts.org.uk/culloden) Site
of a bloody clash between Jacobites and Hanoverians in 1746, where more
than 1,200 died in less than an hour of fighting. A hi-tech visitor
centre uses film, models and hand-held electronic guides to convey the
stories surrounding the event: the animated battle table uses vivid
narration to bring the drama of this brutal conflict to life.
£10/£7.50/ £24
43 Culzean Country Park, Ayrshire (01655 884400; www.culzeanexperience.org ) An
18th-century castle on a rocky promontory by the Firth of Clyde, with
Robert Adam interiors and castle armoury. Waymarked paths through
woodland and deer park. July 20 and August 10 features two Children’s
Weeks, with a programme of crafts, mini-beast safaris, conservation
challenges and games. £13/£9/£32.
44 Inverewe Gardens, Ross-shire (0844 493 2225; www.nts.org.uk)
Overlooking Loch Ewe, exotic species include Tasmanian eucalypts and
Chinese Himalayan blue poppies plus wildlife such as red deer, pine
martens and otters. Free guided walks are available on weekdays.
£8.50/£5.50 /£21.
WALES
45 Anglesey Sea Zoo, Isle of Anglesey (01248 430411; www.angleseyseazoo.co.uk).
Highlights include the Shark Pool, Big Fish Forest and Shipwreck using
huge tanks stocked with marine life found in the waters around the
local coastline. Also an “Octojump” bouncy castle, adventure playground
and radio-controlled boats. £7.25/£6.25/£24.
46 Big Pit Mining Museum, Torfaen (01495 790311; www.museumwales.ac.uk ) Guided
tours of the mine start with a 300ft descent by pit cage down the mine
shaft, equipped with helmets and cap lamps; or you can opt to take a
new virtual tour of a modern coal mine. The original winding engine
house, blacksmith’s forge and fan house are open to visitors. Free
entry.
47 Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Caerphilly (01443 412248; www.llancaiachfawr.co.uk) Tudor
house restored to its 1645 condition, with resident Puritan family, the
Pritchards. Characters are bought to life by actors, and set in the
context of the English Civil War. Events for this summer include an
Archaeology Day on July 19, Kings Weekend on August 1-2 (a re-enacted
skirmish between Parliamentarian and Royalist troops) and Children’s
Activity Days in mid-August. £6/£4.50/£18.
48 Bodnant Garden, Conwy (01492 650460; www.bodnantgarden.co.uk ) Eighty
acres of terraces, informal lawns, river valley and wild gardens with
plants from all over the world. Family trails with puzzles, activity
sheets and questions. Also available this summer are three themed
Tracker Backpacks (you choose between Artist, Bugs & Plants or
Fairy). £7.50/£3.75
49 Oakwood Theme Park, Pembrokeshire (01834 861889; www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk) Entrance
fee includes Megafobia, Bobsleigh and The Bounce (reaching speeds of
70mph), a ride supposed to turn you into a “human bullet”. Matt the
Magic Man performs his magic tricks and circus skills daily (except
Mondays and Tuesdays in peak season). £16.95/ £13.95/£58 (Vertigo ride
is extra).
50 National Slate Museum, Gwynedd (01286 870630; www.museumwales.ac.uk) Next
to Dinorwig quarry in Elidir mountain, original Victorian workshops
include foundries and forges, which are now used for slate-splitting
demonstrations. There are also reconstructions of four quarrymen’s
cottages and the Chief Engineer’s House. Free entry.
A foreigners guide to the UK
By Laura Tait
Bad teeth, bad food, football hooligans – that's the press the
Britain gets in other countries. It’s also a nation where those types
are often imagined to be living harmoniously alongside distinguished,
posh middle-class men in top hats and women with parasols.
But stereotypes aside, what information is really being fed back
to our foreign friends about us Brits? We scoured the travel guides to
see how we're really perceived by the rest of the world.
The people "Calmness in the face of adversity,
a laconic sense of humour, a sense of decency and fair play, and
mastery of understatement are all fundamental facets of the British
character – at least, as seen by the British themselves.
Ask the French and you might get a rather different list of
attributes that includes stand-offishness, anti-intellectualism, public
drunkenness and being crap at cooking." - Lonely Planet, Great Britain,
8th Edition
Bit harsh. We're not that bad at cooking. Thanks to our calmness
in the face of adversity and laconic sense of humour we can laugh that
kind of misconception off.
Not that there aren't ways to make us cry... "The nostalgic
English – especially after a few pints – can get downright weepy about
their White Cliffs of Dover." - Frommer's England 2010, published in
the US
Those white cliffs - get you every time don't they?
The culture "The British are famously addicted
to forming orderly queues, be it for buses, train tickets, or to pay at
the supermarket. The order is sacrosanct and woe betide any foreigner
who gets this wrong. Few things are more calculated to spark an
outburst of tutting – about as publicly cross as most Brits get – than
'pushing in' at a queue." - Lonely Planet, Great Britain, 8th Edition
Yep, queuing – we love it. Can't get enough of it. Unless it's
getting dangerously close to 4pm and it's not looking like we're going
to be back in time to boil the kettle...
"From the lowliest 'caff' (cafeteria) in the working-class
districts of Birmingham to the Queen's posh Buckingham Palace suite,
class tradition melts at four o'clock every afternoon as the nation
pauses to partake of its most beloved ritual: Afternoon Tea." -
Frommer's England 2010, published in the USA
Although not 100% factually accurate there are worse descriptions of collective England out there:
"England is a nation of overweight, binge-drinking reality TV
addicts" - Rough Guide to England, 8th Edition – published in over 200
countries
Alright, Rough Guide, don't hold back.
The places "Liverpool and Manchester are as
depressing places as you're likely to find anywhere... whilst the
locals can be entertaining on a good day, the weather is shit, heroin
is epidemic (but meth is catching on) and you've got a better chance of
thugs putting you in hospital for no apparent reason than in any other
part of England – and that's saying something." - US website Road Junky
Travel
Calm down, calm down. That's one way to look at two of our most
happening, cosmopolitan cities. But what is the international
conception of England's capital?
"When a yobbo in a car - radio on full-blast, mobile glued to the
ear, indicator controls untouched - nearly runs you over at a
pedestrian crossing and you protest, he dissolves into road rage as
only Londoners know it." - Lonely Planet, London
Enough said.
The food "Brits love a big hearty feed of
bangers and mash, fish and chips with mushy peas, pork pies or pasties.
Curry also rates highly (a popular import from colonial days in India)
along with loads of other dishes reflecting Britain’s multicultural
population. With all that good food going around, it’s hardly
surprising more than 60 per cent of people in the UK are either
overweight or obese." – www.tnt.com, travel magazine for Australian,
New Zealand and South African expats
"With all that food going round?" It’s not like we eat it all at
once. At least some guides are beginning to realise that the UK’s
culinary habits are changing, and our reputation for bad food is no
longer justified...
"If you want to see what Britain is eating today, just drop in
at Harvey Nicol’s Fifth Floor, in London’s Knightbridge." – Frommer’s
England 2010
Absolutely – it’s where we eat all the time!
Travel Money.
The £50 sting when you buy US$ / euros at the airport. By Sean Poulter 2009.05.20.
Holidaymakers can be charged nearly £50 more for 500 euros of spending money if they leave getting the cash until they reach the airport, it has been revealed. And some of the biggest names in currency exchange offer poor value for money, according to research by consumer group Which?
It checked exchange rates when buying U.S. $500 and 500 euros in cash at 21 currency providers - including banks, bureaux de change, travel agents, high street shops and online agents. It found that costs varied by almost £50 between the cheapest and the most expensive outlets. The best value currency provider on average for U.S. dollars and euros was Eurochange, which operates on the high street. It charged £351 for $500 and £461 for 500 euros.
By contrast, the most expensive quotes were from an airport branch of Travelex, which charged an average of £391 - £40 more - for $500 and £507 - £47 more - for 500 euros. Overall, airport bureaux de change such as TTT, American Express and Travelex provided the worst value for money as they tended to charge commission.
Surprisingly, the Post Office offered good deals for those buying currency online, but not for those buying from a branch. The research for Which? Money magazine also found that using a credit card for holiday spending could be costly.
Most card transactions abroad incur a 'foreign exchange loading fee' - typically between 2.75 per cent and 3 per cent - as well as a withdrawal fee for taking out cash.
The editor of Which? Money, Martyn Hocking, said: 'The fall in the value of the pound has increased the cost of hotels, travel and entertainment for UK tourists, so it's more important than ever to shop around for currency.'
Buy a map*...One of the greatest Capital Cities in the World
Sign-posts or route-finders for walkers. This is outside Downing Street. 
The Tate Modern, one of Britain's most populr visitor attractions, 2008. Photo: PA
St Michael's Mount. Photo: GETTY
