United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain.

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a sovereign country located off the north­western coast of the European mainland. The United Kingdom is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the North Sea to the east, the English Channel to the south and the Celtic Sea to the south-west, giving it the 12th-longest coastline in the world. The Irish Sea separates Great Britain and Ireland. The United Kingdom is home to around 66 million people.

Foreign & Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
0044 207 008 1500

Post-pandemic travel advice

Coronavirus has changed the way we view travel. Click here to read the latest safety tips and advice.

Details


Before visiting any country make sure you know the basics. General details and important information.

  • Emergency Services: 999
  • Language: English
  • Currency: British Pound
  • Capital City: London
  • Country Code: GB
  • Travel Visa: None required
  • Population: 62,641,000
  • Driving: Left hand side

Risk Level


Researching various official sources, we perceive the risk to holiday makers and travellers are as follows;

Overall Risk 30%
Pickpickets 70%
Mugging 20%
Common Crimes 40%

Travellers Tips


Top travel advice and interesting tip bits of information from experienced travellers.

United Kingdom

  • Are there any customs & traditions in the UK?

    People of the UK love their tea and it is a tradition in the afternoons to stop for afternoon tea, this will also include light sandwiches and cake.

    Whether you are visiting a coastal city or not fish & chips will be available in most cities, they are a great British tradition.

    Ceremony, the British are a nation full of fantastic traditions from, Trooping of the Colour to the annual village fate. It is well worth looking into British history if you are visiting the country.

  • What’s the best time to travel to the UK?

    Summer season is generally when the UK gets most tourists, although the weather can still be unpredictable.

    Spring: 15ºC

    Summer: 21ºC

    Autumn: 18ºC

    Winter: 5ºC

  • What are the top safety tips for the UK?

    Take care when withdrawing cash from a cashpoint, people could be watching. There are also a lot of homeless and beggars, be aware that you might be asked for money. If this makes you uncomfortable think about using another machine.

    Be aware of pickpockets. They sometimes work in teams, someone may ask you for directions or may engage you in conversation to distract you. A colleague may be looking at your bag or pocket. Keep valuables safe, make sure your pockets are closed and your bag is zipped or locked.

    If you are out exploring a new place make sure someone knows your itinerary. Make sure you have researched your route and the times you plan to travel. Big cities can look very different by night.

    Violence or aggression rarely comes out of nowhere, there are usually warning signs, so keep an eye on what’s going on around you. The sooner you spot potential violence or danger, the easier it is to defuse the situation or move away from it.

  • What are the most common crimes in the UK?

    Pick-pocketing is one of the most common tourist crimes worldwide, take care to zip up your bags and keep valuables out of sight when travelling in busy areas.

    Criminal damage is a problem in the UK, be aware of groups of people or anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

    Stolen goods are often offered to tourists, be aware of anyone trying to sell you goods that seem to good to be true. They usually are!

Improve Your Safety

Knowledge The more you have the better equipped you are.

Research is always number one. Any place you choose to visit usually has something about it that makes us want to find out more, ultimately the more you know the better your experience.

Awareness The more you see the safer you become.

Armed with the knowledge of the possible risks, common crimes and safety advice, your raised awareness and enables you to spot possible hazardous situations before they unfold.

Response The right reaction can change a situation.

How you handle a situation is very important and can dramatically change the outcome. If you have recognised the potential dangers early enough it will give you time to process and decide on the best course of action… Find Out More

For more country specific travel & safety information, please visit the Travel Aware website by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

Towns & Cities

  • Train going through Manchester

    Manchester

    Manchester is a major city in the northwest of England with a rich industrial heritage. The Castlefield conservation area’s 18th-century canal system recalls the city’s days as a textile powerhouse.

    Read more
  • Boats docked on River Ouse in York

    York

    York is a walled city in northeast England. A popular attraction is York Minster. The City Walls form a walkway on both sides of the River Ouse and offers stunning views across the city.

    Read more
  • Looking down on Tower Bridge

    London

    London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. At its centre stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations.

    Read more