Welcome to England

Short on time, but craving the art, history and culture so reflective of a European vacation? Get thee to England!

This tiny country is jam-packed with medieval churches, world-class museums, adorable hamlets and cobblestone streets. Everywhere you turn, there’s a palace to tour, whether it’s Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace, or a museum to explore, from the Tate Modern to the Tower of London.

Outside its enticing cities, England is awash in storybook landscapes – there are 10 national parks, 2,795 miles of rugged coastline and 34 Areas of Outstanding National Beauty, from the Lake District to the White Cliffs of Dover. Marvel at the ancient megaliths of Stonehenge.

Admire Bath’s Georgian townhouses and 2,000-year-old Roman Baths. Explore the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and Durham Castle, living out your own Jane Austen fantasies. Always eccentric and surprising, yet steadfast and strong, England is a land of living history.

Unique Facts

• Windsor Castle is the oldest royal residence in the world still being used by the royal family.
• Most believe that London’s Big Ben refers to its famous clock. Actually, Big Ben is the name of the 13-ton bell in the tower. The tower is actually called St. Stephen’s Tower.
• Take your time touring the treasures in the British Museum – the artifacts housed here span two million years of world civilization.
• England holds the record for the shortest war in history. It was against the Zanzibar Sultanate in Africa in 1896 and lasted under 46 minutes.
• Cheese rolling is a big deal. Every year in Gloucestershire, locals chase a nine-pound Double Gloucester cheese round 650 feet down Cooper’s Hill. The cheese reaches speeds of up to 70 miles an hour, so it’s tough to catch!

Language

England’s official language is English.

When To Go

While England can be visited anytime of year, the best time to go for warm, dry weather is late March to early June and September to November. June through August are high season and can get quite hot and crowded.

Airports

Heathrow Airport, London
Gatwick Airport, London
Stansted Airport, Stansted

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry for duration of stay.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None for stays of six months or less

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting England: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Rabies.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: type G. Standard voltage: 230V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Pound

Getting Around

Road conditions in the United Kingdom can differ significantly from those in the United States. UK traffic drives on the left. Pedestrians do not have the right of way. If needed, there are emergency call boxes found a half-mile intervals along highways.

England has an extensive train system throughout the country. Within London, use the Underground, or the Tube, a rapid transit system that serves the Greater London area, as well as some part of Buckinghamshire, Essex and Hertfordshire.

The London Overground is a suburban rail network that offers service within London and Hertfordshire.

Bus service in London is reliable and safe. Use the familiar red double-decker bus for an inexpensive way to get around the city.

Driver’s License

A valid US driver’s license is required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy London
33 Nine Elms Lane
London, SW11 7US
United Kingdom
Telephone: +(44)(20) 7499-9000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(44)(20) 7499-9000
Fax: +(44) (20) 7891-3845
SCSLondon@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

To find a Tourist Information Center, visit https://www.visitengland.com/places-to-visit

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

General Emergency: 999

Safety and Security

The crime rate in England is moderate. Be cautious and aware of your surroundings to avoid pickpocketing, mugging and “snatch and grab” theft of mobile phones, watches and jewelry. Do not leave bags unattended in restaurants, pubs, hotel lobbies and parked cars.