Britain
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Travel Tips
Coming from North America I wasn't prepared for the extent to which things were closed for Christmas. On Christmas Eve everything closed early (often before 4.00pm) and on Christmas Day absolutely nothing was open, even the public transit systems were completely shut down. A few things were open on the 26th, but again it was hard to get anywhere. You should warn readers that they will not be able to travel anywhere, except on foot, or purchase any food from the 24th to the 26th (inclusive). I would advise that travellers purchase enough groceries on the 23rd to last until the 27th and not to plan any travel for that period because grocery stores and restaurants will be closed and trains won't be running.
Anonymous, Canada (Jan 06)
Minimum call charge from a BT phone box in the UK is now 30 pence instead of 20 pence.
Haley Griffiths, UK (Nov 05)
Inverness: There is no longer citysightseeing tour to Cullodon Battlefields and Cowder Castle any more. Only the city hop-on/hop-off-tour is still available. To go to Fort George, the battlefield and the castle, you have to use public transport or a taxi tour. The first is much complicated because there is no round trip available, the last one is very expenisve.
Gerhard Schweng, Austria (Aug 05)
Just returned from a few weeks hiking around the Highlands and Munros of Scotland and wanted to let you know the Fort Augustus Abbey in Fort Augustus is currently under construction and is being converted to condos/apartments. You might consider adding this to your web site as the abbey was really the main reason to head to Fort Augustus out of Inverness.
Michael Girard, USA (Sep 05)
Tipping in the UK is largely unheard of and is usually at the customers discretion, therefore it is an honest rating of the service. Wages are high for waiting staff actually £5 to £10 an hour.
Jerome Brown, UK (Feb 05)
If visiting major tourist attractions, you mention that prebuying tickets online is a good way to avoid a long queue. However, there are newspaper stands/ticket offices all over the city selling i.e tickets to theatres etc. They also sell Fast Lane Tickets (to i.e London Dungeons and Mme Tusseauds) at 15% discount AND it allows you to go on the Fast Lane, which we found out means you are allowed go past the queue and this saves hours of waiting. At the dungeons there is one door that they use to let people who need to buy tickets in, and another door a couple of yards away where they let pre-bought ticket people inside. We bought the tickets for Dungeons on the Piccadilly Circus kiosk, at Adults price £12 and children £8 on December 12th 2004.
Magnus Jansson, Sweden (Dec 04)
One of the best ways I've discovered for staying in an area cheaply for a week or so while meeting people, seeing the countryside and helping the environment is doing a conservation & working holiday. The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) and the National Trust both do them year-round, although there are a lot more holidays to choose from in Spring and Summer. Admittedly, the idea of taking a holiday in order to work doesn't fit into your typical vacation mould, but it's well worth doing.
About a month ago I went dry-stone walling with BTCV in the Cotswolds for a week, rebuilding a ha- ha (19th century landscape feature for stock control) on a National Trust estate. There were nine volunteers and two leaders - we stayed in a village hall in Windrush, which was too small to have a pub (I never thought that would happen in England!) We had three days working, one day off to explore and rest, then another three days of work.
Mary de Ruyter, New Zealand (Oct 00)
Moving About
After the bomb explosions in the tube in London - there are quite a few security changes in Scotland. The left luggage lockers at the railwaystations are no longer available - in Inverness a left luggage center is located on the bus station. There are often security checks at railway stations or popular sights, e.g. Edinburgh Castle.
The Freedom of Scotland Travelpass: Not all participating companies or their drivers/clerks know the details about the Travelpass. Everyone should take the leaflet with him to "convince" the drivers/clerk of some buslinks or ferry services. Sometimes you can use the travelpass on routes not mentioned in the leaflet, e.g. on the Scotrail train from Edinburgh to inverness at 8.40 am.
Gerhard Schweng, Austria (Aug 05)
Gems, Highlights & Attractions
We discovered that the "World Conker Championships" in tiny Ashton near Peterborough are worth a visit. They are not only fun for children but a hilarious example of weird English culture & everybody can join in if they register early on www.worldconkerchampionships.com
Ulrike Schneider, Germany (Dec 05)
I visited Liverpool last September. What a pleasant surprise! I hadn't heard of anyone visiting this town so I didn't know what to expect. I'm very positive. Very lively but not as crowded as London. The area around the Albert Dock is definitely THE attraction.
Geer Furtjes, Netherlands (Oct 05)
Although mixing it up with the ex pats at places like Walkabout and Redback is excellent fun while doing the long haul in London - don't rely too heavily upon your home team. The best people and the best stories come from local pubs on the corner of every local street. Pick one, get in there and meet some of the locals. Learn a bit about what life is really like for working class Londoners, not just those who live in Shepherds Bush & Acton. One of the most interesting people I've ever met was 86 year-old Alfy, a black cab driver from near the Harrow Road. He knew every street like the back of his hand and had more stories than anyone I've ever known. What's travelling for if not to meet people like Alfy?
Rebecca Smith, Australia (Nov 00)
My partner Kym & I set off to Britain in mid May, as we had (secretly) arranged to be married in Gretna, Scotland. Each year sees as many as four thousand wedding ceremonies take place in Gretna or nearby Gretna Green. Scottish law, unlike elsewhere in Britain, has no residential qualification for marriage, thus the only requirements are a minimum of fifteen days notice accompanied by relevant documents and declarations and payment of appropriate fees pertaining to whichever type of ceremony you require. We were delighted at the way our day unfolded. We found the people of Gretna and Gretna Green to be wonderful hosts, and the staff at Gretna registration office sincere and friendly professionals; most of whom were in possession of an engaging Scottish lilt.
Stephen & Kym Cross, Australia (Oct 00)
Brighton is a fabulous part of England and far more alive and vibrant than I could ever have imagined! Forget its reputation as a seedy beach resort, and experience the delights of the Royal Pavillion, beautiful gardens, parks, pebbled beaches and the Palace Pier, although incredibly tacky, is worth a look, just so you can say you have been there! The pubs and clubs are in a league of their own. By all means, visit London, but if you get a chance to visit the "Beautiful South" go for it!
R Johnston, New Zealand (Apr 00)
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