{"id":3794,"date":"2018-04-16T13:35:57","date_gmt":"2018-04-16T17:35:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/?p=3794"},"modified":"2018-05-02T10:50:06","modified_gmt":"2018-05-02T14:50:06","slug":"go-england","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.explorica.ca\/blog\/go-england","title":{"rendered":"What to know before you go: England"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re planning on <\/span>travelling to historic England<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019re in for a real treat: There\u2019s so much to learn and see in this exciting country.<\/span><\/p>\n

In order to truly make the most of your trip, though, it\u2019s best to be prepared. Knowing what to expect in England can help you avoid some of the little stresses that go along with travel and spend more time on what you came for: life-changing experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some tips for making sure you\u2019re ready for your trip to England:<\/span><\/p>\n

What do I need to know about England? <\/b><\/p>\n

Queen:<\/b> Elizabeth II<\/span><\/p>\n

Prime Minister: <\/b>Theresa May<\/span><\/p>\n

Official religion:<\/b> Church of England<\/span><\/p>\n

Date format: <\/b>DD\/MM\/YYYY<\/span><\/p>\n

Time zone: <\/b>Greenwich Mean Time (EST+5)<\/span><\/p>\n

What do I need to know about English culture?<\/b><\/p>\n

Language: <\/b>There obviously is no language barrier when you travel to England, though you may find it helpful to review some fun <\/span>British slang<\/span><\/a> before you go.<\/span><\/p>\n

Etiquette: <\/b>England and Canada are pretty similar in terms of etiquette and customs, though there are a few differences. Brits are known for their politeness \u2014 please, thank you, and sorry are staples of the language. <\/span><\/p>\n

When standing on an escalator, be sure to stand on the right and let people pass you on the left, and never cut a queue. <\/span><\/p>\n

Holidays: <\/b>If your trip happens to fall during a holiday, this can be an excellent way to interact with locals during your free time, though it may affect business hours for shops and sites. Check out a <\/span>calendar of English holidays<\/span><\/a> to see if any of them overlap with your trip dates.<\/span><\/p>\n

What about health and safety?<\/b><\/p>\n

Safety: <\/b>As of this post, the Government of Canada has\u00a0listed<\/a>\u00a0England as a country where you should \u201cexercise a high degree of caution.\u201d Be sure to keep an eye on your luggage and wallet, and stay with your group if you\u2019re with a tour.<\/p>\n

Brits drive on the left, so be mindful of this when you\u2019re crossing the street. You may even see signs warning you to look right for oncoming traffic. In any case, it\u2019s best to just look both ways.<\/span><\/p>\n

Health:<\/b> You do not need to have any vaccines to travel to England, and the tap water is safe to drink. <\/span><\/p>\n

Weather: <\/b>England has a temperate oceanic climate. This means it\u2019s mainly cool and cloudy, with rainy days. Check out the <\/span>weather<\/span><\/a> before you go, and prepare with clothes for cool weather and rain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Food: <\/b>Traditional English food includes bread and cheese, meat pies, sausages and potatoes, fish and chips, and imported recipes like curry. Vegetarianism is relatively common in England, though, so restaurants tend to be veggie-friendly.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do I use my phone in England?<\/b><\/p>\n

International calling and WiFi: <\/b>The numbers to call for emergency services are 999 and 112. To call Canada from England, dial 001 and then the number, starting with the area code. Most hotels will offer WiFi.<\/span><\/p>\n

For information on how international calling works for your cellular provider, contact them directly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adaptors: <\/b>England uses a different plug than Canada, so you will need an <\/span>adaptor<\/span><\/a>. Be sure to purchase one so you are able to charge your phone abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n

What do I need to get in, out, and around England? <\/b><\/p>\n

Passport and visa: <\/b>Your passport must be <\/span>valid<\/span><\/a> for the length of your stay in England. Visas are not required if you are staying for less than 90 days. <\/span><\/p>\n

Customs: <\/b>Don\u2019t try to bring any raw beans, or fruits or vegetables back into Canada.<\/span><\/p>\n

Money: <\/b>Unlike most of Europe, England uses the British Pound (\u00a3) instead of the Euro. Other types of paper currency won\u2019t be accepted, though credit cards from Canada are fine. Check with your bank to see if you\u2019ll be charged a fee for using your card abroad, and definitely notify them of your tour dates.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out the <\/span>exchange rate<\/span><\/a> for Canadian dollars to Pounds before you go, and if you decide to change money, make sure the rate is favorable. Usually, the airport currency exchange will not offer you the best rate, and you\u2019re best off using a debit card at an ATM (known as a \u201ccash machine\u201d) during your trip, but be aware of any international fees.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, be sure to check out our <\/span>tips and guidelines for spending money<\/span><\/a> abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n

Packing essentials for England<\/b><\/p>\n