A trip to England on your own. Independent trip to London: prices, features, preparation

Game designer from Mogilev Yulia Pepler decided to arrange a super-busy May for herself, and with a team of friends went on a trip to England and Scotland. Stonehenge, Loch Ness, castles from Harry Potter and the Isle of Skye - how to fit it all into one trip - in a first-person story.

Julia Pepler

Preparing for your trip

We went on a trip with our student fraternity - almost all the participants in our trip were graduates of one of the Mogilev lyceums. We spend every May in a new place and traditionally call it a “hike.” This year the choice fell on Scotland, and I couldn’t stay away.

When we started planning the route, it became clear that the trip would consist of two parts: England and Scotland. According to the plan, we were going to fly from Vilnius to Luton (the airport is 48 km from London), then rent a minibus and move towards Edinburgh, from where we were scheduled to fly to Kaunas. This time we decided not to waste time on London itself - everyone has six-year visas, so we can see the capital another time.

It is better to find out everything related to car rental in advance - the conditions of all companies are different, not to mention local laws. For example, it is important that the card with which you will pay rent is at least Visa classic. Initially, 14 people were going to go on our trip, and we wanted to take a large bus. But it turned out that despite one of us having an international license and category D, in the UK only a resident of the European Union or the United Kingdom itself with at least 2 years of driving experience can transport more than 8 people. I had to book 2 minibuses. So there were 16 of us. By the way, renting one 16-seater bus would cost us £1,100, but for one 9-seater we paid about £1,200. You also need to be careful with insurance - weigh the pros and cons. We chose the slightly more expensive option and it ended up paying off (we broke a headlight on a cart guard in the parking lot).

Our team included the inspirer and organizer of the “hike” - Alexander Machekin, who developed the route. We chose places that guidebooks and other travelers advised us to visit, put everything on the map and plotted an approximate route. Initially, it was clear that we had a “reserve” route: about 30% of the points that we had outlined for ourselves had to be sorted on the spot.

Before starting the trip, we all stocked up on waterproof and windproof jackets. It is also advisable to have waterproof pants and trekking boots, although you can do without them - it is just a matter of your comfort. We also had sleeping bags and several tents with us. We never used the latter. We also took food with us (porridge, tea, kozinaki, noodles and homemade granola) - it helped us out if we didn’t have time to stop by the store. Most often we shopped at supermarkets (Tesco extra deserved a special love among us).

Let's fly

We flew to England with the low-cost airline Wizzair. At the airport, a free shuttle bus picked us up at a special stop to the right of the exit and took us directly to the car rental place. We got two brand new minibuses of the simplest configuration. They had a significant drawback - on the road, those riding in the rear seats were thrown around the cabin, as if on an attraction. We knew that if you rent a car, you must inspect it together with a company employee and ask about everything in detail. Our driver paid attention to the AdBlue level (this is a reagent needed for cars running on a diesel engine). The company employee told us not to worry - everything was fine with the reagent. But, as you understand, this story will continue.

We bought several SIM cards at a gas station. For £10 we got 2GB of internet and several dozen included minutes. Having activated his SIM card, Sasha immediately went to book accommodation. Everything was done promptly through booking.com, because on airbnb.com you still have to wait for confirmation from the owners. We made reservations on the go: we simply looked at how far we wanted to travel by the end of the day and looked for a hostel or house nearby. Cards were accepted almost everywhere; cash was needed only on toll roads and markets.

Fabulous towns of mid England

Our first stop was Cambridge, where we stayed only briefly. It’s interesting to take a walk here, eat at the street market in the center, and hang out in a bookstore. The most popular transport among locals is a bicycle.

And then Windsor: pleasant streets, flowering trees and cafes that have probably existed here for centuries. Right on the road in front of the current residence of the British monarchs there is a statue of Queen Victoria, and in a small neat park there is a statue of Queen Elizabeth II with corgis frolicking around. I don’t know how it happened, but we were always next to our “second minibus,” although at times we were forced to travel in two cars and split up along the way. You're walking, you come to some interesting bar - and Masya from our second bus comes out and smiles. The old bar, which is located right next to the royal alley, has a wonderful bar counter, many tables, books and visitors with dogs. It seems like there are dogs everywhere here, and all establishments are dog-friendly. From the window of the second floor of the bar, cardboard Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are waving to you (the wedding of the century was just around the corner). From behind the bar you can see an incredibly long and photogenic alley. We took a selfie here, and a couple of weeks later I watched in the chronicles how a wedding team with that same royal wedding carriage was driving along this very path. We didn't get to Windsor Castle because everything in the UK closes after 5 p.m. After 18.00 at best.

Our first overnight stay was in Oxford. We rented a two-story house: it was designed for fewer people, but we initially agreed that the “camping” format meant that someone would sleep in sleeping bags where they could sit comfortably.

Strawberry cromlech

Of course, we couldn't miss Stonehenge. In advance, we unanimously decided not to waste time on a paid excursion, since we have such a busy schedule. But you better not do like us. Go to the visitor center, buy a ticket (£18) and take the free bus to cromlech. With a ticket you will be able to get much closer to the stones, but they still won’t let you into the center - they’ll keep you safe.

We stood a little further, but this did not upset us. From the overabundance of emotions, tears appeared in my eyes. We took out champagne and strawberries, bought the day before at the supermarket, and solemnly celebrated this important point of our trip.

Locals know best

Without slowing down, we moved on to the village of Bybury, described by every guidebook as “the most picturesque village in England.” All the houses here are built from a special stone - shell rock or oolite. All around there is a surprisingly harmonious combination of well-groomed and neglected conditions, which can be said about the entire island. It seems that the locals have some kind of methodological manual, which indicates which bushes should be cut out into intricate shapes, and which ones should be left to overgrow. By the way, we asked a local resident how to pronounce the name of the village correctly, and she insisted on “Bayburi”. But if you look for it on Russian-language resources - write “Biburi” - you will find more information.

You can get around the village very quickly. A local attraction here is a trout farm. There is also a souvenir shop and a cafe where trout is the signature dish. We ordered a mix of fish (£7.9) prepared in three different ways: baked with a creamy sauce, smoked and the third, which we called “herring under a fur coat” - in some kind of salad with beets. And the tea we ordered was brought with milk without asking (£ 1.5).

Having looked into the hometown of William Shakespeare, where, according to legend, his father's house was preserved, we moved to the last stop for the day - Birmingham.

Watch your back

Birmingham, forgive the philosophical arguments, was called upon to balance all this beauty that we experienced during the day. Surely, walking around the city center on a sunny day, we would get a different impression of it. But then, at dusk, we saw continuous industrial buildings, and many, many young people walking around. We checked into an anthill hostel with a confusing system of passages, part of the team went to the bar, the other part passed out on clean sheets. In the morning, while pulling things out into the foyer, I turned around at the scream of Polina from our team - she ran in from the street and stomped her feet and yelled, “It was stolen! Stolen! Everything was stolen!” At night, our car was opened, and a forgotten wallet disappeared from the glove compartment by a cruel accident. “I'm being deported! I can’t come back here again!” – she continued. We rushed to look around the area in search of the abandoned passport and asked at the reception where the nearest police station was. Polina, gradually coming to her senses, checked the bag - and lo and behold! – She handed over the passport and card. So, only cash was stolen. Polina was even somehow happy (the biggest nightmare - not getting to the UK again - was over), said that it was just money and there wasn’t very much of it. It was decided not to write a statement to the police - anyway, the money could not be returned.

“All around is a surprisingly harmonious combination of well-groomed and neglected conditions, which can be said about the entire island”

Manchester

Here, our division into two minibuses played into our hands - we divided into those who are interested in the Old Trafford stadium, where the Manchester United team trains, and those who don’t care.

Those who did not go to the stadium were sent for a walk around the city. Manchester turned out to be a very beautiful, lively and modern city. It was lunchtime, so everywhere we met Englishmen in luxuriously fitting business suits, with street food in one hand and a leather briefcase in the other. It’s amazing how in this cold everything was already in bloom, because when we left, the leaves were just trying to bloom in Belarus, although the temperature was much higher.

Another minibus fully visited the museum at the stadium (£ 18) and spent a lot of money on souvenirs: T-shirts, scarves, mugs and caps, and even bed linen with the symbols of their favorite club.

Pudding that isn't pudding

We went to York for the night. If you want to see the largest medieval stained glass window in the world, be sure to check out York Minster (£10), but remember, it will turn into "Closed" after 6pm.

We rented a two-story house again. I was not pleased with the one bathroom for everyone, and even the one combined with a toilet. The mood was lifted only by the cookies carefully left by the owners. This is the famous Scottish Shortbread - shortbread cookies with a pleasant creamy taste. In York we really wanted to try the famous Yorkshire pudding. Of course, we had a certain idea of ​​pudding in our heads, and it was very different from what we found in York. Yorkshire pudding is a baked “mold” of batter into which various sauces and fillings are placed.

Another incident happened in York. When we were unpacking our things, one of the sleeping bags fell out and rolled under the stairs. We discovered this at another parking lot, when its owner needed a sleeping bag. Later we contacted the owners and they kindly agreed to send a sleeping bag to Belarus. For their troubles with the mail, the Yorkers asked for another £10.

When ruins are as stunning as a preserved castle

In North Yorkshire, on a cliff near the North Sea, we were met by Whitby Abbey, or rather what was left of it. They say it has the highest number of ghosts in England. After paying £6 for entry and audio guides, we headed towards the abbey. It rained constantly, as if to order, creating the right atmosphere. Having passed a small pond, we approached well-preserved ruins, and the audio guide, in excellent English, reported that the first abbess here was Hilda, and she turned all the snakes that plagued the local residents into stones. The abbey was destroyed twice: first by the Vikings, and second by German cruisers during the First World War. Through the incredibly beautiful arches you can see the sea here. From the ruins one can only guess about the former greatness of the temple. No wonder he impressed Bram Stoker so much. In his book, it is in Whitby that Count Dracula disembarks from the ship in the form of a creature resembling a dog and runs towards the abbey and the adjacent cemetery.

Even magic won’t help with the operating mode

Since the trip turned out to be so cinematic, it would be wrong not to stop by Alnwick Castle, which became the prototype of the Hogwarts School of Wizardry. We hurried here to make it before closing, checked the schedule - everything is fine, we still have 1.5 hours. But here’s what the guidebooks don’t tell you: the castle is open until 17.30, and the ticket office closes at 15.45. At 16.00 we were no longer able to buy a ticket, so we walked around the castle on the other side and admired it from afar. On the way we found a narrow bridge with a lion figure. Apparently, the lion is another local landmark - its image with its arrow-like tail is on every guidebook and postcard.

A little disappointed, we moved to Bamborough Castle, which we persistently read as Bamburgh. Huge, in the sunset rays it seemed no less beautiful than Alnwick. We went up to it and heard the sound of the sea. Even though it was northern and cold, we ran to it like to an old friend. We spent perhaps even more time here than in Alnwick. Someone took off their shoes and ran into the water to go at least ankle-deep, someone began to cartwheel in delight, and everyone took pictures of the rainbow in front.

“The Scots used to believe in unicorns (the maid whispered that there is no “before” - everyone still believes)”

Scotland and the Scots

And although officially this is one state, the difference between England and Scotland is still very noticeable. The fences seem to have become higher, and the people are friendlier. Instead of plains, we could see mountains, sheep in the fields were more often seen with black faces, and in addition to cows, we also met musk oxen. Cartoonishly funny, with long red fur and bangs that obscure the eyes, this is the local pride.

Scottish friendliness amazed us. At the first store, an elderly woman saleswoman spoke to us. She asked where we were from and what places we intended to visit. Having familiarized herself with the route, she nodded approvingly and wished her a good trip and certainly good weather. After the English, who never gave us even a meager smile, the Scots seemed like angels descended from heaven. Which, of course, we immediately informed her about. She smiled and said that yes, the Scots are like that. “We also drink a lot!” – she laughed at last.

Do you believe in unicorns?

In the most important Scottish castle - Stirling - we were offered to buy an Explorer pass (£ 30), which gives the right to visit 77 attractions for free. Of the 5 days that it is valid, you can use free entry only for 3 days, but you can visit as many castles as you like in one day. The subscription pays off with interest. We calculated that entry to Stirling alone costs £15 and Edinburgh Castle costs £18.

In the castle, a sweet maid-tour guide answered the most burning question at that moment: why are unicorns cool here? It turned out that the unicorn is the official symbol of Scotland! The Scots used to believe in unicorns (the maid whispered that there is no “before” - everyone still believes). And it’s not for nothing that he was depicted on the coat of arms of Scotland along with three lions (a lion is a symbol of royal power), because only three lions can kill one unicorn

In search of Nessie and the most atmospheric overnight stay

Of course, in addition to Stonehenge, Loch Ness was a must-see place. Now I understand why people are so eager to see “something” in these troubled waters. The wind raises such waves that something supernatural is seen in every black crest. The view from the shore is picturesque: the lake is divided by two mountains covered in fog.

Along the road there is a hotel, on the territory of which a “statue” of Nessie is enterprisingly placed. A hotel room is expensive, but a photo with a green-skinned beauty is free (and priceless). The area here became completely mountainous, and we moved up the serpentine road to our next overnight stay at Camping Pod Heaven. Four-person barrel houses were waiting for us, with air mattresses, sockets and lamps inside. On site there is a comfortable toilet and shower, an open sink with hot water, and a long common table. There is no kitchen, but there are several barbecues. You can rent a small electric kettle for £1. A small group of Poles shared coal with us - a little drunk, they themselves came up and invited us to the grill, and we were showered with gratitude in response.

The next day we went to explore the local species - there is no way to describe them. I don’t know what could be more beautiful than mountains and the sea.

Another failure: the home stretch

The Scottish part of the trip is very difficult to divide into any “blocks”, because it is pure ecstasy. It’s impossible to get unstuck from the car window; there’s no strength to stop taking those blurry photos with your smartphone. It seems like the air is about to tear your lungs apart, and a current runs through your body after every turn. Overhanging cliffs covered with gorse give way to pastures and mirror lakes.

We arrived at Eilean Donan Castle, which, like many points on our journey, is also a movie hero. “Highlander” was filmed here. Purring that very Queen song, we filmed it for our video report. We returned to the minibus, drove off, and realized that the gears had stopped shifting. Looking sideways at the AdBlue meter, we called the number indicated on the car rental documents. We described the problem and decided on the cause (the ill-fated blue liquid had run out!). We were redirected to the technical assistance department. To the technical assistance department, which is not open on weekends! We split up with the second minibus, and the guys weren’t supposed to arrive any time soon. Two volunteers from us decided to hitchhike to the nearest gas station and buy a reagent. The guys turned around very quickly, and already in the car they said that Chichvarkin had given them a ride in a red Audi before refueling. They spoke to him first in English, and then in Russian. We were embarrassed to take a photo. Is it a joke? We still don’t understand, but the guys still won’t admit it. There is no evidence, only their truthful eyes.

The AdBlue worked and we headed to the Isle of Skye.

Get to another planet without leaving your car

Previously, Skye could only be reached by ferry, but in 1995 a road bridge was opened. We joined the snake of cars crawling towards the island. Sky is like another planet. To the left, green grass lines a valley that suddenly bends and is torn by piercing black rocks that extend into the clouds. On the right there is a cliff, the road twists around the rocks, and you can see ahead a mountain stream that flows to the edge of the island and falls down. And so it’s a 40 minute trip. Mountain landscapes give way to futuristic stone valleys. We drove deeper into the island, stopping periodically and going out to look at the natural surroundings. The further we drove, the harder the rain fell, and everything around was shrouded in fog. There are 2 hiking trails on the island: 3 and 6 kilometers. Be sure to go through one of them. We were afraid of the slippery ground and endless rain, and now we regret it.

This day finished us off with the next two stops. Do you remember the second Harry Potter film, and the Weasley flying car? The scene with the train catching up to her was filmed here on the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Many tourists climb to the observation deck on the right, but you approach from the left. Here you can climb up to the railway itself and even higher. It’s interesting that if you try to actually follow the route described by JK Rowling, it is here, not far from the viaduct, that the Hogwarts School of Wizardry should be hiding from people.

And the control shot is the Glencoe Valley, where all the Scots we talked to advised us to visit. Here my artistic skills are not enough to try to convey at least an approximate atmosphere of this place. The mountains, of course, are not as high as in the Himalayas, but no less beautiful.

Biggest "failure"

We spent the last day of our trip in Edinburgh. After the deserted mountain roads, the city crowded with tourists was a little scary and oppressive. Be sure to try the Scottish breakfast here (average £5). On the plate there will be scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, beans in tomato sauce and, of course, haggis (twisted spicy offal). This is a good option to try because if you don't like it, you'll still leave full.

“We managed to check the visas, but literally 5 minutes were not enough for us to return”

We arrived at the airport 5 hours before departure. Rented cars were left in the parking lot nearby, and the keys were placed in a special box. We repacked our things, weighed everything, and checked in our luggage. We went through security and stood at the front of the line to board. And they didn’t fly away. The employee checking the tickets said that he could not let us board without a visa check, this is an internal rule of Ryanair. Where should it have been done? Down at the very beginning of the airport. In the next few seconds we made a big mistake. It was necessary to stop and calmly discuss what to do. But we didn’t stop, we ran. Through the entire airport, with things, not knowing where exactly we need to go. At such moments, some of the body’s capabilities and strengths are probably activated. We managed to check our visas, but literally 5 minutes were not enough for us to return. Later, rewinding this situation over and over again, we found many solutions. Moreover, at other airports it was important for us to ask what should have been done. We learned that the visa-check could have been given to us by hand before boarding by the same employee who checked the tickets. We could drop our things and run without them. The flight could have been delayed, but they didn’t. Even for the sake of 16 people. Of course we were upset, confused, tired and empty. But no one became hysterical. At the airport, at the same visa-check counter, thirteen of us were replaced with tickets for London - Warsaw (goodbye, ordered and paid for minibus in Kaunas). At our own expense, we had to buy a ticket to London and find a way to get to Minsk. Miraculously, we found the right bus route directly from Warsaw airport. Another $110 was added to the money spent on the trip. The remaining two people flew through Dusseldorf, and one through Vilnius. We were lucky to have one day left – May 9th. We spent the next day on the road. We haven't slept for about 35 hours and haven't eaten for a long time. But we were happy that we were heading home.

Photo: Julia Pepler, Christophe Vrankenne, Andrew Ridley, Stijn Hoekstra, Daniel Quarg

UK visa

If you don't have a passport European Union, Israel or United States, then you most likely need a visa for a holiday or transit in the United Kingdom.

Visa to Schengen countries does not grant entry into the United Kingdom.

UK visa does not give the right to enter other countries of the European Union. An additional visa is not required to enter Northern Ireland (not the Republic of Ireland - it is an independent state and is not part of the United Kingdom) and Scotland.

There are many rumors about how difficult it is to get a visa to the UK. You will indeed need a lot of effort to collect and translate the required documents and fill out the application form in English, but if you are attentive, scrupulous and provide information that corresponds to reality, then you will most likely receive a visa.

In any case, do not leave getting your UK visa to the last minute.

When to go to London

If you believe the statistics, London has the highest number of sunny days from April to July. Warmest in July and August. Least rainfall from June to August. So from a weather point of view July– the best month to travel to London, but if you prefer to travel when there are not very many visitors yet and it’s warm outside, then it’s better to come to London in June.

Summer in England

IN July and August in London the likelihood of good weather is higher, but the number of visitors and, accordingly, queues will be greater. English gardens are also best visited in July and August, although magnificent tulips bloom in English gardens in May. If you've been to London before, July and August are very good for traveling around the rest of England or getting out of London.

Autumn in England

The best time to travel to London may be early September– at this time in London it is still warm, but there are no longer crowds of tourists and school groups, queues at attractions are very short and there are not very many visitors in the museum halls.
End October and the beginning November– these are school holidays in Russia and Ukraine. If you're traveling to London with children, be prepared for... October and November The weather is usually miserable: it's likely to be cold and rainy, but it's a great time to visit museums. According to statistics October– the rainiest month in London. At the end of October, almost all country estates close until March, which limits the scope of country trips.

Winter in England

If you are going to London in December, then prepare for very short daylight hours (in December in London it gets dark at four in the evening) and keep in mind that public transport on Christmas Day ( December 25) does not work, and in the days around Christmas it works very poorly. Don't plan to travel by public transport in England these days. But the biggest sales begin the day after Christmas - on the so-called Boxing Day. December 26.
If you are traveling to London in the first half January, then you can expect the same daytime temperatures as in November, December and February - from 5 to 9 degrees Celsius.
IN February There is less precipitation, and daylight hours are already noticeably longer than in December.

Spring in England

During the spring months The weather can change very dramatically, but usually spring begins to feel as early as mid-February. There are a lot of school groups during spring break, and if you're traveling with one, make sure your students bring extra waterproof shoes, warm clothes, and umbrellas or raincoats.

New Year in London

To watch the celebration New Year, you need to take care in advance of purchasing a pass to the embankments, where the fireworks are clearly visible (it is better to arrange for purchasing tickets in advance by following this link).

Money: Cash and Credit Cards

Credit cards

Credit and debit cards Visa and Mastercard accepted everywhere, but take cash with you just in case. Be sure to check if the banknotes you are offered are out of use. The only place where they can be exchanged is the Bank of England in the City of London.

Try not to use credit cards in the UK to withdraw cash from an ATM is usually very expensive. On the other hand, some tourists claim that withdrawing cash at debit card is better than exchanging cash.

If your credit card has this symbol (contactless payment), then you will most likely be able to use your credit card without having to purchase an Oyster card.

Banknotes

In some Eastern European countries, exchange offices and banks will shamelessly give you old banknotes that have been withdrawn from circulation. I will repeat once again: You won't be accepted for old banknotes in stores. The only way to exchange old notes for new ones is to go to the Bank of England in the City of London (Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AH Mon.-Fri. 9am-4pm. Closed on weekends).

Banknotes currently in circulation: £5 (polymer), £10 (polymer), £20 (paper), £50 (paper)

You can pay in dollars and euros only in some shops in central London; in all other places credit cards and cash pounds sterling are accepted.

Currency exchange

If you are coming from outside the US, it is better to take euros; in some exchange offices, the exchange rate for euros to pounds sterling is better than for dollars or other currencies.

Thomas Exchange UK Ltd is considered to have a good exchange rate

Cloth

Whenever you travel, bring comfortable walking shoes and a quality umbrella (or a light, waterproof cover-up or jacket). In late autumn and winter, you can safely bring warm socks and warm, waterproof shoes with you.

Dress in layers , so that clothes can be combined and changed depending on the weather, which in England can change several times a day. In the cold season, it is better to take two thin sweaters with you than one thick one. A scarf also helps very well in cold weather; it is better to take a sweater without a neck and a scarf than a sweater with a high neck.

Please note that the weather on the island can change almost instantly. Even if the sun is shining in the morning and there is not a cloud in the sky, check the weather forecast before leaving your hotel, although the British weather service is not particularly accurate in predicting the weather.

What to take with you

If you use a smartphone and need to be able to receive voice calls from your home country while in England, then it makes sense to take a regular small mobile phone with you. In England you can very easily buy SIM card with Internet access via 3G/4G for your smartphone, and transfer your domestic card to a regular mobile phone.

To make it more convenient to use audio guides at various attractions, it is better to bring your own headphones. If you're traveling as a couple, you might want to buy a headphone splitter because not all London attractions provide free audio guides.

Tipping in the UK

As in all countries I know except Japan, tipping is encouraged, but not required, as in the USA, for example. In restaurants, check the bill and if you see in the list of dishes “Service charge”, or, in the hidden form of “S/C”, usually in the amount of 10 to 12.5% ​​of the bill amount, then this is a tip, but you are not obliged to pay it, you can ask the waiter to remove the Service charge from the bill.

In other places you will see the inscription “Service charge not included” on the invoice. This is a transparent hint to you that it would be nice to get a tip. In a taxi it is considered good form not to take small change, but you can leave a tip of 5-10% if you are feeling particularly generous.

Particularly advanced impudent people not only include Service Charge in the bill, but also proudly write in capital letters “Gratuity is not included.” Gratutity is the tip that you have actually already paid through Service Charge. Don't fall for this scam.

What you should take care of in advance

If you are going to go to “ The studio where Harry Potter was filmed“, then tickets must be ordered online - they cannot be purchased on the spot. If you are traveling during the season (school holidays, July-August), then tickets need to be booked a couple of months in advance.

At this time, it may be a good idea to book Tower tickets in advance as well, this will help avoid long queues at the ticket office. In addition, many attractions offer discounts when purchasing tickets online.
If you are going to attractions owned by Merlin Entertainments (which include Madame Tussauds, horror story London Dungeons, aquarium Sea life, Ferris wheel Eye of London, Legoland And Worwick Castle) then it makes sense to buy a combined ticket for several of them at once on the company’s page with a big discount.

Many attractions in London and England only sell discounted tickets online. Make a list of what you want to see and make sure to buy tickets in advance.
Get to “ Ceremony of the Keys” or inside the stone circle of Stonehenge with a special excursion, you can only reserve seats for these events in advance.

Taxfree, Tax-Free shopping, VAT Refund

When to receive VAT Refund

If you are not a citizen of the European Commonwealth, then you can apply for a VAT (Value Added Tax) return at the borders when traveling outside the EU. If you are traveling from the UK to the EU rather than returning directly to your non-EU country, it will usually be collected in the EU country from which you are traveling home.

Taxfree in the UK

VAT in the UK is 20%, but returns are slightly lower. Not all stores participate in the scheme Retail Export Scheme or Tax-Free Shopping, and those that participate usually require a minimum purchase amount of approximately £75 to qualify for a VAT refund.

When making a purchase, ask to register it as Tax-Free. You should be given a check in form VAT 407, which you will have to fill out yourself. This does not have to be done in the store.

Receiving tax free at the UK border

If you bought electronics or jewelery worth more than £250, put them in your hand luggage and go through border control. Only then go get your VAT back.

On all other purchases VAT is refunded before passing border control. Therefore, first go to the VAT refund counter and only then check in for your flight and/or check your baggage with the airline.
Insist on VAT refunds in cash, not by credit card or check.

What to watch out for in London

London is a very safe city unless you are deliberately trying to get into trouble. Petty theft (such as a phone left on a table or a handbag you don't keep an eye on) and pickpockets on the subway are the most serious troubles you can expect in the city. Naturally, if you are not staying in the most prosperous area and are returning to the hotel late in the evening, then you should be especially careful. Try not to use your smartphone near the road; there have been cases when thieves on mopeds snatched phones from your hands.

Speaking of the Jurassic Coast, it is worth mentioning such a picturesque place as Durdle Door. This natural limestone arch is a popular tourist attraction on the English Channel coast in Dorset. Such unusual gates appeared as a result of the natural impact of waves on limestone rocks. I invite you to enjoy photographs of the stunning landscapes surrounding the arch.

The Isle of Wight Needles is a spectacular limestone geological formation located in the western part of the Isle of Wight, England. Three pointy rocks line up towards the mid-nineteenth century lighthouse.

Covent Garden is one of London's most popular attractions. The area around the glass-enclosed building on the site of a former vegetable market is always crowded, especially during weekends and in the summer. Covent Garden is famous for its many cafes, restaurants, pubs, stalls, markets and shops. Numerous street performers entertain visitors in the pedestrian square.

It is unlikely that anyone will argue with the fact that London is one of the main tourist destinations in the world. According to official statistics, London attracts more than 15 million visitors a year. The British capital is a vibrant hub of art, entertainment, music and numerous monuments. The British are rightfully proud of the huge concentration of cultural attractions in London. From royal palaces to the Houses of Parliament, Roman ruins, castles and cathedrals, you can spend many days exploring London's landmarks and always find something new and interesting. The capital of England and the United Kingdom is also the most populous city in the UK with over 9 million residents. London's history dates back more than 2,000 years, when the Romans first founded the ancient city of Londinium here. Numerous tourists come here throughout the year, and if you plan to be one of them, here is a list of the top 17 London attractions for the active traveler.

Hunstanton is a small seaside town on the north-west coast of Norfolk in England. On the western side, the city is bordered by a series of dramatic cliffs with contrasting orange, red and white colors of sedimentary chalk rocks.

Lundy Island is one of England's natural wonders - a small island of just under five square kilometers in Bristol Bay. Since Neolithic times, Lundy has been covered with old gravestones, according to recent research dating back to the 5th century.

The Romans left behind many wonders, including the famous Colosseum and the Appian Way, but the Roman Baths are also one of the greatest achievements of their time. Due to their rich heritage and enormous significance, the Roman Baths in England are visited by at least 1 million visitors every year. It is the most popular attraction in the British city of Bath and the region.

During the late 1800s, Lord Palmerston, the British Prime Minister of the time, commissioned the construction of several sea forts in the Solent to defend Portsmouth harbor from French invasion following the news that Napoleon III had become Emperor of France. No attacks were ever carried out, but the forts continued to be fortified with weapons and maintained for most of the century. After being decommissioned in the 1980s, the forts were sold off to private parties. Now, after a US$4.85 million refurbishment, one of them has been transformed into an exceptional luxury hotel, with two others in the pipeline.

So, you have finally decided to visit the wonderful country of England or other countries of the commonwealth. In this regard, a huge number of questions arise about what should be done and how, and what should not be done. This article is intended for those who want to see all the beauties of England, Scotland or Wales, get acquainted with the historical heritage, or without spending a lot of money.

Let's look at what needs to be done to save in England.

1. Visa

Regardless of whether you are planning your trip on your own or want to go on an organized tour of England through a travel agency, you must apply for an English visa. You may ask, how can you save money on a UK visa? The recipe here is simple, after reading ours you can easily get a visa ON ONE'S OWN, without overpaying agencies several thousand.

Remember, that:

1. The agency does not guarantee a visa and does not provide any benefits.
2. Self-completed documents contain far fewer errors, if any at all.
3. Contacting the agency will not exempt you from visiting the British Consulate in person.

2. Type of trip (tour or independently)

Whether it is an organized tourist tour to England from an agency or an independent trip, it’s up to you to decide. The pros and cons of each option are obvious, let's look at them

PACKAGE TOUR

No need to spend a lot of time organizing

High degree of comfort (transfers, hotels, meals)

Does not require knowledge of English (there is a guide)

Easy cost forecasting

- Higher cost

— Little choice and low degree of freedom

— Imposing additional services

— Expenditure of time and effort on organizing the “crowd”

INDEPENDENT TRIP

Complete freedom of choice and movement and time

Select only the services you need

No overpayments to intermediaries and agencies

Savings at every planning stage

- Take time to plan

— Knowledge of English is desirable

If your choice is package tour, then we recommend buying a tour on Internet search engines - aggregators that offer all tours from all tour operators in Russia and neighboring countries and often give better prices than the tour operators themselves.

3. Insurance

Travel insurance to the UK is not only necessary for obtaining a visa, it is also a great way to save money when dealing with any unforeseen situations, such as lost luggage or emergency medical care. This should not be neglected. In order not to overpay for insurance, you need to buy it through online services. The purchasing process is simple, you need to select the country (in our case it is the UK), travel dates and number of people. As a rule, the system offers several options (tariffs) to choose from, after reading the descriptions of which you need to choose the optimal one. We recommend comparing insurance prices on several websites.

4. Air travel

Air travel to England or the UK will not be the most expensive item in the budget if you plan it in advance and avoid flying on holidays and weekends.

Everyone knows that it is more profitable to buy air tickets in advance. But in order to save money, you need to know when this “in advance” occurs for your route. There is no ideal time for booking across the country or from Russia to England: it all depends on the cities of departure and arrival.

For example, according to statistics from search portals, regardless of the month of flight, if you buy a ticket 5-6 months before the date of flight to London, you will save about 40% of the cost of the same ticket a week before departure

5. Accommodation

Accommodation in England, in London in particular, is one of the most expensive items in the budget of any traveler. There are a great many hotels in London, there are hotels where celebrities stay, hotels that are landmarks.

WE RECOMMEND:

However, our goal is to get the maximum return for the minimum money, we do not need pretentious and simply status hotels, we do not need a view of the MI-6 headquarters), we need a simple hotel in London that will allow us to visit all the attractions of the capital of England and the UK , feel the rhythm of English life and enjoy the atmosphere of history and one of the most interesting countries in the world.

1. We recommend using the aggregator service for all hotel booking systems HOTELLOOK , it shows the best prices that one or another booking system gives for a particular hotel; very often you can see that the vaunted booking is not cheaper at all.
2. After selecting the desired city and dates, and searching, you need to set a filter for the hotel cost per night in order to fit into your budget. Don't forget to mark the desired location: star hotels, hostels or regular apartments.
3. After that, you can click on the button and see all the hotels on the map, which greatly simplifies the whole process. You choose a hotel in London (or any other place) according to your parameters and as close as possible to the location you need.
4. Pay attention to the following points: is there free parking at the hotel (if required), is Wi-Fi available, are public transport stops close to the hotel, the metro, and the presence of additional surcharges. By the way, what is good about the above-mentioned HOTELLOOK service? , which shows the final cost of the reservation.

Summary of hotels in England:

1. If you are traveling with a small group of 1-2 people, then there is nothing more economical for you than hostels. As a rule, they are located in the best tourist places, close to public transport, hostels are always fun and interesting, you can meet new foreign friends and just have a good time.
2. If there are many of you, several people or a large family, then it is better to choose private apartments. You must be careful when choosing, since often in this type of accommodation there is no reception or reception desk; all contacts are made directly with the owner, who may not speak your native language. However, you get a full range of services, including a kitchen, washing machine, and other things necessary for a normal life. There is nothing more economical than a pack of oatmeal brought from Russia for your own breakfast!)))

Surely you are planning sightseeing in London or throughout England (Great Britain) for this you need:

You can organize the purchase of excursions in London in advance via the Internet.

Personal professional Russian-speaking guide, transfers. They come to pick you up at your hotel, what could be better and more comfortable? And of course, buying online is the most economical option.

Nowadays, it is difficult to find a person who is not familiar with the good old film “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson,” and few who watched this film would not want to personally meet the famous detective. If this is all about you, then you are a potential tourist to England, or, to be more precise, to its very heart, London.

Preparing for an independent trip

The main point of visiting any country is the entry documents for the trip, London is no exception. There are options here - obtain a visa to London yourself or entrust this issue to a specially trained person. It should be taken into account that England is one of the countries for which it is very problematic for citizens of the former USSR to obtain a visa, especially the first one! It’s good if you have experience traveling to other European countries, then your chances will increase many times over.

What documents you will need for a trip to London can always be found on the official website of the British Embassy. Please note that all documents are carefully checked.

Usually the first visa is issued for six months, with the possibility of multiple entries and exits. You can confidently organize the second and subsequent trips to London and other cities of England on your own, but the first is a special matter. The highest probability of successfully obtaining your first visa is to apply for it through a travel agency that has a high level of accreditation at the British Embassy.

You simply choose the appropriate agency, a convenient travel time for you, any tour trip to London, pay for the tour from 1000 euros and wait for the results of the document verification by the embassy. Then you check into a hotel according to the tour program in London, agree with your accompanying person that you will be disconnected from the group and the subsequent meeting place for the return trip home and... You are free in a free country!

However, there is a small “but” here - a passable knowledge of English, or at worst German, otherwise you will look in London like a deaf-mute down...

Features of the trip

And here you are alone among the huge metropolis - London. To get to know the city and its residents better, it is advisable to use public transport. Preference should be given to the metro, its network is well developed in London, and the metro stations are well marked, and Londoners are friendly people and will always give you advice. The main thing is not to run into guest workers; they often do not know not only London, but also English.

Along with this material you usually read:

When planning a trip, do not forget to decide in advance what you will buy as a gift for loved ones or colleagues. After all, this is also a kind of expense item. For purchases you need to take money with a reserve and not spend it for the time being. And we will advise you on prices.

Usually people travel to England on tour packages, but there are also brave souls who travel around this country on their own. Of course, it’s more interesting not to depend on any excursions, but to go and see everything interesting in the country yourself. But first you need to get to England and the most convenient way is by ferry.

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