< Introducing London
Useful Information
London police officers on duty in the busy area surrounding Piccadilly Circus.
London has an impressive range of useful facilities for visitors, many of which are available 24 hours a day. Among them are cashpoint machines (ATM), bureaux de change, pharmacies and the health advice and information service, NHS Direct. To make the most of a visit – and to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible – it is essential to have some inside knowledge of the city.
Passports, visas and customs
Visitors from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland need a valid passport to enter the UK; EEA and Swiss nationals can use identity cards instead. Most countries now require children (under the age of 18) to have individual passports, and children travelling to the UK must have their own or be included on an accompanying parent’s passport.
Visitors from European Union (EU) states do not need a visa. Neither do visitors from the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand who are in the UK for less than six months. Visitors from other countries should visit the Home Office UK Border Agency website to check whether a visa is required and, if so, how to apply. Visitors from EU states can bring unlimited quantities of most goods into the UK for personal use without paying duty. For information about allowances from outside the EU, visit the HM Revenue & Customs website.
Insurance
It is advisable to take out travel insurance to cover the cancellation or curtailment of your trip, the theft or loss of money and other personal property, and any necessary medical treatment. If you are planning to drive in London, take out fully comprehensive driving insurance and carry a valid driver’s licence. Keep all car receipts and police reports in case of an insurance claim.
The UK has reciprocal health care agreements with all EEA states, Australia, New Zealand and a number of other countries listed on the National Health Service (NHS) website. Visitors from these countries, are entitled to free treatment under the NHS. However, there are exceptions for certain kinds of treatment, which is why taking out medical insurance is always advisable. Ensure you bring all documentation with you, such as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Visitors from a country without a reciprocal health agreement, such as the US, are only covered for treatment received in a hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) department, so insurance is particularly important.
Health
In a medical emergency, dial 999 for an ambulance. They are on call 24 hours a day. There are a number of London hospitals with 24-hour A&E departments, but not all treat children. Chelsea and Westminster, the Royal London and St Mary’s have specialist paediatric departments. To find a General Practitioner (GP), or to check out symptoms online or by phone, use NHS Direct, which has a website and a 24-hour telephone advice line staffed by nurses.
For minor injuries or ailments, consult a pharmacist. Search for your nearest pharmacy on the NHS Direct website. Most have the same opening hours as other shops, although some stay open later. Zafash is open 24 hours daily; pharmacies that open till midnight include Pharmacentre, Bliss, Boots Victoria Station (9pm Sun) and Boots Piccadilly Circus (6pm Sun). Although it is possible to buy many medicines over the counter, some are only available on prescription. Pack any prescription drugs your family is likely to need, including allergy medication. There is now a keen awareness of serious food allergies and intolerances and items in shops are usually clearly labelled. If you have an intolerance, check the ingredients of dishes served in hotels and restaurants. The UK sun can be surprisingly hot and burning, especially for young children, so it is wise to use a good sunscreen.
The Boots pharmacy in Piccadilly Circus.
Bliss
5–6 Marble Arch, W1H 7EL; 02077236116
Boots
Victoria Station; 44–6 Regent St,
W1B 5RA;
02078340676;
www.boots.com
Pharmacentre
149 Edgware Rd, W2 2HU; 020777232336
Personal safety
Crowded shopping areas such as Oxford Street, busy markets, and Tube stations and bus stops are popular with thieves, who sometimes work in teams. Carry a handbag that closes effectively and keep it near you. Don’t carry large amounts of money, or valuables, around with you, and avoid badly lit areas at night.
Never leave a bag or suitcase unattended on the Tube, at a station or in any other public place. It may be treated as a suspect package and cause a security alert.
In an emergency, dial 999 or 112. Report serious crimes at a Police Station (the Metropolitan Police website lists station addresses). For non-emergency crimes you can complete a form (available on the website) or dial 101. If you lose something on public transport, report it via the TfL website or visit the TfL Lost Property Office.
When out, arrange a safe meeting place with your children in case you become separated. Make sure they know where you are staying and the best people to ask for help (a police officer or security guard) if they get lost. Remind your children that cars in the UK drive on the left, and to always use pedestrian crossings or underpasses to cross the road.
Metropolitan Police
101
Money
The unit of currency in the UK is the pound sterling (£), divided into 100 pence (p). There are coins in circulation for 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2, and notes for £5, £10, £20 and £50. There is no limit to the amount of cash you can bring into the UK, but a pre-paid cash passport, used like a debit card, or traveller’s cheques are more secure alternatives. Keep a separate note of the cheques’ serial numbers. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted, followed by American Express, Diners Club and JCB.
High street banks, such as HSBC, Barclays and NatWest, and post offices will change money and traveller’s cheques at better rates than bureaux de change, whose advantage is longer opening hours. Thomas Cook and Chequepoint have numerous London offices, and Chequepoint in Gloucester Road is open 24 hours. Travelex and American Express cash traveller’s cheques (remember your passport). Cashpoint machines (ATMs) are also widely available, but beware of ATM crime. Only use an ATM where and when you feel comfortable. Never accept help from strangers while using the ATM, don’t be distracted and always cover your hand when you enter your PIN.
Communications
The UK telephone country code is +44 and the area code for London is 020. To phone abroad, dial 00, followed by the country code. If you have problems with a number, call the operator on 100 or the international operator on 155. The main mobile phone network providers are Orange, O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone. To save money, consider buying a UK SIM card. Most public phones are operated by coins, credit cards and British Telecom Calling Cards, available through the BT website. Some are Internet phones, from which you can send emails and texts.
Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, often for a fee, and for free in many cafés, parks and other public places. Public libraries offer free Internet access on their computers, although you might have to queue. Visit London features a list of Internet cafés.
Apart from numerous satellite and cable channels, UK television has a number of digital stations, of which two, BBC1 and BBC2, are public service; the rest, including ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5, are commercial. Check BBC News or Sky News for regular weather updates. London’s radio stations, BBC London Live (94.9FM), Capital FM (95.8FM) and LBC (97.3FM), have regular news and travel bulletins. For news plus entertainment listings, the daily Evening Standard newspaper is free. The magazine Time Out is also excellent for listings. The International Herald Tribune is available on the day of issue, and European publications usually appear a day or so later. Gray’s Inn News in Theobalds Road stocks a range of foreign newspapers and magazines.
The internet café area of The Hoxton hotel.
Opening hours
Shops are generally open 9:30am–6pm Mon–Sat and 11am–5pm Sun, with late-night shopping until 8pm on Wed or Thu in central areas. Official banking hours are 9:30am–3:30pm Mon–Fri, although most banks stay open until 5pm and many are open 9:30am–noon Sat. In general, museums and galleries open daily 10am–5:30pm or 6pm; some stay open later one night a week, usually Friday. Tourist attractions often open at 9am or 9:30am; last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. Always check times before setting out.
Visitor information
The Visit London website provides information on popular attractions and places to stay and lists what’s on. Another website, Young London, suggests events for kids. The main Tourist Information Centre is The City of London Information Centre. Other tourist information centres can be found at railway stations including King’s Cross St Pancras.
King’s Cross St Pancras Travel Information Centre
N1 9AL Western Ticket Hall;
www.visitlondon.com
Disabled facilities
Most of London’s major sights are wheelchair accessible. Before a visit, phone to check that your needs can be met. Websites for accessible attractions are Artsline, Disability Now and Visit London (which also features hotels). For accessibility on public transport, visit the TfL website. There are an increasing number of adapted toilets; many are part of the National Key Scheme (NKS), unlocked by a key from the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR), which also produces a guide to their locations.
Time
London operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter, 5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, and from late March to late October, changes to British Summer Time, 1 hour ahead of GMT. You can check the exact time by phoning the BT Speaking Clock on 123.
Electricity
UK voltage is 240V AC, and plugs have three square pins and take 3-, 5- or 13-amp fuses. Visitors will need an adaptor for appliances.
What to pack
If you forget something, don’t worry unless it is your child’s much-loved toy or blanket. You can buy almost anything else in London, but bring particular brands if your children have strong preferences. Let the children choose some of their favourite clothes and toys. Be super-organized and order nappies and wipes through Amazon to be delivered to your hotel or apartment.
Be prepared for changeable weather: raincoats and umbrellas are essential, even in summer, when you may also need sunscreen. In winter, bring warm clothes and shoes with non-slip soles. Always pack comfy shoes. For young children, a compact buggy might be handy.
Bring toys for the journey that will keep the kids occupied but won’t disturb other passengers. If it’s a long flight, buy a few new toys and hand them out at intervals. Include books, puzzles, crayons, paper, colouring and sticker books and cards.