Travel advice, what I have learnt travelling in England, UK, Blighty... whatever

[AuraTodd]

Hi seeing as this is my first post, I thought I would start a thread including things I have learnt over the years. I hope this is the right forum. if not, please feel free to move it to the appropriate one one.

I am from the UK and having never been to the US, is one of the places I wouldn't mind visiting. I hope these idea's could help people get more out of their holidays.

I always use national Express http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx because they are cheaper then the train. They offer great value and I once got down to Cornwall from Wiltshire for just £10! You can buy a ticket for £10 which will last you all year which will get you great value fare’s to most destinations in the UK which can’t be beaten elsewhere. Always book early.

The post office is one of the better places to take out travel insurance.

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel/t...paignid=PPC_TI 0800 294 2292

If you are going to buy travel mini’s. Superdrug is the best place to get them, Boots have them as well, but there is better choice at Superdrug; plus you can get points on a beauty card. http://www.superdrug.com/travel-acce.../travel-minis/

Buying an Explorer type bus ticket to last throughout your stay is a must. It saves money and these can be perchased at bus stations throughout the UK. http://www.wdbus.co.uk/bus-times/cro...ets-and-fares/ http://www.journeydevon.info/savemon...aytickets.ashx http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/roadsan...oneysaving.htm http://www.cornwallpublictransport.info/bus_tickets.asp http://www.bugeurope.com/transport/busuk.html
http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/multi-jou...in-south-east/

Always check out the Tourist Information centre in the town or city where you are staying. They are the best place to look for deals, and will have the lower priced tickets of museums and places of interest then when you get to the attraction. http://www.visitengland.com/ee/

Always check the menu before entering a café. I’m sorry if this sounds obvious, but by law all café’s must display a menu on the window. I have seen seagull pasties on offer, wasn’t sure if they were being serious or not.

Banks open from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; some branches open Saturday morning, including nationwide which shut at 12pm. Santander stays open all day until 5pm. Use inside ATM’s if you can, as I am also ways unsure if the one’s outside have been tampered with. Haven’t found the one with the pop-out boxing glove yet.

Post offices: 09:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 12:30, Saturday. If your lucky and find a Waitrose, they have a post office which is open on a Sunday until 4pm which is brilliant. Heard about the tourist who tried to post himself?. http://www.postoffice.co.uk/

Shops: 09:00 to 17:30, Monday to Saturday; late night shopping, Tesco stores, Sainsbury’s etc stay open later in most cities.

Try not to look like a tourist, e.g. camera hooked round neck, ridiculous hat (enough to make Wurzel Gummage proud). Try to blend in like a local if you can.

Carry a small notebook and pen round with you. I’m a writer, so I never know when my next idea will pop up. I haven’t tried the message in a bottle yet.

Friday and Saturday evenings in the larger towns and city’s tend to become a bit boisterous around closing time – traditionally 23:00 – when revellers pour out of establishments and head home. EG: Cornwall is the hen/stag night capital of the UK, I still remember the man in the wedding dress.

Driving conditions aren’t as good in these towns, as most country roads are narrow and winding. Some are so narrow you have to beep the horn before going round the corner, mind the occasional escaped cow exploring the verge. In the New Forest it’s ponies who like to rub their bottoms against wing mirrors.

Electricity is 230 volts, 50Hz. The three pin design. You can get shaver charges from the pound shop, 99p stores. Shockingly pleasant prices.

Visit Britain is a good website. http://www.visitbritain.com/en/EN/ with information on different area’s. Britain is packed with historic monuments, royal palaces and some of the world's top museums. Visit the house where Shakespeare was born, climb cathedral spires or uncover the Tower of London’s dark history…Don’t forget your torch.

[soliteyah]

Lots of good advice here! When I was studying abroad in Scotland I always took buses instead of trains too. I was a poor student.

[AuraTodd]

Lots of good advice here! When I was studying abroad in Scotland I always took buses instead of trains too. I was a poor student.

I have never been to Scotland, i would like to go one day. Megabus is a good company and can be found at http://uk.megabus.com/