England Tours

• Before London, Winchester was the capital of England, chosen in 871 AD.
• Every year Gloucester holds a cheese rolling festival, where people from all over the world can roll cheese down Cooper’s Hill.
• Stonehenge is believed to be older than the pyramids, with construction beginning in 3100 BC, around 500 years before the first pyramid in Egypt.
• Big Ben is actually the name of the largest bell inside the tower, while the tower itself is simply known as the Elizabeth Tower.
• British computer scientist, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, invented the World Wide Web in 1989.

Australian passport holders travelling to the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, do not need a visa for stays up to 6 months for tourism. However, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is required prior to travel. Please visit the Passports and Visas page for more information.

We require that your passport is valid for travel for at least six months from the date you are planning to return to Australia. Your passport must be valid to travel internationally. You also need to carry a valid return ticket on you.

Whether travelling on an Australian passport or the passport of another country, all travellers require visas for a number of countries, and it is your responsibility to secure what may be required before departing Australia. You can consult with your travel agent, but it is also recommended that you check the foreign embassy website for your respective destination as it can also provide you with useful information.

The Australian High Commission in the United Kingdom, is responsible for England:
Australia House
The Strand
London WC2B 4LA
Ph. +44 20 7379 4334
Fax. +44 20 7887 5558

The official currency of England is the Pound Sterling. Notes come in denominations of £50, £20, £10 and £5.

The recommended currency to take to England is the Pound Sterling. Ensure you change a small amount into small denominations.

Check with your bank whether you need to notify them of your travel plans and ensure your cards are activated for overseas use. Also make a note of the 24-hour emergency contact number of the bank or building society which issued your credit card in the unlikely event that your card is lost or stolen.

Whenever possible use ATMs when the banks are open (Mon – Fri) so that if a machine ‘eats’ your card you can then deal with it straight away. It is always advisable to carry a supply of cash in addition to your credit card.

If you don’t have Pound Sterling with you on arrival, we advise you to exchange some money into the local currency at the airport even if the exchange rate is not the best, this way you’ll have money to get a drink, snack or give a tip during those first few hours of arrival. Your guide will be able to advise you on the best places to exchange money.

Small change is also useful for paying for toilets while on tour which is customary in many places outside of Australia.

• The price of a cappuccino in London is approximately £4.50
• The price of an inexpensive lunch is approximately £15
• The price of dinner in a moderate restaurant is approximately £30-50
• The price of a beer in a local pub is approximately £7

The British are well known for a number of traditional meals, including fish and chips, bangers (sausages) and mash, and a plenty of baked dishes, from the sweet, apple or banoffee pie, to the steak and kidney or shepherd’s meat pie. A Sunday roast is not the same without a customary Yorkshire pudding made from just eggs, flour and milk. Or who can go past a full English breakfast with a side of their famous black pudding, a sausage made from pork blood, fat, oats/barley?

A visit to England is not complete without a beer or two at the local pub, or tasting their traditional summer cocktail Pimm’s, a gin-based liqueur traditionally served with lemonade, fruit and mint. Or why not relax with a cup of Devonshire tea with jam and cream scones and take in the picturesque countryside.

Important: When dining at buffets (i.e. breakfast) please refrain from taking food away with you to ‘save’ for later! If you feel that you’ll need snacks between meals, pack some dried fruit, nuts, muesli bars etc.

If you have specific food allergies and/or preferences, we highly recommend you take every precaution before your tour, including carrying a small card with your food allergy listed in each language of every country you are travelling to show to table staff when ordering. Whilst we take all dietary requirements seriously, due to the serious nature of potential allergic reactions, it is your responsibility to be as prepared as possible.

The climate of England is often referred to as ‘temperate maritime’ thanks to the Atlantic Gulf Stream. There’s not a great variation in temperature throughout the year, with England’s coldest months (December to February) averaging 3°C to 6°C, while the summer months (June to August) tend to remain between 16°C and 21°C. You can expect the weather to change quite quickly, with rain seen throughout most of the year, contributing to England’s incredible countryside of lush rolling hills and flowing streams.

Want to get out and explore on your own?

England has an extensive and efficient public transport network, with buses, trains, taxis and motorways connecting cities and towns across the country. London is home to the famous Underground ('the Tube'), while cities such as Newcastle and Glasgow operate their own metro and subway systems. You can’t cross a street in London without passing one of their famous red double-decker buses or black cabs. These traditional black cabs tend to be the most expensive, but are said to be the safest option due to the rigorous testing the drivers go through, and who doesn't want to try it just once?

Many cities are encouraging people to use public transport by reducing traffic in city centres, making it easy to explore on foot and enjoy the sights at a leisurely pace. When using taxis, choose licensed operators or reputable rideshare services where available. If a taxi does not use a meter, agree on the fare before starting your journey. Also, ask your guide or hotel staff the names of reputable taxi companies.

So, you’d love to bring home a special souvenir from England…

You’ll find a vast range of shopping opportunities throughout England. From the high-end fashion of London to charity stores, from trendy pop-up stalls to local farmers’ markets, there's something for everyone and every budget. Popular souvenirs include Union Jack memorabilia, English tea, bone china teacups and teapots, locally made jams and preserves, and classic treats such as shortbread or fudge, and of course, who wouldn't want an adorable Paddington bear!

• The English value politeness and good manners, so you can never say ‘please’, ‘thank you’ or ‘sorry’ too often
• ‘Waiting your turn’ is taken seriously, so don’t think about jumping that queue
• It is expected when using escalators to stand on the right side and leave room for people to pass on the left
• Try to always be on time or alert those necessary should you be running late, as punctuality is very highly valued

The ‘dragon-slaying’ patron saint of England, St. George is celebrated each year in April flag displays, parades and morris dancing in towns across the country. A few days later, England welcomes May Day (May 1st), a much older tradition with roots in pagan spring festivals, celebrated with maypole dancing, Morris dancers and village fetes. While you will see much festivity on the King's official birthday in June, marked by the Trooping the Colour ceremony, this is not actually a public holiday in England, and not to be confused with his actual birthday in November, which he celebrates privately. Nottingham comes alive in October, welcoming one of Europe's largest travelling fairs, the Goose Fair, with traditions dating back over 700 years. Other national public holidays to be aware of include:

• New Year’s Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May)
• Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May)
• Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August)
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day