EUROPE

Discover the Hidden Quirks of the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

About

The United Kingdom is made up of the nations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

England is famous for its red buses, black cabs, and its Royal Family. England’s capital, London, is a common stop for many visitors as it is a lively city home to the iconic Buckingham Palace, London Eye and Big Ben. This city is known for being expensive, but there are plenty of free or cheap things to do if you are on a budget, such as exploring Camden Market and Covent Garden or hanging out in Trafalgar Square!

Manchester and Birmingham are other dynamic cities in England. Manchester has fantastic art galleries and museums. This city is also home to Manchester United’s stadium, Old Trafford, so make sure to catch a game of soccer here while visiting! Birmingham is known for its canals, Victorian buildings, and industrial heritage. You will never get bored in this city as there is so much to do like exploring Dudley Zoo, visiting the Sea Life Aquarium and Cadbury World!

Scotland is well known for its unique culture, bagpipes, kilts, and of course, the Scottish Highlands. Edinburgh and Glasgow are the two largest cities in Scotland, with Edinburgh being the capital. In the heart of this city lies Edinburgh Castle, one of the oldest fortified places in Europe. There are tonnes of festivals that take place in Edinburgh, such as the Edinburgh Fringe and the International Film Festival that are recognised worldwide.

Wales is a popular spot for those who enjoy exploring nature as it is packed full of beautiful beaches, valleys, and national parks. Cardiff, the Welsh capital, is filled with medieval castles and museums, ideal for lovers of heritage and culture. The Welsh city of Swansea is home to the beautiful coastline and Mumbles Pier. This city is also a perfect spot for nightlife as there are plenty of nightclubs here for you to dance the night away!

Things to Know Before You Go

  • The official language of the United Kingdom is English. Occasionally you will hear Welsh in Wales, and Gaelic and Scots in Scotland.
  • The official currency used is the British Pound Sterling (£).
  • Major airports include Heathrow Airport (LHR), Gatwick Airport (LGW), Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ) and Cardiff Airport (CWL).
  • Stand on the right if you are standing still on an escalator, as people in a hurry will be passing on the left, especially in the London underground.
  • On public transport in London use Contactless Card or Oyster Card instead of cash.
  • In London, summer months average at daily highs of 21°C/70°F and lows of 14°C/57°F. In colder months there are average daily highs of 7°C/45°F and lows of 3°C/37°F.
  • In Edinburgh, summer months average at daily highs of 19°C/66°F and lows of 11°C/52°F. In colder months there are average daily highs of 6°C/41°F and lows of 1°C/34°F.
  • Expect wind and rain in Scotland, so make sure to pack a raincoat!
  • The United Kingdom drives on the left side of the road.
  • In London, buy Theatre tickets on the day of the show to get a cheaper deal.
  • The drinking age is 18 years old.
  • Avoid visiting Edinburgh during the festival if you are not attending it as there can be large crowds and long wait times for major attractions.
  • Power plugs in the United Kingdom are of type G. Voltage is 240 V and frequency is 50 Hz.

The Quirky and Unusual

Euston Abandoned Underground Station

When walking through Euston Underground Station today, you may stumble across a door that leads to a time capsule from the 1960s. The abandoned side of Euston Station is home to connecting passageways that have been left untouched for over 50 years.

London Transport Museum offers tours of these lost tunnels. This is a place that was once packed full of countless commuters but is now an eery and lonely abandoned station.

When exploring the tunnels, you will be transported back to when the station closed in April 1962, as the walls are filled with advertising posters from that era, like as if you just stepped out of a time machine.

As you look around, most notably you will see iconic original movie posters, such as the famous ‘Psycho’ and ‘West Side Story’, which are in near perfect condition.

Address: 14 Melton St London, England, NW1 2EA, United Kingdom

Coordinates: 51.5275, -0.1348

ABC Travel

18 Upper Mount Street,
Dublin 2.
Eircode: D02 ER26

Telephone: 086 8522 189
E-mail: kieran@concise.ie

 

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