Before you come to visit London,
here are a few things you might find useful...
Jet Lag...
You might happen to know that the lovely village known as Greenwich (as in Greenwich Meridian Time, GMT) is in fact by the Thames in London itself. Check your watches, London is bang on GMT, and GMT +1 in the winter. Don't be lost, check out Time and Date !
Public Holidays (called Bank Holidays - nothing to do with banks though)
. 3 January
. 25 March
. 2 May
. 30 May
. 29 August
. 26 December
. 27 December (Boxing Day)
Most shop, tourists attractions and banks are closed on christmas day.
Pubs
• Open from 11am to 11pm during the week and till 11.30pm on sundays.
But the law is changing, we'll keep you informed. Go on, try the great english beers !
• There is the same amount of calories in a pint of Guiness than in a Big Mac. But it's probably much better for you. You know what to do.
Banks
• the banks are open form 9.30 am to 4.30 pm and sometimes if you're lucky on saturdays, mainly near tourists attractions.
Your credit card / mastercard should let you withdraw cash in cash machines and pay for goods in shops. No problem.
• If you need to change some money into pounds sterling, you can use the high street banks, they usually have the better rates. In central London, the main shops will accept Dollars, Euros and Pounds.
Post Office
Open form 9 am to 5.30 pm during the week and the main post offices are open saturday from 9.30 to 1 pm.
You will need to buy specific european stamps to send letters to mainland europe.
Shops
• Usually open : 9.30 am to 6.00 pm.
• Late : some shops are open until 7pm or 8pm on specific days
• Sundays : Supermarkets and big high street shops from 10am to 6pm
• Sales : December-January, then end of June and end of July.
• Some main supermarkets are open 24/7
School Holidays
• Summer break starts mid-july and finishes end of august
• Two weeks off at Christmas and Easter
• One week mid term break in october and february
Weather
• London is known for it's changing weather. The sun shines often but not for long, and it is unwise to leave the house without some kind of weatherproof garment, or an umbrella. Trust us on this one !
• Weather talk is a national occupation, and knowing this will help you break the ice in any awkward situation. Always start a conversation with some innocent comment on the weather and you will soon be viewed as a very sensitive and intelligent person, like us (rather chilly this morning, isn't it ?).
Driving
• It makes the french kind of regret that Napoleon didn't manage to conquer england, but on the other hand it is not that difficult. One has to expect three things when driving in London :
Most people drive on the left. And when I write "most people", I really think "everybody that's sane". Follow the flow and the signs.
Most drivers will let you pass if you are lost, distressed, trying to cut across a busy road because you thought you could... Use sign language, flash your lights and smile.
Parking in Central London is VERY expensive, and you will be expected to pay the £8 congestion charge.
Our advice : Get a bus, a cab, the tube, walk, but don't drive. You have been warned.
Petrol
Expensive. Prefer lager. Or Guiness, even if it is an Irish beer, not english.
Get organized !
Book your theater tickets online, beat the queue and the stress !