L O N D O N

Some useful information for visitors to the city:


Climate and Clothing:
Spring (March-May) can be cool and wet with sunny periods.
Summer (June-September) can be very warm and winter can be cold and wet. Medium weight clothes are recommended except for summer and an umbrella is a good idea all year round.


Tipping:
Taxis are usually tipped 10 - 20%, restaurants and nightspots 10-15%, barbers and beauticians 15%. Tip porters 50p per piece of luggage and chambermaids 50p per day.


Money:
Banks are open Monday-Friday from 9:30am to at least 3:30pm with some open until 5:30pm. Some banks and most Building Societies are also open Saturday mornings. There are 24-hour banks at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports. International Automatic Telling Machines (ATMs) are very convenient, they are available outside almost all banks and in selected shopping malls.  

Currency Exchange offices can be found on shopping streets, stations, hotels and larger stores. Visitors should check the exchange rate and the level of commission charged before making a transaction. These should be clearly displayed near the entrance to the premises.


Electrical Current:
220/250v AC, 50Hz.  Guests who bring along personal appliances (hair dryer, laptop computer, electric razor, etc...) must ensure they have the proper adapter.


Shopping:
Normal hours are from 9:00 am until 5:30 pm Monday - Saturday. Shops in small towns and villages may close for one hour at lunchtime. Shops in Knightsbridge (home of Harrods) stay open until 7:00pm on Wednesday and those in the West End (Oxford Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly areas) stay open until 7:00pm on Thursdays. Many shops do however operate longer hours.

Many shops now open on Sundays. Most banks and shops, museums, historic homes and other places of interest are closed at Christmas and on other public holidays. The frequency of public transport services is reduced on public holidays.

Value-Added Tax is charged on most goods and services at the standard rate of 17.5%. VAT may be reclaimed on purchases bought for export, but not services. The Retail Export Scheme enables visitors to reclaim the VAT on goods purchased for export. Not all shops operate this scheme and those that do may set a minimum purchase level. Shops operating the scheme will ask to see your passport before completing the VAT 407 form or properly drawn up invoice. Present the goods together with sales invoices and VAT forms within three months of purchase, to the Customs Officers at the point of departure from the EEC (European Community). After Customs Officers have certified the form/invoice, it will be returned to the shopkeeper, who will then send you the VAT refund, from which a small administrative fee may be deducted. More information on the Retail Export Scheme can be obtained from your local British Tourist Authority.


Pub Hours:
Pubs and pavement cafes in England, Scotland and Wales are permitted to be open for the sale of alcoholic beverages between 11:00 am and 11:00 pm Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, the licensing hours in England and Wales are 12:00 noon until 11:00 pm; in Scotland 12:30 pm until 2:30 pm and then again from 6:30 pm until 11:00 pm. You must be 18 years or over to buy and consume alcohol in a bar. In England and Wales, children under 14 years of age are allowed into pubs which hold a children's certificate. They must be accompanied by an adult and are restricted to certain areas of the premises.


Passports and visas:
Valid passports are required for all visitors, good for a minimum of two months past departure date. Visas are not required by Canadian or American citizens. Other nationalities should check with their local British Consulate for specific requirements.


Emergency:
If you require the police, ambulance or fire service go to the nearest telephone and dial 999, indicating which service is required. This is a free call from any telephone.