Below you can find my latest posts about my experiences of plus-size travel in England! Plus scroll down for practical information on travelling to England, including entry requirements, luggage storage, how to use the public transport, and more.
Latest Posts
England Travel Advice
Practical information to plan your trip
Entry Requirements
If you are an EU national and own a valid passport, you are able to stay in England for up to 6 months.
Coronavirus
Passengers arriving in England currently do not need to show proof of COVID vaccination, a negative COVID test, or a certificate of recovery from COVID.
VISA
If you are not an EU citizen, you may need to apply for a VISA if you intend to travel to England. You can read more information on the requirements and whether you need to apply for one here.
ETIAS Waiver
From Mid-2025, visitors that do not need a visa to enter Europe and the UK will need to register with ETIAS. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will become a mandatory entry requirement.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
If you’re entering the UK as an EU resident, you can apply for an EHIC. It is completely free, and entitles you to essential medical care during a temporary stay in the UK. You can apply for one within your home country.
England Weather
These are the average highs and lows of the temperature in England throughout the year:
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 4° / 9° | 4° / 9° | 5° / 11° | 7° / 14° | 10° / 17° | 13° / 20° |
| Manchester | 3° / 8° | 3° / 8° | 4° / 10° | 6° / 13° | 8° / 17° | 11° / 19° |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 2° / 6° | 2° / 7° | 3° / 9° | 4° / 11° | 7° / 14° | 9° / 17° |
| City | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 15° / 23° | 15° / 22° | 13° / 19° | 10° / 15° | 7° / 11° | 5° / 9° |
| Manchester | 13° / 20° | 13° / 20° | 11° / 17° | 8° / 14° | 5° / 10° | 3° / 8° |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 11° / 19° | 11° / 19° | 9° / 16° | 7° / 13° | 4° / 9° | 2° / 7° |
When to visit
The best time to visit England is from March to June, or around September and November, as it’s normally warm and dry with beautiful Spring and Autumn scenery. The summer season is normally very busy, with tourists flocking to the beaches for the hot sunny weather.
Getting around in England
Children under 5 travel for free.
Trains
The railway network in England is operated by National Rail, and is a popular mode of transport. Tickets are much cheaper if you book in advance, either via National Rail, or a third-party website like thetrainline.com. You can also purchase tickets directly at the station.
Buses
Buses are a cheap and convenient option. Enter through the front door and pay the driver (you may need to use exact change, but in most instances you can use contactless card) for your ticket. In most cases, you can purchase a day ticket for unlimited travel on that day.
You can also travel longer distances by coach, which take longer than trains but are generally a lot cheaper. The two main services for coaches in England are National Express and Megabus.
London Underground
Also known as ‘The Tube’, the London Underground provides an underground railway service throughout London and into the neighbouring counties of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, and Essex. It’s operated by Transport for London (TFL). You can use their journey planner to work out your travel using the Tube, and also their fare finder to work out the cost of your journey.
The easiest way to get around London is to purchase an Oyster card (£7) and top it up. You can then use it to tap in and out of the Tube and London Overground, and tap in on buses and trams. You can buy and top up an Oyster card from the ticket machines at any Tube or London Overground station. You can also use contactless card, but foreign cards don’t always work.
Trams
Blackpool, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Tyne and Wear and the West Midlands all have a tram network. You can use your Oyster card in London, and outside of London the main method of payment is by contactless card.
Taxis
Taxi fares vary wildly depending on where you are and the time of day or week it is, and in general are reasonably expensive. The majority of taxis will take card as well as cash, but always check with them before you set off. The easiest way to take a taxi is to either walk to a taxi rank, or contact a taxi company directly by app, online, or by phone. Uber is a popular option.
Bikes
By following the National Cycle Network, you can explore some of England’s most beautiful scenery by bike. You can find all the available routes at sustrans.org.uk.
Luggage storage
Most of the main train stations in England have left luggage services, including London St. Pancras, Birmingham New Street, Leeds, Liverpool Lime St, and Manchester Piccadilly. The best way to check if a station has a left luggage facility is to look at the website left-baggage.co.uk. You can also pay online in advance.
Manchester Airport, London Stansted, London Gatwick and London Heathrow also have numerous left luggage counters.
Pricing varies from location and storage time, but expect to pay around £7.50 for up to 3 hours, £15 for up to 24 hours, £22 for up to 48 hours, and £30 for up to 72 hours. After 72 hours you’ll pay around £7.50 per day.
Some other luggage storage solutions include Stasher, Nannybag, and Radical Storage, who all offer different locations and pricing options.
Further practical information for travelling in England
What language is mainly spoken in England?
English is the official language of England.
What is the main currency of England?
The currency of England is the Pound Sterling (£).
What is the emergency number in England?
If you need emergency services in England, you can dial 999 and ask for an ambulance, the fire service, or the police. In a non-emergency, you can call 111 for health care, or 101 to report a crime.
What kind of plug adapter do I need in England?
You will need a Type G system adapter for plugs in England. England operates on a 230V supply voltage & 50Hz.
Is the tap water safe to drink in England?
Yes, the tap water is perfectly safe to drink in England.
Are public toilets free in England?
Generally, public toilets are free to use in England, but can sometimes cost a small charge around 50p. It’s worth carrying around a little pocket change just in case.
Is there free public wi-fi in England?
There are lots of free wi-fi spots in England. Look for it in places like stations, museums, parks, cafes and other public locations.
Is tipping expected in England?
Tipping isn’t expected in England, but if you feel you’ve had an exceptional service, a usual tip is around 10% of the total bill.
What is the drinking age in England?
The legal drinking age is 18 in England, although 16 and 17 year olds can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal at a restaurant or pub if accompanied and bought by an adult.
Are there are venomous or dangerous animals in England?
The only dangerous animal in England is the adder, a venomous snake common throughout undergrowth, however its bite is rarely fatal and is easily treated. Always research the area you’re travelling to, to see if there’s anything there that might pose a threat to you.
Updated 14/06/2024
Looking to book a hotel in England? Use Booking.com to browse hundreds of hotels in the area you want to stay, using filters like price range, star rating, facilities and much more to find your ideal room. By signing up to their free loyalty program, the more you travel, the more you save, with exclusive discounts, free breakfasts, free room upgrades and more.
Alternatively, Expedia and Hotels.com also offer hotels comparisons, with handy apps which offer exclusive discounts on thousands of hotels, and other rewards when you book.
Check out where else I’ve travelled in the British Isles!