Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ENGLISH HERITAGE AND NATIONAL TRUST
A few of London's historic properties come under the control of the private
National Trust
(
T
0844 800 1895,
W
nationaltrust.org.uk), or the state-run
English Heritage
(
T
0870 333 1181,
W
english-heritage.org.uk). These properties are denoted in the guide by “NT” or “EH” after the
opening times. Annual membership for each organization is around £50 and allows free entry
to their respective properties, though if you're only visiting London for a short time, it may not
be worth it.
normal run of events the police continue to be
approachable, helpful and, for the most part,
unarmed. If you're lost in London, asking a police
o
cer is generally the quickest way to pinpoint
your destination - police o
cers on street duty
wear a distinctive domed hat with a silver tip. Like
any other capital, London has its dangerous spots,
but these tend to be obscure parts of the city
where no tourist has any reason to be. The chief
risk on London's streets is pickpocketing, and there
are some virtuosos at work on the big shopping
streets and the Underground (tube). Carry only as
much money as you need for the day, and keep all
bags and pockets fastened.
Should you have anything stolen or be involved
in an incident that requires reporting, go to the
local police station or phone
T
101 - the
T
999
number should only be used in emergencies.
Central 24hr Metropolitan police stations include:
Charing Cross, Agar St, WC2 (
!
Charing Cross);
Holborn, 10 Lambs Conduit St, WC1 (
!
Holborn);
Marylebone, 1-9 Seymour St, W1 (
!
Marble Arch);
West End Central, 27 Savile Row, W1 (
!
Oxford
Circus);
W
met.police.uk. The City of London Police
are separate from the Metropolitan Police and have
a police station at 182 Bishopsgate, EC2 (
T
020
7601 2222,
W
cityoflondon.police.uk;
!
Liverpool
Street). If there's an incident on public transport,
you should call the British Transport Police, 55
Broadway SW1 (
T
0800 405 040,
W
btp.police.uk). If
you have a complaint against the police, take the
o
cer's number and report it to the Independent
Police Complaints Commission (
T
0845 300 2002,
W
ipcc.gov.uk).
Electricity
Electricity supply in London conforms to the EU
standard of approximately 230V. Sockets are
designed for British three-pin plugs, which are
totally different from those in the rest of the EU and
North America.
Entry requirements
Citizens of all European countries - except Albania,
Bosnia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and the
former Soviet republics (other than the Baltic states)
- can enter Britain with just a passport, for up to
three months (indefinitely if you're from the EU). US,
Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens can
stay for up to six months, providing they have a
return ticket and adequate funds to cover their stay.
Citizens of most other countries require a
visa
,
obtainable from the British consular or mission
o
ce in the country of application. To check if you
need a visa, visit
W
ukba.homeo
ce.gov.uk.
Note that visa regulations are subject to frequent
changes, so it's always wise to contact the nearest
British embassy or High Commission before you
travel. If you visit
W
ukvisas.gov.uk, you can
download the full range of application forms and
information leaflets and find out the contact details
of your nearest embassy or consulate.
EMERGENCIES
Alcoholics Anonymous
T
0845 769
7555,
W
alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Police, fire and ambulance
T
999
Rape Crisis
T
0808 802 9999 (daily noon-
2.30pm & 7-9.30pm),
W
rapecrisis.org.uk
Samaritans
24hr counselling helpline
T
0845 790 9090,
W
samaritans.org; or
drop-in (daily 9am-9pm) at 46 Marshall St,
W1
T
020 7734 2800;
!
Piccadilly Circus
or Oxford Circus
Sexual Healthline
T
0800 567123,
W
fpa.org.uk
EMBASSIES AND HIGH COMMISSIONS
Australian High Commission
Australia House, Strand, WC2
T
020 7379 4334,
W
uk.embassy.gov.au;
!
Charing Cross
Canadian High Commission
1 Grosvenor Square, W1
T
020 7258 6600,
W
unitedkingdom.gc.ca;
!
Bond Street
Irish Embassy
17 Grosvenor Place, SW1
T
020 7235 2171,
W
embassyofireland.co.uk;
!
Hyde Park Corner
New Zealand High Commission
New Zealand House,
80 Haymarket, SW1
T
020 7930 8422,
W
nzembassy.com;
!
Piccadilly Circus
