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London: Big Ben, the Queen and pop culture
London has never been an English city. It is, and always has been, an international hub trading not only in goods but in ideas and culture too. The result is an urban environment of extraordinary richness and diversity, where over 300 languages are spoken and the aroma of global cuisines fill the city’s dense alleys.
Spiralling out organically from its tight-knit Roman core, this immense metropolitan heavyweight is immersed in history and tradition and yet still there is enough innovation and evolution, from the Olympic Park to countless new glittering skyscrapers, to put a crackle in the air.
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24 hours in London

The following tips and addresses can be downloaded as an iCalendar file (.ics) and imported into any of the usual calendar programs – experience London for yourself!
09:00 a.m.: Original English Breakfast
W1K 2AL
London
UK
Tel. +44-20/74 99 70 70
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We spent the night at the Connaught. It shed its dusty image and got a complete makeover a couple of years back and is now one of the most appealing five-star hostelries in town. After indulging in a hearty, original English breakfast – what else? – we walk the few steps across to Burlington House, the home of the Royal Academy of Arts near Piccadilly Circus.
10:00 a.m.: Arts most royal
Piccadilly
W1J 0BD
London
UK
Tel. +44-20/73 00 80 00
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The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) contains some of the best galleries in London. The most important works in its permanent collection of British art can be found in the refurbished John Madejski Fine Rooms. The forecourt in front of the academy is well worth a visit in its own right, to say nothing of the changing exhibitions.
01:00 p.m.: Lunch at The Wolseley
W1J 9EB
London
UK
Tel. +44-20/74 99 69 96
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Art certainly whets the appetite. Luckily, the Wolseley is just around the corner and serves a wide range of dishes from breakfast to dinner. Lunch and dinner there are in the tradition of European coffee houses; in fact, this upmarket brasserie serves probably the best wiener schnitzel in the city.
03:00 p.m.: Browsing and Bemused
W10 5PS
London
UK
Tel. +44-20/89 60 37 36
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London has an almost bewildering array of unusual shops. There’s always something new opening somewhere, then disappearing again – or popping up in another place with a different concept. The Kokon To Zai displays avant-garde fashions alongside pieces straight out of a Victorian chamber of horrors.
04:00 p.m.: A Stroll Through Portobello Market
W10 5TA
London
UK
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As we’re already in a browsing mood, we take in Portobello Market, too. Visitors to London’s most atmospheric market can look forward to happening upon anything from books to antiques, food, streetwear fashions and typically British bric-à-brac.
07:00 p.m.: Savoring Gordon Ramsey’s hospitality …
NW1 7PS
London
UK
Tel. +44-20/75 92 12 27
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For dinner, we drive to the York & Albany, chef Gordon Ramsey’s elegant gastro pub between Regent’s Park and Camden Town, to claim our reserved table. The open show kitchen dishes up such delicacies as roast English veal with mangold, artichokes, lemon and capers, as well as fried cod, crustacean cassoulet and cherry tomato sauce.
07:00 p.m.: … or to a night café
E8 2EZ
London
UK
Tel. +44-20/31 74 07 44
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Time is no object for those without a table reservation at the York & Albany, so this is a good opportunity to pay a visit to the Late Night Chameleon Café in Dalston. The name is deceptive: book ahead and you are welcome to browse for hours at the mini department store, which sells clothes, music, books and design.
10:00 p.m.: Another bite to eat
E1 6SB
London
UK
Tel. +44-20/77 29 06 16
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After that, it’s time for a small bite to eat at the Brick Lane Beigel Bake. The main attractions at this 24/7 bakery with its trademark rough Cockney charm are the salt beef and the entertaining mix of patrons.
11:00 p.m.: Nightcap at Scott’s
W1K 2HE
London
UK
Tel. +44-20/74 95 73 09
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Time for a nightcap at Scott’s before heading back to the hotel? This high society restaurant and oyster bar is done out in grandiose Art Deco and serves reasonably priced cocktails and fantastic fish and chips.
These tips and addresses can be downloaded as an iCalendar file (.ics) and imported into any of the usual calendar programs – experience London for yourself!
Flight and accommodation
Top 10 sights in London

British Museum
WC1B 3DG
London
UK
Tel: +44-20/73 23 82 99
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Opening times:
Sat-Thu 1000-1730
Fri until 2030
Five million visitors pass through the doors of the British Museum each year to goggle its vast collection of antiquities, art and sculpture.
Tower of London
EC3N 4AB
London
UK
Tel: +44-844/482 77 77
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Opening times:
1 March – 31 October:
Tue-Sat 0900-1730
Sun-Mon 1000-1730
1 November – 28 February:
Tue-Sat 0900-1630
Sun-Mon 1000-1630
London’s most famous landmark is imbued with legend and superstition. Yeoman Warders offer free tours of its masterful architectural design, glittering royal jewel collection and spooky dungeons.
The South Bank
SE1
London
UK
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A roll call of riverside attractions line the south bank of the river Thames, starting with the London Eye, then snaking past the cultural complex of the Southbank Centre and the British Film Institute, before ending at the Tate Modern at the foot of the Millennium Bridge.
National Portrait Gallery
WC2H 0HE
London
UK
Tel: +44-20/73 06 00 55
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Opening times:
Sat-Mon 1000-1800
Thu-Fri 1000-2100
Come face to face with London’s princes, politicians, scientists and celebrities at this wonderfully intimate gallery.
British Library
NW1 2DB
London
UK
Tel: +44-843/208 11 44
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Opening times:
Mon-Thu 0930-2000
Fri 0930-1800
Sat 0930-1700
Sun 1100-1700
London’s historic library hosts excellent exhibitions and events and is the repository of rare and wonderful manuscripts including a 15th-century Gutenberg Bible, Shakespeare’s First Folio and the Beatles’ earliest handwritten lyrics.
Royal Observatory
SE10 8XJ
London
UK
Tel: +44-20/88 58 44 22
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Opening times:
Daily 1000-1700
Part of the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory overlooks Greenwich Park. Down its centre, the Prime Meridian cleaves the world in two while the state-of-the-art Peter Harrison Planetarium projects far-off galaxies onto its rounded roof.
Hyde Park
Henry VIII confiscated Hyde Park from the Church in 1536 to use as his personal hunting ground. Since then it’s served Londoners well for duels, executions, horse races and picnics. It’s separated from Kensington Gardens by the Serpentine, which you can paddle along.
Tate Modern
SE1 9TG
London
UK
Tel: +44-20/78 87 88 88
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Opening times:
Daily 1000-1800
Housed in the belly of an old power station is London’s most sexy (and popular) contemporary art gallery with a collection of some 60,000 works of art on constant rotation.
St Paul’s Cathedral
EC4M 8AD
London
UK
Tel: +44-20/72 46 83 50
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Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0830-1630
Christopher Wren’s mighty white dome still defines the London skyline. Climb its 528 steps for one of the best 360-degree views of the city.
Kew Gardens
TW9 3AE
Richmond
UK
Tel: +44-20/83 32 56 55
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Opening times:
Daily 0930-1800
Escape to London’s tropical hothouse, the 700-glass-panel Palm House in Kew Gardens. Aside from an aerial walkway there’s a palace and 121 hectares (300 acres) of garden to explore.
Flight and accommodation
Country information
Country overview
Few places cram in as much scenery, history and culture as the United Kingdom. England’s southwest is dominated by a rugged shoreline and swathes of open national parkland, while its sprawling and vibrant capital London dominates the southeast. Hillwalkers can take some serious hikes in the Scottish Highlands or England’s Lake District. True British wilderness remains – stark, sometimes stunning and often inaccessible, particularly in the far North of Scotland.
Historic Edinburgh is a fascinating city to explore, while Glasgow explodes with nightlife options. Visitors to Wales can meander from the urban highlights of Cardiff to Snowdon’s jagged peaks in the north. Across the water, Belfast is reviving as a tourist destination, and Northern Ireland’s countryside is green and rolling.
Geography
The British landscape can be divided roughly into two kinds of terrain – highland and lowland. The highland area comprises the mountainous regions of Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and North Wales.
The English Lake District in the northwest contains lakes and fells. The lowland area is broken up by sandstone and limestone hills, long valleys and basins such as the Wash on the east coast. In the southeast, the North and South Downs culminate in the White Cliffs of Dover.
The coastline includes fjord-like inlets in the northwest of Scotland, spectacular cliffs and wild sandy beaches on the east coast and, further south, beaches of rock, shale and sand sometimes backed by dunes, and large areas of fenland in East Anglia.
Note: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Although they form one administrative unit (with regional exceptions), they have had separate cultures, languages and political histories.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 66,02 millions (estimate 2017)
Capital: London.
Language
English. Welsh is spoken in parts of Wales, and Gaelic in parts of Scotland.
Currency
Pound (GBP; symbol £) = 100 pence. Notes are in denominations of £50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of £2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are standard.
Public holidays
Below are Public Holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period.
2019
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2019
Good Friday: 19 April 2019
Early May BankHoliday: 6 May 2019
Spring Bank Holiday: 27 May 2019
Christmas Day: 25 December 2019
Boxing Day: 26 December 2019
2020
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2020
Good Friday: 10 April 2020
Early May BankHoliday: 4 May 2020
Spring Bank Holiday: 25 May 2020
Christmas Day: 25 December 2020
Boxing Day: 26 December 2020
All information subject to change.
Flight and accommodation
Getting around
Public Transport
London has an excellent public transport system managed by Transport for London (tel: +44-343/222 12 34; tfl.gov.uk). The integrated ticketing system operates via a prepaid smart card (the Oyster Card) and covers the tube, overground trains and buses. Oyster cards are available to purchase at any Underground station and ca n be prepaid for pay-as-you-go travel, daily or weekly passes. Paper tickets still exist but fares are more expensive.
Taxis
Black cabs (londonblackcabs.co.uk) are available to hire when their yellow sign is lit; just hold out your arm to hail one.
Flight and accommodation
Nightlife in London
From West End blockbusters to fringe theatre, avant-garde gigs, opera, comedy and live music, London offers a fabulous after-dark schedule.
While a night out at the theatre is one of the capital’s highlights, there are plenty of exciting alternatives that are equally compelling and easier on the wallet.
The National Theatre
London SE1 9PX
UK
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Thoughtful and innovative theatre is performed in this iconic complex on the South Bank.
Royal Albert Hall
London SW7 2AP
UK
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Home of the Proms and London’s most famous classical music venue.
KOKO
London NW1 7JE
UK
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Everyone from the Sex Pistols to Madonna has played at this legendary live music venue.
Opera Holland Park
London W8 6LU
UK
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Enjoy opera and picnic in the park at this quintessential English event.
Roundhouse
London NW1 8EH
UK
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Great gigs and brilliant performances of anything from comedy to circus acts.
Flight and accommodation
Restaurants in London
From Afghan and Indian to French, Korean and Ethiopian, the world is quite literally your oyster when dining out in London’s cosmopolitan array of restaurants.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
66 Knightsbridge,
London SW1X 7LA
UK
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Price level: Luxurious
Heston Blumenthal runs five restaurants with a total of six Michelin stars. A pioneer of molecular cuisine, he regards dining as a multisensory affair, a feast for eyes, nose and ears, so to speak. At this eatery close to Hyde Park, the special style of food preparation and presentation, flavor and feel are mutually complementary and make for an unforgettable culinary experience. A table reservation is an absolute must.
HIX
W1F 9UP London
UK
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Price: Moderate
London’s finest fish and chips are served up by celebrity chef Mark Hix’s whose eponymous restaurant is kitted out with contemporary British artworks.
St John
EC1M 4AY London
UK
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Price: Moderate
Discover London’s culinary heritage with St John’s signature bone-marrow salad.
M Manze
SE1 4TW London
UK
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Price: Budget
See how Londoners ate before the city gentrified at this classic Pie & Mash palace.
Tayyabs
E1 1JU London
UK
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Price: Budget
Join the queue at this Punjabi restaurant to sample London’s finest masala and kebabs.
Flight and accommodation
Calendar of events
Virgin Money London Marathon
28 April 2019
Website
Venue: Through the streets of London
The mighty London Marathon is one of the world’s greatest road races. Starting in Greenwich, runners make their way through Charlton and Woolwich before crossing the River Thames at historic Tower Bridge, looping through the east end of London, past the towering sleek form of Canary Wharf in Docklands, and then heading west to Embankment, Parliament Square, Birdcage Walk and the final stretch to the finish line on The Mall by Buckingham Palace.
Queen's Birthday Parade - Trooping the Colour
9 June 2019
Website
Venue: Horse Guards’ Parade
Troops of the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) perform the ceremony of Trooping the Colour each year in honour of the Queen’s official birthday. Although Queen Elizabeth II was born in April, Trooping the Colour is held in June in the hope of good weather. Traditionally, the regiment’s colours (two flags or banners) were paraded before its own troops so that soldiers would recognise and rally to them in battle. This tradition continues, nowadays for the benefit of the Queen who then receives a royal salute.
Wimbledon Tennis Championships
1 – 14 July 2019
Website
Venue: All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon
The world’s tennis greats flock to the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon every June to battle it out in the famous championship, that is almost as famous for the frequent wet weather, Henman Hill (or Murray Mount), strawberries and cream on the lawn and a good helping of royal faces, than it is the tennis. Today, the event has grown to major proportions with over 500,000 visitors, and a worldwide TV audience of millions.
Totally Thames Festival
September 2019
Website
Venue: South Bank and riverside locations
The annual Mayor’s Thames Festival offers a spectacular weekend of free events celebrating London and its river. It’s one of London’s biggest and best free outdoor arts festivals; expect riverside market stalls and street entertainers and much more, culminating in a fabulous Night Carnival on Sunday evening along Victoria Embankment featuring an illuminated procession of lanterns, costumes and floats.
BFI London Film Festival
October 2019
Website
Venue: National Film Theatre and other cinemas around London
The BFI London Film Festival is one of the country’s largest film events. The packed and varied programme shows films from across the world, and screenings take place in many great London film venues, including the South Bank Centre and the Empire and Odeon cinemas in Leicester Square. As well as feature films, there are documentaries, shorts, animations and video installations. The festival also includes galas, talks from famous directors and actors, and movie workshops.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
Flight and accommodation
Hotels in London
From grand historic hotels to budget boutique digs and hostels, London has a plethora of hotels from which to choose.
The best are booked early, particularly during the summer and at Christmas.
Blakes
SW7 3PF London
UK
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Category: Luxurious
Four-poster beds, luxe velvet fabrics and gleaming antiques are the hallmarks of Anouska Hempel’s design hotel.
Shangri-La Hotel The Shard
London SE1 9SG
UK
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Category: Luxurious
The Shard is one of the spectacular new structures on the Thames and located near London Bridge. The 202 hotel rooms of the Shangri-La occupy levels 34 to 52. It’s hard to say which is more imposing, the opulent ambience or the breathtaking views. The exclusive Gông champagne lounge on level 52 also belongs to the hotel, but you don’t have to be a guest to be welcome there.
The Sumner
W1H 7QR London
UK
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Category: Moderate
Boutique hotel comforts within a stone’s throw of Hyde Park and Oxford Street.
Qbic Hotel
London E1 1EE
UK
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Category: Moderate
This design hotel in London’s East End places the emphasis on sustainability and a sophisticated decor and color concept. The key features of its spacious rooms are handcrafted mattresses, rain showers and other smart accessories that make your stay a truly enjoyable one. An added bonus is the hotel’s central location in the new nightlife district Shoreditch.
Twenty Nevern Square
London SW5 9PD
UK
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Category: Budget
This boutique hotel in a restored town house on green Nevern Square in Kensington is ideal for guests looking for a quieter experience. The Tube and Earl’s Court exhibition center are just a few minutes’ walk away. The hotel also has a technically up-to-the-minute conference room for up to 25.
Flight and accommodation
The best speakeasies in London

Hidden away behind fridges and bookshelves, speakeasies in the style of the U.S. Prohibition era are a hit on the London nightlife scene.
Evans & Peel Detective Agency
SW5 9BA
London
UK
Tel. +44-20-73 73 35 73
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“What brought you here today?” Only the victims of a (fictitious) crime are shown into the backroom sanctum of the private detective’s office, where mini burgers and classic cocktails are served, while their case is discussed at length. This place is an absolute must for crime fiction aficionados and Sherlock Holmes fans.
Cellar Door
Covent Garden
WC2E 7DN
London
UK
Tel. +44-20-72 40 88 48
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A bright pink neon arrow points the way down to this tiny bar, occupying what used to be public conveniences. At this ‘90s version of a speakeasy, open every night, guests can sip cocktails with fanciful names like “ Never trust a flamingo ” and take a pinch of snuff as they sit back and enjoy live music and burlesque acts on stage.
Experimental Cocktail Club
13A Gerrard Street
W1D 5PS
London
UK
Tel. +44-20-74 34 35 59
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In London’s most exclusive speakeasy, there’s a female ’20s-style Boy George lookalike barkeeper who mixes tinctures from small bottles to create titivating cocktails. Take the Saint-Germain-des-Prés, for instance, incredibly hot and yet with a refreshing cucumber taste. Be warned, though: A little persuasion is required to get past the rather severe lady on the door.
The Worship Street Whistling Shop
63 Worship Street
EC2A 2DU
London
UK
Tel. +44-20-72 47 00 15
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Comparatively easy to locate, this bar modeled on the British gin palaces of yore has a beguiling menu of exquisite spirits and original drinks – including a rum cocktail spiked with absinthe. Cozy: the library setting.
Barts
Sloane Avenue
SW3 3DW
London
UK
Tel. +44-20-75 81 33 55
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The living room among speakeasies. Tucked away behind a door plastered with comics in the hotel lobby, this plushy red, zanily decorated railway compartment of a bar attracts a classy style of patron (suits and little dresses). But looks can be deceptive, and they certainly know how to party here! Definitely book ahead!
Flight and accommodation
Best time to visit
Today: Friday, 06.12.2019 05:00 UTC

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wind direction
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07.12.2019
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Monday
09.12.2019
50°F / 46°F
Tuesday
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45°F / 37°F
Wednesday
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43°F / 39°F
Thursday
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41°F / 36°F
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41°F / 36°F
Climate and best time to visit London
Summer is peak season, offering long days, mild weather and plenty of festivals including the Trooping of the Colour, Wimbledon, London Pride and the Notting Hill Carnival. Crowds peak in July and August, tailing off as kids get back to school. Spring and autumn are cooler, but offer their own draws with the Chelsea Flower Show in May and start of many major art shows, exhibits, opera and theatre programmes in September. Winter is grey, rainy and can be cold, although Christmas lights and heaps of festive spirit cheer up December.
Climate & best time to visit United Kingdom
Temperate climate, damp and warm in the summer, wet and cool in the winter. Due to its island location, the United Kingdom has extremely changeable weather. A great deal of rain falls on the west coast and on high ground, and it’s colder and windier on the north coast. The southeast is sunnier than the north and has less rain. The southwestern part of the country has the mildest climate.
The best time to visit is high summer although even then, relatively low temperatures and rain are always a possibility, especially in the northern regions. Southern England’s seaside resorts are at their best in July and August.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute max | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | 57.2 °F | 15.8 °F | 42.8 °F | 35.6 °F | 88 % | 50 mm | 12 | 1.5 h |
Feb | 64.4 °F | 15.8 °F | 44.6 °F | 35.6 °F | 84 % | 38 mm | 8 | 2.2 h |
Mar | 71.6 °F | 19.4 °F | 50 °F | 37.4 °F | 79 % | 42 mm | 10 | 3.5 h |
Apr | 84.2 °F | 26.6 °F | 55.4 °F | 41 °F | 73 % | 39 mm | 9 | 5.2 h |
May | 89.6 °F | 30.2 °F | 60.8 °F | 46.4 °F | 72 % | 47 mm | 9 | 6.5 h |
Jun | 95 °F | 33.8 °F | 68 °F | 51.8 °F | 70 % | 50 mm | 8 | 6.8 h |
Jul | 96.8 °F | 37.4 °F | 69.8 °F | 55.4 °F | 72 % | 51 mm | 7 | 6.4 h |
Aug | 98.6 °F | 37.4 °F | 69.8 °F | 55.4 °F | 75 % | 59 mm | 8 | 6.0 h |
Sep | 84.2 °F | 30.2 °F | 64.4 °F | 51.8 °F | 80 % | 56 mm | 8 | 4.8 h |
Oct | 82.4 °F | 26.6 °F | 57.2 °F | 44.6 °F | 85 % | 52 mm | 9 | 3.1 h |
Nov | 69.8 °F | 21.2 °F | 50 °F | 41 °F | 88 % | 64 mm | 11 | 1.8 h |
Dec | 59 °F | 19.4 °F | 44.6 °F | 37.4 °F | 89 % | 54 mm | 11 | 1.3 h |
year | 98.6 °F | 15.8 °F | 55.4 °F | 44.6 °F | 81 % | 601 mm | 110 | 4.1 h |
Flight and accommodation
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +44
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in London
Key Areas
High-end stores and global brands concentrate in Knightsbridge and Mayfair, while popular chains and franchises sit along Oxford Street, Regent Street and King’s Road, culminating in the shopping epicentre of Covent Garden. Hampstead and Notting Hill are known for their lovely independent boutiques while avant-garde designers populate Clerkenwell and Shoreditch. For vintage and discount fashions, head further east to Spitalfields and the East End.
Markets
The most popular are Spitalfields, Camden and Portobello Road for fashion and antiques, Borough and Greenwich for food, Columbia Road for flowers, and Brick Lane for bric-a-brac. Bigger markets are open six days a week, while Columbia Road and Brick Lane are Sunday only.
Shopping Centres
Many of London’s big name stores, such as Harrods, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, the Burlington Arcade and Liberty are must-see sights in their own right. Other lesser-known gems include historic Asprey and the London Silver Vaults.
Flight and accommodation
My London
I like to have lunch at London’s oldest restaurant, The Rules, where they serve the best Irish stew around. The Rules is in Maiden Lane, not far from Covent Garden. After lunch, I often pay a visit to Goldsmiths’ Hall, a historical building that would gladden the heart of any architect. It regularly hosts exhibitions and events promoting the contemporary works of jewelers and silversmiths. Goldsmiths’ Hall is located on edge of the City of London.

Alexandra Mikamo, Purserette
Flight and accommodation
Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
The monarchy, though now only symbolic politically, is a powerful and often subconscious unifying force. Members of the Royal Family are the subject of unceasing fascination, with their every move avidly followed and reported by the popular press, both in the UK and abroad.
Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone for the first time. One kiss on the cheek is gaining popularity for close friends. Normal social courtesies should be observed when visiting someone’s home and a small present such as flowers or chocolates is appreciated. It is polite to wait until everyone has been served before eating.
Clothing
Some nightclubs and restaurants do not allow jeans and trainers, otherwise casual wear is widely acceptable. For business, a suit and tie should be worn, although in some workplaces an open neck is acceptable.
Use of public places
Topless sunbathing is allowed on certain beaches and tolerated in some parks. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public places, including stations, pubs and restaurants, throughout the UK.
Flight and accommodation
Health
Main emergency number: 112
Food & Drink
Food within the UK is generally safe to eat, with health and safety standards monitored by various government agencies. Tap water is considered safe to drink but bottled water is widely available. If you’re camping, always boil, filter or purify water from streams.
Other Risks
The UK is not a risky destination but travellers should still take appropriate precautions. Summer temperatures in England rarely reach above 30°C but on hot days there is still risk of sunstroke and it’s advisable to wear sunscreen, as well as appropriate clothing. The same goes for winters, during which weather can be very changeable. Waterproofs (or at least a strong umbrella) are mandatory at any time of year. Those hiking in the mountains should come prepared, with appropriate gear and maps if needed but the biggest danger comes from those who disregard warning signs or poor weather.
Although the risk remains low, travellers are advised to ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles, as cases have risen in the past few years. Travellers visiting the UK during the winter may also wish to consider being vaccinated against flu.
If you’re planning to walk in wooded or heath areas such as in the Scottish Highlands, it’s worth taking precautions against tick bites: ensure you wear long-sleeved tops, tuck your socks into your trousers and wear insect repellent. Ticks are known to spread Lyme disease which, although fairly rare in the UK, can affect your skin, joints, heart and nervous system. Symptoms include: a pink or red circular rash which develops around the bite up to 30 days after a person is bitten; flu-like symptoms; headaches; and muscle or joint pain. If left untreated, symptoms can become more serious.
Midges are a hiker’s and camper’s nemesis, especially in the northwest Highlands during the summer. While they’ll do no worse than cause a multitude of unbearably itchy bites, it’s definitely worth covering up and dousing yourself in insect repellent to ward off these persistent beasties.
The weather in Scotland can change in an instant. If you’re walking, skiing or climbing in the hills, it’s vital to be prepared for all weathers. It’s not at all uncommon to go for a walk on a beautifully sunny day, only to find yourself surrounded by mist and drizzle with little warning. Make sure you’re equipped with a map, compass, extra food, layers and waterproofs, and always tell someone where you’re heading before you set out. Scots and visitors alike also find themselves unexpectedly caught out by the sun – you might not need it often, but pack some sunscreen.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Kotowski, Konrad Edmund82 Harley Street
London W1G 7AN
Great Britain
Tel. +44-203-073-1002
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment.
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