Top tips

Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes, if you're looking for some advice on what and how to spend your time in Britain, check out these 10 personal tips for Britain and London from the helpful staff of the Britain and London Visitor Centre on Lower Regent Street in Central London.

Tip 1

There are lots of free activities to take advantage of at night rather than spending travelling money in the pub. Leicester Square and Covent Garden have lots of street entertainment and is lively all year round, a walk along the South Bank is especially a treat at night with a chance to catch a Waterloo Sunset.

Tip 2

All the national galleries and museums including the British Museum (www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/), the National Gallery (www.nationalgallery.org.uk), the Science Museum (www.sciencemuseum.org.uk), and more are all free entry. Liverpool has the largest collection of museums outside of London, including the Tate Liverpool (www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/default.htm).

Tip 3

Discount shopping outlets like Bicester Village (www.bicester-village.co.uk) in Oxfordshire and Cheshire Oaks outside of Chester are a great day out. You get to see beautiful countryside and get some great bargains.

Tip 4

Britain’s music festivals are getting bigger and better. If you’re not able to get Glastonbury Festival tickets, don’t despair - there’s loads of other music festivals with great line-ups which provide an amazing experience.

Tip 5

If you’re a fan of theme parks, Alton Towers (www.virgintrains.co.uk/altontowers) in Staffordshire is one of the best. You can get combined train and admission tickets. 

Tip 6

If you’re looking to do some one day retreats on the cheap, the earlier you book the cheaper it is. By train check out Qjump (www.qjump.co.uk) or The Trainline (www.thetrainline.com/default.asp?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Evisitbritain%2Ecom%2FVB3%2Den%2Fexperiences%2Fgay%2Fnewcastle%2Fgetting%5Fthere%2Easpx&T2ID=6756_20061130103311) for details. By coach there are some great deals from National Express (www.nationalexpress.com/) and Mega Bus (www.megabus.com) with fares from £1!

Tip 7

If you want to see London in its splendour take the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) to Greenwich and sit at the front for the best view of the Docklands, spend the day in Greenwich and get a boat trip back for an inspiring River Thames view of London. 

Tip 8

There are loads of cheap eats around if you know where to look. In London’s Chinatown you’ll find buffet restaurants where you can eat as much as you like for only £5 and lots of places in the West End offering Pre-Theatre menus. Also, there are hundreds of Wetherspoons Pubs (www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/)  throughout Britain which offer very good value pub grub.

Tip 9

Backpacker tours are the best way to see a lot of places if you’re short on time. They have great itineraries which take in the beauty and culture of the area as well as providing a great opportunity to get active with loads of adventure sport options, and a great way to make new friends.

Tip 10

For group gatherings or a special occasion with friends, why not rent a cottage, barn or stay somewhere distinctly different. YHA (www.yha.org.uk ) have loads of unique buildings for hire including a lighthouse, an old mill and lots of scenic farms.