About United Kingdom: Until recently England was generally thought of as a gentle, fabled land freeze-framed sometime in the 1930s, home of the post office, country pub and vicarage. It's now better known for vibrant cities with great nightlife and attractions, contrasted with green and pleasant countryside.
From Stonehenge and Tower Bridge to Eton and Oxford, England is loaded with cherished icons of a past era. But it also does modernity with a confidence and panache left over from its days in the never-setting sun. Fashion, fine dining, clubbing, shopping - England's rates with the world's best.

Places to See
It may be small, but England boasts an astounding collection of busy cities, towns rife with history, quaint villages, looming castles, cathedrals, mansions and abbeys. Add to this wild moors and mountains, stark beaches and tranquil lakes, and you've got a wishlist a mile long already.

Events Overview
For the sporty, the traditional Oxford/Cambridge University Boat Race is held in London on the River Thames in late March/early April; the famous but gruelling Grand National steeplechase takes place at Aintree, Liverpool, on the first Saturday in April; the FA Cup soccer final takes place in May; the Lawn Tennis Championships, complete with strawberries and cream, and tantrums by major players, take place at Wimbledon in late June; in the same month the champagne-quaffing set head for the Henley Royal Regatta at Henley-on-Thames; and the Cowes Week yachting extravaganza pushes off on the Isle of Wight in late July/early August.Those uninterested in ball games and fast-moving animals should check out the Chelsea Flower Show at London's Royal Hospital in May; the Trooping of the Colour pageantry on the Queen's birthday in London in mid-June; the bacchanalian Glastonbury Festival music extravaganza which swamps Glastonbury's paddocks in June; and the riotous (in the best possible sense) Caribbean carnival in London's Notting Hill in late August

Weather Overview
England's climate is mild and damp, with temperatures moderated by the light winds that blow in off its relatively warm seas. Temperatures inland don't get much below freezing in winter (December to February), or much above 30°C (86°F) in summer (June to August). The north is the coldest area; London, the southeast and the West Country are the warmest. Rainfall is greatest in hilly areas and in the West Country. You can expect cloudy weather and light drizzle in any part of England at any time. Aside from the more obvious tendency of temperatures in the south to be a bit warmer than the north there is also some lateral variation in weather. The west is usually cloudier, wetter, warmer in summer and colder in winter than the east.

Health Overview
Although Brits may complain, the National Health Service (NHS) provides an excellent service, including free emergency treatment at NHS hospitals regardless of nationality, which is better than most countries offer. Across the country, hygiene standards are high (despite what your nose might tell you on a crowded Tube) and there are no unusual diseases to worry about. Your biggest risks will more than likely be self-inflicted from overdoing activities - physical, chemical or other.
Regardless of nationality, anyone will receive free emergency treatment at Accident & Emergency departments of NHS hospitals. Travel insurance is still advisable as it offers greater flexibility over where and how you're treated, and covers expenses for emergency repatriation.

Dangers & Annoyances
England is a pretty safe country, considering the wealth disparities you'll see in many areas, but crime is certainly not unknown in London and other cities, so you should take care - especially at night. When travelling by Tube choose a busy carriage and aim to avoid some deserted suburban Tube stations at night; a bus or taxi can be a safer choice.

Pickpockets and bag snatchers operate in crowded public places, so make sure your bag is secure. Keep money and important documents out of sight and out of reach, rather than in a handbag or money belt. In large hotels, don't leave valuables lying around; use the room or hotel safe. Some hostels provide lockers, but you need your own padlock.If you're on a driving holiday, don't leave luggage in the car when parking overnight. Where possible, look for secure parking areas near TICs.In large cities, avoid unlicensed minicabs unless you know where you're going as you could be scammed into paying for driving round in circles. Use a metered taxi, or phone a reputable minicab company and get an up-front quote.

Visas Overview
Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa do not need a visa for stays in the UK up to 6 months, but they are prohibited from working. Citizens of the European Union (EU) don't need a visa to enter the country and may live and work here freely.

Customs Overview
Like other EU nations, the UK has a two-tier customs system: one for goods bought outside the EU and one for goods bought in another EU country where taxes and duties have already been paid.

Duty Free
For goods purchased outside the EU, you are allowed to import 200 cigarettes or 8.75oz (250g) of tobacco, 64 fl oz (2l) of still wine plus 32 fl oz (1l) of spirits over 22% or another 2l of wine (sparkling or otherwise), 1.75oz (50g) of perfume and other duty-free goods (including cider and beer) to the value of 136.00.