Page 202 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

The beautiful cliffs, castles, churches, coves your budget may stretch further. This effect is
and beaches of the South Coast of England even more exaggerated in low season, when
have attracted summer visitors in droves you will also find you have to compete less
since the railway boom of the 1850s. Visitor to do what you want, when you want. This
numbers usually peak during school summer section provides helpful practical advice on a
holidays (July and August) and a little range of important issues, including passport
planning can help avoid the most crowded and visa formalities, travel safety, personal
areas. London, not surprisingly, is the most security, banking, communications and
expensive city but, as you go further afield, how to find useful local facilities.

there. Random checks are made
to detect prohibited goods,
particularly drugs, indecent
material and weapons. Never,
under any circumstances, carry
anything through customs
for someone else.
Britain is free of rabies, and
pet dogs and cats cannot be
imported without a passport or
veterinary certificate. For more
information visit the government
Pet Passport website.
Sheltered Porthgwidden Beach, popular with families, in St Ives, Cornwall
Health Insurance
When to Go country or Switzerland do not It is sensible to take out travel
England’s South Coast enjoys need a visa to enter Britain. insurance to cover cancellation
a temperate climate, warmer Neither do visitors from the US, or curtailment of your holiday,
than the North and with few Canada, Australia and New theft or loss of money and
temperature extremes. However, Zealand who are staying for less possessions, and the cost of
constantly shifting patterns mean than 6 months. Britain’s decision any medical treatment, which
the weather can change quickly to leave the EU could affect may include hospitalization,
and vary widely in places only a regulations, so visit the UK Visas repatriation and specialists’
short distance apart. Summer and Immigration website for fees. Emergency treatment in
days can be hot and sunny, with the most up-to-date information. a British NHS casualty ward is
refreshing sea breezes. Since it Most countries have consular free for all visitors, but only
can be difficult to predict rain or representation in London, those with a European Health
shine reliably, it is advisable to including the US, Canada, Insurance Card (EHIC) are
pack a mix of warm and cool Australia and New Zealand. entitled to free additional
weather clothes and an umbrella, treatment under the NHS. At
irrespective of when you visit. Travel Safety Advice present, this applies to visitors
The South Coast is an all-year from EU and EEA countries, as
destination, but many attractions Visitors can get up-to-date travel well as some Commonwealth
are only open between Easter safety information from the UK countries, such as Australia
and October. The main school Foreign and Commonwealth and New Zealand. Be aware,
holiday months, July and August, Office, the US Department though, that certain benefits
are always busy and the most of State and the Australian covered by medical insurance
accessible beaches can become Department of Foreign Affairs will not be included.
packed with people. Spring and Trade websites.
and autumn offer a good
compromise, with reasonably Customs Information Visitor Information
good weather and fewer crowds. VisitBritain is the official tourist
Incoming travellers have to organization for Great Britain and
pass through customs channels: its website includes destination
Passports and Visas
green if you have nothing to guides, maps and an accommo-
Visitors with a valid passport or declare, red if you have goods dation booking service.
national identity card issued by to declare, and blue if you are Tourist information is available
any European Economic Area arriving from an EU country and in almost all towns. Look out for
(EEA) or European Union (EU) have already cleared customs the tourist information symbol,
Fishing boats in Penberth Cove on the Land’s End peninsula in Cornwall

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