Travel Guide To UK 

Indian Embassy in the UK

High Commission of India,
India House, Aldwych,
London, Wc2B 4NA
Tel: 00-44 (0) 20 8629 5950 (Working hours)

Visa Process

The following documents are required to get a UK visa :

• Original passport and old passports, if any
• The passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of submission of the visa
• The passport should have a minimum of three blank pages for stamping purpose
• Confirmed return air tickets
• The visa application form duly filled by the applicant
• 2 recent passport-size colour photographs, which should not be more than 3 months old
• Covering letter mentioning details of travel, details of the traveller, purpose of visit and duration of stay. The letter should be signed by the authorised person, along with company stamp and should be addressed to the Visa Officer
• Income Tax Returns for the past 3 years
• Proof of investments - Mutual funds, fixed deposits, national saving certificates, stocks & shares, etc
• Hotel confirmation details
• Original bank statements showing all the transactions for the last 6 months, duly attested and signed by a bank official

About the UK

One of the most famous countries around the globe, the United Kingdom is situated in Europe. This destination is the dream place for a lot of individuals for its grandeur as well as beauty. Not only this place has a great history behind it, but it also has a rich culture and heritage.

Top Places to Visit in the UK

• London: Located on the Thames River, the capital of England, London is the most populous city in Great Britain. Being the confluence of the old and the new, the city is undoubtedly one of the most significant tourist destinations all around the world. This city also has numerous attractions of different types consisting of a great heritage and architecture.

• Liverpool: Popular for its incredible culture, a happening nightlife, winning football teams, and The Beatles, Liverpool is one of the major cities of UK located in Merseyside in England. Lying within the boundaries of Lancashire, Liverpool is home to some of the best attractions in Europe and was awarded as the European Capital of Culture in 2009.

• Manchester: Situated in the heart of Greater Manchester, this city is present in North-western England. Famous for its impact on the historical scenario of music and industry as well as for its football clubs, this vibrant city is visited by various tourists throughout the year.

• York: York is an ancient cathedral city, which is situated in Yorkshire, England. Being the second most visited place in England after London, the city has some of the most iconic and preserved historical buildings as well as architecture in the entire UK. York is often considered the city of festivals because there exist various celebrations going on the whole year. Moreover, this place is also considered full of magic and an ideal destination for a short and romantic trip.

• Blackpool: After London, Blackpool is considered the most famous tourist destination in the UK. Millions of tourists visit this town every year, thanks to its popular seaside resort which has a vintage charm of its own.

How to Reach UK

The most convenient way to reach the UK is via air travel. There are a number flights that travel on an everyday basis from all major international airports in India to all the significant cities in the UK such as Manchester, Blackpool, York, and London among many others. A lot of flight options vary in cost as well as travel time. All the major European airlines provide multiple flights to Europe from major Indian cities like Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and many more. The most cost and time effective is to fly to London from Delhi, however, if you don't reside in Delhi, there exist various options from various major cities.

Best Time to Visit

The best tourist season to plan a trip to the United Kingdom is during the spring and summer months when the temperature is comparatively warm. The daytime in the summer season is warm, and not too hot and the evenings are much cooler. The months of July and August have a majority of tourist crowd, where the streets are buzzing with travellers. The best time to visit the UK for the sports lovers is between May and July when they can enjoy watching the Wimbledon or FA soccer games.

Things to Pack

Packing necessary products such as footwear and clothes usually depending on how cold it is in the UK. Here is a list of some of the travel essentials one must never forget to pack:

• Warm coat
• Earplugs
• First Aid Kit
• Decent Pair of shoes
• Relevant documents such as travel insurance policy
• Travel Umbrella

Top Delicacies of UK

• Fish and Chips: This delicacy is the biggest staple and most popular of all British meals. Since 1865, this traditional meal has gained a lot of popularity in the country, and as a result, there are now an estimated 10,500 independent fish and chip shops throughout the United Kingdom.

• Cornish Pasty: This authentic Cornish pasty never fails to satisfy a hungry stomach. Potato, beef, swede, and onion are coated in a thick envelope of shortcrust pastry and then baked. If you like variety, you can try a lamb or some of the vegetarian options

• Apple Crumble: This dessert consists of sweet apples baked with a crumbling layer of butter, sugar, and flour, to become a dish of unique and contrasting textures.

• Pie and Mash: This iconic dish has come a long way from a simple steak and pork pies or kidney. The UK has an entire plethora of different pies to try. Being a classic comfort food, this pie served with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and lashings of rich gravy.

Shopping List Essentials

• Oxford Street: It is considered as the heart of London shopping, consisting of more than 300 shops, landmark stores, and designer outlets, you can discover some of the most amazing shopping stores in London. Home to the legendary Selfridges, it also boasts a range of popular department stores like Debenhams and John Lewis scattered among every famous high street chain imaginable.

• Regent Street and Jermyn Street: An elegant and impressive shopping spot, this street offer a fantastic range of mid-priced fashion stores along with some of the city's oldest and famous shops, such as The Apple Store, Liberty, and Hamleys.

• Bond Street and Mayfair: Whether you want to splurge out on the finest designer clothes or just enjoy luxury window shopping, Mayfair and Bond Street are the perfect destinations to go for some extravagant retail therapy.

Indian Restaurants in the UK

• Taste of Nawab
  Location: 97 Colney Hatch Lane | Muswell Hill, London N10 1LR, England
  Contact: +44 20 8883 6429

• Ziya Asian Grill
  Location: 65-67 Wilmslow Road | Rusholme, Manchester M14 5TB, England
  Contact: +44 161 257 2010

• Saffron
  Location: 92 St. Johns Road | Waterloo, Liverpool L22 9QQ, England
  Contact: +44 151 920 8398

Healthcare Centres

When going on a trip to the UK, it becomes important to be aware of some of the healthcare centres to avoid any mishappenings caused due to an emergency. Below is the list of some healthcare centres you can contact when in need:

• Brighton Station Health Centre
  Location: Aspect House, 84-87 Queens Rd, Brighton BN1 3XE, UK
  Contact: +44 333 321 0946

• Victoria Park Health Centre
  Location: 203 Victoria Park Rd, Leicester LE2 1XD, UK
  Contact: +44 116 215 1105

• Cripps Health Centre
  Location: University Park, Cripps Hill, Nottingham NG7 2QW, UK
  Contact: +44 115 846 8888

It’s highly advisable to buy a travel insurance policy before going on a trip to the UK. A travel insurance policy will help you find out the best hospitals in the area to get the appropriate treatment on time.

Currency

The official currency of the United Kingdom is Pound Sterling

Basics of Local Communication

The official language spoken in the UK is English. The tourists here do not face much trouble in navigating across the country. All you need to keep in mind is to be polite to everyone.