London Travel Essentials (S-U)

Smoking in London

Though somewhat of an expensive habit nowadays, smoking is banned on all public transport in London, theatres and cinemas. Moreover, in February 2006 a vote was passed at Westminster to ban smoking in all pubs, clubs and restaurants in England from the summer of 2007. This means that smokers have now been relegated to having a crafty fag on the street outside, or perhaps on the swings of the pub's garden area.

Street Names in London

Although the city is made up of 33 London boroughs, for the purposes of the postal system it's also divided up into postal districts, with each area being assigned a prefix based on compass headings of N, E, SE, SW, W, NW and WC and EC (the last two being West Central and East Central). However, as London is such a sprawling city, each postal area then needs to be further divided by the addition of either one (or two) digits to the prefix e.g. SW19. And, to get letters to an exact address, a suffix of three further digits has to be added to the 'postcode' e.g. SW19 IHY.

While in practice, it's far less complicated than it sounds, the system (in London at least) is not exactly logical. For example, most people assume that numbers allocated after each main prefix i.e. SE15 represent how far away from the centre of London that postcode is (i.e. low numbers if closer, higher numbers if further away). Although this works for postcodes such as W1 and SW1 etc. other postcodes such as N2, N3 and E4 are right on the edge of London!

If you're trying to locate an address from a postcode, it's probably easiest to do it online. In fact, we recommend you use Streetmap, which is undoubtedly among the UK's most useful Internet resources. Simply type in the full postcode (or even part of it) and you'll then be able to view a map of the area.

As far as street names are concerned, there are no hard and fast rules as to how to identify major and minor roads in the city without using a map. However, names ending in crescent, avenue, square, place, lane or mews tend to be smaller roads (although not necessarily in residential areas). Of, course, this is by no means a sure fire method of working them out, as Shaftesbury Avenue and Park Lane for example are two of the busiest roads in London. Unfortunately, the only thing you can be sure about is that cul-de-sacs are designed to have one end permanently closed!

Telephones and 118 Directory Enquiries for London

For the purposes of this guide, telephone numbers listed carry the London area code prefix of 020. However, for calls made within the city, you will only need to dial the last eight digits e.g. 020 7123 4567 becomes 7123 4567. If you're dialling from outside London (but within the UK) the prefix of 020 must be used when making a call.

International Calls - to dial from abroad, first enter the international access code from the country you're calling from, followed by the UK code 44, and then the London number (omitting the leading zero). For example, if you're in Canada using the number given above, you would need to dial 44 20 7123 4567.

If you plan to dial abroad from the UK, dial 00 (the international access code) then the appropriate country code (see our list below), followed by the area code (if there is one) and then finally the phone number of the person you are trying to call.

Directory Enquiries and Operator Services - directory enquiries services in the UK have now been de-regulated, meaning that a new breed of companies (each using the prefix 118 followed by their own suffix) are ready to take your call. However, the move, which did away with the perfectly good 192 service, means that call centres in India and the Philippines are just as likely to be tasked with finding you a number as those in England, Scotland or Wales.

Charges levied are per enquiry (with an average charge of 65p) so, if for example, you want to find out two numbers, then expect to pay around £1.30. Consumer watchdogs aren't happy however, as they've received a barrage of complaints about substandard service, with customers being given wrong numbers or being cut off prematurely on difficult enquiries (though they still end up paying for the call).

Of the services currently available, Yellow Pages (118 24 7) are highly regarded, while services from Orange (118 000) and Share (118 499) have also enjoyed positive reviews in the past. In addition, BT (who used to operate 192 services) can be reached on 118 500.

When using such services, if you receive a wrong number then, by law, you're not only entitled to a refund, but also reimbursement for the cost of the original call as well as the cost of the call back to explain how you were misdirected.

Also worth reading is a useful article from The Guardian which explains how to get the result you want from 118 services at the lowest possible cost.

For domestic operator services dial 100, and the international operator 155.

*US subscribers to AT & T, Sprint, and MCI international calling services should use following UK freephone (toll-free) numbers:

AT & T USA Direct: 0800 890 011
Sprint International FONCARD: 0800 890 877
MCI WorldCom: 0800 279 5088

Public Pay Phones - operated by a variety of telecoms companies, although the largest UK provider is British Telecom (BT). Phone boxes are located on main thoroughfares and in busy shopping areas, as well as main bus and rail stations. Most restaurants, pubs and department stores also have at least one public payphone.

Mobile Phones - to use an overseas mobile phone in the UK (international roaming) the handset must be GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) compatible. Invariably, calls made while overseas attract a higher tariff than normal, as charges are levied not only by your home network operator, but also by the company responsible for the local network (i.e. the company through which you connect in London). As billing charges vary, contact your telecoms or mobile phone provider for further details.

Television and Radio in London

Although in the past, visitors from the US were often amazed to learn that the UK only had 4 terrestrial channels, British broadcasting has changed significantly over the last decade. Along with a new terrestrial channel (Channel 5), an ever increasing number of UK homes also enjoy the benefits of digital satellite and cable television.

With many hotels, hostels and guest houses offering such services too, it's fairly easy to keep up to date on what's happening back home by watching news channels such as CNN and Sky. Although for European visitors German, Italian and French channels are rarely made available, news providers such as the BBC and ITN include world news stories as part of their regular bulletins.

Below, you'll find a summary of British terrestrial channels, along with cable and  satellite services provided by Sky (N.B. ONdigital/ITV digital have now ceased transmission of pay TV services).

BBC1 (www.bbc.co.uk) - with an enviable reputation for reliable news gathering (both on TV and radio), the BBC also produces high-quality original dramas, documentaries, arts, comedy and music programmes. Although recently, The Beeb (as it's affectionately known) has taken a fair old hammering having lost much of its traditional sports programming (to rival broadcasters ITV and Sky), it remains a big player both domestically and worldwide. After all, with successes like The Weakest Link and the Tellytubbies who can argue! Funded by the British taxpayer (by way of a licence fee), the BBC has famously never had to resort to running commercials in between programmes. Along with what is probably the most informative (and largest) UK Internet site, the BBC has a digital arm that includes BBC World, BBC Choice, News 24, UK Style, UK Gold and the Parliament channel.

BBC2 - comprising mainly of documentaries, arts programmes and less mainstream viewing, BBC2 also has its fair share of films, comedies and sport. In recent years, the channel's culinary and gardening slots have attracted an increasingly large following, while more news oriented fare comes in the form of Newsnight.

ITV (www.itv.co.uk) - made up of regional TV companies, the network relies on advertising to subsidise its original programme making. Vying with BBC 1 as the most popular terrestrial station, top-rated shows include Britain's longest running TV soap Coronation Street along with police drama The Bill. With other output including fly-on-the-wall documentaries, reality TV (such as "I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!"), sports programmes and comedies, ITV targets a mainstream audience. Its reach has also been further extended with the inclusion of ITV 1 and 2 for Sky satellite viewers.

Channel 4 (www.channel4.com) - as the broadcasting equivalent of The Guardian, the station has built a solid reputation for innovative, albeit occasionally quirky programming, with hard-hitting documentaries such as Equinox sitting alongside irreverent, but entertaining shows like 'Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares'. Over recent years Channel 4 has also been able to improve upon its viewer ratings, thanks to popular mainstream shows including Friends and Dawson's Creek. As far as home grown shows are concerned, it also enjoyed huge initial success with the likes of Big Brother and Da Ali G show (though the former is now widely considered to be passed its sell-by-date). Now has a satellite presence in the form of entertainment channel E4 (showing Desparate Housewives, Ugly Betty, Scrubs and Shameless), as well as FILMfour (which also serves as the company's film production arm).

Channel 5 (www.five.tv) - although the station started out showing mainly fly-on-the-wall documentaries, B-rated movies (including a Friday night selection of soft-porn flicks) and dodgy US soaps, Britain's newest terrestrial station has improved its programming of late. Indeed, shows such as Fifth Gear, CSI: New York and Shark (with James Woods) all have cult viewing status, while milkshake and Hi-5 are decent offerings for younger ones.

Satellite and Cable Television
Dominated by the Rupert Murdoch owned Sky network, UK satellite television has become increasingly popular over recent years, giving traditional terrestrial broadcasters the challenge of adapting to digital television. Not only does Sky offer a greater selection of movie, news, entertainment and sport channels, but is also home to more specialist programming such as dedicated documentary, minority and shopping channels.

With cable operators offering up Sky related packages, the only real competition came by way of the now defunct ONdigital/ITV Digital. Unfortunately, initial problems with their hardware, low customer take-up and the crippling fees paid for Nationwide league football led to the company's much publicized demise. Consequently, Sky continues to be the preferred choice for the British digital television viewing public. Therefore, with this in mind, visitors to London are most likely to find a selection of the following channels aired in their hotel and bed & breakfast accommodation:

Sky News - although Sky's news gathering network isn't as expansive as that of the BBC or CNN (they have far fewer journalists in the field), it nonetheless provides a worthy dedicated service. With in-depth coverage of breaking stories from around the world, Sky News also features some of the best anchormen/women in the business, chief among them being Anna Botting, sassy Kay Burley, Jeremy Thompson and Dermot Murnaghan.

BBC News 24 - as the clever name implies, the BBC's dedicated news channel broadcasts around the clock. Being able to draw on huge international resources, it's also usually the fastest for coverage of breaking news stories.

CNN - popular US dedicated news channel. As well as decent world business and sports segments, CNN is best for live coverage of press conferences by non-English speaking foreign leaders (as it always offers instant translations).

Bloomberg - up to the minute financial news, with in-depth analysis of the major international markets, plus a ticker showing share prices for leading companies on the Dow, Nasdaq and FTSE.

Movie channels - include Sky Movies, Sky Box Office.

Music channels - include MTV, MTV Extra, MTV Base, M2, VH-1, VH-1 Classics, Smash Hits, Magic, Q and Kerrang.

Sports channels - include Eurosport, Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports 3, Sky Sports Extra, Racing Channel.

Entertainment channels - include BBC 3, Sky One, E4, UK Gold, UK Style, UK Drama, Play, Bravo, Sci-fi Channel, Paramount Comedy, Fox Kids.

Documentary channels - include History Channel, Discovery, Discovery Home & Leisure, National Geographic.

Other programming - include QVC (shopping), GOD Channel, Sky Travel.

Radio
The UK also has a well developed AM-FM and digital radio network with the most popular radio stations being: BBC Radio 1 (98.8 FM, mainstream pop), Radio 2 (89.1 FM, vintage pop, chat), Radio 3 (91.3, classical), Radio 4 93.5 FM, arts, drama, current Affairs), Radio 5 (693 & 909 AM, news, sport), BBC World Service (648 AM).

Independent London-based radio stations include: Capital FM (95.8 FM), Capital Gold (1548 AM), Virgin (105.8 FM), Classic FM (100.9 FM), Kiss and Heart (106.2).

Time Difference for London

Greenwich Mean Time or GMT is the time standard against which all other time zones in the world are referenced. British Summer Time (BST), which is calculated as GMT + 1, is defined as starting from the third Sunday in March or, if that falls on Easter Sunday, the day after the second Saturday. Traditionally ending on the fourth Saturday in October, an easy way to remember to put your clock forward (or back) is to remember the phrase "spring forward or fall (meaning autumn) back". Time differences for other countries (as GMT) include: Australia GMT +8 to 11 hrs, Canada -5hrs (some provinces vary), Finland GMT +2 hrs, France, Italy and Germany GMT +1 hr, Hong Kong GMT +8 hrs, Japan GMT +9 hrs, Mexico GMT -6 hrs, South Africa GMT +2 hrs, USA GMT -5 hrs (some states vary).

Tipping in London

Although there are no fixed rules on tipping, it's customary to add an extra 12-15% to restaurant bills and taxi fares. Hotel porters, hairdressers and cloakroom attendants also expect to be tipped.

London Tourist Information Centres

Before departing, it may be worthwhile contacting your nearest British Tourist Office for information to help organise your trip e.g. a list of reputable tour operators in your home country which specialise in holidays to London.

When in London, information, brochures and sightseeing leaflets can be obtained from the following (centrally located) Tourist Information Centre (TIC):

Britain and London Visitor Centre - 1 Lower Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, London, SW1Y 4XT, Accommodation line: +44 (0)20 7808 3801, Show Map
Operated by VisitBritain, this location serves as the principal Tourist Information Centre for London. Providing a wealth of free information, including itinerary planning, expert staff are on-hand to assist you in any one of eight languages. Here, you'll also find available a range of commercial services, which include travel reservations, currency exchange (including VAT refunds) and a souvenir shop. On site, visitors can also access the Web in the centre's Internet lounge.

Other London boroughs and neighbourhoods also operate their own TICs. Locations include:

Bexley (Hall Place) TIC
Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1PQ, Tel: +44 (0)1322 558676 Fax: +44 (0)1322 522921, Website: www.bexley.gov.uk, E-mail: hallplaceshop@tiscali.co.uk, Open: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 11am-4.30pm.
Winter opening times operate from 1 October: Tue-Sat 10am-4.15pm. Closed Sun-Mon. Closed on bank holidays.

Croydon TIC
Croydon Clocktower, Katharine Street, Croydon, CR9 1ET, Tel: +44 (0)20 8253 1009, Fax: +44 (0)20 8253 1008, Website: www.croydononline.org, E-mail: tic@croydon.gov.uk, Open: Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri 9am-6pm, Thu 9.30am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm. Closed on bank holidays.

Greenwich TIC
Pepys House, 2 Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich, SE10 9LW, Tel: +44 (0)870 608 2000, Fax: +44 (0)20 8853 4607, Website: www.greenwich.gov.uk, E-mail: tic@greenwich.gov.uk, Open: daily 10am-5pm. Open on bank holidays.

Harrow TIC
Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XF, Tel: +44 (0)20 8424 1102, Fax: +44 (0)20 8424 1134, Website: www.harrow.gov.uk, E-mail: info@harrow.gov.uk, Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Sat & Sun closed. Closed on bank holidays.

Hillingdon TIC
Central Library, 14-15 High Street, Uxbridge UB8 1HD, Tel: +44 (0)1895 250706, Fax: +44 (0)1895 239794, Website: www.hillingdon.gov.uk, E-mail: libraryinfoteam@hillingdongrid.org, Open: Mon, Tue & Thu 9.30am-8pm, Wed 9.30am-5.30pm, Fri 10am-5.30pm, Sat 9.30am-4pm. Closed on bank holidays.

Hounslow TIC
The Treaty Centre, High Street, Hounslow TW3 1ES, Tel: +44 (0)845 456 2929, Fax: +44 (0)845 456 2904, Website: www.hounslow.info, E-mail: tic@cip.org.uk, Open: Mon, Tue & Thu 9.30am-8pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 9.30am-5.30pm. Sun 11.30am-4pm. Closed on bank holidays.

Kingston TIC
Market House, Market Place, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1JS, Tel: +44 (0)20 8547 5592, Fax: +44 (0)20 8547 5594, Website: www.kingston.gov.uk, E-mail: tourist.information@rbk.kingston.gov.uk, Open: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun closed. Open on bank holidays.

Lewisham TIC
Lewisham Library, 199-201 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6LG, Tel: +44 (0)20 8297 8317, Fax: +44 (0)20 8297 9241, Website: www.lewisham.gov.uk, E-mail: tic@lewisham.gov.uk, Open: Mon 10am-5pm, Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun closed. Closed on bank holidays.

Richmond TIC
Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, TW9 1TP, Tel: +44 (0)20 8940 9125, Fax: +44 (0)20 8332 0802, Website: www.visitrichmond.co.uk, E-mail: info@visitrichmond.co.uk, Open: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, May-Sep Sun 10.30am-1.30pm. Closed on bank holidays.

Southwark TIC 
Vinopolis, 1 Bank End, SE1 9BU, Tel: +44 (0)20 7357 9168, Fax +44 (0)20 7357 9042, Website: www.southwark.gov.uk, E-mail:  tourisminfo@southwark.gov.uk, Open: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm, Mon closed. Open on bank holidays.

Swanley TIC
Swanley Library & Information Centre, London Road, BR8 7AE, Tel: +44 (0)1322 614660, Fax: +44 (0)1322 666154, E-mail: touristinfo@swanley.org.uk, Open: Mon-Thur 9.30am-5.30pm, Fri 9.30am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun closed. Closed on bank holidays.

Twickenham TIC
The Atrium, Civic Centre, York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ, Tel: +44 (0)20 8891 7272, Fax: +44 (0)20 8891 7738, Website: www.visitrichmond.co.uk, E-mail: info@visitrichmond.co.uk, Open: Mon-Thu 9am-5.15pm, Fri 9am-5pm, Sat & Sun closed. Closed on bank holidays.

In addition, tourist information can be obtained upon arrival in the UK at the following London airports:

London Heathrow - Hounslow, Middlesex, TW6 1AN, Website: www.heathrowairport.com, Show Map, Terminal 1 arrivals concourse from 6am-11pm, Terminal 2 main arrivals/departures area from 6am-11pm, Terminal 3 arrivals from 5:30am-10:30pm/departures from 7am-9:30pm, Terminal 4 arrivals concourse from 5:30am-10:30pm. In addition, you'll find coach, rail and bus information desks at Terminals 1 and 3, along with a coach/bus information desk outside Terminal 4 (arrivals). For London Underground tickets and hotel accommodation, head for the "Hotel and Traveller Centre" in Terminal 3 (arrivals). For Terminal 5, we are currently awaiting accurate information from BAA (as of 12/4/2008).

For London's other major airports, namely Gatwick and Stansted, each have information desks which provide basic information about onward travel i.e. rail and bus services, along with flight information (24hrs a day for Gatwick, from 5.30am-1.30am at Stansted). In addition, the information desk at London City Airport (situated on your left when entering the terminal building) can provide advice on transport, parking and flights. Here, they also sell tickets for London City Airport shuttle bus services (for more information call: +44 (0)20 7646 0088). At London Luton Airport, eleven advanced touch-screen kiosks (which are dotted around the terminal complex) provide detailed passenger information in six European languages, with advice on local amenities, onward transport, parking and live flight information.

Of course, if you have access to the Internet while in London, simply visit our own website at www.talkingcities.co.uk.

See also our choice of pages about London on the Internet.

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Last Updated: 30th June 2008.