England

{{Cautionbox|Not to be confused with the United Kingdom, of which England is a constituent country.]] England is the largest and, with 55 million inhabitants, by far the most populous of the United Kingdom's constituent countries. A 'green and pleasant land', England is home to much more than this famous description implies. From urban bustle to rural idylls via spectacular coastline and dramatic natural scenery, England has an incredible variety of landscapes and attractions to experience. Historical sites and cultural attractions abound here, whilst modern architecture and exciting technological innovations litter England's largest cities; many of which have seen successive programms of regeneration from the mid-19th century (or earlier). A diverse and culturally-rich country, with immigrants from the world over, visitors to England can seldom help being entranced by its charm, character, and unique culture.

Regions

England can be divided most generally into three sections, with deep historical and linguistic roots for each of them. These can be further divided into regions, which in turn consist of counties, most of which also have long histories.

Southern England

Southern England is roughly the area south of The Wash and the Bristol Channel.

London A vast and diverse metropolitan region in itself and the national capital of both England and the United Kingdom, a global capital of finance, fashion, and culture.

South East England Broadly speaking and the area around and south of London, including the territory along the English Channel.

West Country The often-rugged peninsula extending southwest into the Atlantic and adjoining counties. Cornwall is sometimes considered a distinctive entity.

East of England A low-lying territory northeast of London, mostly rural.

Midlands

The English Midlands are roughly the area east of Wales and across to the North Sea.

West Midlands The birthplace of William Shakespeare, Rugby and the Industrial Revolution and the historic West Midlands spans from the eastern border of Wales to the centre of England. Alongside its large industrial urban conurbations and the region is the home to five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

East Midlands From the geographic centre of England and the rugged peak neighborhood to the traditional coastal resorts on the North Sea. The East Midlands boasts both rich historical legend, in the form of Robin Hood, and industrial and scientific legacy. The region is primarily covered by agricultural land and is famed for its culinary produce.

Northern England

Northern England is anywhere north of Staffordshire in the west and roughly north of the River Trent in the east, up to the Scottish border.

Yorkshire Regarded as one of the most scenic, varied and interesting of all the traditional counties.

North West England Major industrial cities and breathtaking scenery between Wales and Scotland.

North East England The urbanised areas of Teesside and Tyne and Wear plus the largely rural large county of Northumberland with its sparsely populated borders with Scotland and beautiful countryside and coastline.

Other Muslim Friendly Cities in England

England has many large cities. Listed below are nine of the most popular:

• London GPS: 51.507222,-0.1275 — the largest metropolitan area in Western Europe, with a range of attractions so rich, varied and – well – bloody enormous, you won't know where to start
• Birmingham GPS: 52.483056,-1.893611 — England's second largest city in the nation's heartland; "workshop of the world" it was, now boasts super shopping
• Brighton GPS: 50.842941,-0.131312 — Regency seaside resort and university town with quirky shopping, good eating, rich culture and eclectic nightlife
• Bristol GPS: 51.45,-2.583333 — vibrant music scene, lovely historic buildings and an attractive waterfront, with many festivals to enjoy in the summer
• Liverpool GPS: 53.4,-3 — booming cosmopolitan city, famous for its grand monuments, world-changing music legacy and footie-mad population
• Manchester GPS: 53.466667,-2.233333 — the north's cultural, sporting, entertainment, shopping and media hub is often viewed as Birmingham's main rival to second-city status
• Newcastle upon Tyne GPS: 54.972222,-1.608333 — seriously great nightlife and "Geordie" inhabitants warm enough to offset the north-eastern chill
• Nottingham GPS: 52.95,-1.133333 — the "Queen of the Midlands" is home to Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest and Nottingham Castle
• York GPS: 53.958333,-1.080278 — ancient capital of Yorkshire, with Roman, Viking and Medieval architecture

Other Muslim Friendly Destinations in England

England has many outstanding monuments and sites of interest. Listed below are nine of the most notable:

• Hadrian's Wall GPS: 55.024167,-2.2925 — the Romans built this 87 mile wall to protect their province of Britannia from northern raiders.
• Isles of Scilly GPS: 49.936111,-6.322778 — magical archipelago of tiny islands off the south western coast of Cornwall.
• Lake District National Park GPS: 54.5,-3.166667 — glorious mountains, lakes and woodlands; the land of Wordsworth.
• New Forest National Park GPS: 50.866667,-1.566667 — one of the few remnants of the great oak and hornbeam woodland that once covered southern England.
• North York Moors National Park GPS: 54.383333,-0.75 — with heather-clad hills, woodlands, impressive sea cliffs and secluded beaches, this area is one of the true English gems.
• Peak District National Park GPS: 53.35,-1.833333 — rugged moors and hills in the north, secluded dales and limestone escarpments in the south.
• South Downs National Park GPS: 50.92,-0.5 — the gentle rolling chalk downs of southern England, which culminate at the coast in massive white cliffs.
• Stonehenge GPS: 51.178844,-1.826189 — the iconic Neolithic and Bronze Age monument; as mysterious as it is famous.
• Yorkshire Dales National Park GPS: 54.266667,-2.083333 — charming, picture postcard villages set in some of the finest landscapes anywhere in Britain.

England Halal Travel Guide

Orientation

Don't confuse "England" with the larger "Britain" or "United Kingdom"; see the Travel Guide for details. Within the island of Great Britain, Scotland sits to the north of England and Wales is to the West. [[Northern Ireland (also part of the UK) and the [[Ireland|Republic of Ireland lie across the Irish Sea to the West of England (and Wales). France and the Channel Islands are across the English Channel to the south, and to the east is the North Sea.

How is the Climate in England

England has been stereotyped as being cold, grey and rainy since the ancient Romans wrote home, but this is not an entirely accurate picture. Temperatures rarely get very cold or very hot, and while the nation certainly gets rain, it's really not as wet as rumour has it. London alone has lower annual rainfall than Paris, New York and Sydney, and it's not uncommon for parts of the nation to go without rain for weeks. Parts of southern England often have summer water restrictions due to a lack of adequate rainfall during the previous winter. All the same, make sure you've got a raincoat.

Northern and western parts are usually wetter than the rest of England due to the prevailing wind from the north west bringing down cold moist air from the North Atlantic, and the sunniest and warmest areas are in the far south and south east.

Winter and autumn are usually the wettest seasons where the weather is often very changeable and at times quite windy, especially in the north and west, where cold Arctic winds arrive. Spring conditions are very changeable: a day of hot sunshine is likely as not to be followed by a week of cold wind and rain; and vice-versa. Occasional snow even as late as May is not unheard of in northern England, but it will melt quickly. Snow is particularly rare in the south east. Summer is generally warm in the south with average highs usually ranging from 18-23°C, but be prepared for unsettled weather at any time of the year and make sure to check a weather forecast if you plan to be outdoors.

Hot spells of weather can occur from May to September where temperatures may reach 30°C in the warmest areas of England, typically London and parts of the South East. Central Europe has very hot summers and very cold winters, but England is both less extreme (surrounded by water) and milder in the winter (influenced by the warmth of the North Atlantic Drift). If it were not for the North Atlantic Drift, England would be much much colder.

Heavy, prolonged, snow is common and temperatures are rarely below freezing for more than a few days. Some years there will be a few days of road and rail disruption from snow - even the slightest amount of snow often causes delays on public transport, especially rail. Very severe weather conditions are rare and remedial action is usually taken promptly. Flooding and droughts are unlikely to affect the traveller. High winds occasionally disrupt travel, most often outside summer.

English people are said to have a passion for debating the weather: actually this is usually just an opening gambit to start a conversation with a stranger. Often and these conversation openers are heard among the elderly members of society. Most discussions that do involve weather usually include criticisms of it - including (though perhaps not at the same time) both that it's "too cold" and it's "too hot". Well-known conversational gambits (with due acknowledgement to Peter Kay) : "It's too cold for snow"; "It's that fine rain that soaks you through".

The People of England

The people of England, like their language, are a mixed bunch who have regularly been infused with new blood - from the Romans nearly 2000 years ago taking control of the ancient British in the region, to the later influences of Angles, Saxons and others from Europe after which created the original idea of the English, to the Vikings and then the Normans about a thousand years ago. Since then and there have been Huguenots, Chinese, Yahudi fleeing pogroms, people from former British colonies in the Caribbean in the 1950s and 60s, Indians expelled from newly independent former African colonies, workers from new EU member states such as Poland, not to mention people from other UK nations and the [[Ireland|Republic of Ireland. The full list is very long, but England has long been used to outsiders making it their home - even before England existed! It is true to say that not all English people welcome foreigners and some distastefully racist political organisations exist, but it's a very small fraction of the population who subscribe to such views and are looked down on with disgust by the overwhelming majority of the nation.Almost everyone will treat you well if you are polite and make an effort to fit in. Smile, be polite, don't be pushy if you can help that's how to get on with the English.

The English are well used to foreign visitors and you can expect them to be friendly and polite. One thing to bear in mind is that many (mostly elderly) English people are terrified of causing offence and dislike lying, and so will try to avoid potential pitfalls by sticking to safe (often boring) topics of conversation. They will occasionally attempt to avoid offence by evading a question which worries them, while also trying not to offend you by point blank refusing you an answer. This sort of thing generally wears off as people get to know you. The younger generation are often more open with their opinions and emotions, but you can still expect them to be polite.

Big cities and even some rural areas, as in any country, have their social problems, but England is predominantly an affluent country with little visible poverty. Rough areas see their fair share of petty and semi-serious crime: muggings, vehicle theft, and other street crime are unhappily common in some neighborhoods of many towns and cities, but England is by and large a very safe country as long as you use common sense. Unless you are in a very tourist area (such as Covent Garden in London), you the traveller are no more likely to be targeted by criminals than is anyone else. However in places that are very popular with Muslim visitors, less careful tourists can sometimes be victims of scams and crimes such as pickpocketing. Don't be one of them!

In tourist destinations you will meet mostly friendly people who will take the time to answer a stranger's question, and who may speak English in a colourful or accented way but will usually be willing to standardise and simplify their speech if you make it clear that you're struggling to understand. Some say that there is a north-south divide with regard to friendliness of people, with people in the North seen as more friendly and approachable, while those in the South (particularly in urban areas such as London) tending to be less willing to stop and speak to strangers. Remember not to take offence, however; most people you see on the streets will usually be rushing to get to somewhere (e.g. work) and simply don't have the time to talk. However in rural areas, particularly East Anglia and the West Country, people can be more inclined to spare their time to have a chat with strangers. You should bear in mind that these are generalisations and do not apply to all people in the areas mentioned. In any case, you will usually find that if you are polite and friendly, you'll get the same in return from anybody you speak to.

London itself is a very international city where you may meet a variety of nationalities, depending on what part of the city you are in.

Local Language in England

Unsurprisingly, English is the main language in England, though it is spoken with many different accents throughout the nation. Generally, English accents can be broadly divided into Northern and Southern accents. However, within these two main 'regions', accents can vary widely between different counties, towns and cities. For example, natives of Liverpool (called 'Liverpudlians' or more informally 'Scousers') have a distinctive accent that is easily distinguishable from that of someone from nearby Manchester (called 'Mancunians') and even from the surrounding countryside. Some cities even have multiple accents depending on the area of the city and the social class of the speaker. For example, working class 'Cockneys' of the East End of London sound very different to more well-heeled denizens of west London. England is considered to have the greatest variety of accents in the English-speaking world, even when compared to a much larger country like the United States.

In Cornwall, a very small number of people speak Cornish, a Celtic language similar to Welsh and completely separate from English. However, with fewer than a couple of hundred speakers of the language, any experience of Cornish you get is likely to be confined to road signs or information boards.

No other languages are widely spoken, but with widespread immigration to England from other Commonwealth and European Union countries in the past few decades, you might also hear other languages spoken in the big cities. You may hear (and even see signs in) Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Gujarati, Polish, Italian, Greek, Turkish and varieties of Arabic. Largely because of links with Hong Kong and the overseas Chinese community in Malaysia, many Chinese Cantonese speaking people live here; London, Manchester and Sheffield in particular have thriving communities.

The English are not known for being particularly fond of learning foreign languages, and often rely solely on English when they travel abroad! French (and to a lesser extent Spanish, Italian and German) is usually taught in schools, but they are no longer compulsory. Few English people are fluent in a foreign language but they may remember enough to be willing to help a stranger in difficulties (if they can get over the embarrassment of being seen to "show off"). For this reason, you should be prepared to have to use English to make yourself understood.

There are some peculiar words and phrases that even a local speaker of another variant of English may not understand. For example, when an English person says "Meet me at half five" and they mean "Meet me at 5:30". If the directions say "go to the top of the road", that means the end of the road. Some words mean one thing to Americans and something else entirely to English people. When an English man says he shared a "fag" with his "mate" that means only that he smoked a cigarette with a friend. If he adds that they also had a "gorgeous" meal, it means it was followed by a nice dinner. Then there are the words unique to British English; a sneaker or tennis shoe, for instance, is called a "trainer." The expression "cheers!" is used both when drinking with somebody and as a substitute for "thank you."

Another English peculiarity is the use of terms of endearment for strangers such as "darling", "pet", "love", "hun", "duck", "bab", "mate", "sweetheart", "flower", "queen" and a few others. It can be confusing, or perhaps even embarrassing, for somebody who is not accustomed to this to be called "darling" by a total stranger and it can also contrast quite sharply with the popular image of English people as being very reserved. However, this is something which is nowadays mainly used by the older generation and found less in the younger generation except for between friends, although some younger males may call a woman "Darlin". This is usually either as a form of cat calling (and can often be followed by derogatory demands or language but is often harmless) or directed towards a female friend.

You will hear English people say "sorry". This is not down to guilt or self-consciousness but simply because it is synonymous with "excuse me", and is used to get somebody's attention. Alternatively it can be synonymous with "pardon". Any comments along the lines of "What are you sorry about?" are pointless and likely to be received with blank looks.

As London is one of the world's most multicultural cities, you will be hard-pressed to find a major world language that is not spoken by someone there.

Accents and dialects

The diverse history of England, and the constant influx of various cultures and peoples over the centuries (e.g. Vikings, Normans, Romans, Celtic peoples, all the way up to recent immigration from Commonwealth and EU countries), have produced a wide range of accents, and there are still traces of local dialects (vocabulary and grammar). Best not to imitate the accents, you will be seen as mocking.

An accent will usually reveal where someone was brought up — sometimes to within quite a small area (there exists an urban legend of criminals being caught because their accents on recorded phone calls were traceable to a single neighbourhood). Today, even well-educated professionals are happy to keep their regional accent: the unhappy days when people from outside the South East felt that they had to hide their accent to "get on" have gone. It is now only people who go to public (i.e. private, fee-paying) schools who learn to speak in a "geography-free" way (the "upper-class accent" of colonial rulers, well-known from old British films, or modern parodies). Differences in accent are very real: a visitor who is expecting a particular accent they are familiar with from the cinema or television (perhaps "Dick van Dyke Cockney" or "Hugh Grant Silly Ass Upper Crust") will usually have to wait a day or two to get really accustomed to the real accents they hear around them. Even English people, familiar with other accents from TV or by knowing neighbours or colleagues who have moved from other areas, can still struggle when far from home. "Geordie" and the accent/dialect of Tyneside, is a famously strong accent when spoken quickly among a group of people who do not know that a stranger is trying to tune in. Most people are happy to tone down (or slow down) their accent when a stranger is in difficulty. When encountering a broad Geordie accent it can be quite difficult for someone who is not accustomed to it to understand it, and there are still various dialectic words in common use such as hyem = home, gan/gannin = going, wor = our, divvint = don't and howay = come on. Many of these regional terms are similar to words in modern Scandinavian languages due to the Viking influence on the area.

Dialects exist, but to the traveller this should be a matter of interest, not confusion. People across England would expect to understand anyone from anywhere else in England, because the few everyday dialect words are usually well known from TV. Some examples from the north of England: "ey up" ("Hello"), "aye" ("yes", as in Scotland and the North of England); "tha" ("you", as in thee and thou, still common in Yorkshire). Real differences are subtle and of little consequence these days: for instance, people growing up in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield use "jennel", "jinnel", and "ginnel" respectively as the word for a particular type of narrow alley between houses. Other common words are "wee", "bonnie", "lass" (small, beautiful and girl, respectively in the north east, as well as over the border in Scotland).

A few useful words which may help you understand the English (particularly in the Midlands and North): "ta" = thank you, "ta ra/ta ta" = goodbye, "summat/summit/summink" = something, "nowt" = nothing, "owt" = "anything", "dunna/dunno" = don't know, "canna/cannit = cannot.

How to visit and travel to England

See the United Kingdom

Travel Guide for information on immigration and visa requirements.

By road

From outside Great Britain

White Cliffs of Dover 2 (Piotr Kuczynski) - The white cliffs of Dover (England) | Dover

Since England is on an island, it is not feasible to drive directly into England from outside Great Britain. Motorists have two choices to enter England from outside Great Britain, by various vehicle ferry routes, or the Channel Tunnel.

Car ferries

• From mainland Europe. - there are a wide variety of routes and operators from various countries. Ferry routes to British Mainland
• From the Channel Islands. Services connect Jersey and Guernsey with the south of England.
• From the Isle of Man. Services connect Douglas (Isle of Man) | Douglas, Isle of Man with the north west of England
• From Ireland. There are only limited vehicle ferry services connecting Ireland directly with England. Alternatively it is feasible to take a ferry from Ireland to Wales or Scotland and then continue the journey by road to England.

See "by boat" for further details.

Channel Tunnel

• From France. Eurotunnel run a frequent train service from Calais, France, to Folkestone which carries vehicles and their passengers.

From elsewhere in Great Britain

A number of roads cross England's borders with its British neighbours. These roads range from the simple country lanes to motorways. There are no border controls with Scotland or Wales; indeed, on smaller roads the border may not be noticed at all.

There are no tolls to cross into England; however, motorists need to be aware that crossing from England into Wales via the M4 and M48 Severn Bridges will need to pay a toll. Also and there is a M6 toll road to bypass the congestion of Birmingham (England's second largest city) on the main M6 motorway.

The most important road connections into and out of England are.

• A1 from Edinburgh to Eastern Scotland
• M4 from South Wales
• M74/A74/M6 from Western Scotland
• A55 from North Wales.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from England

Most people flying to England from outside Europe are likely to land in London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick or Manchester. Those flying from inside Europe have a great many options with low cost Airlines connecting large European cities with many regional airports within England. Flying to England from Scotland, [[Northern Ireland and Ireland is popular, although there are almost no flight connections from Wales.

London and the South East

• London Heathrow (IATA Flight Code: LHR) - By far the largest airport in UK, it is also the third busiest in the world.
• Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick (IATA Flight Code: LGW) - London's second most important airport
• London Stansted Airport|London Stansted (IATA Flight Code: STN) - Important low cost carrier airport near Cambridge
• London Luton (IATA Flight Code: LTN) - Smaller airport to the north west of London
• com London City (IATA Flight Code: LCY) - Small airport in the centre of London, mostly targeting business travellers who want to get into the city's financial neighborhoods quickly

The South:

 Southampton and th.com Bournemouth are on the south coast.

The South West:

 Bristol, Exeter, quay-airport.co.uk Newquay and ort.com Plymouth mostly serve domestic and European destinations.

The East

 Norwich

The Midlands:

 Birmingham International, and East Midlands Airport

The North: Manchester Airport|Manchester International (IATA Flight Code: MAN), Liverpool John Lennon, castleairport.com Newcastle International, Leeds-Bradford, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Humberside, com Durham Tees Valley and Blackpool

Travel by train to England

See also Rail travel in the United Kingdom

 Eurostar links mainland Europe to England. Its high speed rail|high speed trains run from Paris, France and Brussels, Belgium as well as other cities in France (Avignon, Calais, Lille, Lyon and Marseille), crossing into England via the Channel Tunnel (and often stopping at either Ebbsfleet International|Ebbsfleet or Ashford (England) | Ashford) before continuing to St. Pancras Station in London. Occasional services run from other destinations in France. Book as early as feasible as fares can be considerably more expensive if trying to book at the last minute.

The rail system with Wales and Scotland is fully integrated, with regular services crossing the borders into England. In addition to regular daytime trains, sleeper trains link Scotland and England. As they are subject to franchising and the current contract runs to 2030 and they are unlikely to share the fate of many continental European night trains which were cut and withdrawn since the 1990s.

 BritRailway Passes are also available to non-UK Muslims which allow the traveller unlimited rail travel in England on one ticket.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in England

See also: ferries to the British mainland

With so much coastline and so many ports, England has extensive shipping links with many countries worldwide. Major ports are Dover (England) | Dover, Folkestone, Harwich (England) | Harwich, Kingston Upon Hull|Hull, Plymouth (England) | Plymouth, Portsmouth, Southampton, Liverpool, Ipswich (England) | Ipswich and Newcastle. See Ferry routes to British Mainland.

Travel on a Bus in England

While Britain has had long distance buses for decades and many of them serve various points inside and outside of England, France only opened its long distance bus market in 2015. Of course, several companies have jumped at the opportunity and London-Paris (via the Chunnel) is probably the most obvious international route, which is offered by several companies, including French ouibus, British Megabus or German Flixbus. While travel durations are usually a lot longer than by plane or train and the prices tend to be rather low and fares below 20€ are not unheard of.

How to get around in England

Humber bridge, UK - The Humber bridge, Hull (England) | Hull

England is well serviced by domestic air, land and sea routes.

There are taxi firms everywhere (many are by booking only—find the phone number of the local company and phone ahead), and every town has a bus service. 'Black cabs' are also common in cities and can be hailed from the side of the road. Sometimes in downtowns, usually just after the late night restaurants have closed and there will be queue for taxis which will sometimes be monitored by marshals or police.

To be safe, make sure you take a registered taxi or black cab; despite government action, many unlawful unregistered private taxi drivers exist—these do have a reputation for being unsafe, particularly if you are a Muslima.

England has one of the highest densities of railway lines per square mile in the world. There has been much improvement and investment to the railway network and rolling stock but delays and cancellations do occasionally occur. Overcrowding can be a problem in large cities, especially at 'rush-hour' times (7AM–9AM and 5PM–7PM, Monday to Friday) so it is best to avoid these times when tickets can be expensive as well. See also Rail travel in the United Kingdom.

Buses are numerous, frequent and reliable in most of the larger towns and cities and an ideal way of getting around. Rural areas are less well served and hiring a vehicle is often the best option to explore the nationside and villages.

The roads are of generally excellent quality (although can deteriorate in rural areas) and the signs and markings are clear. The main problem with driving in England is the sheer volume of traffic on the roads. Unfortunately this is not only limited to rush-hours and large cities, and even cross-country motorways can slow to a stop as they pass urban areas. Prepare for travel durations being longer than you'd normally anticipate in relation to the mileage. The speed limit, unless otherwise stated, is 30 or 40 mph in built-up areas, 50 or 60 mph (approx 95 km/h) elsewhere and 70 mph (approx. 110 km/h) on motorways and other controlled-access roads. Speed cameras and traffic police are numerous so caution is advised. The traditional British 'reserve' and politeness may occasionally dissolve under the stress of congestion on the major routes, especially with the traffic problems in some of England's larger cities, but generally driving around Britain is an enjoyable experience and it is polite to acknowledge the courtesy of another driver with a nod or the raising of the hand as a form of thank you. Drivers will often flash their headlights to indicate that you are clear to pull out, or otherwise to give way to you, and it is considered polite to say thank you by giving a wave or a quick flash of your headlights.

Flashing your hazards (i.e., both indicators at the same time) is only used as an indication of danger. Usually it's used to indicate that the vehicle has broken down or to warn other drivers that there's a hazard up ahead. But flashing your hazards a couple of times is another way of saying thank you.

Brown road signs with white text indicate nearby tourist attractions, and the blue i sign denotes England Tourism Board.

The UK isn't as cycle-friendly as some other European countries, but cycling is still a great way to get around. You'll see a lot more from a bicycle, have the freedom to stop wherever you want, no parking headaches and once you've got the bicycle there is nothing to pay. It is unquestionably the quickest way around London and other major cities–it does have its dangers but it's well worth the risk.

There are many lovely cycle paths where you can avoid the traffic and soak in the cityscape or countryside. Rough examples of journey times at moderate speed: Buckingham Palace to Tower Bridge: 20 minutes; Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle: 2 hours; Central London to Oxford: 5 hours. A national online route planner can be found at net/ Cycle Streets

You can hire a bicycle from some local bicycle shops, or purchase a decent one privately for less than £100 secondhand as the UK has a surplus of old bicycles. Make sure you get a helmet, particularly for city cycling, and lights, especially in winter as the days are very short. Helmets aren't compulsory but the police will fine you for not using lights when it's dark. A decent lock is also crucial, particularly in the cities; bicycle theft is a common problem—do not leave your bicycle unattended, not even for a minute.

Most of the London underground trains and local buses do not accept cycles, but overground trains and long-distance coaches will normally let you on with a bicycle, as long as they're not too full. Arrive early for coaches so you get a space in the luggage hold.

What to see in England

North Yorkshire Moors - - 191970 - Yorkshire Moors London is the start and finish point for most international tourists. It offers countless museums and historical attractions. To truly experience England, however, you must venture out of the hustle and bustle of the capital and see what the rest of England has to offer. You will find the rest of England very different to its capital city; indeed, if you only visit London, you haven't seen 'England'—you've seen one city that differs in many ways to the rest of the nation.

If short on time, you may find it more convenient to base yourself in a regional city and take day trips to the National Parks, coast and smaller towns. If you have plenty of time and then you could base yourself in a Bed & Breakfast (Bed and Breakfast) in any of the above. You will find that public transport to and within cities and large towns is acceptable, but that in smaller places off the beaten track then you should research your journey carefully, or consider hiring a car.

Popular places to visit include the counties of Yorkshire and Cornwall and the National Parks listed above, and the historic cities such as York, Bath and Lincoln.

If short on time, you can use larger cities as a base for day trips, either by train or coach. For example Leeds and the largest city in Yorkshire, makes a great base for day trips to the Yorkshire Dales,North Yorkshire Moors, York and Whitby, whilst offering its own selection of attractions such as the Royal Armouries, famed Halal dining and theatre and designer shopping in stunning Victorian-era arcades.

Similarly Plymouth (England) | Plymouth makes a good base for adventuring Dartmoor and making day trips to Cornwall, whilst offering its own range of attractions and museums.

If you have a little longer, you may be able to spend a week more locally based, for example staying in Ambleside in the Lake District National Park|Lake District.

England, together with the other parts of Britain, was the cradle of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th to 20th centuries. Though many industries were shut down in the late 20th century and there is still much to see of Industrial Britain; mines, factories, and legacy railways.

Preservation trusts

A number of 'umbrella' organisations are devoted to the preservation and public access of both natural and cultural legacy. Membership with them, even on a temporary basis, means priority free access to their properties thereafter—travellers to England seeking to see a large number of sights would do well to join one or more of them:

• English Heritage NA, NA - English Heritage English Heritage has an especially wide-ranging remit and manages more than 400 significant buildings and monuments in England. They also maintain a register of thousands of "listed" buildings, those considered of most importance to the historic and cultural legacy of the nation.

• The National Trust - National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty | NA, NA - National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty - The National Trust manages over 350 properties and over 950sq miles of land. Many of the nation's manor houses are under the trust's ownership and management.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for England

• Golf#England|Golf
• Walking/hiking: England has many places for Walking in the United Kingdom|walking in the nation, which may be called hillwalking or fellwalking in some areas. The Lake District National Park|Lake District and Peak District are some of the places for more serious walks—see also the itinerary Hikes in the Lake District. The Pennine Way (463 km) and Coast To Coast Walk (309 km) are the best-known long-distance walks. There are public footpaths and public bridleways all over the nation, and most areas of open land are now generally designated for unlimited access (more noticeably in upland areas). People have the right to walk along these and local councils are obliged to maintain records of the routes and keep access open, but do not maintain the paths. Paths are usually signposted where they meet a road, but may not be marked across fields. The paths are shown on the Ordnance Survey Explorer (1:25,000) and Landranger (1:50,000) maps. Enquire locally for details of the best walks, and what kit (boots, waterproofs, etc.) you will need.
• Beaches: Cornwall and Devon have some spectacular natural beaches that would rival those of Australia and California, although they are often much colder.

Halal Restaurants

Halal food is available in almost every English town.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to England

England - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to England, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for England. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in England and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to England. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to England. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in England: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in England.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in England: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in England, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in England.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in England, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in England, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within England and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in England, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in England, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of England without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for England is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring England.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group England is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in England, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group England Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in England

eHalal Group England is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in England. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in England.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in England ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within England. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in England, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in England are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

England offers the usual Western assortment of sleeping options, including:

• Hostels Both private institutions and those part of a hosteling network (which may require membership so check ahead) usually offer dorm-style lodging, sometimes with a simple breakfast included (think toast and tea). Many hostels in popular destination cities fill up during the busy summer season, so try to book ahead or at least call before you arrive.
• Bed and Breakfasts can range from a single room in a private home to large historical buildings with dozens of rooms. In many towns the tourist office has a list of rooms available and can help you call around.
• Hotels in cities and towns, and near motorway junctions, as well as some grand Country House Hotels. Budget hotel chains include 'Travelodge' and 'Premier Inn'; these are simple, yet clean and comfortable.
• Motels Mostly in the form of large chains such as Travel Inn and Travelodge, with hundreds across the nation.
• Camping There is a widespread network in country locations of campsites that welcome tents, caravans, or motorhomes. Sites may welcome some or all of these. But don't expect to find many close to cities and major tourist attractions.
• Universities It has been feasible to get lodging in some Universities and Colleges out of term time for a while. However uk University Rooms is a bit better than most previous sites, in that it provides good information and tips about the places it covers, which include Oxford and Cambridge. However it does not cover all the places where lodging is available.

While the rooms are generally comfortable, rooms at the lower end of the price scale may be small and usually come without air conditioning, cable TV, coffee machines, and other amenities. In very affordable lodging, for example in dormitory-style hostels, towels and soap may not be provided. Most hotels that provide breakfast will offer a choice between a full English or continental style breakfast. The continental normally consists of bread rolls, croissant, cereal, pain au chocolat and cold meats such as ham and salami. Beverages such as fresh fruit juice, tea, coffee and hot Chocolates are served too.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in England

Harrods (London) - Harrods department store in London

Currency is Pounds Sterling (GBP). Although Bank of England notes are accepted all over the United Kingdom, you may have trouble using Northern Irish and Scottish notes in England due to shop staff being unfamiliar with them.

Credit cards are accepted in most shops and restaurants. UnionPay cards are the most widely accepted, though debit cards with the Maestro logo are also taken. American Express cards are accepted in fewer establishments, but most restaurants will accept them. Credit cards with a Chip and PIN have become nearly compulsory. Credit card agreements mostly require merchants to accept cards with a swipe and signature; however, it is wise to carry enough cash in case the retailer does not comply.

One thing to keep in mind is that due to credit card extra charges, some establishments and retail outlets will only allow cards (including debit cards) to be used for purchases over £5 or £10. While others, notably smaller shops and convenience stores may charge around £0.40 below a certain amount or forbid them entirely. It's worth checking the sticker on the shop window to see what's permitted.

Most shops are open Monday to Saturday from around 9AM to 5PM. Supermarkets, newsagents and corner shops often open earlier and stay open until 8PM or later most days. On Sundays, larger shops are only permitted to open for 6 hours, which is often 10AM to 4PM and sometimes open early for "browsing", when you can look but not buy.

Study as a Muslim in England

England has many options for foreign students to study; from language, history, and cultural short courses to advanced degrees at internationally renowned universities. Most cities have at least one institute of higher learning.

Students from countries within the European Union/Switzerland do not require a visa to study in England. University fees have two tiers: a home fee for UK and EU students, which is capped at £9250 per year, and a higher tier for students from outside of the EU, from £10,000 to £18,000 per year.

How to work legally in England

See also: United Kingdom#Work

Options for short-term employment include bar tending and waiting tables as well as more specialised work such as in the high tech/computer industry. Visitors from Commonwealth countries will have a much easier time getting a work permit, especially those under 30 as there are several programs.

Muslims visitors of countries belonging to the European Union (Germany, France, Spain, etc.) do not require a permit and are free to live and work in England; however, certain restrictions apply to certain new EU member states (such as Bulgaria, Romania, etc.), so you will need to check this out on the orkingintheuk/ UK Border Agency website before travelling.

Visitors on a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week while in full-time education and 40 hours per week while on break.

Stay Safe

In any emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for "ambulance", "fire", "police" or "coast guard" when connected. If you need more than one service that includes an ambulance (e.g. a road collision) then ask for an ambulance and they will contact the relevant services themselves.

If you need to contact the police when an emergency response is not needed, call the 101/ 101 police non-emergency number (e.g. property or vehicle has been damaged or stolen or to give the police information about crime or a general enquiry.

England by and large is a safe place to live and visit; violent crime against tourists is common, but you should always use general common sense to ensure you keep out of trouble. In most of the major cities, you will find outlying suburban and inner city areas where poverty, crime and gang violence are common. These areas can be quite risky (by GCC standards) and should be avoided. Again, common sense is the best way to stay safe, and a visitor would be very unlikely to end up in such areas anyway. In a situation where you feel uncomfortable out on the street (for example, if a gang of youths block your path and are behaving in a rowdy manner), it's usually fine to simply cross the road and walk past and not to respond to them as they are not generally interested in harassing people as they may appear and will ignore you in most cases.

Crime rates are generally very low in rural areas, although some small poorer towns can be surprisingly rough. Having said that, caution is advisable when travelling alone in remote areas. You should always try to tell somebody you trust where you're going; even if they are not in England themselves and they can alert the UK police if you encounter problems. Take care when driving on country lanes as they can become very narrow and the lesser travelled ones are often in poor condition.

It is worth taking care on some public transport at night, as rowdy drunks can be a problem. Also, in some cities and there have been incidents of street gangs carrying out robberies on buses and trains at night. Visitors should not be too concerned, however, as these are very rare occurrences.

Some town and downtowns should be approached with caution during the later evening on Fridays and Saturdays in particular, as high levels of drunkenness can be rife. Many English drunks can all too often become aggressive, and outbreaks of unprovoked violence have happened, but again, common sense can help avoid problems with drunken people. At night it is also recommended that you use licensed taxis or licensed mini cabs. Taxis are available at taxi ranks or by phone, while mini cabs are by phone booking only—asking at the bar will usually provide you with numbers. Unofficial/unlicensed mini cabs that cruise the street looking for fares have a reputation as dangerous for lone females (and in rare instances, males); the most common incident is the passenger is driven to a secluded area, and then raped. In any case, it is completely within the passenger's rights to ask to see a taxi driver's licence and to turn down the service if he or she cannot show it.

Medical Issues in England

There is no cost to any patient to be treated as an outpatient in hospital for accidents and emergencies that arise while you are in England. If you aren't a resident or covered by a reciprocal arrangement (for example have a European Health Insurance Card) you will be charged if you are admitted to hospital - so it is wise to have travel insurance.

In a medical emergency, dial 999. These numbers are free of charge from any telephone. For advice on non-emergency medical problems, you can ring the 24 hour NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/NHS-111.aspx NHS 111 service on 111 or check their website for advice.

Emergencies can be dealt with under the NHS (National Health Service) at any hospital with an A & E (Accident & Emergency) department. At A&E departments, be prepared to wait for up to 2–3 hours during busy periods before being given treatment if your medical complaint is not too serious. Obviously, more serious ailments are usually treated immediately. Evenings are normally busiest, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays and in downtowns.

Walk-in centres also provide treatment for less urgent conditions on a first come first served basis. They often have longer opening hours than GP surgeries. Who you see and what treatments or advice you are given will depend on your condition. You may be seem by a nurse. See NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/Walk-incentresSummary.aspx NHS Walk-in Centres for further details as to what services they can provide.

Many GP trainings are under great pressure and there being more patients than GPs to cope with demand. Many trainings have long appointment waiting times, some over 3 weeks. In more urgent cases most trainings will make an effort to find an appointment or direct you to other treatment services.

Online private GP/doctor consultation services are starting to be available in the UK. These services use a Smartphone app and enable you to consult a medical professional online. Consultations are paid for through a subscription or on a one-off basis. As such services progress more providers are likely to enter the market and services will adapt depending on demands. For example, com Babylon Health.

Dental care is mixed NHS and private. Many dental trainings reserve a few appointments each day for urgent and emergency treatments. These appointments are normally made on a 1st come 1st served basis on the day to people who are in need of urgent treatment and often they will all be filled soon after the clinic opens. For emergency out-of-hours dental care (e.g. weekends), call the NHS Direct 111 number and they will check if your condition warrants emergency care and if it does give you the number of an emergency dentist (which may be some distance away).

To find nearby medical, walk-in, dental, pharmacy services use the Service-Search NHS online service finder

For advice on minor ailments and non-prescription drugs, you can ask a pharmacist (there are many high-street chemists). These are increasingly using green signs similar to ones seen in Europe to identify them. Small pharmacies are also found inside many larger supermarkets. Major pharmacies are Boots and Lloyds: at least one of these can be found in any city or large town and quite often some smaller towns too. These two firms can issue drugs prescribed by a doctor as well as any over-the-counter drugs. Superdrug, Semi-Chem, Bodycare and Savers do sell some over-the-counter medication but are not to be considered as places to go for advice about minor ailments. A smaller range of medication can also be found in most supermarkets. ID is usually required when buying medication if you look under 25.

Smoking is not allowed in all public buildings, and the ban is almost universally enforced. All enclosed workplaces are lawfully required to be smoke free. Some restaurants provide separate outside areas for smokers and many pubs now have outdoor organic juice gardens where smoking is permitted, while many places will have a group of people standing outside the front door or off to one side to smoke.

Local Customs in England

The English are in general very polite people, and like most other places it is considered bad manners not to say "please" or "thank you". A nod or a smile are also often the response. Sometimes, strangers and friends address each other by "mate", as they do in Australia. Thus it is common to hear "Cheers mate" or "Thanks mate" or "You all right, mate?", etc.

The English are said to be reserved, and this is often thought to mean that they are reluctant to communicate with strangers. This is a misconception. You will find that most people are happy to talk to strangers; it probably won't be a deep conversation, but mostly small talk about where you come from, if you're enjoying your visit, etc. The weather and football (more among men) are easy conversation starters.

It is said that the English invented queueing, and they become very annoyed if anyone jumps the line, although this is probably the same for most countries. Don't be surprised if you get shoved to the back of the line. (The same "patient queueing" applies in pubs and waiting in traffic jams as well: don't use the horn excessively as most people in England seemed to have grasped that it doesn't make the traffic go any faster and it is seen as impatient and rude.)

When you find yourself in a restaurant or being invited to someone's home for a meal, just general table manners apply. Normally when visiting a house and the host will say "shall I put the kettle on?" or "would you like a brew?" which means you are being offered a cup of tea, or another type of soft-drink. Depending on the house you are visiting, manners can be either extremely important (you can be seen as a disrespectful person) or it can cause you to be looked well upon. Bring a small gift from your country such as a bottle of or Chocolates to show your appreciation, though this isn't mandatory when visiting an English household. In some cases, bad table manners can be seen as uncivilised and as indicative of a bad upbringing. Regardless, it is generally important to have good table manners in any situation. Remember also to let your host know if you are Vegetarian or vegan, as most English people will invariably cook a food Meat dish unless told otherwise.

Once your plate has been served, it is customary to wait for your host to sit down and eat before you begin eating, unless otherwise indicated by the host themselves. It is considered rude to put your elbows on the table whilst eating, it is rude to speak whilst eating or eating with your mouth open (eat with your mouth closed). Always ask for an object on a table, do not reach over someone to grab it. Use both the knife and fork whilst eating, with the head of the fork facing down. The host may offer you a second plate of food (if in his/her home), and it is not necessarily considered rude to decline the offer as long as you express it in a polite manner (say something along the lines of "Thank you that was delicious but I'm full" and then the host will not take offence as a satisfied guest is what they are aiming for). When leaving the table, always ask permission if you can leave; a simple phrase such as "May I be excused for a moment?" will suffice.

Telecommunications in England

See 'Contact' section in United Kingdom

Travel Guide for national information on telephone, internet and postal services.

In the United Kingdom, area codes are three, four, or, rarely, five digits long (after the initial zero). Regions with shorter area codes, typically large cities, permit the allocation of more phone numbers as the local number portion has more digits. Local client numbers are four to eight figures long. The total number of digits is ten, but in a very few areas the total may be nine digits (after the initial zero). The "area code" is also referred to as an 'STD (code)' (subscriber trunk dialling) or a 'dialling code' in the UK.

The initial digits of the area code provide information about the type of number and cost of the call.Area codes starting 01 and 02 are standard geographic numbers; those starting 03 are non-geographic numbers charged at the same rate as 01 and 02 numbers; those starting 07 are normally mobile numbers; those starting 08 are special services where the price can vary e.g. 0800 freephone numbers e.g. 0870 which are charged at higher rates; those starting 09 are premium rate services.

The code allocated to the largest population is (020) for London.

See 'Contact' entries under individual cities for local information.

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