My guidebook
Read Ana’s guidebook, then write some useful information on the same topics for a visitor to your country.
Useful information
Have you ever been to the UK? If you haven’t, you might find this information helpful.
Postcards and letters
When you go to the post office to buy your stamps, you can say:
It's easy to see letter boxes in the UK, because they're usually red.
Telephones
There aren’t nearly as many phone boxes in the UK these days, because nearly everyone has got a mobile phone. Modern telephone boxes are usually grey, but you still see traditional red telephone boxes, particularly in small towns and in the country. In most cities there are usually plenty of public ‘pay phones’, where you can use coins or a card. You wait until you hear the dialling tone, then you pay, and then you dial the number. In an emergency, dial 999 for the police, for an ambulance or for the fire service.
Shopping
The shops usually open at 9.00 or 9.30 and close about 5.30. Supermarkets are often open in the evening too. Some shops are open on Sunday. In big towns, there is often a particular day for ‘late night shopping’, when all the shops are open in the evening.
Changing money
You can change your money at a ‘bureau de change’, at a bank and sometimes at a travel agent’s. In the cities, you might find a ‘bureau de change’ in the big department stores too.
Somewhere to stay
If you have come to the UK for a visit but you aren’t staying with family, you can stay at a YHA Youth Hostel. There are almost 200 in England and Wales and seven in London. You can find details yha.org.uk. Once you have chosen a hostel, you can make a reservation online. There’s a backpackers’ hostel opposite St Pancras International Station, which is popular with travellers.
Getting information
There’s a Tourist Information Centre in most towns. Look for this sign. You can get information about events and places, and you’ll find maps, brochures, postcards and guidebooks.