Blyth Academy March Break - London & Paris 2025

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy offering four fascinating countries all rolled into one easily accessible and remarkably diverse island nation. Comprised of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the UK contains more heritage, per square mile, than any other nation in the world. It is also blessed with vast, sprawling areas of picturesque countryside, long stretches of rugged coastline, and some of most the dynamic, multicultural cities in the world. With the quaint medieval villages of the Cotswolds, the impressive architecture of the Canterbury Cathedral, the endless cultural delights of London and Edinburgh, and the hauntingly beautiful landscapes of Wales and Northern Ireland, the UK offers enough variety to satisfy travellers from all walks of life. Whether you are keen to explore massive national parks such as the Yorkshire Dales or Dartmoor, the charming seaside resorts of Blackpool and Bournemouth, or the unlimited supply of wonderful British pubs, there is plenty to keep you blissfully engaged during your time in this extraordinarily diverse nation.

Currency 

The currency of the United Kingdom is the Pound (GBP; symbol £) = 100 pence. Notes are in denominations of £50, £20, £10 and £5. Additional banknotes issued by Scottish banks (including £1 notes) are accepted in all parts of the UK, although some smaller shops outside Scotland may prefer English banknotes. Coins are in denominations of £2 and £1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pence.

Banking

Banking hours: Monday--Friday 09h30-16h30 

American Express, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted. Cash can be obtained from a multitude of ATMs available across the country.

Travellers' cheques are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Pounds Sterling.

Flying between cities within the United Kingdom is both easy and accessible. British Airways operates a shuttle service from London to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle among other cities. Other domestic operators include Flybe, EasyJet and Ryanair. Most domestic flights take between one and one and a half hours. 

There are trunk roads linking all major towns and cities in the UK. Care hire is available in towns and cities across the UK from all the major companies. Taxi’s are widely available in towns and cities. You can pick them up at taxi ranks (often outside railway stations and in city centres), hail them in the street, or book them by phone.

The UK is served by an excellent network of railways. Intercity lines provide fast services between London and major cities, and there are services to the southeast and to major cities in the Midlands, the north and south Wales and between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Some rural areas are less well-served (eg the north coast of the west country, parts of East Anglia, Northern Ireland, Northumberland and North Yorkshire, parts of inland Wales, and southern and northern Scotland), although local rail services are generally fairly comprehensive. 

Iconic cakes, splendid sandwiches and heart-warming stews all hail from the United Kingdom. Don't miss tea and cake or, for a fancy occasion, try the full-blown afternoon tea, with three-tiered plates of sandwiches, cakes and scones.

Another fine UK institution is breakfast, and although there are plenty of coffee shops selling US-style muffins and bagels, the full-on British breakfast (eggs, bacon, toast, tomatoes) served with a cup of tea can be found in cafés lovingly called “greasy spoons” or in pubs with an early licence.

In hotels, a service charge of 10 to 12% is usual, which may be added to the bill. For restaurants, 10 to 15% is standard; if this has already been added to the bill, a further tip is not required. 

There is never a bad time to visit the United Kingdom, but for the most reliable weather come during the summer months (June-August) when the days are long and warm. Temperatures have been known on occasion to nudge 30 degrees Celcius C, sometimes higher, but the threat of rain is ever present - pack waterproofs as well as the sunscreen. The southeast of England is generally sunnier and warmer than the rest of the United Kingdom, but resorts along the coast get crowded during the summer.

The United Kingdom is arguably at its most beautiful during the autumn months (September-November), when rural landscapes take on brown, red and pink hues as the leaves lose their pigment. Scotland and the north of England bear the brunt of winter (November-March), but snow occasionally blankets much of the United Kingdom bringing with it travel chaos.

Most hotels, restaurants and public buildings offer Wi-Fi, although this may be less likely in more rural areas. The City of London now has free Wi-Fi covering 95% of the Square Mile, whilst London Underground now offers Wi-Fi at stations across the network. There are internet cafés and centres in most urban areas. Some multimedia phone booths, often located at railway stations and airports, offer touchscreen access.

Electrical sockets in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are Type G (BS-1363)  If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electrical sockets in the United Kingdom usually supply electricity at 240 volts AC / 50 Hz frequency. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for this  electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 240 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.

France has long been the world’s favourite tourist destination, and it doesn’t take a much imagination to understand why. It has some of the highest mountains, the most dynamic cities, the best beaches and a treasure trove of the some of the world’s most famous artistic, cultural and historical artifacts. The wide open spaces and impressive mountain ranges of the French countryside allow for a vast scope of outdoor activities to thrill even the most adventurous traveller. Those seeking more of an urban adventure won’t be disappointed by the vast range of clubs, shops, fashion and music provided by France’s cities in abundance. Combine all of these riches with the most sumptuous culinary scene in the world, and you may be planning your next trip to France before you even head back home.

Currency 

Local currency: Euro 
Symbol: € 
ISO code: EUR 
Subunit: Cent 
Banknotes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500 
Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Yes 
Diner’s club: Yes 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 
Weekends: Closed 
Public Holidays: Yes 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 

Main airlines: Air France 
International Airports: Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris), Nice Côte d'Azur Airport 
Domestic Airports: Orly Airport (Paris), Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport 

Road: 

Driving on the: Right 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: No 
Valid International Driver's License needed: No 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 

Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 

Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: Yes 

Water: 

Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Food and water safety: 

Can you drink the tap water: Yes 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Yes 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: French cuisine is celebrated worldwide for its sophistication and diversity. From classic dishes like coq au vin and boeuf bourguignon to delicate pastries like croissants and macarons, French culinary traditions offer a rich tapestry of flavors and textures. Notable local drinks include wine, champagne, and pastis. 

Tipping: 10-15% 

Annual rainfall: Varies by region 
Average temperature: 12°C 

Summer: 

Average highs: 25°C 
Average lows: 15°C 

Winter: 

Average highs: 7°C 
Average lows: 2°C 

Best time to visit: 

The best time to visit France is during the spring (April to June) or fall (September to November) when the weather is mild and tourist crowds are thinner. 

Spring and Summer 

Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 

Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 

General 

Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Plug Type: Type C, Type E 
Voltage (V): 230V 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50Hz 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.