The great thing about senior travel to the UK is that it’s easy to get around without any language barrier, and the culture and society will of course take little figuring out. Best of all, there are lots of things for you to see and do in the UK whether you go to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Check out our top tips to make sure you get the most out of your holiday in the UK.

Packing
The United Kingdom’s mild and rainy climate means you’ll get cool weather at almost any time of year. Be sure to bring a raincoat and an umbrella, as you’re certain to need them! Otherwise it’s best to pack a lot of light layers that you can put on or take off depending on the day. If you bring a mobile phone, laptop or other electrical device, you’ll need a converter to use your plugs in the UK. The easiest way to do this is to buy a UK or world adapter in the airport before you go.

Health
Unlike some other far flung destinations, you won’t need vaccinations to visit the UK. But make sure all your prescriptions are up to date before you go as this will be much easier than trying to get medicines during your stay abroad. In case of an emergency, dial 999.

Transport
The Senior Railcard entitles anyone over 60 to about one-third off most rail fares around Britain. It costs 26 British Pounds for 1 year and is available from the Senior Railcard website. Once you have the card you are also entitled to range of discounts on things like concert tickets and hotel bookings, so it’s worth the investment even if you’re just visiting. Bus travel discounts only apply sporadically to international seniors depending on which council area you are visiting, so don’t be afraid to ask but be ready to pay the full rate where applicable.

Ancestry
Genealogy is a very popular hobby with seniors these days. If your ancestors are from the United Kingdom, you might like to look them up during your stay. You can search the genealogy records before you go at The National Archives UK, check out their website. Then take a visit to the National Archives in Kew, Surrey or the relevant local authority’s records department to get copies of your family’s birth, marriage or death records. While some of these can be ordered online, you still get the best results by being there in person.

Fun
There are plenty of different ways to have a great time during your stay in the UK, whether you’ve been there dozens of times or if it’s your first trip. There are more than 4,000 museums and galleries you can visit, for example, and many will either be free of charge for all or will offer a discount to seniors carrying proof of age.