United Kingdom

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Flag of United Kingdom United Kingdom
Information
Language: English; recognized regional languages are Welsh, Irish, Ulster Scots, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Cornish
Capital: London
Population: 60,975,000
Currency: Pound sterling (GBP)
Hitchability: from Average.png (average) to Good.png (good)
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<map lat='54.6992335284814' lng='-4.130859375' zoom='5' view='3' country='United Kingdom' height='420'/>

The United Kingdom is a member state of the European Union which forms the so-called Common Travel area with Ireland and is not part of the Schengen Agreement. Hitchhiking in the United Kingdom is feasible although the British are a little surprised (especially in England) to see people still doing it these days since it has become a dying trend largely due to the safety worries and very busy roads. You will still manage a ride somehow but you really need to be at the right spot. Hitching in Scotland or Wales tends to be more easy than in southern England although this depends from county to county. For example, the rural mentality in the South West makes it a lot more easier than trying to hitch in the South East or East Anglia. It seems the closer you are to big cities, especially London the harder it is.

Like anywhere else, it is illegal to walk on motorways, and so hitchhiking is best done from the bottom of slip roads and at service stations (at discretion of the owner). Highways Agency officials may question you if you hitch from sliproads on motorways as technically you are not allowed to do this, but the police will not pay any interest; the Highways Agency staff are more pedantic than the police regarding that.

When traveling a long distance on the motorways it is best to stick to the service stations as getting a lift on a slip road will take an exceptionally longer time. Don't get dropped at any motorway junctions (M25/M4, M4/M5 etc.) as traffic will be going too fast to stop and you will probably be picked up by the police. In case you do get dropped there your best option is probably to start walking a bit away from the motorway, and if you're a foreigner, attach a sign to your backpack saying e.g. from Holland.

Useful tip: In city libraries you can use Internet PC's for free after a short free registration (some want to see a passport, some aren't that strict). Legally this should be available to everyone, but in some localities, staff may say its only available to local residents or library members. In this case just ask to join the library.

If you're hitchhiking long distances and considering making a sign, in general people use the motorway names rather than the city names. For example, from London to Cornwall have a sign saying M4. But if you are hitching on a motorway with multiple cities (i.e. M1) it is an idea to use a sign with the city name (e.g. Nottingham, Sheffield).

Climate

The UK is infamous for its rainy weather. The oceanic climate makes the weather changeable from one day to the next and causes comparatively long but light phases of rain. This doesn't mean it's always raining, but it can always rain. Be prepared and always have waterproof clothes with you. The rainiest months are October−January. As a rule of thumb, one could say the further west and the higher the elevation, the greater the rainfall. Contradicting the cliché, some parts of south and west England are surprisingly dry and may even have drought problems in summer.

An advantage of the mild oceanic climate is that it does not get extremely cold or hot.

Hitchhiking towards Western Europe

Carl and his hitch partner Naomi leaving Cardiff for Morocco.

Hitchhiking from England to France is possible. Just hitchhike in direction of Dover along the M20 in the South East to reach the ferries or The Channel Tunnel.

You can also hitch from the Immingham docks near Grimsby to Zeebrugge on a truck ferry. Hitching from Scotland to Scandinavia is also possible. Due to fears of terrorism and illegal immigration authorities may ask you not to wait near the docks.

Hitchhiking from Western Europe

Hitchiking to Great Britain is possible. When coming from France, make sure you stay on the A26. Loads of truck drivers are heading from Switzerland, Luxembourg and Germany to Great Britain. So if someone offers you a ride to Lille, make sure you stay on the A26 or you might get stuck.

If coming from Zeebrugge note that the truckers usually can have 2 passengers on the manifest so if you travel this way you don't need to pay for a ferry ticket. Cars usually charge for every passenger on this route, but often from France it's a price per car no matter how many are inside.

Hitchhiking towards Ireland

Ferry Timetables for boats between Ireland and Britain http://www.aferry.co.uk/dublin-holyhead-ferry.htm

Through Holyhead in the North. This is possible, but longer journey times make it a bit more difficult. Also there are less places to stop if you don't get lifts.

Hitchhiking from Ireland

Impossible without paying! Forget it!


Countries

For more specific information about the countries, islands and cities within the United Kingdom, have a look at this overview of British constituent countries and affiliations:

Constituent countries and affiliations of the United Kingdom

Constituent countries: EnglandNorthern IrelandScotlandWales

Overseas Territories: AnguillaBermudaBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBritish Virgin IslandsCayman IslandsFalkland IslandsGibraltar

Crown dependencies: Channel IslandsGuernseyIsle of ManJersey


Links


trash:United Kingdom