United Kingdom · Practical · 2026/27
The operational basics
Plug type, voltage, time zone, drinking water, emergency numbers — the answers every guidebook tucks into the back inset. Here as a single card.
Power
Distinctive three-rectangular-pin plug found nowhere else in Europe. EU and US travellers need a UK-specific adapter — the universal 'world adapters' have a UK setting.
Time
Last Sunday of March (forward) and October (back).
Emergency
Drinking water
Tap water is universally safe and (especially in London) high quality. Pubs and restaurants serve free tap water on request — 'a tap water, please' is the local phrasing.
Business hours
Shops 9:00-17:30 weekdays + 9:00-18:00 Saturday, with central London chains running until 21:00-22:00. Sundays: shorter hours (10:00 / 11:00 - 17:00) by law. Banks: 9:00-17:00 weekdays.
Public holidays
8 bank holidays per year: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May, Spring (last Mon May), Summer (last Mon August), Christmas Day, Boxing Day. Plus Scotland-only / Northern Ireland-only days. Pubs and most shops open; supermarkets close at 17:00 Christmas Eve and stay shut Christmas Day.
Last reviewed .
See also: visa & entry · connectivity & SIM.