LondonGBP · UK Visitor Centre
Visit, understand and navigate the United Kingdom
Practical information for visitors, new arrivals and people considering a longer stay — from London transport and money to immigration routes, British institutions and life across the UK.
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
Visitor essentials
Official information first. Rules can change, so immigration and border links point directly to GOV.UK.
BORDER
Entering the UK
Passport, border-control and arrival information.
Official guidance ↗ VISASVisas & immigration
Official routes for visitors, workers, students and families.
GOV.UK ↗ CUSTOMSBringing goods into the UK
Allowances, restricted items and declarations.
Check customs rules ↗ TRAVELBefore departure
Travel documents, insurance and destination advice.
Official travel guidance ↗LONDON
A city with nearly 2,000 years of history
Roman trading settlement, imperial capital, global city and one of the world's major financial and cultural centres.
Londinium
Roman London developed around a Thames crossing and became an important commercial centre.
Medieval London
The City grew around trade, guilds, royal power and the River Thames.
The Great Fire
Much of the old City was destroyed, leading to rebuilding on a huge scale.
Victorian expansion
Railways, docks, industry and population transformed London into a vast metropolis.
War and rebuilding
The Blitz damaged large areas of London; post-war rebuilding reshaped the city.
Global London
Finance, technology, culture, tourism, government and international communities define modern London.
Seat of the UK Government and Parliament.
Citywide executive leadership for Greater London.
Two major centres of banking, finance and professional services.
Tube, buses, Overground, DLR, Elizabeth line and more.
IMMIGRATION CENTRE
Coming to Britain for more than a holiday
A route map to official immigration information. LondonGBP explains the purpose of each route but does not make legal eligibility decisions.
VISIT
Standard Visitor
Tourism, visiting family, business activities and permitted short stays.
Official route ↗ WORKSkilled Worker
For eligible employment with an approved UK sponsor.
Official route ↗ STUDYStudent visa
For eligible study with a licensed student sponsor.
Official route ↗ FAMILYFamily routes
Partner, spouse, parent, child and other qualifying family applications.
Official route ↗ SETTLEMENTIndefinite leave to remain
Permanent settlement routes for qualifying residents.
Official route ↗ CITIZENSHIPBritish citizenship
Naturalisation, registration and other citizenship routes.
Official route ↗
Important
Immigration rules change frequently. LondonGBP provides orientation and links to official sources; users should confirm the current rules on GOV.UK or obtain regulated immigration advice where appropriate.
GETTING AROUND
Arriving in London and travelling across Britain
Airport links, city transport, trains and driving — with direct official links.
Heathrow → London
Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express, Underground, coach and taxi options.
Heathrow transport ↗Gatwick → London
National Rail, Thameslink, Gatwick Express, coach and taxi.
Gatwick transport ↗Tube, bus & rail
Contactless and Oyster are widely used across the TfL network.
Transport for London ↗Travel beyond London
Rail journeys to cities and destinations across Britain.
National Rail ↗Cars, ULEZ & congestion
London driving can involve ULEZ and Congestion Charge requirements.
Driving in London ↗Accessible travel
Step-free routes, assistance and accessible transport planning.
Accessibility ↗MONEY IN BRITAIN
Cards, cash and exchange rates
LondonGBP’s financial tools are particularly useful for visitors paying in sterling or moving money into the UK.
LIVE REFERENCE VALUE—Loading benchmark…
Contactless card payments are common. Your own bank may add foreign-transaction or currency-conversion charges.
Cash is still accepted, but many London businesses increasingly favour cards and contactless payments.
Check whether your bank and the ATM operator charge withdrawal or currency fees.
If offered a choice between paying in GBP or your home currency, compare the conversion carefully before accepting.
EXPLORE BRITAIN
Beyond central London
The UK is compact enough for major cities, coast, countryside and historic sites to be combined in one trip.
London & England
London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Windsor, Brighton, York, Liverpool, Manchester, Cornwall and the Cotswolds.
Explore England →Edinburgh & Scotland
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Highlands, lochs, islands, castles and scenic rail journeys.
Explore Scotland →Wales
Cardiff, Eryri/Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire, castles, coast and national parks.
Explore Wales →Belfast & the Causeway Coast
Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, coastal drives, history and landscapes.
Explore Northern Ireland →MOVING TO THE UK
From visitor to resident
For people planning a longer-term move, LondonGBP can connect immigration information with the practical financial decisions that follow.
IMMIGRATION
Your legal route
Work, study, family and settlement information.
HOUSINGRenting or buying
Property, mortgages and UK housing decisions.
TAXUK tax basics
Income tax, residence and practical tax information.
MONEYMoving money
Compare international transfer costs and sterling rates.
HEALTHNHS services
Finding healthcare and understanding NHS services.
DRIVINGDriving in Britain
Licences, vehicles, road rules and practical guidance.
THE UK EXPLAINED
Government, nations and elections
A quick orientation for visitors and new residents.
Four nations
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland form the United Kingdom.
King Charles III
The UK is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government.
Andy Burnham
Prime Minister since 20 July 2026.
Official profile ↗House of Commons + House of Lords
UK-wide legislation is considered at Westminster.
UK Parliament ↗No later than 15 August 2029
The Prime Minister can request an earlier dissolution.
Commons Library ↗Mayor + London Assembly
Sadiq Khan is the current Mayor of London.
City Hall ↗HEALTH & SAFETY