The United Kingdom (UK), made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, would generally be part of a package tour to Europe for Singaporeans, and usually limited to London.
However, more Singaporeans are making trips focused solely on the UK, and enjoying its diverse delights. A driving holiday is certainly feasible, since our roads are based on the British system.
But a vacation in the UK does not come cheap. Silvers may recall that in the 1970s, the pound was around four to five times higher than the Singapore dollar. It was only the privileged who were able to make the long journey as a special experience.
Our currency has since strengthened considerably over the decades. Travel costs have also become generally more affordable.
Nevertheless, visiting the UK can still cost a pretty penny. The outlay will vary according to your itinerary. Football fans will head to cities like Liverpool or Manchester, depending on the club they support. Literary buffs will want to visit the historic homes of their favourite writers. For nature lovers, it will be the English countryside.
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Is it possible to go to Britain on a budget? For silvers, a shoestring budget is not recommended. Aim for a balance, where you spend on your must-see and must-do items, but save when you can.
Here are some tips on how to be prudent with the pound. Sightseeing will be based on the interest items in your agenda, so the focus here will be on the essential expenses for any trip – flights, accommodation and food. Some examples will be given based on a recent trip.
Flights
A flight from Singapore to London takes about 14 hours non-stop. Non-stop flights to London can be expensive though. If UK is on your radar, keep a lookout for special fares.
If you like the idea of continuous sleep, consider an overnight flight on a European airline, followed by a short flight to London by the same carrier? Or start with a short flight to say KL, Bangkok or even Brunei, and then take the non-stop flight to London.
You may want to use a booking platform to help aggregate the flights for your preferred option.
You want to arrive in London fresh, instead of jet-lagged. Carry out a comparison between direct purchase and third-party websites, before making an informed decision.
Accommodation
The UK, with its well-developed tourism infrastructure, means that you can choose from a single bed in a dormitory to a suite in a historic castle, and everything else in between. What would be some good mid-range choices?
Consider hostels. They are not only for the young; silvers are welcome too. The Youth Hostels Association (YHA) has a network throughout England and Wales, usually in accessible locations.
For example, the YHA in Liverpool is at the Royal Albert Dock, the city’s iconic waterfront. With the recent release of a freshly unearthed track, Now And Then, there will be renewed interest in The Beatles Story, a museum dedicated to the Fab Four, which is just round the corner.
The Magical Mystery Tour, which brings you to sites associated with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, also departs from the dock area.
Note that the YHA is a 15 min drive to Anfield. If you have scored tickets to watch Liverpool FC in action, you will be pleased that homeowners around the stadium have put up rooms on Airbnb, so you can just walk back after the match. And you will not walk alone!
Staying close to attractions makes sense if you are exploring a city. When you are travelling around the country, accommodation would be cheaper outside major tourist areas.
For example, the Lake District is renowned for its natural beauty, thus attracting many visitors. It has inspired poets like William Wordworth (The Daffodils) as well as writers like Beatrix Potter (The Tale of Peter Rabbit).
On my recent trip, after interesting visits to the homes of the two famous writers, I headed out to an old-school B&B in little-known Tebay. Being on the periphery of the Lake District, the room rate was comparably lower.
And it was great to stay in a cottage, mingle with the locals in the traditional pub, and have an English breakfast prepared by the host family the next day. Just to add, Tebay was not a detour, but brought me some way to my next destination.
When driving along the expressways, there are Motorway Service Areas (MSA), where drivers and passengers can take a break, refuel their vehicles and themselves, and access toilets.
They are run by private operators, under the regulation of authorities, and some of them have motels, offering affordable accommodation managed by chains such as Ibis Budget, Days Inn and Travelodge.
I stayed at Days Inn Winchester for two nights, as it was well-located not just for Winchester, but also for places like Highclere Castle, aka Downton Abbey. Having a central base also saves you the daily hassle of packing and unpacking.
Food
Food in the UK has never been cheap. And with Brexit and the war in Ukraine, prices have continued to remain high, especially for those of us used to the convenience of hawker centres.
Traditional B&Bs come with a cooked breakfast, while Airbnbs normally allow for self-catering. For hostels and motels, breakfast is not always included in the room rate.
If you are staying at an MSA, these should come with food and beverage outlets, and a supermarket. At Days Inn Winchester, there is fast food (Burger King), coffee (Costa) and snacks (West Cornwall Pasty Co), besides M And S Simply Food (by Marks and Spencer).
For a full breakfast, head to Sainsbury or Tesco. Some outlets of these supermarket chains have cafes where hearty food is prepared.
The Sainsbury breakfast includes fried egg, bacon, sausages, baked beans, hash browns, half a tomato and a giant mushroom, along with a slice of toast by the side, all for £5.25 (SGD 8.80) – definitely good value for money.
Sainsbury and Tesco, along with other major brands like Boots and Co-op, usually have meal deals. A deal typically costs £4 to £5 (SGD 6.70 to SGD 8.40), and allows you to choose one item each from three categories.
The main course is a savoury, with choices like a sandwich or wrap. There is also a side, which could be a bag of chips, a snack bar, or a piece of fruit. Finally, there is a drink (a bottle of water, or soft drink or fruit juice). Vegetarian and vegan options are available too.
Try Wetherspoon, a pub chain which targets the mass market. The outlets open early, starting with a breakfast service. Locals tend to support traditional pubs which are independently-run, and reviews on Tripadvisor can be mixed. But it may still be worth checking out.
Many Spoons outlets are converted from heritage buildings, with award-winning interior design.
For example, the Spoons at Baker Street, London, is called The Metropolitan Bar, after the world’s first underground railway.
There is a large menu, including fish and chips, ales, and craft beers, at wallet-friendly prices.
Conveniently located above a Tube station, it is close to two popular attractions: Madame Tussauds and the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221b Baker Street, the fictional home of the famous detective.
At cafes and restaurants, the usual practice is to serve bottled water. If you do not want to be charged for water, specify that you want tap water. It is generally safe to drink tap water in the UK, which has stringent quality standards.
Food servings can be large by Singapore standards. For silvers with a smaller appetite, you should be able to share the portions.
I have always enjoyed my visits to the UK. The tips above are not about extreme cost-cutting, but cost-effectiveness. Together, they cover the basics of every trip, and should contribute to a comfortable and fulfilling experience!
