British etiquette for visitors

Manners vary. This is a guide to common expectations, not a rulebook, and people differ by region, age and setting. Where a venue or an authority publishes a rule, that rule comes first.

Lines and personal space

"Line" is the British word for a line of people waiting.² Wikivoyage describes a preference for personal space: in lines, in theaters, and on public transport without allocated seats, people usually fill every row and keep as much distance as they can before sitting directly next to a stranger.¹

Pubs: order at the bar, and rounds

Wikivoyage says pubs nearly always work on a "line at the bar" basis: you go to the bar to order and pay, rather than waiting for table service. Groups usually order together and settle up between themselves later. If you see another customer at the bar, the custom is to invite them to order first. Food-oriented pubs often give you a table number to quote, and your meal is brought to you or called out when ready.¹ The same source mentions that some pub chains take orders through an app, so look for a sign.

If you are in a group or it is busy, Wikivoyage advises ordering drinks together in rounds, either by taking turns to buy all the drinks or by everyone contributing an agreed amount to a kitty. It is quicker for bar staff, and any pub will give you a tray for carrying several drinks if you ask.¹ See our pubs guide and pub food pages.

Tipping

Wikivoyage says the UK does not have a strong tipping culture, that service charges are common in table-service restaurants, and that it is not normal to tip for drinks at the bar.¹ Our money guide covers tipping and service charge in more detail.

Greetings and small talk

• A handshake is normal when meeting someone for the first time; kissing greetings between strangers are not.¹
• First names are acceptable in most social situations.¹
• "Sorry" is used a great deal, often instead of "excuse me". Wikivoyage's tip: do not dwell on it.¹
• Salaries, and personal, political or religious convictions, are best left until you know someone better. Scottish independence, Welsh independence, Irish reunification, the Troubles and Brexit are sensitive topics for many people.¹
• Asking about a person's accent can be a good way to start a conversation; imitating it is best avoided.¹

For the difference between English, British and UK, see our naming explainer. Wikivoyage advises that people in Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland have separate identities, and that "Northern Irish" is the safest term for people from Northern Ireland unless they say otherwise.¹

Escalators and stairs

We could not find an official source for escalator etiquette, so we state no rule. At busy stations, follow the signs and any announcements. If you are standing, keep to the side that the signs or local custom suggest and keep your luggage close.

Dress

We found no national dress rule for visitors. Individual venues set their own: Wikivoyage notes that nightclubs may apply dress codes at the door, sometimes inconsistently.¹ For places of worship, see the next section. Weather matters more than fashion in most places, and our packing guide helps.

Places of worship

Many cathedrals and churches are open to visitors and are also active places of worship. Westminster Abbey, for example, says it is an active place of worship, asks visitors to dress respectfully, and says there is no strict dress code for tourist visits but clothing should be modest and appropriate for a working church.³ It also recommends comfortable, flat shoes because floors are uneven in places.³ Keep your voice low, switch your phone to silent, and follow any signs. Other places have their own rules, so check the venue's website.

Photography

Rules differ from place to place and are set by each venue. As an example, Westminster Abbey welcomes personal photographs in the church but says photography is not permitted at any time during services. Video recording, flash photography, extra lighting, selfie sticks and tripods are not permitted. Photography of children or young people is prohibited without the consent of the accompanying adult, and photography is not permitted in some areas, such as the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor and St Faith's Chapel.⁴ Look for signs at the door of any museum, church or gallery, and ask staff if unsure.

Quiet carriages

Wikivoyage says trains have designated quiet coaches that are clearly marked. In one, you should not talk on a cell phone or play music out loud, and other travelers may remind you of the rule.¹ The exact wording is set by each train company, so follow the signs on the coach. Our rail tickets and getting around pages help with planning.

Litter and the Countryside Code

The Countryside Code is published by GOV.UK for England and Wales (the page links to separate publications for Northern Ireland and Scotland). It is built around three ideas: respect everyone, protect the environment, and enjoy the outdoors.⁵ Its key points include:

• Take your litter home and leave no trace of your visit. Dropping litter and dumping trash are criminal offences.⁵
• Leave gates and property as you find them, and follow the farmer's directions when animals are being moved.⁵
• Do not light fires, and only have barbecues where signs say you can.⁵
• Keep to marked paths unless wider access is available, such as on open access land.⁵
• Do not block gateways or driveways when parking, and always leave access for emergency vehicles.⁵
• Cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders on bridleways.⁵

Right to roam, nation by nation

"Right to roam" is not one law. It works differently in each nation, so check where you are walking. This is a summary of official pages; none of it is legal advice.

For walking ideas and routes, see our walks section.

Dogs and livestock

• In England and Wales the Countryside Code says to keep dogs under control and in sight, to bag dog poo and put it in any public waste bin or take it home, and to give livestock, horses and wild animals plenty of space, because their behavior can be unpredictable, particularly with young. Do not feed them.⁵
• GOV.UK says it is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, and that the law applies to all dogs.⁷
• In Scotland, you can walk your dog on most land as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and keep your dog under proper control. Poorly controlled dogs can worry or attack livestock, disturb wildlife and scare other people. The code advises letting your dog off the lead if threatened by cattle, and bagging and binning dog poo.⁹

Bringing your own dog from abroad has separate rules: see traveling with pets.

Related

Back to language and etiquette, or read about health and safety and accessible travel.