Quick Tips and advice for overseas customers:
All overseas visitors to the UK will receive emergency medical care at the point of need - in other words, in an emergency, we'll look after you!
Obviously you really must consider Health and Medical Insurance as an absolute necessity when visiting the UK. We strongly advise you take out a policy that will cover the costs of getting you and your companions home in the event of a serious medical factor preventing you from continuing your holiday.
Ensure that you bring enough medications to cover the duration of your holiday. We can, if necessary, arrange for medical consultation once in the UK for prescription of short-life medications (such as Insulin).
TIP - ask your Doctor or Medical Practitioner to write an 'open letter' detailing any medical conditions and medication you may be subject to. This not only helps UK health professionals, but also helps with Customs should they search your baggage and find large quantities of medications.
TIP - Ensure any medications you bring into the UK are 'blister packed', i.e.; in plastic/film, not loose in bottles.
You do not need any form of Driving Licence/Permit to 'drive' a narrow boat in the UK.
If you intend driving on the roads, you will need a Driving Licence. Please check in advance of your holiday if there are any specific restrictions, however the basic guide below should give an indication of the current regulations.
Customers from Northern Ireland and European (EU/EEA) countries* may drive in the UK using their Standardised European Driving Licence, for the classes of vehicle indicated on the licence, for as long as the licence remains valid.
Customers from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man** may drive on their existing licence for a maximum of 12 months from last entering the UK provided the licence is still in date.
Customers from everywhere else may drive 'small vehicles', such as a car or motorcycle as indicated on their existing licence for up to 12 months from the date they entered the UK. You may drive larger vehicles in the UK, if you have driven them into the UK.
TIP - Further information on driving in the UK on a foreign licence can be found here.
* Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden
** Customers from the Isle of Man are politely reminded that we have 'speed limits' here in the UK :-)
You may bring as much Sterling into the UK as you can carry - there are no currency restrictions provided you can prove it is going to be used for your holiday. Bringing large amounts of cash into the UK however, is not a good idea as you may be subject to serious interrogation from border officials (who can take large amounts of cash off you for any or no reason, leaving you to prove it's not for illegal purposes), and also as it's just plain stupid as it leaves you open to theft!
Bring Travelers Cheques in Sterling, which you may redeem for no fee (provided you produce your Passport) at a number of banks and exchange points. Better still, bring your plastic - VISA or Mastercard, Credit or Debit cards - all may be used in numerous 'hole in the wall' ATM Cashpoints in the UK - they are, quite literally everywhere, even in small, remote country shops. Most do not levy any fee for cash withdrawals however please check first, as others can charge up to £3 even for small withdrawals.
TIP - Check with your bank before to travel to see what fees you will be subject to for using ATMs in the UK. Credit Card providers can levy huge fees for overseas cash withdrawals. While you're checking, make sure they understand that you will be using your card whilst away - they may put a stop on your card if they suddenly see a lot of unusual transactions whilst you're here, and away from your normal spending zone!
TIP - if you only pay a fixed fee, make occasional larger withdrawals instead of frequent smaller withdrawals.
Cashpoint withdrawals and 'point of sale' credit/debit card transactions in the UK most commonly use 'chip and pin' technology. It is wise to cover or otherwise conceal your PIN number when entering it. Special care should be taken with cashpoints to ensure they have not been tampered with. Never disclose your PIN number.
TIP - Small denomination notes, although bulkier, are more convenient in the UK. Also keep a good selection of change (small coinage).
TIP - If you do have large amounts of cash, don't keep it all in the same place, either on the boat, or on your person.
The UK offers a full Poste Restante (To Be Collected) service through the network of Post Offices.
Obviously while this is fine should you be planning on a visit to a static location, when out cruising the British Waterways network it isn't necessarily very easy to know where you're going to be at any one point in time - or how long you're going to stay there.
Therefore Poste Restante is possibly not the solution should you need to have mail or other postal items delivered to you in the UK.
Sheffield Narrowboats are more than happy for you to have mail delivered to our address. We have developed a network of boatyards, chandlers, pubs and friendly lock keepers to whom we can forward your mail, either as it arrives, or in bulk at set periods.
We do not charge for this service. All you pay is the cost of the postage.
(Sheffield Narrowboats Limited cannot accept any liability for items of post that are lost or damaged. We endeavour to exercise a strict duty of care, however circumstances out of our control may lead to damage, loss or delays. We are happy to use Special Delivery, where valuable items must be signed for upon receipt, however this is totally dependent upon the goodwill of the recipient accepting the mail on your behalf).
Please Note: "Royal Mail", "Special Delivery" and "Post Office" are Registered Trade Marks.