Britain Offers Free Guidebook for Youth

The second edition of “UK The Guide,” the British Tourist Authority’s free guide for young visitors, is now available.

The 82-page book reviews British music, food, entertainment and fashion. Young travelers will find information on where to stay, what to see and how to get around.

The guide mentions that one of the economical ways to get around London is by using a one-day pass valid for unlimited travel after 9:30 a.m. on the regular London bus and Underground (subway). The price (Mondays through Friday) is $5 or $6.50, depending on how many zones are traveled. You can purchase it at Underground stations. Weekend and weekly passes also are available.

Students are eligible to purchase standby tickets at some theaters immediately before performances. Theaters offering this discount include an “S” in listings in local entertainment guides.

In addition, there is an official half-price ticket booth in Leicester Square, where anyone can purchase tickets for same-day performances for half-price plus a service charge of up to $3.25, if performances are not sold out.

“UK The Guide” also includes information on getting a job, au pair positions, exchanges, backpacker tours and bus services, discount cards, shopping, pubs, concerts, festivals, comedy clubs, nightclubs and an extensive listing of budget accommodations.

It lists organizations such as the British Universities Accommodation Consortium (BUAC), a group of 68 universities and university colleges that can help with information on accommodation in student residences during school holidays (nonstudents are welcome). BUAC can be contacted at Box 1490, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD.(Telephone: 011-44-115-950-4571, fax 011-44-115-942-2505.)

For copies of “UK The Guide,” contact the British Tourist Authority, 7th Floor, 551 Fifth Ave., New York, N.Y. 10176; tel. (800) 462-2748 or 011-44-181-846-9000.

Izon is a Toronto-based freelance writer. She can be reached at https://www.izon.com