Europe

United Kingdom

Location

Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, north-west of France.

Be aware of the threat of terrorism. Vehicle security, personal security, muggings, robbery, theft, pickpockets, civil disturbances, general travel, navigation, off road driving, building / office security, climate injuries, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, terrorism, cultures / customs, communications, emergency shelters if in the wilderness / mountains / moors.

Safe to drink in all towns, cities, villages. Bottled water readily available.

Mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and south-east.

Temperate; moderated by prevailing south-west winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast.

Winter windstorms; floods.

Hepatitis A, HIV/AIDs, polio, typhoid, yellow fever.

Continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (has met Kyoto Protocol target of a 12.5 per cent reduction from 1990 levels and intends to meet the legally binding target and move towards a domestic goal of a 20 per cent cut in emissions by 2010); by 2005 the government aimed to reduce the amount of industrial and commercial waste disposed of in landfill sites to 85 per cent of 1998 levels and to recycle or compost at least 25 per cent of household waste, increasing to 33 per cent by 2015; between 1998-99 and 1999-2000, household recycling increased from 8.8 per cent to 10.3 per cent.

Roads and driving are generally of a high standard. Beware driving off main routes in remote locations, due to narrow roads and blind bends. If travelling in remove areas of Scotland and Wales ensure you have enough fuel, as petrol stations are sparse.

For more in-depth general information please download our Preparation and Training document.