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Sport & Activities
The United Kingdom has a wealth of sports and activities to offer visitors – from classic sporting events for spectators, to opportunities for numerous outdoor pursuits. It is well known that many popular sports originated in the UK. Football, cricket, rugby, golf and tennis, to name but a few, were invented here. These sports are still avidly followed and played by many enthusiasts. For more specific information on sport in the different areas of the UK, see the individual country sections.
Spectator sports: Football is the UK’s most popular spectator sport. The season lasts from August to May, and matches are played mainly at weekends. Most football clubs sell tickets in advance, though for some clubs (eg, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United) games will be sold out months in advance. The main cricket (played strictly between April and September) and tennis tournaments are held in England, while rugby, is particularly popular in Wales. Horseracing and motor racing are very popular throughout the UK, with the chance of making a fortune through the bookmakers being a major attraction. The best known rowing and sailing regattas take place in England, and are regarded as important social events.
Golf: There are courses in every corner of the UK, from famous courses to more modest ones. The British Tourist Authority publishes an in-depth guide to 150 courses, containing information on fees and visitor availability called Golf Britain.
Outdoor pursuits: Walking, mountaineering, caving, climbing and cycling are all easy to arrange. With the UK’s countryside ranging from rolling fields and pleasant farmland to austere mountains, all kinds of walks are possible. There are 11 national parks and numerous other protected natural areas in England and Wales. Further information on national parks, and specific paths can be found in the individual country sections. Although nearly all land (including land in national parks) in the UK is privately owned, walkers have access to it along rights of way which are marked on maps and usually signposted. There are also areas where it is permissible to go beyond rights of way, and these are known as ‘open country’. An excellent series of maps is published by the Ordnance Survey, a government agency. Widely available and covering the whole of the UK except Northern Ireland (maps of which are published by the Ordnance Survey of Ireland), these come in different scales (1:50,000 and 1:25,000). There are many outdoor pursuits centres which offer tuition in mountaincraft and watersports and organise trips. Moreover, walking is a very popular activity in the UK, and there are several influential organisations which exist to promote the interests of walkers. The Youth Hostels Association (see Accommodation section) provides a network of cheap hostels, and runs courses; The Ramblers’ Association, Camelford House, Second Floor, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW (tel: (020) 7339 8500; fax: (020) 7339 8501; e-mail: ramblers@london.ramblers.org.uk; website: www.ramblers.org.uk) produces leaflets and a very useful Yearbook (cost: £5.99 plus postage) and organises trips and group walks.
Note: Following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in England during Spring/Summer 2001, some footpaths or areas of countryside were off limits to the general public. Although the last of these reopened in September 2002, it is a good idea generally to check footpath status with the Ramblers Association ‘walkwatch’ page (website: www.ramblers.org.uk/info/walkwatch.html) for up-to-date information.
English courses: There are many language schools where foreign students can learn English. More than 370 of these schools are inspected and approved (accredited) by the British Council under their accreditation scheme. A wide variety of courses is available, from business English to courses designed especially for young people and those studying for specific examinations. Many schools organise social programmes and accommodation with local families. Further information and advice about choosing a language course can be obtained from the British Council, Education Information Scheme, 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN (tel: (020) 7930 8466; fax: (020) 7839 6347; e-mail: generalenquiries@britishcouncil.org; website: www.britishcouncil.org). The British Council’s overseas offices can also provide information and advice.
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