Know Before You Go: A Traveler's Guide to UK Currency

Europe EnglandByJessica Macdonald Jessica Macdonald King's College LondonJessica Macdonald lives in South Africa's Eastern Cape province and has been TripSavvy's Africa Expert since 2016. She also covers travel products and has written about everything from camping knives to climbing chalk.TripSavvy'seditorial guidelinesUpdated on 06/06/22Before you arrive in the United Kingdom, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the local currency. The official currency of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland is the pound sterling (£), often abbreviated to GBP. Currency in the UK remains unchanged by the European referendum of 2017. However, if you're also planning to visit the Republic of Ireland, you'll also need euros (€) as pounds are not accepted. Pounds and Pence One British pound is made up of 100 pence. There are coins with 1, 2, 5, 1, 20, and 50 pence denominations as well as 1 pound and 2 pound coins. Notes are available in 5, 10, 20, and 50 pound denominations, and each...