Travelling to England

A practical travel guide for international guests

Entry Requirements

From Mexico — Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
What you need:
Mexican passport holders do not need a traditional visa, but do need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). As of
February 2026, travellers without one will be denied boarding. This is mandatory.

Key details

Cost: £16 per person
Valid: 2 years, multiple trips, up to 6 months per visit
Decision: usually automatic, allow up to 3 working days
Apply at gov.uk/eta or via the UK ETA app (App Store or Google Play) — only use the official gov.uk site

When to apply
Apply as soon as travel is confirmed. There is no reason to wait — the ETA is valid for 2 years so early application has no
downside. At minimum allow 3 working days before departure. For July travel (peak summer season), apply at least 1–2
weeks ahead. Your ETA is tied to the specific passport used — if you renew before travel, you need a new ETA.

From France — ETA also required

What you need:

Since Brexit, EU citizens can no longer enter the UK on an ID card — you need a valid passport. French citizens also now
require a UK ETA for short visits.

Cost: £16 per person
Apply at gov.uk/eta or via the UK ETA app (App Store or Google Play)

When to apply
Apply as soon as travel is confirmed. Most decisions arrive within minutes, but allow up to 3 working days.

Apply at least a week ahead for July given peak volumes.

Combining UK and Europe — Important

The UK is not part of the Schengen Area. If you plan to visit France, Spain, or other EU countries as well as the
UK, you need separate authorisations for both. Your UK ETA does not cover Schengen travel, and vice versa. If
planning a combined UK and Europe trip, make sure both are in place before you travel.

from mexico

Most guests from Mexico will fly into London Heathrow (LHR).

Direct flights from Mexico City (MEX). Connections from Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancun and other cities via MEX or a US hub.

Mexico City to Heathrow: direct, approx. 10-11 hours
Other Mexican cities: connect via MEX, or via Houston (IAH) or Dallas (DFW) — both have strong London connections
Book Heathrow where possible — it has the best onward rail connections.

from france

French guests have several options. We use the Dieppe to Newhaven ferry ourselves.

FERRY: DIEPPE TO NEWHAVEN
Three daily sailings day, evening, and overnight. Crossing takes approximately 4 hours. Bartley Lodge is approximately 90 minutes by car from Newhaven.

OTHER FERRIES: CALAIS OR DUNKIRK TO DOVER
Shorter crossings (1h30 to Calais, 2h to Dunkirk) but a longer drive to the New Forest from Calais (~3h30).

EUROSTAR
Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras in ~2h15. Best for those without a car. Arrives in central London close to Waterloo station for onward New Forest trains.

FLIGHTS
Paris ORY to London Gatwick or Paris CDG to London Heathrow

Travelling to England

London Heathrow (LHR)

1h30 by car · ~2h by train. Best international connections, most direct flights, strong rail links into central London.

London Gatwick (LGW)

1h45 by car · ~2h30 by train. Good range of international flights. Southern location makes the drive to the New Forest straightforward.

Birmingham (BHX)

Approx. 2h15 by car. Around 2h30–3h by train with a change.
Useful for some European and UK regional flights. Often good fares. A practical alternative if you find a strong deal, though not as convenient as Heathrow or Gatwick

Avoid for this Trip

London City, Stansted, and Luton are less convenient. Avoid unless the fare difference is significant and you plan time in London first.

Most other UK airports are impractical due to distance from the New Forest

Airport Options

Getting to the New Forest by Train

From the Airport

From Heathrow: Heathrow Express to Paddington (15 min), then Elizabeth Line or taxi to Waterloo (20 min).
From Gatwick: Gatwick Express to Victoria (30 min), then short Tube or taxi to Waterloo.

From Birmingham: Train from Birmingham International to London Euston (approx. 1h20), then Tube or taxi to Waterloo (10–20 min)

Using the Underground

The Tube is London’s subway/metro system and the easiest way to move around the city. You don’t need to buy tickets in advance: simply tap in and out at the barriers with any contactless payment method (credit/debit card or phone wallet). The system automatically calculates the cheapest fare for all your journeys at the end of the day.
Take a moment to look at the Tube map or use a journey‑planning app. Some stations have many stairs while others have lifts, so check accessibility if needed. Lines are colour‑coded and well‑signed, making the network straightforward to navigate.

Trains to Brockenhurst

South Western Railway from London Waterloo to the New Forest. Comfortable, scenic, straightforward. Trains every 30-60 minutes to Brockenhurst or Ashurst.
To Brockenhurst: approx. 1h30 from Waterloo, 20 min from Bartley Lodge by taxi. Recommended.
To Ashurst New Forest: slower service, 10 min from Bartley Lodge by taxi.
BOOKING: download the Trainline app, very easy to use for all UK trains except the Underground (also works in France!). Advance tickets significantly cheaper.

Alternative: Hiring a Car

Drive on the left!

Hiring a car gives maximum flexibility, especially for exploring the forest. Parking at both Bartley Lodge and Warborne Farm.

DRIVE TIMES

Heathrow to Bartley Lodge: approx. 1h30 via the M3
Gatwick to Bartley Lodge: approx. 1h45 via the A3 or M3

UK DRIVING REMINDERS

Drive on the left
Speed limits in mph: 30 in towns, 60 on rural roads, 70 on motorways
Drive slowly in the forest — ponies cross roads unexpectedly

Time Zone and UK Hours

1/ BRITISH SUMMER TIME (BST - GMT+1)

The UK uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter, and moves to British Summer Time (BST, GMT+1) from late March to late October. The wedding is in July — BST applies throughout your visit.

2/ TIME DIFFERENCES IN JULY

· France (CEST, GMT+2 in summer): France is 1 hour ahead of the UK. When it is 12:00 noon in London, it is 13:00 in Paris.
· Mexico City (CDT, GMT-5 in summer): Mexico City is 6 hours behind the UK. When it is 12:00 noon in London, it is 06:00 in Mexico City

3/ DAYLIGHT SAVING

Both the UK and France change their clocks in late March (forward) and late October (back). In July you are well within the summer period — no clock changes to worry about during your trip.
Days in July are very long by Mexican or even French standards. Sunrise is around 04:50 and sunset around 21:15. It stays light until well past 9pm — plan accordingly for outdoor photos and events.

English Weather

July Forecast

July is typically warm and sunny — average temperatures around 18-22C (65-72F). It can rain, so a light jacket is worth packing. Days are very long — it stays light until 9-10pm.

For Mexican Guests

Much cooler and greener than central Mexico. Think mild pleasant summer, not tropical heat. Bring a layer for evenings outdoors.

For French Guests

Very similar to northern France in July — green, mild, and occasionally showery. Broadly comfortable and familiar.

The New Forest has a good food scene for a rural area — country pubs, farm shops, and some excellent restaurants.

Traditional pub food — pies, roasts, fish and chips. The pubs in Burley and Brockenhurst are worth a visit.
Sunday roast — a British institution: roast meat, vegetables, roast potatoes, and gravy. Highly recommended if you are around on a Sunday
Local farm shops stock great cheese, bread, and produce — perfect for a picnic in the forest.
A cream tea: scones with clotted cream and jam — a British classic. Do not leave without trying one

FOR MEXICAN GUESTS
The food is milder in spice and heartier in portion than home. Vegetarian and dietary options are widely available.

FOR FRENCH GUESTS
The quality of countryside food has improved enormously. Look for gastro-pubs — pub atmosphere with restaurant-quality cooking.

Discover English Food & Drink