The Low Down on British Currency
| Currency: | pound sterling |
| Currency code: | GBP |
| Central Bank: | Bank of England |
| Currency symbol: | £ (pound) |
| Currency sub unit: | p (penny, pence) |
| Nicknames: | Quid |
| Bank notes: | £5, £10, £20, £50 |
| Coins: | 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £2 |
The British Pounds is the 4th most traded currency in the world. It was first circulated in it's current decimal form in 1968.
The most commonly used bills for British Pounds are the £5, £10, £20, £50 and £100 notes. The most commonly used coins are the .01, .02, .05, .10, .20, .50, £1 and £2.
What to spend your pounds on:
-
![*]()
Entry to Westminster Abbey
20 Pounds
-
![*]()
Pint of beer
4 Pounds
-
![*]()
Fish and chips
5 Pounds
-
![*]()
Postcard and a stamp
1.5 Pounds
-
![*]()
3-mile taxi ride
15 Pounds
A budget
RecalculateMust-sees in England
- Brighton
- Just 90 minutes from London, Brighton is a great little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the capital. It's a great little day trip and the chalk cliffs are a great photo-op.
- Cotswolds
- The Cotswolds are an area of rolling hills and quaint villages tucked away in the middle of England that are great for exploring and are full of places quintessentially British.
- Oxford
- If you're feeling particularly erudite, Oxford is another great day trip from London where you can explore one of the oldest institutions of higher learning (and the setting for many scenes in the Harry Potter movies).
Buying British pounds online is easy
Order British pounds online, lock in the rate and collect at your local store, at the airport before you fly or have it delivered at home
Prefer to Buy in Store?
If buying online is not your thing, visit your nearest Travelex store around and one of our friendly sales consultants will help you organise your British punds for your trip to the UK.
Find a StoreTravelling to the UK in the Future?
Track Rates and get notified when the British pound matches your ideal rate so you can decide if it’s a good time to buy!
Track Rates
ATMs at Web Rates
A convenient, fast and simple way to withdraw EUR, GBP, NZD and USD 24/7. Get our WEB rates from our 'online' ATMs.
Locate an ATM