What a pleasure to relax in a small restaurant after visiting a great variety of monuments, museums and galleries. During your European vacations, you may have noticed that every country has its own national eating out institution. It is impossible to imagine London without pubs, witch are rather like someone's houses. Today there are many new pubs, with their own laws and rules. This article contains some information about traditional British restaurants. It could be useful during your European vacations in London.

There are two main types of pubs in London: alehouses and inns. Alehouses are quiet small places where people meet to drink. Most of alehouses are rather expensive. They are generally situated near famous places. For instance, Albert at Victoria Street SW1, Red Lion at Parliament Street SW or Dickens Inn at St Catherines Dock, E1. Inns are places where travelers can stay overnight. For example, The Greyhound pub at 2 High Street Carshalton Surrey has 20 bedrooms or Windmillon common at Clapham Common Southside London SW4.

 If you're going to a pub, you should know the laws about them. Pubs can sell alcohol at certain times. Children under 14 can't go into bars where drinks are served. However many pubs let children accompanied by an adult in usually before 21.30. Pubs open traditionally at 11.00 to 15.00 and at 17.00 to 23.00. After that time, you cannot buy alcohol. In the "City" pubs close at 21.00. People under 18 cannot buy alcohol in pubs and play machines that give money as prizes. Those pubs where children are welcome have a special sign at the entry.

Several years ago, no-smokers used to avoid eating in pubs, because of cigarette's smoke. Today some pubs are smoke free areas with the improved air quality. They are Flask at 77 Highgate Hill West, London N6, Mitre at 24 Craven Terrace, London W2 or Albion at 10 Thornhill Road, London N1.Many pubs are in historical buildings but if you are not interested in architecture and history you might still visit a pub with a garden called beer garden. Or else you may visit a countryside pub. It is not difficult to find it, because these pubs are often near rivers and canals and have a special character of their own.

Your vacations in London would not be so exiting and thorough without visiting at least only one pub. These English restaurants offer the opportunity to escape from bustle and to taste London's life. Sources www.londontourist.org www.pubs.com www.viewlondon.co.uk V.N Bogoroditskaya, L.V Khrustalyova "The world of Britain" - pp.74-75