England’s 2015 tour of the West Indies
Advice for fans travelling to the Caribbean for England’s tour of the West Indies.
England’s 2015 tour of the West Indies - Photo credit Mark Hooper via Flickr
The England 2015 Tour of the West Indies will be in Antigua, Grenada and Barbados from 13 April to 5 May 2015.
The first Test match will take place in Antigua at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium 13 – 17 April, followed by the second Test 21 – 25 April in Grenada and concluding with the final Test 1 – 5 May in Barbados at the Kensington Oval. Thousands of visiting supporters are expected to follow the English and West Indies teams. As well as this advice, check out our travel advice for Antigua, Grenada and Barbados.
Passports, visas and travel insurance
British nationals do not need a visa to travel to the Caribbean.
Antigua and Grenada both require that your passport is valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry. Barbados requires that your passport is valid for the duration of your stay.
On arrival you may be asked to provide evidence of funds to support your stay, and a return or onward ticket. If you’re transiting another country en route to or from these islands, make sure you check the entry requirements for that country.
Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel; treatment and repatriation can be expensive. If you lose your passport, or it is stolen, you’ll need to obtain an Emergency Travel Document from the nearest British High Commission.
At the matches
Match venues will be enforcing their standard conditions of entry. Prohibited items generally include: alcohol; drugs; glass bottles or breakable containers; metal containers, cans; offensive weapons, including potential missiles; flags over 1m x 1m in size; musical instruments; and professional camera/video/ audio equipment. All match venues reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone who is intoxicated and/or disorderly. Licensing laws are strictly enforced: even being mildly intoxicated can lead to being refused entry.
Tips
The level of crime is no higher than in the UK. Be careful with personal possessions and travel documents in cities and other popular tourist destinations. Avoid carrying everything in one bag; only carry what you need and leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes. Ensure that the safety deposit box is also secured to the wall. Don’t leave bags unattended in vehicles, internet cafes, pubs or clubs.
As a visitor, you must get a local temporary driving licence to drive on the island. The car hire companies will usually help with this. You must present a valid UK driving licence. You must carry this temporary driving licence and a form of photo ID (preferably your UK licence) when driving. Make sure you have sufficient insurance, including if you borrow a car from a friend or relative. If you’re hiring a car immediately on arrival, be extra careful – you’ll be jetlagged and tired from your flight. Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal. The penalties can be severe. You must wear a seat belt at all times.
Take care when driving on the roads as there can be potholes and speed bumps. Observe the speed limits. You should take extra care on minor roads and in rural areas where there are narrow roads and blind corners. Pedestrians often walk on the roads and indicators are not always used. Take extra care when driving at night as some roads are unlit. Road signs and hazards may not be easily visible.
Be sun smart! Use sunscreen and wear a hat when you are outdoors.
British High Commission
Our High Commission in Bridgetown supports British nationals in need of assistance.
Emergency services numbers
In a life threatening or time critical emergency, call 911 in any of the three islands. More specific numbers are below:
Antigua:
- Police – 911 or (268) 462-0125
- Ambulance - (268) 462-0251
- Fire - (268) 462-0044
- Mount St. John’s Medical - (268) 484-2700
- Medical Emergencies - 999, 911 or (268) 562-2433
Barbados:
- Police 211
- Ambulance 511
- Fire 311
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital - (246) 436-6450
- Bayview Hospital (private) – (246) 436-5446
Grenada:
- Police: 911 or (473) 440-3999
- Fire: 911 or (473) 440-2112
- St George’s General Hospital (473) 440-2051
Further information
- England & Wales Cricket Board website
- Barmy Army website
- The West Indies Cricket Board website
- Tourism websites for Antigua, Grenada and Barbados
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