What is The legal drinking age in England(U.K.)?

You have to be an adult - that means 18 or over - to buy and drink alcohol* in pubs/bars etc, but you can legally drink in private at any age over 5.

*under 16 may consume alcohol bought by a parent or guardian
a restaurant etc with a meal and at the licensee's discretion

18 for drinking in public
14 for drinking wine, beer or cider with a full meal accompanied by parent or guardian.
5 for alcohol at home without doctors orders.

In a public place it's over 18 for spirits etc, but in a private place (ie. the home), it's over 5.

What it should be in the USA also, 18 year olds can fight and die for the USA, but they can't have a drink.

Hello,

I am from a foreign country, and me and my parents are going to stay in England for two weeks.
In my country it's legal to drink alcohol till 15 percent alcohol when you are 16.

I have already seen that it's different in england: though, the last post was from Januari, 24th 2008. Did anything change concerning these rules after this date?

(I guess there are people who think that I'm alcohol addicted: I can guarantee you I'm not. I only like to have a beer somtimes and I don't want to get in trouble with local authorities.)

greetz

The legal age to purchase alcohol in the UK is 18.
16 and 17 year olds can consume an alcoholic drink (beer, cider, glass of wine) with a table meal if bought by an adult. (18+)
5-17 year olds can legally drink alcohol in private premises. (not licenced premises)
under 5's cannot be given alcohol at all, unless it is under medical supervision or in an emergency.

IT IS 18 TO DRINK IN THE UK IN A PUBLIC PLACE,

16 & 17 YEAR OLDS CAN ALSO CONSUME BEER CIDER & WINE (NOT SPIRITS) IF BOUGHT BY AN 18+ Y/O WHILST EATING A TABLE MEAL ONLY! NOT FINGER FOOD.

THIS IS NOT A LEGAL RIGHT IT IS AT THE DISGRESSION OF THE LICENSEE.

15 AND UNDERS CANNOT DRINK IN A LICENCES PREMISE FULL STOP.

THIS IS THE LAW IN THE UK (I AM A BIIAB LICENCE HOLDER)

21 muppet

18!!!! does it make any difference

i'm 95% sure its 18

what is the legal drinking age in the u.k. ?

When i went to Madeira when I was younger , you could by any kind of alcohol at any age !!! So you could walk in to a store a 10 years old and come out with wisky !!