Originally Posted by
Ldnn1
Incidentally, you really don't need cash at all in the UK*. In fact in London it is actually quite hard to spend it. But each to their own.
*certain establishments in Hounslow may be an exception, but that's really increasingly rare
In most developed places it is quite possible to get by only with cards but I've never found it hard to spend cash in London or anywhere else. Street food, farmers markets, gratuities, small out-of-the-way diners and the occasional donation to a homeless person are all times when cash is very handy. I always carry local cash and cards when traveling and at ATMs and credit card prompts always decline the currency conversion.